My first day back, I decided I was going to get to school at 6:30 and try to figure out everything....the schedule, what they were doing, where all my stuff was...etc...I was the first one to arrive at school at 6:27 besides our custodian Mr. Emit. I asked him if he would go get my big comfy chair out of Adam's truck and he did. He also put it together for me. Bless him!!! This whole time, I never paid attention to the shirt he was wearing.
About 15 minutes later, Jessie came in with a gift basket from the school. In it were snacks, $100 Visa card, a Cracker Barrell card, and a Chik Fil A card. That was just so thoughtful!! I noticed her shirt said "Wishing Wilson Well." It was green...my favorite color. It still didn't register to me that I had seen Emit wearing the same shirt. One by one, my coworkers were coming into my classroom and giving me hugs. They ALL had on this same shirt. It was so heartwarming!! I'm not usually one to want to be the center of attention, but this was probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.
That day, I had students bring in gifts, flowers, and welcome back cupcakes. Everyone was so welcoming!! By the time I got to the end of the day, the announcements came on and our principal called a staff meeting. I was SO oblivious of what was about to happen I kind of thought to myself "Really??? I just want to go home." I was so exhausted because I went from laying in bed all day to working 8 hours with a 2 hour commute.
Our school accountant, Penny had me holed up outside the library talking to me about this girl who was an awesome sub if I ever need one. I still didn't realize what was going on. I walked into the library and it was obvious I was the last one in there. It was a sea of green shirts and everyone clapped for me. I jokingly turned back around and started walking towards the door. Again, I get embarrassed when I am the center of attention.
I noticed 2 of my close school friends Lindsay and Jessie were standing up. Lindsay said: "First of all, thank you for your donations." I followed up with "Yeah thank you!" because I assumed they were talking about donations that were given to me back in the Summer. Lindsay said some more things and walked over with tears in her eyes and handed me an envelope. Jessie followed and hugged me as well. My Dugan family had made another substantial contribution to me.
I addressed the staff with tears in my eyes and said "I didn't prepare a speech...(haha) but I told them that we are a family and that I had told my mom I don't think any other school (if I worked somewhere else) would have done as much as they have for me." I thanked them from the bottom of my heart. It was short and sweet because I was a hot mess and was embarrassed.
God continues to provide for me. This goes back way further than my transplant. God provided me with the perfect school to work at. He knew I would need their support later on. Words can not express how grateful I am to each and everyone of my coworkers. They are some of the sweetest people I've ever had the pleasure of working with in a school. There's not the typical
cliques or groups that you usually see in a school. Everyone just genuinely loves everyone. I am so grateful to be apart of my Dugan Family.
XOXO
God Bless
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