~and if you were a part of it~

And life goes on~

I don't have anything profound to say this morning, surely nothing that will change the course of history or anything like that.  Yet on this Easter morning I am filled with gratitude for the life that I have been given.  It has been filled with everything I could have imagined and a whole lot more than I ever dreamed I would be blessed with or have to endure.  There have been plenty of surprises along the way, some heartache and pain, and many eye opening experiences that have told me I was on the right path to where I should be going.

For everything I've been given and all that I have not, my heart is filled with gratitude.

I've been able to be a part of so many different communities along the way, most recently the southwestern Oklahoma community of Grandfield.  Less than 1,000 people live there and it's the kind of place where everyone knows you and calls you by first name.  It's one of the reasons I went there to teach two years ago.  I consider it an honor to be called teacher by the children of an American small town.  Grandfield, Oklahoma was the kind of place I felt I could make a difference at.  

I hope that I have.  

Time will only allow me these past two years to call that Tillman County community my school home.  In just a few weeks more our school year will be completed and after I say my good-byes to the children of my classroom, I will also say my farewell to the community and the many good people who have helped me along the way. 

The memories of time well spent there will stay with me forever.
If you were a part of it, I give my heartfelt thanks to you always.


To the sweet people of Grandfield, Oklahoma~
I give you my thanks for all that you did for me.  It has been a tough Easter weekend for you all and I pray God's peace will be upon each of you today and in the days that lie ahead.



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