I received a large manila envelope from my son David today. It was fairly thick and a little soft, I assumed that it contained paper but had no idea what it could be. All the way from Richmond, Virginia, he had never sent me anything like this and gave no advance notice of it coming.
Curious of course, but still, as I opened the envelope with the mystery inside, I felt as if I wanted to keep it a secret a bit longer. You know, something like savoring that first bite of your favorite ice cream (mine, peanut butter/chocolate). You are holding the bowl, gazing at this creamy delight, waiting for that first taste, anticipation. Like the ice cream, I only lasted 5 seconds, my desire won out as usual.
It was indeed papers. The top piece was a note from David explaining the contents. They were a stack of letters written by many of his students – letters to me of thanks and appreciation regarding my visit in September and for funding a great breakfast that David cooked for them: his wonderful Tortilla Espanola.
I knew without a doubt that as soon as I would begin reading the letters that I would get teary. I didn’t disappoint myself. This next section is my letter to those wonderful, endearing, courageous kids in the Success Program at L.C. Bird High School in Richmond, Virginia.
What a wonderful surprise today when I received all of your great letters. You are all so very welcome, it was my pleasure, so happy you liked the Tortilla. David has made it for me twice now and I can still taste how delicious it was.
Even though it has been about four months since I was in your classroom, I see all of your faces in my mind’s eye, my memory, and that vision makes me smile. You were polite to the ‘volunteer’ making cinnamon toast but you were loving and as kind to me as your teachers ‘Ma’. I will be forever grateful for the experiences that week.
As I was sitting in the front of the class as my son began to read our story I watched all of your faces. Some of you had a look of boredom; some were fidgeting, some just maybe wanting the class to be over. I watched your faces as it began to dawn on you what the story was all about. When you realized that it was about me, having had a child when I was a senior in high school, the atmosphere in the classroom changed dramatically. As my eyes locked with a student, some held my gaze, other’s quickly looked away. The only noise in the room besides my son reading was all of you, in unison, turning the pages of your copy of our story.
I saw emotion, some very raw, I could see pain. It was so quiet it was nearly deafening. I know that may sound strange, it even does to me. What I mean is that the silence in the room almost had a life of its own.
When I finished my epilogue, the looks on your faces was something I will treasure all of my life. I think the thing that gripped me the most was that you really listened to the story. You answered the questions about the story and then had the most astounding and amazing questions for both of us. I can tell you, without any reservation at all, that you, the Success students gave me one of the best gifts I have ever received. And I was able to unwrap it 6 times over 3 days. Wow!
You are all striving to improve your grades and your lives. I see that in your letters and I hear that from my son. He is so very, very proud of all of you. I am part of that list, the people who are proud of you and your accomplishments. You have the answer right in front of you, the ability to make the most out of your education. Just look in a mirror; looking back is the most phenomenal person in the world. Looking back is the young man or your woman who can set a goal and achieve it. It won’t always be easy, life just works that way. Don’t ever give up on yourself – you can be the cause for change.
I could go on and on about all of you, how truly amazing I know you are. Suffice it to say that my instincts are pretty darn good, I can spot a winner and you are all in that category. Just remember a winner is prepared when an opportunity arises. That is what Oprah says about luck and she is right.
I hope to come back for a visit this spring. If it works out you know I will be at school, it just wouldn’t be the same for me, not seeing all of you.
Sending you a huge hug,
Ma - Dianne
