Dear Bret Boone,

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs.  My Dad loved baseball and enjoyed sharing his love for his Cubs with my brother and me. 

One day my Dad and I were watching the Phillies play the Cubs on our 13 inch black and white television.  The Phillies were behind 13-2, and I think it was the second inning. Greg Luzinski was up to bat.  My Dad asked me, "Who do you think is going to win, Ellen?"  Without hesitation I said, "I think the Phillies are going to win, Dad."  

They won in extra innings that day, 18-16, and I have been a Phillies fan ever since. Thanks to Google, I know that day was April 17, 1976.  From that moment on, my Mom and I cheered for her hometown Phillies, and my Dad and brother continued to cheer for their Cubs.  

On special occasions we got to see games at Wrigley Field.  I don't remember any statistics from those games.  I do recall Ernie Banks smiling at us on the cover of every scorecard, my Dad teaching us how to keep score, and crying if the Phillies lost.  My Dad would hug me and reassure me that it wasn't the end of the world.  

One time he got us seats by the Phillies bullpen.  Some Cubs fans were teasing Tug McGraw about a recent aftershave commercial he had done.  I got mad and yelled at them and told them to leave my Tug alone.  I will never forget Tug McGraw winking at me when my Dad got me to sit back down.  I also remember watching Ron Reed warm up that day and thinking he must be as tall as a giant.

When the Phillies won the series in 1980, our Philadelphia family members sent me clippings and other souvenirs.  My Mom made signs celebrating the Phillies with Peanuts characters.  I was so excited to see pictures of all my favorite players and read about them.  I recall being upset when I discovered many years later that those clippings had disintegrated.  Fortunately, my original stuffed Phanatic from 1980 did survive my many moves:)

I started reading your book earlier this week, and I couldn't put it down.  For the two days I spent reading it, I was a child in Chicago again, my parents were still healthy, and I got lost in the inside stories of the Boone family.  It was the most wonderful respite for me.  I enjoyed your descriptions of your family relationships the most.  I believe this book isn't just a must read for Phillies fans.  Your book is a must read for anyone who truly loves the game of baseball.  I can't thank you enough for writing it.  I will continue to spread the good word about your story.

Please thank your brother and your Dad for me for being part of so many families' baseball stories.  While I was reading it, I really felt like I knew your Grandfather, too.

I am tagging many of my teacher friends who love baseball with the hope that they have the opportunity to read it this summer as well.

Thanks again. 

Your friend in North Carolina,

Ellen

Dear Phillippe Aumont,

It is April 3, 2013.  My brother, niece, nephew, and I are making our way on a cloudy and chilly day to Turner Field.  It's my niece and nephew's first major league game.  I'm excited beyond measure because my memories of going to Wrigley with my Dad and my brother are some of my most cherished.  I can't wait for my niece and nephew to experience similar adventures with their Dad.  I know I will take a bazillion pictures...I'm always on a mission to get that one amazing shot.  I dream of sharing those pictures with Phillies charities one day.  

The four of us park, equipped with our rain gear and full of anticipation.  We know rain is a possibility, but we remain optimistic.  We stop to take pictures by Greg Maddux's number because my brother has been a Cubs fan his whole life.  Then we purchase our tickets and enter the stadium.  I pull out my camera as we approach the left field wall.  Our jaws drop in awe.  My hands are shaking.  When I am at the ballpark, my 9 year old self, who first became a Phillies fan because of Greg Luzinski, can't process her excitement.  At times, I can't even speak because I can't believe I'm watching my favorite team in person.  I start clicking away, amazed that so many of my favorite players are here.  

I think the teacher in me has always loved watching the pitchers the most.  I appreciate their ability to lead the game, their strategy for each batter, and the strength they exhibit in all circumstances.  I am inspired by their perseverance.

My niece and nephew are just happy to be here, holding their gloves, and taking in the beauty of the field and all the activity.  Because I am like a kid at Disney taking my pictures, forgetting my own problems, I don't see that you have thrown me a ball.  I drop the ball.  Before I have time to process that I have missed this opportunity to give my niece and nephew an amazing souvenir, you come back and throw me the ball again.  Thankfully, this time I caught it.  I am sure you have done this countless times in your career, but on that day, you made a lifelong memory for my niece and nephew.  I will never forget the looks on their faces. I can never thank you enough for giving me a second chance to catch that ball.

