It was fall, my eldest son was newborn and I was a young educator teaching in an urban public school. I was blessed to have a wonderful position at an early childhood specialty school. We had wonderful administrative staff, our program coordinator, Betty was amazing. Always impeccably dressed she mentored us. I respected her, enjoyed conversations, and learned much everytime she entered my room. She often attended our family meetings (group collaborations, we worked in pods/families).
One meeting everyone left the table and it was just me and Betty. We got into conversation about the year, she asked about being a young mother, shared her experiences with her children when they were the age of mine and her current stage as a parent of an adolescent. As we dove deeper into conversation she shared with me how she was going through breast cancer, some days she just was exhausted, laughingly she lowered the neckline of her blouse a bit and showed lines drawn on her from her treatments. In her sharing I felt admiration, knowing that my exhaustion of motherhood was nothing compared to Betty’s. I leaned into her strength knowing that if she was able to mother, do her treatments and continue on so could I.
This conversation stayed with me, Betty was the first survivor I knew. She battled this beast with grace and dignity mentoring us young educators, mothers showing us how to face each challenge head on. That year our librarian and a student teacher all battled this same beast. Three women, one building, all surviving leaning in and educating not just the students but a young staff. I moved on to other programs, and have lived many lives since those first years of teaching, yet Betty’s stories and those from my early teaching years are a part of my fabric. I stand on their shoulders each and every day as I face the challenges of mothering, educating and mentoring.
Thanks ladies for sharing your stories, facing your challenges and overcoming. I am running for you, honoring you with each breath, mile along this journey. May we overcome this beast.
If you have a story I would love to hear it. Share with me here or email me at marietta.luckman@gmail.com. Here is the link to the 35 mile walk I am doing. https://www.facebook.com/donate/4042621132431443/ You can join me by walking/running with me, by donating or just remembering, honoring those you know who have survived or passed on.
This is my way, as I run I will be remembering, honoring, writing about the family, friends who have passed on or survived this breast, cancer, the stories, lives that have shaped me. Standing on their shoulders, hoping to honor them. Somehow this year it seems more important than ever…. Love to all! You are beautiful, we are blessed you are here. You matter, love to all.
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