"Success becomes sustainable when there are environments and failsafe structures which support it and which make you feel fully alive. And being fully alive calls you to play a much bigger game in life...evolving to your optimal potential to levels of greatness you never thought were possible."
Dave Buck
When I think of the support systems in my daily life the first thing that comes to mind is all the people I have that surround me and make my life richer in so many ways. On the top of that list is my husband. We have been blessed to have a loving relationship for 23 years. He supported my desire to leave teaching while our children were young, taking total financial responsibility for our growing family. When I returned to working he naturally took on more responsibilities at home. Now that I have started graduate school he has taken over more of the household duties so that I can have time for my studies. Our children are older now and more self sufficient, doing many things for themselves and sharing in the work. Everyone cooks and cleans to keep the household running.
My husband has supported me through emotionally trying times as well, losing my parents, my brother and the revelation that I was adopted. He encouraged me to find additional support during those trying times. My support system includes the women’s ministry I belong to at church and an adoption support group. In both of these groups I have people who I can share with and be inspired by.
When at work I am fortunate to have a co-teacher in my class that compliments my teaching style. We just began working together this year and immediately clicked. The duties of the class are all covered by each other likes and dislikes; we found a very natural rhythm together and as a team can meet our student’s needs.
On a daily basis I would be lost without lists. List of errands to do before or after work, items to buy at the store, tasks to complete while at naptime at work are part of my daily routine. I will staple notes around the handle of my tote bag so I won’t forget to run an errand on the way home from work!
It is difficult to think of myself with a specific challenge, because to be honest, I don’t like putting those thoughts out into the world. But here is what I know; I am blessed to live in my little town in NJ. We have come together as a town to support people in many ways. When someone in our community has lost a spouse or a child we have done whatever necessary to support them. We have raise funds, repaired homes, planted trees in their honor and made sure Santa could deliver presents. When several women in our town were diagnosed with breast cancer and a child with leukemia during a very short period of time we organized meal deliveries, shopping for the household and made sure chores were taken care of. Several groups formed to raise funds for research. A family with two disabled children needed funds to buy a vehicle that could transport them, a local charity picked them to receive funds. The funds are raised through a basketball game, that night the master of ceremonies said he had never seen anything like the amount of tickets sold in honor of one family. No matter what challenge I may be faced with, and I pray it is none, I know that my faith, my family and my community will try to meet my emotional, physical and practical needs.