The Phillies didn't win that day.  We were so excited to see Roy Halladay, and we hoped he felt our support despite his struggles.  The rain at times was relentless, but we laughed ourselves silly.  We were excited when Chase Utley hit a home run, and I was thrilled to have the chance to thank Gregg Murphy in person for his efforts and the other broadcasters' efforts to bring the Phillies home to fans each game.

My niece noticed as soon as she looked at her program that she was born on your birthday.  Both of the kids drew me pictures when we returned to our friends' home where we were staying in Atlanta.  My nephew drew a picture of Roy Halladay, and my niece drew a picture of all the Phillies, including you, lining up to talk with the two of us.  

When I heard this Spring that the White Sox had signed you I was thrilled that I would have the chance to see you pitch again as a Charlotte Knight.  I made the mistake of assuming I would have the chance to thank you in person this summer.  

I am also grateful for the conversation we had a year later when I gave you pictures my first graders had drawn when you were an Ironpig.  You helped me get over my Phillies jitters that day.

I will always be a Phillippe Aumont fan.  I am confident that whatever God has planned for you next, you are going to be a positive influence on all those who cross your path. Thanks for all you did for the Phillies and for baseball.

Your friend in North Carolina,

Ellen

It's the Last Inning, Ellen

Three weeks to go.  Fourteen days.

This is the time of year when I attempt to make lists so I won't forget anything.  This is the time of year when I fight the inner battle of self doubt.

Have I done everything I am supposed to do to help every one of my students make progress every day?  Have I continually encouraged the ones who continue to struggle?  Have I consistently thanked the ones who do what I ask the first time?  Have I remembered to challenge all of my students?

I struggle with thinking I'm just not enough.  I keep thinking I need more time and more help.  Both of these are resources that are diminishing daily and will soon run out.  At some point, I have to say, to myself, "Ellen, it's not about you.  It's about your students.  Of course, you're done.  It's time to celebrate another school year completed."

This is the also time of year when God sends me a downpour of reminders that I'm not alone in my journey as lead learner.  He reminds me that He has been with me every step of the way.  He reminds me that He guides all of our learning.

Those reminders for me started coming Friday morning around 9:30am, when a student from my first class of first graders showed up to help.  I had invited her to come for our last Skype with our @Chattothefuture friends in Uganda.  She helped me do some decorating in the hall and helped me get the classroom ready for the Skype.  During the Skype, she took pictures and encouraged my current students to share what they had drawn earlier that day with our friends in Kampala.  Her presence reminded me of how quickly time passes, and how much I need to pay attention to each individual child.  She is an amazing artist and will be a senior in high school in the fall.  When she was in first grade every assignment she turned in was a preview of how God was going to use her artistic talent to make the world a more beautiful place.  Watching her grow in confidence and compassion has been an honor for me.  I am blessed to know her and her family.

About an hour later two more mothers of my current students arrived to help keep the children engaged - especially if we had technical difficulties.  Shortly after my two grade moms from last year arrived and then one of my grade moms from this year arrived.  Six fourth graders came to participate as well.  My assistant principal was also able to catch a few minutes of our cross continents conversation.   Having so much support of my class as we sang and talked with our friends was overwhelming for me.  I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to share with my class this opportunity to serve.  I hope that I have the chance to thank the children in Uganda personally one day.  Their smiles have been bright lights for me in the last two years.  I hope to tell many more teachers about this project at ISTE this summer.  

Saturday morning our school ran in a local 5K sponsored by our YMCA. Our team had about 200 members.  Running has never been on my list of favorite things to do, but I will push my allergic asthmatic self for the sake of our students.  I will admit my lower half still hurts a couple days later, but as my principal reminded me today, it's a good kind of pain.

