Mary, what a scream! I was reading it and did a double take myself. I thought they were trying to tell us something! I mean putting THAT on a tshirt...! Glad to hear it was just a typo. *G*

Heidi

Update!

Well, the pizza party from Iraq happened this last week.  The kids were so surprised and excited to hear that someone wanted to do this for them...He emailed me earlier in the week that he was going to try to call the school during the time we were together to tell the kids thank you..(he ended up not doing that because they cut the internet for a little while that day).  I wish I could post pictures of how happy the kids were for you all to see...

He also blew the Dominos Pizza staff away with his kindness and phone call from Iraq....lol

Along with the pizza, came a surprise for the teacher....a beautiful arrangement of daisies....one of my favorite flowers...with a red tulip in the middle....The tulip was for me to give to one student in my class, (one who has suffered a great deal of loss) who has sent the most beautiful poetry and a long long letter each time...so she would know how much he appreciated her sharing her poetry and her thoughts with him...The flowers simply said "To a great teacher........from Charles"........

Sweet...so sweet....and fabulously kind......he is a very young Marine (21 and well at 35 that seems very young..:) )....and if the future of our country rests with men like Charles, I feel like we are all in good hands!

Tricia, thanks for the update! Sounds like you all had a great surprise. That is SO sweet that he included flowers for you.

If you get pictures posted somewhere on the web (at one of the photo hosting sites) put the link here - I would love to see them, and I imagine others would, too...

trica73 Hello!

Thank you for the update. It is so sweet to hear of a win - win situation that you have been able to create. A good teacher can make all the difference in the world to a student. There is something special when you see that spark in the eye of a student when they realize something. It is magical and priceless.

To us that spark is just as magical when we hear it in the words of a soldier that has found out that someone cares.

May all the supporters get to experience the gift that you and your students have received.

A job well done.

Blessings, door

Tricia!

I have to agree. one of the best posts yet.. and I am a bit prejudice because I am in NC too (Raleigh)-- how absolutely wonderful!!

I want my daughter's elementary class to do something but I have never been able to get a teacher to participate:( so I absolutely applaud you for your efforts! You are truly special as well as your wonderful kids.. I hope you know what an impact you have on these kids!

Tricia,

Thanks so much for sharing this story.  It's really wonderful and I'm sure that the poet will never forget how she felt to receive that flower & note.  I agree that some would love to see photos; I know I would.

Sharon

I know this thread was posted last month...it was just pointed out to me now, but I had to say, thank you for sharing your AWESOME story and the beautiful ending; well, more like a beginning for your students to remember that a little bit of kindness goes a LONG way.

I'm about to imbark on a similar journey with 5th grade students. I hope the experience for them is similar that your students had. Just to be able to share a little bit of kindness without expectations of return.

Thank you again for sharing your awesome and encouraging story!

Peace!

tricia,

That's a beautiful inspiring story. Your kids will be affected by this experence for the rest of thier lives.

People don't often thank teachers (some  teachers are unsung heroes too) for contrubiting to the shaping of our children & future citizens.

Tricia - I've entered into this conversation late, however, I too had to let you know, what a neat story you shared.  What you and your class did was touch the heart of a hero.  They so appreciate everything that is done for them by way of letter or care package.  Who knows, you and the class may have the opportunity to meet him in person some day. 

Hi Tricia,

I didn't get to read this 'till just now and I just wanted to tell you how moved I was by both your students and your Marines. It's so wonderful that the two groups have found each other in this messed up world we live in. It sounds like Divine intervention, because it seems as though they fit like hand and glove.

 Lots of hugs for you and the kids from SoCal,

Vanessa
 

Hi,

 It was all great..and Charles is coming home in a week.....we sent him a Husky t-shirt (our mascot is the Husky) an he took a picture wearing it, so that is what I get to show the kids when we get back from spring break....

 He's talked about paying them a little visit, if he can rent a car and make the drive (it's about 3 1/2 hours)....either way, I told him that I woudl drive down to where he is, and we could have dinner or lunch or just talk, since we've done so much of that anyway.  I am anxious to meet the person who has made such a difference for so many :).

  :)  Tricia 

I am so thrilled for you, Tricia!  I get to sub a lot with our special students and they are a delightful bunch.  One of my contacts is writing individual letters to every single one of them.  What a hero he is!  They are crazy about him and walk a little taller when they get a letter from him.  It sounds like your friend Charles is just as super and generous.  I hope he will be able to visit you at the school like one of my contacts did here.  It was a wonderful experience all the way around.  The pizza party was mind blowing, but even that would pale in comparison with meeting their hero face to face!  Do keep us posted. 

How precious! What a story. I still can't get over the fact that some of our troops get NOTHING from their families for Christmas. I can only imagine how they must've felt that God hadn't forgotten them because He used you and your students to make a memory of a lifetime. Let us know the Rest of the Story, as Paul Harvey would say.  

Guess what!   He's home.....well almost, not at his home, but in North Carolina, and is spending one of his 3 days of "me" time to drive the 3 1/2 hours one way to see my class....the kids who wrote to him and his buddies.....TOMORROW :)

The kids don't know yet....they will be so surprised.....I can't wait and am so excited for both of them....my students and him.....

big smiles,

Tricia

That's great, Tricia! Your students (and YOU, too!) are going to have a day to remember, I'm sure. Let us know how it goes!!!