A Precious Gift - A Mother's Love

A journey began six years ago when a caring and committed mom registered her little boy for kindergarten. By first grade, Tasha became ill with a pituitary gland disorder requiring a very risky surgery. Her only worry was her boy. A principal only has one thing to say at a time like this, “Tasha, I promise when your son is at school we will take care of him and do whatever we can to support you and your family.” Words I have said hundreds of times.

Tragedy fell upon this young family. The high risk nature of Tasha’s surgery caused a stroke with lead to a comma and evidently to Tasha being called home to be with the Lord. Xavier, her second grade son, was now without his mother and the principal had a promise to keep.

Xavier’s teachers are the main reason for his success. Carefully selecting his teachers every year was the first step in keeping my promise. He would need teachers who care first and teach second. His teachers held his tender heart in their hands. His former teachers became his school moms being there to celebrate his success and redirect his actions.

Each December, he would act out in class and arrive in my office. The door would close and he would start to cry. Crying quickly became sobbing as I wrapped my arms around him. He sat there and cried as he remembered the news of hearing that his mom was no longer with him. I would turn my head to hide the tears dripping down my cheeks.

As his tears dried up, I would put my hands on his shoulders and simply say that he was lucky to have his grandmother and sister who loved him and cared for him and that he was not alone. Softly placing one hand on his heart and one hand on his face, I would remind him that his mom was always with him because she lives in his heart and mind. She is always looking out for him and his job was to make her proud. I prayed and hoped and that what I was saying would help heal his tender heart.

Last week, Xavier was selected to attend Tim Horton’s summer camp. As I went through the cum folder, I came across and old forgotten picture from Xavier’s kindergarten round-up. A polaroid picture of Xavier and his parents. I slid the picture in my pocket wondering if I should give it him. Would the picture make him sad? Would the picture open an old wound? I debated back and forth on what to do.

Xavier and his grandma came into the office and we worked together to complete the camp application. When Grandma smiled at me, I could see Tasha in her eyes. I don’t remember taking the picture out of my pocket. I cannot recall handing it Xavier. The words I said didn’t seem to come from me. It was as if Tasha was in the room.

He clasped the picture in his hands and for the first time in a long time I saw a huge smile run across his face and his eyes sparkled like a kid at Christmas. He shouted out with genuine glee “Look it’s me and Mom and Dad…look how tiny I was”. Grandma smiled and said look how healthy your mom is in the picture, but it is what she said next that shook me in my chair. Grandma smiled as a tear dripped from the corner of her eyes, “Oh honey, now you have a picture of your mom , dad, and you. You have the picture you always wanted.”

You don’t know if what you say to a child matters. With genuine joy in his heart, my young friend looked at me and said, “my mom lives in my heart and mind I know she is always we me.” An old principal swallowed hard and thanked God for giving me a wonderful and great gift.

I was humbled last Thursday. A truly greater force sent a child to teach me that a mother’s love cannot me stopped by death, that teachers care first and teach second, and that the words we say to comfort a child matter. I was truly reminded about the power of turning a challenging situation over to the Lord to guide our actions and words.

Thank you for taking the time to read my simple words. These words were truly written through tear filled eyes. We are more valuable than the opinion of the governor and state legislators. We are more valuable than our compensation. We are more valuable than test scores. I was reminded that a greater force guides our work. Teaching is a noble profession. We are valued for the difference we make in the hearts and minds of children. We change lives.