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Chapter 3
Back to School
Kim Matheny's alarm screamed inher ears. Although she knew it wastime to get up, the thirty-five year-old kindergarten teacher laymotionless, head still swimmingfrom the recent turn of events. Ithad been just seven days since shereceived the devastating news.
She had cancer.
She'd spent the previous weekaway from her classroom in awhirlwind of doctor visits, Internet research, and life-ordeathdecisions. Today was Monday, and she was due backat school. Although she loved her students dearly, she couldhardly bring herself to get out of bed, let alone face theirquestions about why she'd been gone, what was cancer, wasshe going to die.
Kim forced herself to sit up, knowing she had to keepmoving to ward off the looming depression over her diagnosis.She never thought this could happen to her, remindedherself that no one ever does, and wondered how the kidswould handle her illness.
Maybe another teacher would be better for them.No, I'dmiss them too much. But what if teaching is more than I can handleright now? I need their cheery faces and sweet hugs.Sheplopped back down, thoughts racing and panic rising. Whatif they've already gotten used to the substitute and don't care if Icome back? Kids forget quickly. Maybe I don't matter as much asI think -
“Stop it!” She scolded herself aloud. “Get a grip.” Sheslammed the snooze button again and let her arm just droponto the nightstand. Her hand landed on a colorful note shehad received the day before.
She picked it up and unfolded it again. The drawing wasof a rainbow, a bright yellow sun, and two stick figures. Thelarger one was labeled “Ms. Mateny” and the smaller one“Me.” One figure's arm reached out toward the other's, andthe two lines were joined at the bottom with one large,round scribble representing the holding of hands. Then, inpurple crayon, “You briten my day, Ms. Mateny. I miss you.Come back soon.” It was signed “Luv, Macy.” Tears filledKim's eyes.My kids need me. She got out of bed to get readyfor school.
On the drive to Southwood Elementary, Kim thought ofnumerous ways to greet her class. Her usual song, “It's abeautiful day, it's a beautiful day, the birds are singing, let'sshout hooray,” didn't seem fitting. The sun was shining andthe birds were singing, but she just didn't think she couldform those words on her lips today.
The thirty-minute drive and her walk to the classroomseemed to drift by in a fog. Kim usually was in high gearbefore class, adjusting the weather chart and setting out thefirst activity to make sure everything was ready when thestudents arrived. Today she sat at her desk, perfectly stillexcept for the distracted tapping of her pencil on a stack ofpapers.
“Hi, Kim.” The sympathetic tone belonged to SarahRichardson, who taught the first-grade class across the hall.“The children will be here shortly. If you need anythingtoday, please come and get me.”
Kim looked at her friend nervously. “I don't know if I cando this.”
Sarah nodded assurance. “You'll make it. And like I said,I'm here if you need me.”
The kind support nearly shattered Kim's resolve not tocry, but she swallowed hard and blinked to clear her eyes.
“Thanks.”
One by one the children began arriving. Samuel, alwayseager for school, came running in first. “Ms. Matheny, whatare we doing today?” It didn't seem he'd even noticed herweek-long absence.
Kim was disappointed but tried not to let it show. “Wehave a lot planned for today. I'm so glad you're excitedabout school,” she said with all the enthusiasm she couldmuster. Her one buoy - the special place she thought shehad in her students' hearts - was sinking fast. Had the childreneven missed her at all?
Nathan arrived next, clutching his mother's pant leg ashe used to do. Kim had made such progress with him, butnow he treated her like a stranger again.“He was like this all week lastweek,” Nathan's mother said.“Oh, Nathan.” Kim gentlyrubbed his back, trying to ease herown anxiety as much as his. Hadshe lost all the ground she hadgained since the beginning of theschool year? She just didn't havethe heart to start over. “I'm so gladyou're here. I sure need my littlehelper today.” Her voice quavereda little, and she stopped, afraidshe'd be completely engulfed bydiscouragement.
Then, suddenly, Nathanreleased his mother's leg and turnedfor his teacher to pick him up.As Kim hugged him tightly, hewhispered, “I'm so glad your back.”
Next came Sadie. She didn'tsay a word, but her dimples flashedas she embraced her teacher shylybefore scurrying to her desk.
The rest of the class had arrived, but where was Macy?She usually arrived about twenty minutes early to help Kimby setting out scissors or crayons or whatever she asked herto do. Macy hadn't missed a day of school all year. She lovedbeing there and always had a smile to share with a friend.Kim suddenly realized just how much she'd missed Macy'sgood cheer during the most difficult week of her life. Sheneeded Macy to be there today.
Just as Kim was calling the class to attention, Macywalked into the classroom, slowly, with her head down. Noteven a hint of the smile Kim so desperately needed. Herspirits sank to a new low. Was Macy not even happy to haveher back? Near tears, Kim forced herself to try to soundcheery.
“Well, hello Macy!”
Macy jerked to attention, looking up for the first timesince she'd entered the room.
“Ms. Matheny! It's you!” Macy squealed with delight,running to squeeze her teacher's leg as tightly as she could.“Of course, it's me,” Kim giggled, bending to return thehug and thank Macy for her wonderful note.
“I didn't think you were coming back.” Macy's eyes wereas round and bright as the big yellow sun she had drawn onher picture.
“Yes, Macy, I'm back. I need you little munchkins. Didyou miss me?” Kim asked hopefully.
Macy made a face and answered almost indignantly.“Yes! Who else would teach us to count, and write, andcolor?”
“Who'd teach us those silly songs?” another studentjoined in earnestly.
“Who would tell us who gets to be the line leader or thedoor holder? That other teacher didn't know anythingabout that,” Samuel added.
“I'm sure your substitute teacher was very good,” Kimprotested - but not too strongly. She was enjoying this outpouringof affection.
“Not near as good as you,” Sadie countered.
“Yeah,” Macy said adamantly. “And no one can give asgood hugs as you!”
At this the entire class ran to the front of the classroom,nearly tackling their beloved teacher as they jostled to getone of her warm hugs and to give one in return.
“Well!” Sarah interrupted from the doorway, smilingapprovingly at her friend. “I guessyou have everything under control.”Kim laughed. “I don't knowabout that. But I know this isexactly where I needed to betoday. I think we'll be just fine.”
“I know you will,” Sarahresponded confidently.
Excerpted from Hugs to Brighten Your Day: Stories, Sayings, and Scriptures to Encourage and Inspire by Korie Robertson, Ashley Moore
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
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