The relationships that I have had through the years have made me who I am. I wouldn't trade them for anything. However, over the past several years I have realized it is not the quantity of friends but the quality. Positive relationships bring out the best in all of us and there is so much negativity in the world, we need to keep positive people around us all the time.
My mother is one of those positive people. She is a rock and I love and depend on her so much. She has been with me through it all. She opened our center 41 years ago and at age 74 is still working, training, and going strong. I hope that I have it in me at that age. She is a spiritual woman and taught me about God and going to church. She taught me the value of an education and has supported me when everyone else said I was crazy going back to school. She has kept our family together and will be celebrating 50 years with my father in June. I love them so very much. God has blessed me with wonderful parents.
My heart, my love, my little boy, Max. A child is God's gift to us and He really gave me a fantastic gift. I am so very fortunate to be able to help raise this child of God for the time he is on this Earth. We found out 2 weeks ago that I have a genius who is severely ADHD. The doctor asked me how this made me feel. I said it scared me to death. I don't want him on meds, but I want what is best for him. This has been a great burden for me for several months. We will begin meds at the end of March. I'm praying it doesn't change his bubbly personality, but he seems very relieved to know that he will have help to ease his frustration.
Cindy Myers is my most awesome friend. We stood by each other when our husbands were in jail (not together). But it wasn't until she had her daughter and I got pregnant with Max that our friendship really blossomed into full blown love for each other. We raised our kids, went through sicknesses, stuck together when one husband came home. She moved with her husband and kids to Kentucky 3 years ago, and only see each other once a year. But we have that telepathy thing going - when you know one needs the other without talking. We miss each other and our kids do too, but when we get together it's like we've always been.
My best friend would have to be my husband. He would also be the quality I look for in a relationship. He is the giver; I tend to be the taker lately. I'm so wrapped up in work and school, I forget about his needs a lot. He hardly ever gets mad about it; he just reminds me to shut the computer off and take a break. We support each other and depend on each other. We enjoy just spending time with each other. He knows me so much better that I know myself half the time. It is a special feeling to have someone love you so much!
The best relationship I have is the one with my Holy Father. He has blessed me beyond belief. I give thanks to Him for all He has given me. Without Him, this whole life would be meaningless.
Children are the most important things that we can do with our lives. They depend on us to nourish them, teach them, spend quality time with them, mentor them, and model our lives for them. If we don't show them how relationships are supposed to be then how will they know about relationships at all? It is our responsibility to partner with parents and family members to raise our children in positive, respectful relationships and environments. We cannot afford to be irresponsible in this very important endeavor in our children's lives. The benefits of parental engagement with teachers far surpasses the uncomfortability of becoming involved with people we "think we don't like." We need to put aside any biases we have and come together to raise our children to be respectful engaging adults who are not afraid of relationships with people who are different from them.
Kimberly
ReplyDeleteI was truly inspired and blessed by your post,relationship can be really wonderful and motivating at all levels. I just love that you have such great family relationships, especially that your mom is such a source of support to you.It is also very helpful to have a good friend when faced with challenges,especially one who have had some of the very experiences, iron sharpens iron.
I am so sorry to hear about the challenge with your wonderful son, you are a believer from what you share so you know that there is nothing too hard for Go to do, just ask and believe that He hears and He promises to hear an answer. Yes, we are entrusted with precious lives to shape and to be role models for, to model positive relationships so that they may also be good examples. The connection with teachers and parents are the greatest opportunities for partnership,from which children will benefit. We should not be afraid of differences but should use them as opportunities to broaden our knowledge and grasp the opportunity to getting to know what we can do to enrich and impact their lives. Keep up that great relationship with our heavenly father and the profession He has called you to.
Hello Kimberely
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. You have really strong relationships with the people who surround you. I can not even amagine how I would feel either if my child was diagnosed with severe ADHD. However you are strong and I can tell you have a strong support system who is going to work and pray with you the whole way. Your son is amazing to know that he is a "Genius" with ADHD makes even more amazing. Your mother is amazing as well to know she is still dedicated to the educations system and care about the children the way she does you can tell her passion is very strong for the children and education. The relationships you have are very important and very useful for your students and their families. Having a background in positive relationships as your is going to make it much easier in establishing your own relationships with your students and families. Relationships are very important in education and should not be pushed aside for any reason, because your post shows how positive relationships works out in a good way and how families are mentors for their own family. Keep God first and your strong relationship with him because he has already blessed you with so many blessings and the best is yet to come. Good job!!