This is my first ever "WILW" post and I would like to dedicate this post to two amazing co-workers: Melissa W. for her strength in facing the unknown, and Jennifer S., for her inspiring display of true friendship and dedication.
What I'm Loving Wednesday...This Wednesday just further proved why I'm in love with all of my co-workers. I happen to work at a school where all of the faculty and staff are truly a family. Today, I saw over 50 people and 700 students rally around one of our own 4th grade teachers, Melissa W. Melissa, along with her older sister, were both recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Melissa is an amazing teacher that truly loves her students and she's probably one of the nicest, most genuine people ever. If you ever need anything, have a question, or just want to chat, she's there. She also has the most adorable little son, Jackson, and I can tell that she's a fantastic mother because her son is the sweetest boy I've ever met. He's truly a reflection of his momma.
Her team member and best friend, Jennifer S., immediately went into action when the news got out that Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer and started forming a plan for our school family to show support for Melissa. The plan was that on her last day with us (today), we'd all wear a pink t-shirt with the Super Man logo that had a "W" in the middle with the phrase "Ward off Cancer" (a play off her last name) above it. Her students would even wear pink to show their support for their teacher. We also wanted to raise money to by her a Kindle because she loves to read and didn't want to lug around tons of books to her chemo treatment. In true OHES fashion, we raised more than enough and were able to get her a nice PINK leather case, an amazon gift card, and a few other items for her. But yesterday, Jennifer took it a step further and had her hair stylist add a HOT PINK stripe in her hair.
Seeing that hot pink stripe in her blonde hair inspired a trend that took off like a wild fire in our school. Another teacher had a tube of temporary hot pink hair color and volunteered her services as an impromptu hair stylist this morning. Just about every faculty member got a streak of pink in their hair, including moi! The icing on the cake was when Mr. H, one of our three male teachers that just happens to be a little bald on top, decided that since he lacked the hair required for a pink stripe, he'd color his beard. The final product was simply amazing!
Melissa's husband was in on the action and persuaded her that Dr. G, our principal, had given him the okay to take her out to a nice breakfast and come in an hour late. This way, everyone would be in their pink shirts and she'd walk in to the surprise! This afternoon, we gathered for a "faculty meeting" and presented Melissa with her gifts and sweet words and well wishes were said. Afterward, we all joined hands and said a prayer for her surgery to go well tomorrow. I could truly feel the power of our prayer and the well-wishes in that room. If love could ever be tangible, it was this afternoon. It was all very emotional and I can promise you that there wasn't a dry eye in the place. With our watery eyes and sniffling noses, we all went out to the atrium and took a group shot. Pictured below, is my amazing work family! Melissa is in the center with a dark pink shirt and I'm behind her to the left. If you look closely, you can see all of our streaks of pink hair!
I would like to ask if you would please keep Melissa and her family in your thoughts and prayers. I know they are in mine!
Today has truly been an inspirational, bittersweet, and loving day. I got to witness a true display of friendship, a community of people coming together to support one of our own, and one woman's strength and bravery as she begins her journey in her fight against breast cancer. Melissa, please know that your OHES family will be with you every step of the way!
And, that my dear readers, is what I'm loving this Wednesday.
XOXO, my loves!
B
