How do you say good bye to someone who was your mother, your teacher, your confidante, your friend? It's tough to know how we will all get along with out her physical presence. She had such a dominating presence. Didn't we all KNOW when she walked in a room? She really knew how to work a room didn't she? The bounce in her step, the music in her voice, the love in her heart. She always had time for you. She always made time for us.
It is ironic that she would leave this earth because of a failing heart. We know her heart was strong and giving. There was no bigger heart. My mom was always known for the way she opened her heart and home. From taking in stray animals, to taking in visiting French-Codofil teachers, to taking in our family and friends, she always made a home for them. There IS no place like Nana's. She always made you feel welcomed. She had a special talent for that.
One of her greatest talents was her teaching. School and learning were important to momma. Last year, one of my sons interviewed her for a school project. Because of this I learned that her most memorable day was her first day of school. She said that her own mother had told her that she was going to a special place. Well, it must have been very special to help to shape her and direct her into becoming the teacher she was. She gave so much to school and her pupils. Her students came first. When she talked about her children, she wasn't just talking about Ramona, Gwen, and Faith. Being a child of such a dedicated teacher, I know that a teacher's job is not just 9 months out of the year. She never took a break from teaching. Summers and holidays were used to prepare for the coming weeks. Writing notes to children and parents to let them know how special they were was important to her. Do you know that at Christmas time she would wait to open any of the children's presents at home away from the their watchful eyes? She did this because she didn't want to embarrass any child who perhaps didn't bring a present or who thought their present wasn't as good as the next. She KNEW how impressionable she was on them and she wanted EVERY child to feel special. She would write each one a thank you note, EVERY child, even the ones who had not given a gift.
I was reading an entry from her journal regarding a first day of school. I would like to share it with you. It was written FIVE years after she had retired from teaching. It said, "Today was the first day of school. It has been five years since I retired and it is still hard, but it is getting better. I've even stopped doing before school care." She talked about other parts of her day, but during the day she stopped by school to read a story to someone's class and drop off popsicles to two other classes. She couldn't stay away. I know she had to be the principal's favorite substitute teacher. It was hard for her to say no because she always thought of the students.
Teaching didn't just end in the school system. She was a CCD teacher for so many years (teaching children about our Catholic faith). She will be especially remembered for handling the 2nd graders for communion. Who will be able to forget the picture of her right here in the front of this church leading these small children through song? You could always see the love she gave when she directed and participated in their music. Many remember her because of her singing. I am saddened that I was not able to hear her sing in church last Saturday. She sang Amazing Grace in French. She had translated the words herself and worked with Ms. Mary Ann Zeringue to prepare. They had only been working on it for a few short days. Those of you who did hear her should feel privileged to have that memory.
Music was a big part of her life. From a little girl, I have memories of her singing us lullabies. She sang those same lullabies to her grandchildren. She loved to sing. You could often catch her singing as she worked. I feel fortunate that she joined the adult choir and I was able to share that with her this last year. She couldn't read music. She didn't have to. The songs came from her heart. I'm sure that she is singing now.
Hand in hand with teaching and singing was reading. She believed strongly that reading was fundamental for learning. She shared her talent by being a liturgy minister in church. I believe she was one of the best and we will feel a void there. She shared her talent by reading to children in school and at the library. Didn't she always add her special flare when she read? She made the stories come a live. Because of her stage voice, she was often chosen to be a commentator or mistress of ceremony. The Chackbay School Cajun Carnival won't be the same with out her.
Another love of Mom's was her love of the Cajun French Culture. This was more of a passion with her. She wanted to preserve our heritage and especially the stories and language. She would often choose French books whenever she would read to classes. This was a reason she volunteered at the Jean Lafitte National Park. She was certified as a French teacher. She met many French speaking teachers from other countries because of her work with the Louisiana Codofil program. Many of these teachers became close friends. One was lucky to have become one of Momma's best friends and we were lucky to have had Nicole Marchand-Gonod here with Momma the last couple of weeks. They shared a birthday and so much more. She and her family visited our family here in the United States and Momma visited her family in France. I know that Momma was so glad that she was able to take three of her grandchildren with her last summer on a European vacation. What a gift she gave them? What gifts has she given us?
She has been very active in Sr. Citizen Groups. I know that they will miss her voice and conversations. I know she made each feel so special. She loved to kid with them and talk with them. I guess she was the child among them helping to keep herself and the rest of the group young.
I can't not talk about Momma without talking about the way she dressed. She dressed the way she lived. Full of color and full of life. When she was teaching, she would pick outfits that she said would force the children to look at her. How could you not look at her? She wore bright colors with her bright smile. She had a lot of flash. She had a lot of class.
How do we go on without her? It is a little easier knowing where she is. There's no doubt that she is now with our Lord. She was his servant on earth and now he's taken her to heaven.
How to we fill the void of her passing? There's going to be so many roles and shoes to fill. It difficult to comprehend how one person was doing it all. She was a special lady. I and my sisters and my father are privileged to have shared her life. We all should be. Keep her memories alive. Keep her passions burning. Provide service to others as she did. Read, sing, speak French, teach, learn, enjoy life, but most of all, love your children.