Stories by rnteach (7 matches)

The Giving Plate

I have been blessed many times today. As many of you know me, I have a mentally-challenged son. Every day, including today, he thanks me: "Thank you, Mommy, for my dinner; thank you, Mommy, for buying me this juice."  He can't articulate much, but when he does, it means the world to me! Today we were extremely fortunate to have the Kindness Team at our school. I felt humbled, as they radiated so much goodness and kindness. I felt called to show them my gratitude.   So, I decided to make them a luncheon. I was thanked so many times! Then, a "Giving Plate" was presented to me filled with vegan cookies, which as a baker, I knew took a lot of time.  I was told that I was to share the treats, fill the plate, then pass it on. What an amazing concept! This plate originated in Detroit, and I ... Read Full Story >>

He Was There For Her When No One Else Was

I have never had a birthday party before, so at this "ripe-old" age, I decided to throw one for myself. Approximately 20 people confirmed that they were coming. I don't have a lot of money but splurged in the $1 store to buy decorations, plates. I had a tiny budget in order to feed all of them. I sat, I waited, I pondered, and, although all of my "friends" said they were coming, no one showed up! The celebration was supposed to start at 12 noon. Here it was, 4:00pm, and still, no one was here. The expensive cake was melting, the food on the BBQ was burnt beyond recognition. I tried, really hard, not to cry. I decided to sit out back, reflect on the wonderful things that I did have, and read "Chicken Soup." All of a sudden, I heard a screech and a roar of an engine, just outside ... Read Full Story >>

A Wet $20 Bill

It was pouring rain, no, not pouring, but hailing without the ice. I was starving and decided to pull over to a McDonald's. Very interesting site! When I went to order, I saw a young man, about 20, dirty, wet, and disheveled. He had a loosely wrapped dirty bandage around his right hand; I noticed this because I am a nurse. He was talking to the glass door, as the wind and rain gusted and blew. Before my order came up, he had walked outside, clutching an empty transparent plastic bag, and sat on the ground. I knew that it was freezing out there, even if it was California. I kept looking at him, then I noticed a wet $20 bill next to the double glass doors. At that time, two more men approached me; one clearly had alcohol on his breath, but he kept asking me: do you think he ... Read Full Story >>

Hoku, The Little 1st Grader And Her Blue Post-it Notes

This is not a pity story, but my past weeks were filled with negativism, cruel remarks, and hopelessness and despair! I was feverishly working at my little office next to the Health Office, trying to input results from about 150 students' screenings. Little Hoku walked in: "I have a tummy ache." She said. "Okay, do you want to go to the Health Office or lie down, perhaps?".  I asked. "No, I want to sit right next to you." This was interesting, I knew Hoku.  She had to come to the Health Office everyday before lunch for her medications. Although I always spoke to her, she never replied to me. I kept working. "You know I'm a good drawer." She expressed. "I'm sure you are!" I responded. Still typing, I saw that she had "filched" my blue post-it note stack. The next thing I knew, there was a blue post-it stuck to my ... Read Full Story >>

Making a Day a Little Less Stressful!

Tomorrow is the first day for teachers in a challenging school. The teachers are 99% new! Baking, baking tonight! I think I'll decorate with butterflies, etc., to make them smile! BTW, I think that these kind teachers are sharing kindness so many times a day; they are truly the nicest people I have met! :)

2-Liter Sodas, $2 and a 2-Year-Old

I was walking into 7-11 after school to purchase a much-deserved large-gulp diet coke. I warily looked over the threesome walking in; one was an older man with many missing teeth; the little girl looked to be about 2, but her hair was a jumble, and her clothes a bit dirty. The younger man had many piercings, pants down to the butt, so many tattoos....kinda scary! As I walked out, I saw that they walked out also, nothing in hand, although I saw them with two liter-pepsi's at the counter. "Excuse me," I said, "were you short?" "Yeah, forgot our card at home, but there's no worry." The younger man then showed me his tattoo of the little girl: "See, that's my sister, I take care of her." The older man grinned his toothy grin, "We love her." I handed them $2. "Nah, nah, it's okay, we going be okay." I insisted. Yes, ... Read Full Story >>

Are You Jesus?

We were walking into the grocery store and my son, who is mentally challenged, asked me why there was someone outside asking for money and food. I tried to explain, for there are so many reasons, right? Drugs, looking for handouts....."But," J questioned, "how do you know he isn't Jesus?" I looked back to my kindergarten year at parochial school. It seems that I colored Jesus purple. Mrs. Perez, my teacher, quickly corrected me. "Coryne, Jesus isn't purple!" I was not trying to be rude, but was really amazed! "Mrs. Perez," I related in a whisper filled with awe, "have you seen him? Is he really not purple?" So, looking through my son's eyes, as well as my perception, I realized that we really don't know what Jesus looks like. Yes, we purchased a snack and drink. Well, come to find out, he just lost his job as an Engineer. He ... Read Full Story >>

The Giving Plate