Recently, Bruce Hayes was
chosen as the “Cinco Ranch High School 2020 Teacher of the Year.” Along with English III and Girls’ Soccer,
Bruce also teaches the “PALS,” Peer Assisted Leadership class. Last week, in order to help celebrate and
show their gratitude and appreciation, members of the PALS class surprised Coach
Hayes with a drive by parade with honking horns, signs, and banners. They even provided a take-out dinner for he
and his wife.
At the end of April, a
couple had their first child. They went
to the retirement home where the 89-year-old great-grandfather lived and stood
outside his window so he could see his great-granddaughter.
A granddaughter and her
fiancé reenacted their proposal outside of her grandmother’s window, at the
care home where she lives, so she would be one of the first to know of their
engagement.
Richardson ISD school
district officials and teachers celebrated the Valedictorian and Salutatorian
at each of their four high schools with a surprise drive-by parade, with signs,
banners, and decorated cars. The district
personnel stood at a safe distance on the front lawn and cheered and waved
signs as the student came out to see their surprise. The seniors were presented with a yard sign
and a basket of goodies, along with the congratulations.
Wylie, Texas, is a town
northeast of Dallas. Because of the
COVID-19 pandemic, the seniors will not be able to participate in the
traditional activities like prom, end-of-year activities or the graduation
ceremony. Since the seniors could not
come back to the school, Principal Virdie Montgomery wanted to give the seniors
something to remember from their senior year.
A few things had been done for the seniors, but he still didn’t feel
like it was enough. So Principal
Montgomery and his wife, Pam, went to visit each of the 612 seniors at their
home. It took around 80 hours, driving
800 miles over 12 days, to complete the visits.
When interviewed by CNN, Montgomery stated, “The most valuable gift any
of us can give anyone that isn’t replaceable is time. Where one spends one’s time says a lot about
what they value.” A senior said, “It
kind of shows people that somebody does care for you out there. Most principals wouldn’t do that.”
Some schools in Katy ISD
and Spring Branch ISD have surprised their teachers by placing signs in their
yards that state: “SUPER HERO WORKS HERE!
We Appreciate Our Teachers!”
Maude Burke is a few
months away from her 100th birthday.
She was a COVID-19 patient. Her
determination and strength endeared her to the medical staff. After recovering from the virus, the doctors,
nurses, and staff lined the hallways to cheer for her as she was released to go
home. Her attitude was an inspiration to
all.
On Saturday mornings, during
this time of quarantine, the Stidham family is surprising neighbors on their
street with a front porch delivery of a homemade breakfast of fresh berries,
pancakes, and an encouraging note.
Along with her own school
work and helping two daughters with their online classes, Hollie Sailors of
Houston, Texas, is making masks for people in the community. Others are bringing by extra material to help
in the process. She took masks, stored
in baggies, with her when she went to shop at H-E-B. Hollie distributed the cloth masks to the
workers who were wearing disposable ones.
There was much excitement and appreciation expressed among the
recipients.
On May 6, 2020, the Blue
Angels performed a flyover of several of the hospitals in the Houston area as a
salute to the COVID-19 responders and essential workers. There was great appreciation expressed by the
medical workers, as well as others who saw the flyover.
Rebecca Drew and her
husband, Ken, recently moved to Seattle, Washington, a long way from family and
friends in Texas. To help through these
pandemic days, Rebecca goes on a daily “Beauty Hunt” and posts pictures of the amazing
flowers, trees, scenery, houses, places, and people in her new city. God has blessed Rebecca with an amazing eye
for photography. Not only are the daily
hunts bringing joy and comfort to her, but to the those she shares with as
well.
Judy Wells teaches high
school English at Memorial High School in Pasadena, Texas. In May she will complete her 40th
year of teaching. In honor of “Teacher
Appreciation Day,” a student surprised Mrs. Wells with a yard display with big “Thank
you, Mrs. Wells” signs, along with other school memorabilia, in her front yard
thanking her for being a great teacher. Judy
responded, “Yes, I’ve been thanked thousands of times in a variety of ways but
never with such a surprise!”
Although we are over two
months into this pandemic, it is encouraging to hear about and see different
ways that people are continuing to express thoughtfulness and gratitude. This week, may
we, too, be part of that story.
give thanks
in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Praise
the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 106:1
Let us
then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
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