When I was teaching, I was afforded the opportunity to form some good relationships with my students. I rarely had discipline problems in my classroom and the parents, I met with were great. My last two years as a teacher, I served as a Career Specialist. I met with students regularly to make sure that they were making plans for their futures after high school. Because of my job, I was able to meet with students one-on-one, work with them intensive. From this, I became mentors to many of my students. I have several students who still call me, text me and even friend me on facebook. Several of my students still call me when they have issues related to school or work that they need to handle. Two of those students, Tiana and Sara, served with me as co-stars in the For Colored Girls play. I called them to see the movie on Friday and we had a blast. I had to remind myself that I wasn't a teen or college student anymore because we stayed out until 3am. After the movie we went to Steak N Shake. I kept telling my former students that I didn't have money, so they bought me cotton candy at the movies and food at Steak N Shake.
Sara was telling me that she was leaving her boyfriend because he was abusive. She called me on Saturday to help her move her stuff--she was living with him and his family. They came to church with me on Sunday and Sara joined the church. After church, I told the girls that if I had money, I would have taken them out to eat. We laughed. Later on, Tiana text me to ask me if I was hungry. I told her that I was eating cold leftover pizza. She said that her mom wanted me to come over to cook. Her mom was sick and couldn't walk. I ended up cooking Sunday dinner for her, her mom and the other young lady. After dinner, I helped her with her homework. Around 9pm, I took them to Walmart so that Sara could get some new pants for work. We joked and had fun at Walmart. Walmart had a $1 clearance rack and Tiana bought me a pair of $1 pants. When we were leaving Sara handed me $20. Just out the blue. I felt so grateful that I had two young ladies that I could mentor and even though they didn't know my situation, they stepped in to lend me a helping hand.
My eyes are watering thinking about it. It's good to know that you can have relationships with people and when you are in need, you don't even have to beg. They just step in.
Another example of this was on Saturday, when my friend Gwen called me with a flat tire. She needed a jack, so I left work to help her. Of course she had other people there helping her, but they didn't have the proper jack. After about an hour on the side of the road, we finally got the tire on. As the four cars lined up on the side of the road began to leave, Carmen realized that her battery had died from keeping her hazard lights on. We all continued to laugh while I pulled my car in front of hers to jump her battery. I then told them that my fuel light was on and I needed to make sure that I didn't run out of gas while we waited on her car battery to charge. After her car started. Gwen told her brother to trail me to the gas station to make sure that I got there without running out of gas. When I got there, her brother gave me $15 to get gas. I added $5 and my tank was half filled.
All of this was because I had a wonderful relationship with his sister and I took time out of my day to help her on the side of the highway.
Thank God for good, wholesome, healthy relationships!!!!!
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