A Letter to my Co-Workers

Sometimes I wake up dreading morning, dreading getting up and dragging my butt from beneath the warm covers I have buried myself in, as if in a cocoon. I dread waking up the kids, fighting with them to get moving, as I myself struggle to wake up my mind and my body. “Five more minutes....” I mutter (repeatedly).

Finally, I step out into the crisp, sometimes biting cold of the morning air as the sun is trying to cut through the morning fog, attempting to wake each and every creature on this side of the world.

Taking a deep breath, the air filling my lungs with motivation, with the breath of life, as I scurry back to warmth.

Even as I run inside to escape the chill I begin to rethink the dread.

I realize I sometimes might complain about having to go to work day after day,

I might complain about the kid's and their attitudes, or about the challenges and frustrations the day will undoubtedly bring. However,

I know that instead, I am surely blessed and grateful for every moment, every day I wake with my family by my side, and every day I have a job to go to; a job that I can honestly say somehow can make a small difference in a life. It may be a smile, a hug, a laugh, or a shared moment of joy or even sadness. Each day can hold a gift, missed in the blink of an eye.

Upon starting my career as a child care provider (on top of motherhood) I was so excited I could hardly catch a breath. I was full of butterflies and inspiration. I was already a mother, so how different could it be from my every day life? Well, I quickly learned.

In the process of learning, which we do every day, week and month of this job I was again able to reignite a spark of WHY we do what we do. I found myself easily misguided, unfocused from negativity bouncing around, thus clouded on my own views.

It is so easy to get lost in the details, in this and that, who said or did what, or how we were wronged, mistreated or left with bruised feelings or perhaps just a bruised ego. It is so easy to give in to the negativity and to drag someone down with you or to sacrifice them to the beast instead of facing it alone. I refuse to let it have the best of me. Yes days are hard, challenges are nonstop and ever-changing, but bottom line, when I look at where I have come from, who I am serving and why...I can keep that spark lit. I hope you (reader) can do the same. If you have made it this far a applaud you!!!

Each day I am surrounded by a team of coworkers. They are all very different, each with their own story, struggle, opinion and differences. I can love and appreciate each of them for who they are and what they bring to the table. Personal feelings and judgments set aside, I can say that I see a greatness in each and every person I work with.

I am surrounded with women of power, purpose and ambition, as well as strength, humor and dignity. I see women who are strong in their day to day life and can still commit to helping, loving and inspiring children.

I see women who come from much, and women who come from little, each putting a piece of themselves into this job.

I see women gifted with words, many words, and some who struggle to get a sentence right.

I see women who are funny, engaging and always bring a smile or a giggle to at least one person a day.

I see amazing mothers, aunts, sisters and grandparents that are still dedicated to enriching the lives of little people, even if it can only be given in snuggles,a gentle word or a helping hand.

I see beautiful women. Inspiring women.

I see women fighting battles some will never know or experience, be it emotional, health, mental or physical battles. Battles nonetheless.

I see single moms, wives and widows, making their way in the world, struggling, surviving but also overcoming obstacles!!

I see women who are honest, trustworthy and can be confided in, when sometimes, it is hard to find.

I have met true friends, strong women, and women with a backbone!

I see some women who are not afraid of anyone or anything!

I see women who have risen from hardship and abuse.

Women who have an amazing life, that few know nothing of, but are quick to judge.

I see the skills and I see the struggle, and there is something each person brings that is unique.

I can honestly say you all inspire me, and I hope that we can all learn to set aside differences, opinions and personal conflicts for the betterment of the children, our careers and company as a whole. Yes, it may have its speed bumps, but overall is a great program. I was excited as a parent to see the difference it made in my child, and hope each parent can feel the same when they part ways with us instead of seeing a broken, confusing and unkempt facility. It takes a team to have a well run and purpose driven workplace. Even if the struggles lie beneath, let the victories shine the brightest!

YOU ARE AMAZING! THIS CHAIN IS STRONGEST WITH EACH LINK HOLDING THE NEXT. I HONESTLY BELIEVE AS A UNITED FRONT WE CAN INSPIRE, SUPPORT AND UPLIFT EACH OTHER AND OUR COMMUNITY. I THINK WE ARE ALL HERE FOR A REASON, SOME OF US MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN WHY. IS IT ABOUT A PAYCHECK, OR IS IT SOMETHING MORE? IS IT A NEED, A WANT OR A DESIRE TO CHANGE THE LIFE OF EVEN ONE FAMILY, ONE SMALL PERSON OR COWORKER WHO NEEDED YOU TO BE A SUPPORT, A SMILE, A HUG AT THIS VERY MOMENT?

EVERY CHILD DESERVES A HEAD START AND EVERY TEACHER, EVERY PERSON IN THIS PROGRAM DESERVES TO KNOW THEIR IMPORTANCE, THEIR IMPACT AND A SIMPLE REMINDER THAT TODAY IS NOT WASTED. TODAY IS A BLESSING. A BLESSING FOR YOU AND THOSE WE ARE HERE TO SERVE.

YOU GOT THIS

DO WHAT YOU DO BEST

AND LET THE REST SORT ITSELF OUT

BE THERE FOR YOUR SISTER, YOUR CO-WORKER, YOUR TEAMMATE, YOUR CO-TEACHERS, REGARDLESS OF THE LITTLE THINGS.

(one more note, as a survivor of a broken home, a broken and stolen childhood, I can remember each face, each gesture, each kindness that was shown to me as a child. I can remember the muse those people played in my life for something better, for something more. That sign you roll your eyes at in the hallway is truth, “You never know who you are inspiring!” It may be a child, a supervisor, a parent or a coworker. Never doubt yourself or what you can do today!)