My Newest Blessing

As many of you know, a deadly tornado came through Millbury, Ohio on June 5th. It destroyed the high school of the district that I teach in and it caused over 1 million dollars worth of damage to my building, Lake Elementary. But even worse than that, it killed 6 people and devastated countless people. One of those people is Madison (AKA Maddie) Walters. She lost her Mommy, Daddy, little brother, Hayden and her dog. She was the only survivor in her family and she had some serious recovery to do from her own injuries. Maddie now lives with her aunt and uncle and her twin cousins, who are just one year younger than her. They are an amazing family with a very strong faith. You can read about her story on her CaringBridge website that her aunt maintains. You will need to sign up and create a password, and I suggest that you have tissues nearby. The picture above came from this site.

The reason this affects me is not just because I teach at Lake. Maddie is going to be in my 2nd grade class this year. I had heard wonderful things about her from her teacher last year and also from anyone who knows her. However, when I found out she was in my class I had mixed emotions. I was worried that I wouldn't know what to say or how to be all that she may need. Her whole world was altered just a few short months ago. I am a person who becomes very emotionally involved when I hear of tragedies and I had cried many times for Maddie. This just seemed like a role I wasn't sure I was prepared for.

Yesterday I met with Maddie, her Aunt Amy and Maddie's cousins, Abby and Evie at Mel-O-Creme. Her teacher from last year, Mrs. Miller, also came with us. On my way there I was going over in my head what I should say. I just wasn't sure. Should I just act like it didn't happen? Should I just talk about school? Should I ask her how she is feeling? Should I talk about my own family when she just lost all of hers? I was a little nervous when I got there. Mrs. Miller introduced me to everyone when I walked up to the picnic table with my ice cream. From that moment on it was very comfortable. This little girl and her family are absolutely amazing. If I was in her place I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to smile. She was so sweet and polite. She smiled and played with her cousins. I can tell she is going to be a fabulous student. Mrs. Miller had told me that Maddie was her all-time favorite student and that she is everything she hopes her own daughter will be. That's pretty high praise from a teacher, but I can totally see where she is coming from. I only spent an hour and half with her and I already love her. Her aunt was very open and they all talked about her parents and brother. I don't think I will have to be as cautious as I thought in the classroom. I was worried I would have to be careful about saying "Ask your Mom and Dad...." This is something that is said all the time but I was afraid that would be hard for Maddie. She has a very inspirational faith in God and a family who is doing all that they can for her and I have no doubt she will heal physically and emotionally.

I came home from the meeting and I talked with Wes about our own faith. He attends a Catholic church and I attend a non-denominational church (when we actually get there which isn't often since the girls were born). This really doesn't work for our family and it isn't the best for our girls. We need to decide to go to one church as a family unit. He said he would consider going to Mainstreet Church and seeing how he feels about it. This is the church that Maddie goes to (as well as tons of other people that we know) and I think we at least can give it a chance. I do have faith in God, but my relationship with him is no where near what it should be. I also want my girls to be confident in their beliefs and know that He is always with them. If Maddie can trust that everything will be okay and that she will see her family again after all that has happened to her, then I know that I can too. I feel so blessed to know her and have her as a student. I think this will be a year I will never forget and one that will teach me so much. Thank you God for this most wonderful eye opener.