Dear So and So

[Owlie]

Dear grandma -

I'm glad they are making you comfortable. Saying goodbye was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I'm glad that I got to see you one more time though, and to tell you I love you.

SheFly

(((SheFly)))

[solobiker]

{{{Shefly}}} I am sorry that you are going through this but very happy you were able to see her again. I work with the older population ( I have worked with them for close to 20 years) and just love it so much. I have met such wonderful people with plenty of stories to tell. It brought a smile to my face to see your pic and tears to my eyes to read your post. All of my thoughts are with you.

[SheFly]

Thanks to all for the hugs and comments. Sadly, my gram passed away early this morning. I am really glad that I go the chance to visit and say goodbye. And solobiker - those stories will be in my heart forever!

SheFly

[redrhodie]

I'm sorry for your loss, Shefly.

[Catrin]

Very sorry for your loss Shefly, I am very glad you had the chance to see her.

[Crankin]

Sorry about your grandma, SheFly. Grandparents are special.
Veronica, I do not think it's OK for parents to text their kids during school hours. What's wrong with these people? They can't let go. Not just with their kids, but it drives me crazy seeing people who just have to be connected all of the time. Sometimes, when I am running or riding early in the AM, I see women walking with their ear to a phone. Now, who the hell needs to be having a social conversation at 6-6:30 AM? I sure am not calling my friends then.

[snapdragen]

I'm so sorry Shefly, it's good you were able to say goodbye. ((hugs))

[emily_in_nc]

I'm sorry for your loss, Shefly. Grandmothers are so special -- I miss both of mine a lot.

[Crankin]

Dear Limewave:

+ a million
My own children used to chastise me for coming to their baseball games, sitting apart from the other parents, and grading papers. I had to explain to them that I did it because I didn't want to get into one of the discussions like you had. Every conversation started and ended about teachers. I always wondered, gee who is talking about me right now?
One of my esteemed bosses had a favorite saying: "the deadliest place for a teacher is the soccer field on Saturday morning."

And, this is why when I go to school meetings now, I always preface it with "I was a teacher for 30 years," so they don't think I'm one of those therapists who only sees the good side of a kid for 1-2 hours a week.

[lph]

Actually, soccer games Saturday morning are deadly places for parents too... I couldn't believe the amount of mean gossip and eye-rolling going on about the parents who weren't there, and why they weren't there, and how could they possibly not support their children... (like, for example, they have three other kids, work on weekends, have better things to do or just don't feel that their child's wellbeing depends on them watching them run around on a football field four times a week?)

It's amazing how many people feel the need to judge others harshly based on very little information.

[limewave]

Dear Limewave:

+ a million
My own children used to chastise me for coming to their baseball games, sitting apart from the other parents, and grading papers. I had to explain to them that I did it because I didn't want to get into one of the discussions like you had. Every conversation started and ended about teachers. I always wondered, gee who is talking about me right now?
One of my esteemed bosses had a favorite saying: "the deadliest place for a teacher is the soccer field on Saturday morning."

And, this is why when I go to school meetings now, I always preface it with "I was a teacher for 30 years," so they don't think I'm one of those therapists who only sees the good side of a kid for 1-2 hours a week.

I've taken to walking laps around the soccer field during practice. If DS is with me, I play with him on the playground or take him on little walks until DD is done. I purposefully separate myself. I don't like getting drawn into gossip. Its very easy to slip into that kind of talk.

These same parents got all uppity with me when I mentioned I was trying to organize a U8 pick-up soccer night at our house and trying to arrange carpool for soccer camp this summer. I was told I was a pushy, over-reaching soccer mom. I was ticked. DD asks me to play soccer with her, literally, EVERY night! She begs me to play with her and to have friends over to play soccer. But none of her friends want to play. I'm just trying to create opportunities for her. Sheesh!