I’m a Woman, a Mom…a Teacher.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8K9s7_k3TM&feature=player_embedded]
Today is the day after…the day after Mother’s Day. I’ve seen this video before and loved it. Today I watched it through the lens of a teacher’s eyes and ears. It’s about being a Mom….it’s about being a teacher.
That’s how I offer it to you today.
As told to us in words and images by Katherine Center.
“You are a miracle.
And I have to love you this fiercely: So that you can feel it even after you leave for school, or even while you are asleep, or even after your childhood becomes a memory.
You’ll forget all this when you grow up. But it’s okay.
Being a mother means having your heart broken.
And it means loving and losing and falling apart and coming back together.
And it’s the best there is. And also, sometimes, the worst.
Sometimes you won’t have anyone to talk to.
Sometimes you’ll wonder if you’ve forgotten who you are.
But you must remember this: What you’re doing matters.
And you have to be brave with your life so that others can be brave with theirs.
The truth is, being a woman is a gift. Tenderness is a gift. Intimacy is a gift. And nurturing the good in this world is a nothing short of a privilege.
That’s why I have to love you this way. So I can give what I have to you. So that you can carry it in your body and pass it on.
I have watched you sleep. I’ve kissed you a million times. And I know something that you don’t, yet: You are writing the story of your only life every single minute of every day. And my greatest hope for you, sweet child, is that I can teach you how to write a good one.
As an educator, and a Mom I was moved by this short piece. These are the words that struck me most deeply: “You have to be brave with your life so that others can be brave with theirs.”
Thank you Katherine Center for reminding me to be a brave educator, woman, Mom.
Thank you for being my inspiration today.
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LISA DABBS
Wife. Mom. Educator. Author. She started her career as an elementary school teacher in Southern California. In this role as teacher, she assisted with a grant project and became the Project Director of a Language and Literacy program. Read more
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I’ve been watching the videos you recently posted. Thanks for sharing them! I look forward to reading more of your posts, too:) I love your blog name….
I ran across your website today for the first time, after following several Twitters which lead me to you. What a find – this video touched me so deeply that I had tears streaming down my face by the end. I am a retired CA teacher fighting for Social Security Fairness for ALL public employees, including teachers in 15 states of which California is one. Are you aware of the Governmental Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision which can deny Social Security benefits to public employees (we teachers in CA) IF ….you entered the teaching profession as a second career or your spouse should predecease you? I invite you to see our website SSFAIRNESS.COM to see a complete explanation of the GPO & WEP. Look under Local Action for the PowerPoint presentation for a full overview. If you find this cause convincing, please join us to receive Political Action Alerts. You may email us at ssfairness@gmail.com. Se my Twitters at http://twitter.com/4ssfairness.
By the way, I love your title, teaching with soul!
Liz
Thank you for this lovely post! I’m so glad my video spoke to you and meant something for you. My husband is a teacher, too–6th grade!–so I know a lot about the teaching life. It really is a labor of love. Many good wishes to you today, and thank you again for featuring my video and words in your post!!
Warmly,
Katherine
Lisa,
You continue to be an inspiration for us former teachers and school administrators. This message was really moving. Please continue writing and sending us good feelings!