Lately, I have had writer's block. I usually find motivation in something that has occurred during the day. Yesterday, I received my motivation in the form of a quote.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I shared the story of a substitute secretary in the school where I work. I have had visitors to my blog who aren't following me on Instagram, so I will share my words here:
"I am 'full' this morning.
I just had a visit from a lady who subbed in our building yesterday. She comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
She has owned her braid shop here in Lakewood for 25 years. Her son owns a clothing store next to her salon. I have included her son's card. Please stop by and support them.
Yesterday was her first job subbing as a secretary. She didn't know what to do and made a few mistakes, but I helped as much as I can. My boss also bought her lunch. The staff came and welcomed her.
She came in crying this morning. She called my boss and me out of our offices and said, 'I've been to many schools and this was my first time feeling welcomed. I am so thankful for your kindness.' Then, she gave this (da to me from her shop as a way of expressing her gratitude. She also brought things for our entire staff.
These were things from her shop, but she said, 'I will get my money back in many ways. My mom didn't give me the fish. She gave me the rod.'" Those words were beyond powerful! They resonated with me all day.
As I think about those words, I think about the things my parents taught my siblings and me. They worked long hours, so we learned how to take care of the house at an early age. When I was in elementary school, my siblings and I would go to school, come home, do homework, cook and clean. My parents didn't have to do anything when they came home from work. They gave us the "rod" at an early age. It's one of the reasons I am so driven.
Every Saturday night, my mom used to wash and straighten my sisters' and my hair. At times, she would braid it. I used to watch as she did my sisters' hair. I'd go to my room after and practice on my dolls. The more I practiced, the better I got. Then, I started braiding my oldest sister's hair. Y'all I was in third grade! I have always done whatever I put my mind to doing.
Once my parents were absent from my life and I was old enough to work, I got a job at Taco Bell. I was in high school at the time. I still had plenty of homework to complete. So, I would go to school, go to work, do my homework in the lobby during my breaks, get off close to midnight and still got up to go to school within hours of leaving work. Some days, I didn't know how I made it, but I did. There were times, I had to get off and take care of my grandmother. I passed out on the floor one night when my cousin called me to help turn my grandmother. I was overdoing it, but I kept going.
I joined the army on my own when I was old enough. Months after I graduated from high school, I left Albany and never lived there again. I was in the army a couple of years. I received an honorable discharge after having a few miscarriages. Immediately, I volunteered as the cheer coach of a winning team in Germany. Once I moved back to The States, I went to school and became a Master Cosmetologist.
No matter what I tried, it didn't seem as if my purpose in life was being fulfilled. Since I was in elementary school, I'd always said, "I want to teach." My parents always taught me the importance of a great education, but they never taught me about college and how to pay for it; this was one of the reasons I left for the army. I learned about college through my fellow soldiers. I received my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management because it was my job in the army. However, it wasn't my passion, so I went back to school, received my Master of Education and became a teacher when I was 38 years old. I'd finally achieved my goal of becoming a teacher.
During my first year of teaching, I started knowing I was making a difference in my students' lives, but my impact was great outside of my classroom also. Parents and other students knew me although I'd never taught them before. I also did a lot of things as a leader and spent time helping other teachers. Year one, I knew I wanted to become a principal. By my third year of teaching, I enrolled in Grand Canyon University's Educational Leadership doctoral program. I started working on my doctorate, but it would take longer than I wanted it to.
During year four of teaching, my assistant principal remembered I wanted to become a principal. She called me in her office and told me about our district's admin leadership informational. I went to the meeting, and my mom died five days later. I was going to give up my goal of becoming an admin. However, I knew I would be letting Mom down, but, even more, I would be letting myself down. I turned in my application, applied to the University of Washington - Tacoma. I was accepted to both programs. I started my internship at the end of my fourth year of teaching. During my fifth year of teaching, I was hired as an assistant principal before completing my internship.
At times, I didn't understand how I could go from being homeless and parentless to succeeding in life. Now, I know I truly have Goal-Digger vibes...capable of doing everything I put my mind to doing. I also appreciate my parents for handing me the rod instead of providing the fish. I'm not finished yet!
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