For twenty five years of teaching my students with special needs filled my heart. They were all unique, loving and gifted in their own way. Their senses of humor amazed me and they were loving and fun and loved school and all their teachers more than I ever hoped for.
Dale Evans Rogers wrote the book, “Angel Unaware” in the 60’s about her own daughter who was born with Downs Syndrome. I always wanted to read the book for I loved the title as it spoke to me for it’s trueness. Robin, her daughter, died at two but she and her husband the famous cowboy and actor, Roy Rogers, thought Robin in her short time on earth had taught them so much about life and love. At that time the children with disabilities were not allowed in public schools. Not to long ago at a book signing for my novels I found the used book in a wonderful book shop. It is always on my desk as a reminder of my career and the angels unaware that inspired me. In my novel To Catch an Angel, angels appear to three children with disabilities. It was my way to pay tribute to the children who unknowingly changed my world and helped me through the worst time of my life.
When my daughter Kate passed away my students soothed my heart helping me move forward. One day Molly, my student, was with me in a van going to a job site. Molly was a teenager with a wonderful smile and heart and was quite soft spoken. As we drove she had tears running down her cheeks. What’s wrong, Molly,” I asked alarmed that she was crying.
“I’m sorry about your daughter,” she told me. I was shocked at her ability to express sympathy in such a mature and loving way. Her mother had told her of Kate’s passing the night before. The innocent and beautiful heart of this young lady moved me each day as did all the other students I was fortunate enough to teach. I was meant to be their teacher and have the most fulfilling of careers. For you see, my students with special needs were actually my own teachers. They taught me kindness, patience, humor and acceptance and so much more. As Dale Evans said, “She strengthened us spiritually.”I will always be grateful and miss each angel unaware.