Today most of my family gathered to honor a very special woman. My grandmother turned 80 last month and the family gathered today to celebrate. Each family member was asked to contribute to a scrapbook created for her. My family, living on the opposite coast, was unable to attend in person, but we were there in spirit. Tonight, I share my tribute to my grandmother.
For Peebee...
Many women have influenced me along my life and on my journey to becoming a wife, mother, and teacher, Peebee being one of them. To teach effectively you must be able to tell stories that engage your students. Growing up, Peebee fascinated me with her tales of being a child during the depression - her adventures with Dickie and how they would aggravate big sister Lynn. Peebee is the ultimate story teller, transporting me to a different era, a different time. Peebee is also a teacher, maybe she doesn't have the certificate, but she is a teacher none the less. Her words of wisdom shared are many, but two stand out to me and I often find myself passing them on to my own students. First she said, "Hard choices are not between good and bad, but between two good things." We may not always want to choose the choice we know is right, but the right choice is recognizable. It is when we have to choose between two good things that we are truly challenged. The second, "The true measure of your character is what you would do if you knew you wouldn't get caught," is my favorite to share with my students. Immediately, their reaction is to tell me all of the naughty things they would do.
Now that I am a grown woman with children of my own and having been a navy wife, I find a new sense of respect for Peebee. Being a preacher's wife, relocating every few years with three children, I understand the challenges she faced. I relate to the the inner strength that she has.
Happy Birthday, Peebee! Thank you for the inspiration.
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