When I approached the finish line I heard more people than I could count cheering for me.  My friend brought me water and a banana.  Another handed me a fan.  Before I knew it I had found my balance again, and our students were everywhere.  We had the privilege of cheering for a woman who did the entire race in a wheel chair.  Watching her complete the race was inspiring beyond description.  

Saturday afternoon I had the privilege of watching my nephew play baseball.  He grows in confidence and ability every season.  What impresses me most about him is how grateful he is to have his family show up to watch him play.  His gratitude was such a gift, and I enjoyed having the chance to hang out with him on Saturday.  One of the main highlights of our adventures was him working on his somersaults in the pool.

Sunday I found myself at church surrounded by my friends.  They lift me up regardless of how I'm doing.  This small church community has become my home and my family, and I love Sunday's because of them.

I am reminded of one of my favorite Bible verses.  Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength."  I know I'm not the only teacher who feels herself running out of energy, and I know I'm not the only one who struggles with self doubt.  My hope is that if you're reading this, you are encouraged to look for those bright lights in these last few weeks that remind you even when you feel isolated, you are never alone.  Our calling is sacred, and we're indeed all in this together.

We had Field Day today at our school.  I decided to read The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires and have my students create their own most magnificent things.  I hope you have a most magnificent "final inning" to this most magnificent school year.  As always, thank you for lifting me up each and every day and helping me grow as an educator and more importantly as a human being.  

You remind me every day of how blessed I am to be a teacher.

Happy Mother's Day!

Since losing my Mom I have really struggled with Mother's Day.  It has not been a day of peace for me but a day of mourning. I have mourned the loss of my Mom--especially when I was with my niece and nephews.   I have struggled with my dream of being a wife and a mom not being realized.  

But...I'm sure you were sensing there's a but coming...this year is different.  I'll start with Friday.

On Friday I had the privilege of sharing one of my PLN friends with my school for the first time.  Cheryl Fisher came to our school Friday with her guide dog Sanka and her husband Ed and inspired our TK-2 grade students with her stories, her joy, and her faith.  I'm still floating from the experience, and I hope many more teachers are able to have this same experience with their class.  The expressions on their faces and their attentiveness during her talks were priceless gifts.  Those of us who have taught for any length of time know what an amazing accomplishment that is in the month of May:)

On Saturday I had the privilege of attending Mass to see many of my students from last year receive their first Holy Communion.  These Masses always remind me of how blessed I am to be able to share my faith with my students.  Watching these children make their public commitment to Christ inspires me.  I am grateful that I am able to share how Jesus has helped me with challenges I've faced and the loss of loved ones in my life.  When I made the decision to financially risk going back to school to switching careers the one thing I was certain of was that God wanted me in a faith based school.  My Mom was one of the few people who understood my certainty.  Yesterday I was reminded of why I listened to that still small Voice.

Today I am looking forward to worshipping with my small but strong church family.  I can't explain the peace I feel this morning as anything other than His perfect peace.  Last Sunday I officially became a member, and it felt like I was finally home.  Since losing my Mom I think I had felt I was spiritually homeless.  Since discovering my church, my village, I am finally home.  

Imagining what my Mom would say to me today:

"Ellen, enjoy this beautiful day.  My love for you is still with you.  Hug your brother and my grandkids for me.  Work hard till your principal tells you this school year is complete, savor your summer, and celebrate the small miracles you are given each day.  You are more blessed than you can see, expect the unexpected, and remember Honey, with God all things are possible!"

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

P.S.  The first photo is of my Mom as a child at the Jersey shore.  

Faith Tested

Have you ever woke up to news that shook you to your core?  News so tragic you couldn't process it. News so sad you couldn't stop crying.  News you never expected to happen, let alone happen to someone you know.

That happened to me today.  Before I was a preschool teacher and before I was a first grade teacher, I worked with college students in student activities and residence life.  Many of these students have found me on Facebook, and I love hearing their news when I scroll through my newsfeed.  Because teaching took me away from Pennsylvania, physically keeping up with these students has become more and more difficult over the years.  Since discovering the positive power of my PLN on Twitter, I find myself checking Facebook less and less.  This morning when I saw a close friend had posted in a closed group we both belonged to curiosity got me to check.  When I read what he posted I was shocked and saddened beyond description.

