Thursday, January 12, 2012

Relationship Reflection

"Personal relationships are the fertile soil from which all advancement...all success...all achievement in real life grows."

Ben Stein


Growing up an only child and a product of divorce I struggled with sadness, loneliness, and feelings of guilt. I was fortunate to have many people around me who loved me. Without these relationships I do not think I would have had any hope or confidence to achieve the things I have in my life. My grandparents, Nana and Papa, were extremely involved in my life and still are. They are 81 and 86, and they only live two hours away, so I am blessed to be able to spend time with them to this day.  Nana is an outgoing, strong woman who worked her way through college and became a teacher while her husband drove a truck and was away.  Papa is a quiet man who would do anything to help anyone, laughs a lot, and still has the spirit of a child.  The two of them have a dynamic relationship and have been married 63 years!  They have always cherished me and made me believe I was special and capable of anything.  They stood by my side no matter what, and never showed any disappointment in me even when I made poor choices.  They taught me the meaning of unconditional love and modeled for me all the wonderful characteristics I possess today.


My Mom is an independent woman who struggled trying to provide me with the best of everything while raising me.  She worked and went to college full time and finally became a teacher when she was 38.  She always taught me I could do anything I could put my mind to, and she was right.  I ended up divorced with a baby and knew I wanted to finish school.  I was working full time and raising him and didn't think I could, but I knew she did it, so I knew I could.  

Attending school wasn't easy, and I could have NEVER done it without some very good friends. I was fortunate to find a job as an office assistant in a small church preschool.  It was there I met some of the best friends I have today.  After work many of them offered to watch my son when I had classes late at night.  Not only did they help with him, but they lifted me up and told me how proud they were of me.  They told me that I was their inspiration and I hope this is true.  I have been blessed by so many and my wish is that I can provide even more people with blessings in return.

My passion, my preschool, is a place where I depend on many women to help me provide the best quality spiritual and academic early childhood experience.  They dedicate their lives to working toward this common goal and I have learned and grown so much from them.  Without them, I would not be who I am or where I am.

There are many challenges in maintaining relationships.  It is not always easy.  When it comes to work it can be very difficult because I love all the women who work for me.  We are a family.  Sometimes it is very difficult to discuss performance issues or changes in the workplace without letting our emotions get the best of us.  We work through it and we work together in order to establish positive relationships with our families.  Many who walk through our doors can immediately sense the strong bond we all have and comment on the warmth and peace they feel just being around us.  This leads to them placing their children in our care and many of them become our "Sunlight Families" and remain involved with our school for years to come!


3 comments:

  1. Sarah,
    I was especially moved by your posting. I especially love the last picture of the teachers in your preschool. I can tell just by looking at this picture what a strong bond you all have with each other. I hope one day to work in a place where I will have a strong bond with the other teachers the way that you do. Thank you for sharing!

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  2. Sarah,
    Building a strong bond with your staff is half the battle! Once that professional relationship is built, your foundation is started and families will know their children are in caring and professional hands. Even though, as you said, some issues that need to be discussed can be difficult at times. My goal is to one day own my own childcare center, and from your post, you have encouraged me to continue to work towards that goal.
    Amanda

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  3. Sarah,
    Thank you for sharing. I love the quote by Ben, it holds so much truth. If it wasn’t for the rich relationships that I’ve had I would not be where I am today. I am glad you shared how you felt as a child because it lets me know that I am not the only one that felt that sadness, although my mother and father were not together I felt sadness from not having my father in my life.

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