Bingo!

Back in October, I wrote about Amelia successfully making it through our Jackson Park Fall Festival, remember? The whole thing! She had a blast! So, when I told her that Jackson Park was having a Bingo Night, she was excited. Emerson really wanted to go too, so I put in on our calendar and reminded the girls often that we were doing this. Amelia and I had attended last year and we made it through three rounds, I believe, before she had enough and we had to leave. I was leary about our chances of staying the whole time, but rememberd Fall Festival and what a success that was, so I wasn't too worried about going. We got there a little early and chose the table we wanted to sit at. We got our dinner and sat together and ate. Several of my friends from Jackson Park stopped by to visit with us. When we were getting our food, my girls gave my principal hugs. Everyone was so excited to see them. They were in awe of how many people knew who they were, but they didn't know them for sure. Hmm...I guess I might brag about them a bit?! So, we ate our dinner and then the bingo games started. About halfway through the bingo card, the girls started to get antsy. One of my student's parents came over and asked them if they wanted to walk around with her, and they did. That helped A LOT and we were able to make it through the rest of the rounds until the end. We didn't win a basket, but we sure had a lot of fun! We helped carry chairs and put them away and then said our goodbyes to all of our friends and drove home. On the way home, Amelia informed me that they did not do homework, so we got home, did our homework, slipped into jammies and started bedtime routine. I tucked Emerson into bed and then headed to Amelia's room. She was sitting on her bed, waiting patiently. "Hey La. Did you have fun tonight?" "Yes, I did! I really like your friends." "I do too! What was your favorite part?" "Getting to walk around with your student's mommy." "I like her. She's nice, huh?" "Yes." and then Amelia bowed her head, looking sad. "Amelia, what's wrong?" "Sometimes I have a hard time." "Oh, I know. Was it too noisy?" She shook her head and looked at me. "No! That's not it." "What do you mean you have a hard time, Amelia?" "Sometimes I just get overwhelmed." "Why? Overwhelmed with what?" "Love!" "Love?" "Yes...love!" "Why do you look sad about that?" "I'm not really sad, mommy. I'm trying to be serious! There are SO many people that love us. It's amazing!" "It is amazing, isn't it?" "We are just so blessed! And so lucky! There are so many people who love us and take care of us!" "You are absolutely right!" "I mean, look at tonight! Diane came over and talked to me like she loved us. She wanted to know what I was doing in school and she was interested in what I had to say! Tess always gives us loves and tries to tell me I should be at her school. The library lady remembers us just from driving us home that one time. Your students mommy left her own kids at the table and walked around with us. We are just amazingly, and totally blessed!" I smiled at her and squeezed her into me. "You're right, Amelia. We are amazingly, totally blessed!" I kissed her goodnight, told her I had a great evening with her, and walked down the hallway. Amelia is once again 100% correct on this. We are amazingly blessed! When I was hired by the district almost 12 years ago, Jackson Park was the only school open. That was my assignment. I had heard things about Jackson Park and I wasn't sure I wanted to be there, but being the new SLP I was just supposed to go where I was told to go. I had no idea that first day at school that I would love this building and would form bonds and friendships that will last me a lifetime. Amelia is right! I work with an amazing bunch of people! I work with many of the best people around! They are amazing teachers, wonderful people, blessings in my life! I have had many ups and downs throughout my time there and they have stuck by me from the very beginning! They have carried me through emotionally and financially. They supported me when everything was happening with Brian. They jumped in and helped out when I started having seizures. Many of them drove me all over the place without asking for anything in return. I can rely on many of them for a wide variety of things! Amelia is right! Tess is so loving with them and she makes them feel like they are the most special little girls in the world. Diane is always willing to lend a hand, or an ear, or a shoulder. Kathy makes us feel special and is always so excited to see us! The PTA ladies go out of their way to make my girls feel welcome in a building where they don't even attend school. Jackson Park is my second home! I have laughed and cried with these people. They are my coworkers, but many of them have become way more than that! I have formed lifelong friendships with many of them. I know the ones that I can laugh with, gossip with, or share a crazy e-mail or two with. I know that there are always ones with I can share inside jokes with. I know that ones that will help me if I'm having a seizure, or feeling awful. Every year the SLPs sit down and hash out our assignments. We work out where we want to be and every year I contemplate a change. One year I wanted to move part time to Woodlands to be closer to home. One year I wanted to move part time to Clear Creek so I would work with the Autism preschool. But all those years that I contemplated change, I would think about my wonderful team at Jackson Park and immediately put my name down for full time at Jackson Park. They are my other family. They are the ones that have been there for twelve years! They are the ones that celebrated with me when I got married, and helped me announce that I was having babies both times. They cried with me when Brian died and all of that horrible mess came around. They are amazing, wonderful people and Amaelis is right! We are blessed, beyond measure!! So, tonight, we didn't win a basket. We didn't win anything! But we had an amazing time. And just for a second, watching Tess put her hand up to high five Emerson, time stood still and I realized how truly blessed I am! I love my job, and I love my coworkers! I just hope I remember this when I get back to my office and see the giant pile of files on my desk!!