Sherlise, center, listens as she prepares to show
her new home to those gathered to
celebrate with her.
Some time ago I wrote about Sherlise, one of the young women in our neighborhood. She attended many Carnival parades with us back in January and February and since then has been around from time to time, but she told me several weeks ago that she was moving into her own house.
I believed her, but she didn't really provide any details and I more or less wrote it off. Then a little more than a week ago she invited me to a housewarming party which took place Tuesday at 10 a.m. Honestly, I wasn't planning to go, however, she called me Monday night as I was picking up a friend from the airport to remind me about it and I told her I'd be there.
Tuesday morning I scrambled to find a small gift and be there on time. I was very surprised to arrive and find more than 30 people gathered around her front porch. You see, this was more than just moving into a house. Sherlise, I just found out, has been in special education and is moving into transitional housing. This is a big deal. Never before has this happened that a student who is attending a New Orleans public school taken this step. Her teacher, Ms. Wilkins has been extremely instrumental in making this possibility a reality. She has done the hard work of working with many different organizations, finding funding and making sure all the t's are crossed and i's are dotted.
This "housewarming party" was a celebration of freedom and independence for Sherlise. I watched her as she mingled and hugged each new arrival. I could see on her face how excited she was. Representatives from the school district, McDonough 35 (her school), supporting organizations and Entergy (our local energy company) were all in attendance and each one spoke of their role in this process and about Sherlise.
Then her teacher spoke about her church, Castle Rock Community Church, and the part we have played in her life. Then, imagine my utter surprise when she said, "and we'd like to have the representative from Castle Rock come up." Ahhhh! That's me! I'm still not exactly sure what I said, but I feel that God has been preparing me for situations such as this one and while I was shocked, I wasn't nervous. It has been a blessing to know Sherlise and it was an extreme blessing to be with her on this momentous day. She has a beautiful home and so many people who love her and are looking out for her.
I can't even tell you how refreshing it was to see her teacher, and several other teachers, who were truly excited about their jobs and the progress that is being made. So often we hear about the atrocity of education in this city and it is so encouraging to know there are good teachers in our school system who are making huge, life-changing differences in the lives of their students!
I believed her, but she didn't really provide any details and I more or less wrote it off. Then a little more than a week ago she invited me to a housewarming party which took place Tuesday at 10 a.m. Honestly, I wasn't planning to go, however, she called me Monday night as I was picking up a friend from the airport to remind me about it and I told her I'd be there.
Tuesday morning I scrambled to find a small gift and be there on time. I was very surprised to arrive and find more than 30 people gathered around her front porch. You see, this was more than just moving into a house. Sherlise, I just found out, has been in special education and is moving into transitional housing. This is a big deal. Never before has this happened that a student who is attending a New Orleans public school taken this step. Her teacher, Ms. Wilkins has been extremely instrumental in making this possibility a reality. She has done the hard work of working with many different organizations, finding funding and making sure all the t's are crossed and i's are dotted.
This "housewarming party" was a celebration of freedom and independence for Sherlise. I watched her as she mingled and hugged each new arrival. I could see on her face how excited she was. Representatives from the school district, McDonough 35 (her school), supporting organizations and Entergy (our local energy company) were all in attendance and each one spoke of their role in this process and about Sherlise.
Then her teacher spoke about her church, Castle Rock Community Church, and the part we have played in her life. Then, imagine my utter surprise when she said, "and we'd like to have the representative from Castle Rock come up." Ahhhh! That's me! I'm still not exactly sure what I said, but I feel that God has been preparing me for situations such as this one and while I was shocked, I wasn't nervous. It has been a blessing to know Sherlise and it was an extreme blessing to be with her on this momentous day. She has a beautiful home and so many people who love her and are looking out for her.
I can't even tell you how refreshing it was to see her teacher, and several other teachers, who were truly excited about their jobs and the progress that is being made. So often we hear about the atrocity of education in this city and it is so encouraging to know there are good teachers in our school system who are making huge, life-changing differences in the lives of their students!
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