Saturday, May 14, 2005

A class act

My children started out their education in a Montessori school. For five of those years, they were in the Pre-Primary/Kindergarten class under an excellent teacher by the name of Sharon Root. This year Mrs. Root is retiring after 26 years at the Montessori school.

One of the hardest things that I have ever done in my life is to turn my children over into someone else's care. I was nervous that first day when we met Mrs. Root, but within two minutes, she had won me over with her gentleness and soft voice. She took Madison into her room and into her heart, and for three years, she helped my shy, little toddler grow into an independent young lady. My youngest daughter was already independent by the time she began Mrs. Root's class, but after three years, Darcy too thrived and blossomed with Mrs. Root's guidance.

They say that in every student's life there will be a teacher she never forgets. I now know that in every parents' life, there will be a teacher that her children will have they will always remember. Sharon Root has nurtured my children with love and kindness. She provided a safe environment for them to learn. She helped them with self-assurance, independence, and she taught them the learning skills they will need for the future. She started them both out in the world of education. We could not have released our children into a better pair of loving arms.

Mrs. Root, we love you and adore you, and Tom and I can not thank you enough for all you have done for our children and our family. We wish you well in your new endeavors. You are the teacher we will never forget.



Monday, May 09, 2005

Everything is Rosie

I first saw Rosie O'Donnell in a movie. I'm not sure which one, but she was funny. The one movie that I do remember is A League of Its Own because some of it was filmed in the Indiana city that I grew up in. My mother's best friend was actually one of the softball players that the movie was written about, and she is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. So we went to the cinema and saw it several times. I thought Rosie was funny. I liked her.

I didn't really get to know her (as much as anyone can get to know a celeb) until she did her show. When she talked, I heard my voice. When she gushed over her guests, I felt like she knew it was how I would act. Except for the fact that she grew up with no mother, was a fabulous student, had a great sense of comedic timing, and actually did something with her life, I felt just like her. Most of the time, I saw myself in her. I was sorry when the show ended.

I read an article on her blog about a month and a half ago, checking in. It was like rediscovering an old lost friend. I'm glad she is back.