One of my former students Stephen died last night, along with his wife Angela and their 3 children, when their house caught on fire.  I can't recall one conversation I had with Stephen, but I remember he was a great kid.  I remember him wishing me happy birthday in recent years on my Facebook wall and smiling big when pictures of his family showed up in my newsfeed.  I had to know more about this family. 

What I saw posted in the last week by Stephen and Angela was beautiful, breath taking, faith filled. I was inspired by Angela's post regarding their son's autism. One of their daughter's had survived a serious illness, and they had lost a baby girl named Faith.  Every post was genuine, honest and filled with love.  These parents were celebrating life's little miracles like their kids getting 100% on a test at school.  They were grateful for the chance to have fun with their children playing in the yard.  You could tell this family was getting it right.  They were living their faith and celebrating the joy of each day they had together.  What struck me most was that they weren't complaining about their struggles.  They were celebrating the blessing of being a family.

Angela had posted two graphics in the last week which caused me great pause.

These images caused me to cry uncontrollably.  I couldn't see how this tragedy could be part of a good plan.  As today has unfolded I have realized what I should be focused on is their faith.  It's the kind of faith I pray for every day.  Faith that leads me to live each day God gives me with the certainty of His love and that I will share His love with those I cross paths with daily.  No one knows when they will be called or how.   I am choosing to focus on their faith.  This family shared Christ's love every day.  

My prayer for the remainder of this school year is that every word and thought I have reflects Christ's love.  Especially when I am the most exhausted from the end of the year frenzy every teacher faces, I pray that I remember this sweet family and choose to trust, to have faith, and to celebrate joy.  My thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends.  

Dear Ryan Howard,

I knew the first time I went to Spring Training that I would always cheer for you.  I watched you handle all fans, especially the overzealous ones, with great grace and patience.  I wondered about the countless hours of hard work that had brought you to that moment.  The player I saw that day knew he was blessed to play baseball.  The person I saw that day made a permanent positive impression on this lifelong Phillies fan.

My first graders and I have been enjoying reading your Little Rhino series.  We are in the middle of Book 2, and they comment every time we read about Dylan.  They really want the two of you to end up friends.  You and your wife have done such a wonderful job writing these books.  I hope you have plans to add to the series because my students absolutely love them.  It has been such a treat for me to share a children's book series that incorporates my love of baseball and even more my love of my Phillies. 

This is one of the toughest times of the year for teachers.  It's the little things that keep you going, and for me sharing your story has been a bright light amidst all that we have to do during this last quarter.  When a large envelope shows up from a Catholic School in North Carolina for you at Citizen's Bank Park, you'll know it's from my students.

Thank you again for telling your story.  Go Phillies!

Your friend,

Ellen

Hope Leads to Joy

                                            

It took 10 minutes, several attempts to troubleshoot, and then an idea popped into my head.  "Right click on the yellow lines, Ellen."  I don't know how it happened, but my laptop speaker settings had been switched, and we weren't able to hear the kids. Right clicking on the yellow lines allowed us to not only wave at our friends in Uganda, but we were now able to hear them.  Worrying about our Skype connection had done me no good.  Listening to the still small voice in my head opened our communication lines.

We had 20 joy filled minutes of questions and answers, sharing art work, and laughter.  The highlight of our conversation was getting to see our friends' chickens.  The sight and sound of chickens clucking on another continent brought us all closer together.  Our service efforts took on a whole new meaning.  Now when my students are doing extra chores at home they are working to help their friends.  Our service project went from being an idea to being a friendship.  Each time I experience these Skypes with my students, I am moved at how this technology provides my students opportunities they never would have had before.

I'm excited to see what joy our next 2 Skypes will bring.  This remains the most important connection God has given me as a result of my PLN.  I can think of no better way to teach my students about the continent of Africa then to give them the means to make friends with these children.  If you are interested in learning more about this service opportunity, please go to www.chattothefuture.ca.  You can also follow @ChattotheFuture on Twitter.