Mom had been working toward retirement, but this was different. This week, retirement did not look like beach trips and flights to see grandchildren. It did not feel like a well-deserved and anticipated vacation, fun times with Dad or coffee with friends. When "normal" platelet counts whisper 200-600 thousand, Mom's levels were a screaming 3 million. So the joy of her retirement "party"
was coupled with concern, love, a few tears from friends, smiles and "everyone's complete attention."
The steller display of her giftedness as an educator had shown forth in her ability to summarize polycythemia, her complicated blood disorder, as if she were speaking to her usual third graders. "My body makes way too much blood," she explained. "and when your body knows to stop making blood, mine just keeps on making it; and I know it's not sunny in here, but I have this huge sty on my eye, so I'm wearing these crazy glasses!" she laughed, putting everyone at ease.
She continued by connecting with her fellow teachers through mentioning their shared disdain for the many achievement tests they were required to give throughout the year; and a humorous commonality of teacher woes filled the room. "But there is one Benchmark that we cannot get rid of," she announced. "That is the Benchmark of heaven, and we all have to make a 100%." She explained, with a huge smile, that none of us are perfect and that Jesus was the only perfect one. That is why his payment for our sin on the cross was enough to get us to heaven. There was nothing we could do but to trust him and believe him when he said, "I am the way."
I have never been more proud of my mother, a perfect example of being led by God's Spirit.....and preparation. For this was not a spur of the moment "oh ok, I will say a few words" speech. As a few transferring teachers had proceeded her with "a few words," the stage had obviously been set for her to share what had been on her heart for a long, long time. This two minute soliloquy was planned and met with much prayer.
I once heard a great person say, "It is not so much about how you start, but rather, how you finish." This indeed was a strong finish. "Nancy is our spiritual leader," one teacher said. Heads nodded in agreement. Eyes filled with tears and fellow teachers lingered to ask about this Benchmark--This free gift Mom spoke about.
I am so thankful I had the chance to be there, and I am thankful that my Mom had a great closure to a great career. She certainly will not retire from teaching, for she continues to teach us how to live and love and trust. And those numbers? They are going down! Now maybe Mom can think about that beach trip. She deserves it!!
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Why Inbetween Ballgames?
The writings found in this blog are mostly written inbetween ballgames. What seems like endless hours as a sports taxi is turning into precious years passing much too quickly. In learning to capture what is truly important, my desire is to invest in my boys, their lives and their ballgames, while connecting with family and friends, the people of West Ridge Church, and women in ministry, particularly church planting. This blog contains excerpts from my life, my thoughts, my experiences and things that God is teaching me along the way.