I came across this email from almost 3 years ago, June of 2014. It was the letter I wrote to the teachers, staff & administrators at the therapeutic day school Maggie attended. It was sent to them after her last day of school there. She transitioned back into district in time for junior high. I was sobbing as I read it. I thought I should share it as a thank you to all educators, administrators and support staff because even if no one tells you, YOU make a difference! NEVER forget it! 💜 Thank you for all you do!
June, 2014
Dear S.E.A.L. Administrators, Teachers and Staff,
There is nothing we could build, write, buy or make for you that would ever show our appreciation for the impact you have made in the life of our Maggie! This chapter may be coming to a close, but there are so many more chapters to come. No matter how many adjectives we think of, there are not enough to describe or express the range of emotion and gratitude we are feeling. We can call every single one of you magnificent, fantastic, spectacular, grand, marvelous, outstanding, sensational, etc. and it does no justice for your abilities and dedication. A million “Thank You’s” would never cover it! Everyone in your school community had a part in Maggie’s triumph’s!
This was not a road we ever wanted to travel. It was never a place we even considered we would be. What made this journey the hardest was the people that gave up on Maggie that brought us to you. We had serious doubts about S.E.A.L. No one really had anything positive or negative to say about what we were embarking on. We came in very scared on this journey. What started as a bitter trip has brought us to a sweet, yet sad, curve on this journey.
Maggie came to you out of sync, scared, angry and ready for a fight. This has been a 3½-year crusade that I can honestly, without a doubt say you won, she won and we won! Do you realize you won? Do you look at it that way? You did!! On so many levels! You won her trust, you won her respect, you won her appreciation, and you won her love! This VICTORY is yours and I felt you needed to know it! You NEEDED to hear it!
We hope that you never doubt what you do! We hope you realize what an impact you make in the lives of special needs children. We hope you see the success that you are! What you did for Maggie is nothing short of amazing; you helped her find confidence, compassion, patience and understanding. You helped her find comfort in her ability to control herself and recognize her emotions and to express them. You taught her both academically and emotionally. You taught her to communicate, to ignore and to tolerate. You taught her as a whole person, not her disability! You taught us, also! You gave her more than we ever expected. You gave her a community to be a part of. You gave her strength and hope! You never doubted her ability! YOU molded her success!!
As we continue to blaze this trail with Maggie, we hope you keep her in your thoughts. We have a long way to go, with twists and turns and ups and downs, but I pray that everything you have taught and given her will keep her moving forward. I’m so VERY scared for her and sometimes doubt my decision to move her, but I know you are all there to fall back on if we need you! For that security, I am so thankful!
We know she/we will NEVER forget you. You are all a part of her life story! How awesome is that? Magnificent Maggie Takes on Junior High…. (to be continued)!
Gratefully,
The Becker Family
Copyright January, 2017
Sandra Murdoch-Becker
mycommonsensicallife.blogspot.com
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