Sanctuary

The year I was in fourth grade was a very tough one for me. I don't know what was happening in my mother's life during that year, but her cruel treatment of me seemed to peak.

My teacher that year was a young woman who was extraordinarily kind. She impacted me in such a positive way that more than forty years later I looked her up, found her address and sent her a letter telling her what she had meant to me. We reconnected, and the next time I visited my hometown, she and I had lunch together.

I was not the only one who was having a rough time in that 1967-68 school year. None of us children knew it, but our teacher was hurting, too. Her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer before school started that year. She was with us during the day, but spent as much time as possible in the evenings and on weekends with her mother. Her mom passed away that same school year, in the spring. She told me that in that classroom, we kids were precious to her because she could forget the pain of knowing her mother was dying and concentrate on us.

My abuse was not physical, so from the outside I didn't betray the pain I went through. She knew nothing of my nightmare and I knew nothing of hers, yet we found sanctuary together. It made me feel so good that someone who had helped me was also helped by me.

Who are those who have shown you love and kindness, just when you needed it most? And have you ever let them know just what that meant to you?

Susan

Delighted To Be Here

When I was 16, my 24-year-old cousin was diagnosed with a terminal illness and three weeks later he was dead. It was the first time in my life where I was touched by the death of a young person. I have attended many funerals since then, but that was by the far the most heart wrenching. His young wife losing her husband while they were still practically newlyweds. My aunt and uncle, just in their 40's themselves, saying good-bye to their only child.

I once worked for a woman who made no bones about the fact she hated her job. Often when she came in to work in the morning, if someone said hello and asked how she was, she would smile and answer, "Delighted to be here." She meant it with her tongue in cheek, and who among us has not been less than thrilled over a new work day? Same old, same old.

I woke up this morning! And since you are reading this, you must have done the same. There are some folks who are not so lucky. As for me, I am delighted to be here.

Susan