[/caption]When my brother Kip was in college, he belonged to a fraternity. (I know, totally blew my mind about what a fraternity man looked like because Kip is the antithesis of the beer guzzling, skirt chasing man I stereotyped. My brother-in-law, Dan belonged to the same fraternity and again the opposite of how fraternity boys are portrayed in movies.) Well at the end of the first year in the fraternity (which Kip later became the president of, that overachiever) he was awarded "The Most Improved" Fraternity member. I recall thinking, "Huh". It seemed like such a backhanded complement. Like when someone says to you, "Wow! You look so much better than the last time I saw you!" Or "There is no way you are 40! I can't believe it, you don't look FORTY!" This may sound like a complement, but if it is said repeatedly incredulously enough, it starts to feel like, 40 is not THAT old for crying out loud. The first meeting of my coaching group, I arrived a total wreck. I had just discovered that my youngest brother was in the Intensive Care Unit and details were sketchy at best (even the "d" word was being thrown around a bit, no not the 4 letter one, the 5 letter one). When I shared with my sister afterwards what a slobbering, blubbering fool I was that day and how you just can't make a second impression, she suggested that perhaps I could utilize my dramatic start by proclaiming at the end, "This coaching group completely cured me, I mean look how far I've come!!"
[caption id="attachment_1032" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Duck towels are so adorable."]
[/caption]The reason I was thinking about all of this was because I feel like Ellie should receive "The Most Improved" award from school. Contrast the first day of school, when Ellie cried rather loudly outside her classroom to a few weeks ago when she went on a field trip to the zoo with her class. Not only did she go on a field trip, she rode on the city bus (yes, Madison has city buses) beside one of her classmates. She was nervous about going on a fieldtrip because she loves knowing the routine at school. When she started to become upset prior to school, she was able to think her way back up to goofiness.
[caption id="attachment_1035" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Anyone looks more photogenic w/ a baby in a ducktowel next to them. Try it at your next photo opportunity."]
[/caption]I was not sure if we were going to make it through the school year at the begining, and without the stellar school community we have I am not so sure she would have.
One day I was at school waiting for Ellie with Ben. Two grade school girls ran inside past us and into the principals office, stating how they were going to go get the principal. I thought, "WOW! I have needed that kind of spunk a few times at the hospital to get things done!" What amazed me was that the principal came outside and had a discussion with the 4 girls who were involved in conflict. She did not scold them for coming to her, she took action and jumped right in to see how she could be of assistance. I was astounded. I mean in my day, the principal was there when you were in TROUBLE with a capital "T" and in that sing songy kinda voice.
The love and care and respect and kindness that has been shown Ellie throughout the school year has been above and
beyond what I ever could have imagined. From Ms. Zahrt and Ms. Lowery and Ms. Renault to the superpowers of Ms. Zwart. Ms. Renault (one of the student teachers) created a fabulous book about emotions with Ellie and her class. A page in the book that makes me tear up every time says this, "...I want everyone around me to feel happy and spill goof every day. I make people smile everyday beccause it is my job and why I am a fabulous person!" I'll let you know if Ellie wins the award, and if she does, I will not view it as a backhand complement, because I know how far she has traveled this year.
Congratulations Ellie on your achievement -- whether or not you get the award... Great humor and pride you share in this entry Debi. I love to hear it. (And of course you were awesome at the coaching meeting -- I loved how you showed up, it was powerful).
ReplyDeleteYou're so amazing how you appreciate the joy, the progress, the love around you. You've got a very cool measuring stick by which you measure things...know what I mean?
Hip hip hurray for Ellie!
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