Where I’m From
I am from the rolling hills
nestled next to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
I am from the mixture
of a nurse and city employee,
always striving to do their best.
I am from strict Bible teachings and
camp meetings in the warm summer sun.
I am from an upbringing
of promises of togetherness,
distancing ourselves from tough situations.
I am from a broken marriage,
reliving memories of better days.
I am from the blood, sweat, and tears
of a mother’s love,
ensuring her daughter had the
skills and means to succeed.
Dogwood
After Valerie Worth
Closed, it dreams
of warm springtime
days.
Sheltered in the
cocoon of its
strong, mothering arms.
Open, it reaches
with efficient
antennas.
Enveloped by silky
pillows, the caterpillar
enjoys its new freedom.
Divorce
That will never happen to us,
they said.
Finding the buzzing phone
hiding in the coat pocket.
Crying, trying to decide if
I tell my mom.
Knowing it will forever
break her heart.
Knowing it would forever
be my fault.
Getting the dreaded
“I’m moving out” text.
Crying upon completion of
my math test.
Tring to keep in that
I was definitely NOT okay.
Dogs
After Valerie Worth
Accessible at: https://animoto.com/play/88gMKVDV9A42yEappbnpPQ
Fluff Stuff
Soft and fluffy fur
Gives the best puppy kisses
My “Fluff Stuff,” Rylee
So Much Depends Upon
After William Carlos Williams
So much depends
upon
My silver Apple
watch
Made of hidden
technology
Hugging my thin
wrist
Connecting me to the
world around me
Each and every
day.
My Something Beautiful
My something beautiful is my dazzling Pandora charm bracelet. My husband, Joel, bought it for me at the airport on the way to Europe. He wanted me to have something so that I could remember the places we visited. I love how I can add charms to it from places I travel, so that I can relieve the memories. In Paris, we bought an Eiffel Tower charm. This magnificent piece of steel radiates my heart like it lit up the night sky. Next, in London, we bought a crown jewels charm. This radiant crown sits on my bracelet like it did Queen Elizabeth’s head. Finally, we bought a castle charm in Munich, Germany. This charm represents the fairytale presence of the Neuschwanstein Castle. My heart is forever full when I get to wear my something beautiful.
Small Moment Story
As long as I have been a teacher, I have always had a fear that my principal would knock on my door and share bad news. My fears were brought to reality last October.
I was pacing around my classroom, administering the ELA Check In. Questions constantly filled my mind. Am I administering this correctly? Are students taking their time? Will their efforts be an accurate representation of my hard work and dedication teaching them every day? As students finished, I collected their answer sheets and iPads. While doing this, a faint knock was heard at my door. Aware of the disturbance, I walked over to my door and saw my principal and vice principal standing there. I immediately thought that I had done something wrong with the testing administration and was in big trouble, even though I had followed the procedures exactly how they taught me to. My heart sank as I opened the door. They aggressively waved at me to come into the hallway. As I did, another teacher took my place as testing coordinator. “Is everything okay,” I nervously asked. They shook their head, and I quickly responded with “did she die?” My grandmother had been very sick the past few days, and the night before I had a feeling I should stay with her. However, she was sleeping the whole time and heavily sedated, so I figured I could come check on her the next day. They responded with “come downstairs, your mother is on the line.” I immediately burst into tears.
Once in the office, I cautiously spoke with my mother. She informed me that my grandmother was not doing well and was at the hospital. I needed to go see her immediately. Assured that my students would be okay, I quickly left the school and arrived at the hospital. Pacing back and forth, I was finally allowed into my grandmother’s room. The doctor assured me she was in good hands and that they were going to run some tests. Expecting the day to be like all the others, I was dumbfounded when the test results came back. My grandmother had back pain the past few months, which was normal because she had a bad case of Arthritis. All the doctors and specialists we had visited had assured us that she was suffering from the awful condition. That day in the hospital, the doctor told me that my grandmother had metastatic cancer. It was all over her liver, spine, and her ribs. I knew it would not be long before my grandmother made the crossing.
The past five years were spent taking care of my grandparents, both as a caregiver and Power of Attorney. That day in the hospital, I had to make one of the biggest decisions I have ever made. With peace in my heart, I opted to move my grandmother to Hospice and Palliative Care in Hudson. I wanted my grandmother to be comfortable, rather than poked and prodded all night, knowing there was nothing the doctors could do. As hard as the decision was, I believe it was the right one. I was able to spend one more day with my grandmother and was there when she took her last breath. Gripping my hand as she made the crossing, she was able to reunite with her soul mate of sixty-two years once again.
My Self Portrait
Mrs. Pitman's Classroom 