This story-writing has been fun. I'm still waiting to hear the reaction from the first chapter, but am continuing the saga in the meanwhile. It is good to reflect on days past. And writing it for Maggie gives it a different perspective than it would if I were writing it for Dannie's child, or Lyra's children. In those stories, of course, Dannie or Lyra would be the main focus.
I heard a lot of remembering today at a funeral I attended for the mother of one of the young women I work with. She was an important person in her church, in fact 5 pastors were there! Four had known her over the years, and one was the current pastor.
The eulogies included references to all the children she taught over the years. And how so many of them still kept in touch with her up to the end. It was a wonderful celebration of her life. I'm sure my friend was proud to hear all the compliments about her mother.
However, I know that her mother often made my young friend feel like she had not lived up to her mom's expectations. So it was hard for me to hear how other children thought she was so special (and my friend did, too), when I know that my friend needed that encouragement and affirmation from her mother and too often didn't get it.
I'm sure the woman did her best. That she loved her daughter (and her son) was evident. It's just that some people find it easier to praise others than their own children. Why is it, I wonder? I was glad to see my friend hugging her own children, wiping their tears, holding their hands while they said goodbye to grandma.
And my friend is a wonderful teacher, too. She is a home visitor for the Early Head Start program, and visits parents (most of them very young) in their homes each week, teaching them directly and by example how to be the best parents they can be. This is a very difficult and draining job. My friend does it very well. I'm not sure her mother recognized that this type of teaching is every bit as important as having a class full of first-graders.
I admire the home visitors, and this young woman is one of the best. I'll tell her often. It's the least I can do.
Life is puzzling, but good. Thank you, Lord. Amen
6:47 PM
Maggie's Story has it's own page. I have loaded it with the newest chapter on top, which might be annoying if you are reading it for the first time, but is easier and faster for me to load each new chapter. E-Mail me if you enjoy this story. The names have been changed to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent.
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