Friday was my mom's very last day of teaching. She has been a fifth grade teacher for ... years (I should know how many, but I'm not quite sure...I'll have to update that part later). She decided to retire this year and I must admit that I'm thrilled about it for very selfish reasons. Whenever one of her friends asks her what she's going to do with her free time she says; "I have 8 grandchildren." That says it all! She's going to be busy!On Friday, Christian, McKenna and I decided to surprise my mom. We drove 2 1/2 hours to her school and surprised her with flowers and balloons. It was a great moment when she was walking down the hall and Christian ran towards her with an arm full of flowers.
Needless to say my mom was a little emotional about this. Christian's hug was definitely the best part of her day. I think this entire retirement weekend has been a little more emotional than she thought it would be, but I think that's a good thing. It should be a little sad to leave your coworkers and the profession that you have excelled in and loved for many years.
Christian was thrilled to be out of the car and especially happy that Grandmom found a ball for him to play with. He entertained all the teachers, running around and being silly. That's Mrs. Gray (Christina) in the foreground of this picture. She's taught with my mom for the last 8 years and they've become great friends. Christina if you're reading this I told my mom that I thought you should start a blog!! You'd be great at it and then we could all keep up with your little sweetie, Austin!
This became a very familiar sight. Teacher after teacher came to give my mom a hug and tell her what a great influence she had been on their lives and how much they would miss her! The teacher on the left, Miss Rosa, has been my mom's teaching buddy for over a decade.
Needless to say my mom was a little emotional about this. Christian's hug was definitely the best part of her day. I think this entire retirement weekend has been a little more emotional than she thought it would be, but I think that's a good thing. It should be a little sad to leave your coworkers and the profession that you have excelled in and loved for many years.
Christian was thrilled to be out of the car and especially happy that Grandmom found a ball for him to play with. He entertained all the teachers, running around and being silly. That's Mrs. Gray (Christina) in the foreground of this picture. She's taught with my mom for the last 8 years and they've become great friends. Christina if you're reading this I told my mom that I thought you should start a blog!! You'd be great at it and then we could all keep up with your little sweetie, Austin!
This became a very familiar sight. Teacher after teacher came to give my mom a hug and tell her what a great influence she had been on their lives and how much they would miss her! The teacher on the left, Miss Rosa, has been my mom's teaching buddy for over a decade.
Christian thought Grandmom's work was really fun. They even had ice cream cake and a "tiny park" (aka a playground). Unfortunately I didn't let him play on the tiny park because it was way too hot and he still has a terrible cough.
Congratulations Mom!! We are all so proud of you. You have blessed and touched countless lives over your teaching career. Not to worry, you've still got 8 little people who have a lot of learning to do!
9 comments:
i have tears in my eyes!!! What a great post, Jude. I just think its so wonderful that your mom also influenced you in a great way to become the teacher that you are too! Its amazing that she has been teaching for so long. Mrs. Brinkley, you inspire me to stay with the passion that I have finally found in me! You look wonderful too!
Mrs. Ginny, I know you will read this and I want to say how excited I am for you to start the next chapter of your life. You are such a Godly example of adn wife, mom and teacher. You certainly imapcted my most formative years when I was growing up!
Judy, that was so neat that you were able to surprise your Mom! Christian looks so sweet. And I love the picture of him... looks like it is at your parents (bird box in the background). It is a beautiful shot withthe lighting perfect!
Very nice Judy. It was great that you could get away and document your mom's last day. I know your mom appreciated it. Wish we lived closer so we could share such memories.
Grandmom we are so glad that you will have the opportunity to have time to yourself, and finally get to do the things you and Pop-pop have been wanting to do. Tim and I believe it is time for the 2 of you to start doing more for yourselves. Although we would love to have you visit the south more, we want you guys to enjoy this next season of life even more. You have raised your children, touched the lives of countless others and deserve well earned time together AWAY! It is time to sit back and enjoy watching the fruits of your labor bloom and bear fruit of their own!
congrats to grandmom for being a teacher and touching soooo many lives. she is such an inspiration to me starting a more serious teaching path for my future. my grandma was a teacher for many many years and taught my kindergarten and first grade class! i loved every minute of it and she truly inspired me to become a teacher and be around children daily :)
Congratulations Grandmom Brinkley! (Does Ryan still call her Mom B.?) That is quite an accomplishment!
Heather W.
You know they say that you have to put off being young until you retire, and the irony is that at the point of retirement, when time is no longer of neccessary importance, one is usually presented with a watch. But seriously I love my mom and am proud of her for all her years of service in Harford County. The reality is that most of what she has accomplished will never be recorded by a test, never writen in a permenant record, and never talked about in the teachers lounge, but rather lived out in the character of her students as they positively influence those who follow after them. YOU DONE GOOD! (How's that for the son of a fifth grade teacher). Again on a more serious note, I am glad that mom has chosen this year to retire for no other reason than she has more that earned the right to do what retired people do, which is of course much more than they ever thought they were going to. I LOVE YOU MOM.
Congrats, Aunt Ginny! How cool that, Judy, you guys got to celebrate with her. Anna :)
How great that you and the kids were able to be there and surprise her! I am SO glad for you thta you'll be able to help her with her retirement free time now!
I am so proud of my mom for all of the sacrifices she made over the years for us. She taught school before I was born and then stopped teaching for 14 years to raise her children. Once we all hit "double digits" she started her career again, and managed to keep our home and family running smoothly at the same time. As a working mom now, I completely appreciate all the work that she did for us so much more than I used to! She managed to be an incredible mom and an incredible teacher at the same time! Mom, you have been my teacher, my mother and now, one of my best friends. I love you and I am so proud of you. I know perfectly well that retirement won't mean rocking on the front porch for you, although you certainly deserve it! But I do hope that you make as much time as you can for all the things that you enjoy and have been putting off for awhile. You've earned it, without a doubt!
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