Building Relationships....

I have to start this blog off with a picture of my mother once again. This special lady raised my 3 half brothers from my fathers' first marriage as well as my half sister. Through out the years of raising my half siblings, I can remember mom telling me how much grief and trouble they gave her simply because she was not their biological mother whom had left them and was not her from until many, many years later.
My mother has always been there for all of us, she was the nurturer, the nurse, the psychologists, mentor, the daughter, sister, and wife. Through out my mother's life she has always taught me how to stand up for what I believe in, that is was okay to cry, but then I must always believe that there is a brighter light at the end of what may seem like the longest, darkest tunnel ever.
My mother was there for me through the birth of my 3 children, when I delivered my twins at 25 weeks, I can remember my mother calling every day saying there was a prayer train going, and the girls will make it home soon. About 1 month after my mother touched my children in their incubators, she died suddenly from renal failure. Her selflessness and strength has inspired me to be the mother, wife, educator, mentor, nurse, and psychologist I am today!

This Man, is my hero.. My father! My dad raised 7 children; I am the youngest of them all. My father is 73 years old, and believes in taking care of his health. He has always been a provider for my siblings and I. My dad worked for United Parcel Service for over 35 years before retiring. I can remember stories he told me from the early 70s just starting his job out, having to drive back and fourth through a town called Old Fort. In that time, Old Fort was not a very diverse area, in fact there were still restrooms labeled; "black and white".
 My father told me stories of how most of the citizens, as well as store owners would spout out negative words to him, asking him to not return and deliver at a place where he was wanted. 
This continued for many years, my determined and courageous father continued his deliveries in Old Fort, because at that time, the further you traveled, the more income you could bring in. When asked by his supervisor if he wanted to reroute, he stated; "this is my job, and no one will scare me away, or keep me from providing for my family".
 My dad has taught me to continue to fight for what you believe in, no matter how hard the fight may seem, and a very important lesson was to speak up and firmly if it is for a cause you strongly believe in which is a goal I am personally working on to the day.

 My husband and my children are my biggest supporters! No matter how my day goes, good or bad, my loves accept me the way I am. Partnerships and relationships are so good to have, maintain, and cherish. 

There are times when we as educators must bridge the gap between home and school by communicating daily too the families, building a trusting relationships so that they will be more inclined to ask for help or resources, but must importantly to be aware if there are any challenges with the child at home or school.