I Don't Want to Forget Where I Came From

Dear Readers,

 Yesterday, I  delivered treat bags to all 24 of my students to their homes as a care package for their hearts during the pandemic.  Unknowingly, it really did something to my heart.  

It. led. me. to. remember. my. story.

It. led. me. to. remember. my. past.

This is the home I was born into with my four siblings.  We still own this home now and even my brother had lived in it a number of years.  My parents used it as a rental property when we moved out and I even remember having to paint it in high school and college.  I told my parents once that when they die, I wanted the house because I just loved it!  My parents bought this home is 1975 for $35,000.

At the age the of one or two, my parents moved to what I've always known as home.  It's where my parents still live today and it's where my children LOVE to go to play and see them.  This is "Lolo's house."  

This is where my husband and I raise our family today.

See, driving home, I was more and more convinced that-  the neighborhood, the home, and even the area in which you grow up in- doesn't define the person or family you are.  

If you saw my daughter, who is growing up in the home above, you would never be able to tell the difference between her and anyone  of my students I teach in my class.

I know for sure because she goes to the Title One school I teach at.

They act the same.

They have similar interests.

They laugh at the same things.

And, their highlights over quarantine are the same-  riding their bikes without training wheels.

In fact, my daughter is reading at a mid-year first grade level and I have students in my class reading at her level and even above.  Some of those students live in neighborhoods most people would write off.

Yesterday, I re-committed myself to not be one of those people.

I can't explain it but I have a burning desire in me to FIGHT for the marginalized people.

People who are socio-emotionally wrecked (teens/ young adults) , socio-economically disadvantaged (Title One populations), and racially oppressed (minorities and immigrants).

Riding in the neighborhoods of my families that I am in community with during this pandemic gave me a sense of pride of who I am and where I come from.  I moved into the house I am currently living in almost two years ago.  Really, I never imagined living in a home this big and a neighborhood this nice EVER.  My dad was sick at the time and we were living in an apartment seeking a home in Greenbrier to suit my family needs (3 kids at that time) and my parents if they needed to move in- later in the future.  

Well, thankfully  my dad is doing well.  My parents have moved back into their home and we are almost  plus two kids more than when we moved in.  The space, the neighborhood amenities, and plethora of sidewalks and free green space has been so beneficial to our kids especially in this pandemic.  We have more opportunities literally outside of house-  then we had ever experienced before living elsewhere.  

And, safety, I. never. worry. about. it. living here.

For that, I am very grateful.

Riding around-  I remembered that is not always the case for every family.

I appreciated my parents and families more riding around to the different homes because, what I readily have available, - they might be working 10xs harder to achieve for their child.

I know that from experience because that is what my parents did for me.

I never grew up thinking I was less than or remember ever doing without anything I ever needed.

I was 100% a whole kid loved and guarded by my parents who had my future 100% motivating their every  choice of life.

I've been thinking about my past a lot during this pandemic and how I was bred to perform.  If anyone has ever encountered my siblings and I at work,  you would know that we take care of business- almost like a machine.  I can't explain it all- but we were groomed to chase after opportunity because we were always taught it was never ever going to just be handed to us.

We were raised under principles of integrity, hard work, and perseverance.

We are all college graduates, professionals, and kind  people.

That is what my parents always wanted us to be.

That is my drive as an educator- to be that same force of integrity, hard work, and perseverance for the Title One students and their families- I teach and work with  each year.

I'm just going to continue being me.

High expectations in behavior and academic rigor.

Socio-emotional support modeled and integrated in all I do.

Communication and Community First.

Working in this pandemic has been extremely hard.

Everything you know is gone and we are literally starting from scratch again.

After yesterday though, I had realized that this is the most opportune time for me to grow and become  stronger to my vision of myself as an educator.

I do belong in this profession.

I do believe in my students and their families.

I will  be strong to endure it and be stronger because of it.

So- my parents and students will be stronger in it and after it.

For the old me, my family, and my students- I shall let the memories of my past motivate  my convictions to act and make new JOY in our current circumstance.

Thank you Jesus for the heart work that led me to that inspirational drive around town.

Love. Always, 

Crystal