EJHS was my 1st teaching job - in a city where I knew NOONE. I don't think I have ever been as anxious and fearful about anything in my life as I was about starting my teacher career in an unfamiliar city with no one at my side. In hindsight, I see God's hand so clearly in every aspect of that decision.....from my apartment assignment beneath a young married couple where the husband was super helpful and has continued to be a great friend throughout my time here, to my assignment of "floating" teacher with some of the best floating buddies, to the placement of my desk - within reach of a protective principal, an amazing school counselor and an awesome secretary. God placed me in the path of the most amazing Christian men and women in those halls - those who stopped what they were doing to pray right there. He gave me a "momma" and a family where I could be an active part. A family that kept me fed and helped me find a church home even if it was temporary. I have some of the BEST friends - friends that were totally a result of being in the EJH family.
As I rode by last week, I saw them cleaning out "stuff" and I couldn't help but think "if those walls could talk"......then it is as though I heard the voices. Those walls held our secrets. Those halls heard shrill screeches of engagement news. They heard loud announcements of babies on the way - babies delivered - baby names! They saw us having fun - dancing in the library for our fellow retirees, riding the wagon down the slope, & roller blading from room to room. They heard our laughter after a great field day or pep rally or after an awesome animated story narrated by our best story tellers. Those halls wrapped their arms around us as we grieved......death of family, news of cancer, breakups of marriage, loss of pregnancies, struggles with our children and the moving on of coworkers. Those halls are where individuals became family - forever family.
As the walls come down, the moments of reflection are more often. I am a little more sentimental about the brick and the mortar these days, but I also realize that those memories are now only housed in our hearts. I am the person I am today because of my coworkers & students from EJHS. I am changed for the better and I am forever grateful God brought me to Enterprise, but even more than that - he brought me to EJHS.
