You want me to teach -WHAT?

Being a bit desperate for work and having felt like I was going back in time: You must realize how much I wanted the job at Overbrook. The interview went well and I certainly enjoyed meeting with the two consecrated women and found their life and apostolate most interesting.

I have to say that this school was a cross between my own high school experience and my time at the novitiate. Although I now recall that the ad for the job stated that the school was looking for a MATH teacher...I answered it anyway... Maybe it wouldn't be so bad...

Oddly enough when I was asked to do a sample lesson the class would be an English class...The Holy Spirit is surely with me, I thought. I had still seen only a few of the girls but soon came to meet all 100+ of them. The girls were sweet and gentle and I felt like I was really in a time machine. I was introduced to the "Miss" who was in charge of Academics (the said "Studies"). She handed me a 7th grade English textbook and said, "I think they are on page 68". "It was late February...and they are on page 68" I left feeling very confused to say the least.

Upon arrival at home, I prepared my lesson: it was about time and meter in poetry. I had already made the decision to use my guitar to spark things up a bit... and so the adventure would begin...I would be a part time English teacher and be available as a substitute teacher if one was ever needed...apparently very few of the teachers ever got sick at Overbrook...

Only the Beginning...

After a long and arduous winter...I have resurfaced. The ice and snow and cold has taken its toll and I have come to realize that it is time to retire! Yes that is a beautiful word...but fearsome nonetheless--particularly after working for 40+years the idea of having so much time to myself is a bit daunting.

I continue my story with departure from the daycare center...I did so love the little ones, but it had become impossible to survive never knowing whether or not I could cash my paycheck...Another leap out of the frying pan and into the fire...Yes the fire of the Holy Spirit...because I was blessed to get an interview at an all girls boarding academy in Warwick...The following chapters will extol my joyous albeit sometimes frustrating experiences...Located in a special "little corner of heaven" almost at the end of Warwick Neck avenue my interview seemed to have brought me full circle...from high school to the days I spent in Putnam.

Upon arriving at the Academy I was warmly welcomed by a number of people...staff; as well as students. There was classical music playing over the pa system and the girls were seated around the reception area talking or playing board games. After spending time "at play" with three and four year olds all day this was like stepping into a dream. Looking back, I know that my time at the Academy was a gift to a broken and discouraged "child of God". The consecrated women who interviewed me agreed that I was "born for the job". I know that it was a gift --a gift from the Holy Spirit...The directress and administrator had interviewed fifteen other people and had thought to stop before they got to me...but they told me that something led them to push ahead and see one more candidate --and the rest--my friends...is history.

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The Dream became a Nightmare!

It has been a while since I have posted...Getting older is taking its toll--the work day seems longer and my energy supply shorter...

My "lime disease" is kicking up and the arthritis is killing me... but I have heard from some of my readers that they are missing "Butterfly" and here goes...

Getting the job at the daycare center was a miracle of sorts. The little kids were just adorable and you can surely imagine how great it is to get paid to play... the school was in an evangelical non-denominational church... but was owned and operated by one of the church goers... not the church itself.

In the school we began each day with a prayer and encouraged the kids to pray for their intentions... It seemed to be a great place. I really enjoyed being with my 3 and 4 year olds --I learned as much from them as they did from me... their joy and simplicity were just what the doctor ordered after my experience at St. Cecelia's...

I was Miss Annette to the kids and we spent the day exploring and learning about all kinds of things from Science to History... etc. It was a great time....until the owner decided to move to a newly renovated building and began having financial issues...

Teaching there was good... I had a chance to move up to a first grade class (11) wonderfully inquisitive and adorable first graders from a variety of places and situations.

We listened to "Nose-art" (Mozart) in the morning during math class--the kids loved it and made sure I always put the music on...in the afternoons we had free time when the kids could choose a particular activity and work quietly (independently or with a friend) It was a teacher's dream... until the dream became a nightmare!

What began as financial problems became a disaster... week after week we would take out paychecks to the bank only to be told that it could not be cashed as there was NO MONEY in the account... We tried our best to wait out the situation... but it became impossible... We were falling into debt trying to keep our heads above water... after all hadn't I taught my class that "people work to make money...to pay for the things they need".

And so sadly, preparing for February Vacation...I packed my things and put them in the car... Knowing that during the vacation I would submit a letter of resignation. Reason: Couldn't work for free! After five years it really broke my heart to leave the kids and the friends I made while I was there...but the bills had to be paid... and during my vacation I set out to search for a new JOB!

Dark days...

After working at St. Cecelia's for several years there came a time when the pastor, Father John was reassigned...and a new pastor came. There were difficult and painful days...Father John told me that he would be leaving and that Father Edward would be coming to St. Cecelia's --I was really heart broken...but thought everything would work out okay until my world seemed to be falling apart.

The new pastor systematically let all of the rectory staff... and told me that my services would no longer be needed as principal of the school as he felt that I was not the woman for the job... What I should have accepted as part of God's plan for me was an horrific slap in the face. I told Father I would gladly help with the transition and he told me that I would be finished as of Friday...the last day of school. I was determined to collect my contracted salary and then made my way to unemployment to prepare for a new job search.

I packed what belonged to me into the car and left...a broken woman with little to look forward to... except for the fact that my loving family as usual made me see that this was not the end of the world...just a time for self reflection and to put myself back together. God was so good to me... it was one of the most amazing summer's on record...sunny skies... moderate temperatures and time to enjoy it.

I decided to take some classes at the junior college to refresh my studies and spent mornings at C.C.R.I. studying classes in early childhood and computers. I knew I would eventually have to find work and thought I might enjoy working with little children. Little did I know that I would find an Ad for a job in the newspaper. "Private school and daycare seeks Head teacher for immediate position. Send resume to..." Would this be the answer to my prayers...

I called and made an appointment to meet with the Owner and Director of the school--King's Kids it was called... I just loved the name...this was surely a job sent down from heaven... The young woman hired me on the spot and I would even be getting a raise...from my former salary at St. Cecelia's ...Once again I am reminded that "the darkest hour is just before dawn"...or is it?.....

"MY" Children

Becoming a new family when children have just lost one of their most precious loves is never easy or simple...it is always difficult and complicated. Teenagers are "teenagers" whether they are born of you womb or of your heart and the teen years are seldom ( if ever) lived without "blood,sweat, and tears" Looking back I can see that ours was a normal and necessary path and in my heart I know that all of us grew closer and came to love each other more because of our shared experiences.

Our difficult days seasoned the wonderful ones--helping us to appreciate each other and enjoy our life together. I always loved our little "jaunts" together...whether they brought us to New Hampshire or Massachusetts...it made no difference if we went looking for apples or just taking a ride, they day was always special.

I quickly learned that my life was not like the "Sound of Music" and I was definitely not "Mary Poppins..." I had a "lot to learn"--like how not to lose your temper when the words"...they like the lasagna in school lunch better than yours..." or trying desperately not to laugh as you watch them "folding" the fitted sheets. So many wonderful memories and so many lessons learned...

I know that Dennis and I married because we loved each other...but what a treasure I received in the gift of "MY" CHILDREN! Marrying at 39 made it pretty sure that we would have no children of our own...medical tests made it a sure thing when the Doctor told me that I would not be able to have any children..."You are wrong," I said to the doctor, "I have two --a boy and a girl!" Having been "adopted" by my children after these 20 years I can say I am so happy and proud to be their "mother".

I hold them in my heart--loving them and praying for them that they too may someday know the joy that I have known in loving them...