Hi There!
To answer the question above, of course you are smarter than a kindergartner. I thought I was, too, but apparently I still have some learning to do! Here’s what happened…
After school one day last week, upon getting back home, Ellie proceeded to unzip her backpack and pull out her folder to show me all the schoolwork she’d completed for the day. As I was oohing and ahhing at the sight of her artwork, she handed me a worksheet that had a note from the teacher which read, “Keep practicing the vowel sounds at home.” Upon further review, I noticed Ellie missed a lot the questions on this particular assignment, specifically in a section that had an oral evaluation of the vowel sounds at the bottom of the worksheet. I thought, I can so help her with this. I know my vowels! Then I quickly realized the teacher requested we work on the vowel sounds, not the vowel letters. My eyes darted to the letters with symbols on top of them written out by the teacher under each vowel in the section that had given El so much trouble. I thought, Am I supposed to know what this means? I mentally attempted to go through what I thought the vowel sounds might be and quickly realized it was a lost cause. Instead of beating myself up and wishing my late husband, Andrew, could be there to help, I reminded myself I’m a resourceful woman who could still learn new things. I mean, if worse came to worse, there was always Google. The next day, the Lord must have seen my need or perhaps another parent emailed the teacher because, lo and behold, there were instructions for how to sound out the vowels!
Honestly, I figured I had a few more years before I’d need to hire a tutor. I married Andrew knowing I was getting a husband and tutor, all in one. Heck, he was the one who taught me how to study in college. I used to highlight the entire textbook, until Andrew showed me how to highlight just the important information. I looked forward to the days when he would teach our children all the amazing academic information his brain was able to retain. After all, his depth and knowledge were some of the qualities that originally drew me to him.
Somedays it’s the little things, like helping Ellie with her homework or feeling like Andrew would be way better at helping her, that make me miss him. I miss the value I know he would have added to both of our lives if he were still here. Sometimes the little things feel like the big things. As much as we miss him, I’m forever grateful for his love because it changed me. It forced me to grow into someone I never thought I could be, someone who’s courageous even when I’m afraid, who’s willing to take on a new challenge, who’s always growing and learning to walk through the pain instead of sweeping it under the rug. Andrew did this for me. Every day I carry his love and his indomitable spirit in my heart, which inspires my life.
Have you ever been faced with a situation that required you to learn something new? Who has inspired you to keep going, even if you didn’t always know the answer right away?
Can’t wait to hear your responses!
As always, thank you so much for being here with me today. My hope and heart is you are encouraged by our time together. I’m so grateful for YOU! Love and Blessings.
PS – Ellie and I will be at the Cuero High School Homecoming game this weekend!! Go Gobblers! We can’t wait to see the band’s performance of “Dear Ellie,” which the band director, Rick Varela, created, inspired by The Ellie Project. I know there will be tears of gratitude coming out of my eyes. As a way to say “thank you” to the band, we will have a booth set up at the game with all of Andrew’s books and the adorable Ellie Project stationery designed by Susan and Chase Graves with Simply Personal (Yes, Susan and Chase will also be at the Homecoming game with their new addition, baby Langston!). We will donate 20% of all books sales that evening to the Cuero Band. We are so grateful for all the love and support we’ve received from Cuero and surrounding towns. We are excited to be back in Cuero, so if you are in the area, please stop by and say hello! We’d love to see you!
I feel sometimes people are here on earth to help others find their strengths. I remember seeing you at Alyssa and Brad’s rehearsal- you sat back and let Andrew shine ( which he did- he was awesome?) I remember thinking how sweet ( and pretty!) you were but you were quiet and I could tell you were happy to let him take the reins. Years ago an Olympic skater Sergei Grinkov passed away while practicing with his partner(and wife) They too had a little girl about 2 yrs. old. I was so sad because we also had young kids and I felt so very sorry for her. She spoke very little English and would always let him do the speaking for him. I know b/c she wrote a book called ” My Sergei” which I had to read! I love the Olympics and had seen them win the gold medal. My point is she had a very tough time after he passed on but she kind of regained her footing and forced herself to step out of her box. She kind of blossomed and I think came into her own person. She later married another Russian skater .Her name is Ekatarina Gordeeva. I kind of feel that this has happened to you. Maybe one of Andrew’s purposes on earth were to help you come into the strong and totally capable woman you are today. You have alot to be proud of Bailey. You have honored your late husband’s legacy, are raising a beautiful little girl all the while growing your own buisness and creating your own legacy. I hope someday you find an amazing love again but in the meantime you are doing awesome!! I have wanted to write this to you for a long time b/c I really do believe there are angels here on earth to help show us the way. Keep on keepin’on you got this girl!!!!
Hi Sherri! Reading your message brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for taking time to share this with me. From day one, you’ve always been such an encouragement to me and to my family. I can’t wait to read My Sergei! Thank you for telling me about this inspiring story. Sending you a big hug and lots of love! Blessings Sherri.