Redding School District

According to her mother, Raelynn of Fort Smith Arkansas has always been a Daddy’s girl.  Lacey, Raelynn’s mother puts it this way, “She was very proud of her Dad.  She always wanted to introduce her Dad to just about anybody.”  It was just recently that Raelynn’s Dad came down with colon cancer and died at the age of 41.  Raelynn was devastated. 

Enter Emily, who happened to be jogging with her dog Blue the day of the visitation. She was running past the funeral home when she heard a tiny voice call out from the chapel steps.  “May I pet your puppy?”  the small voice politely asked.  Emily replied that she could as long as her parents didn’t mind.  It was then that Raelynn explained that her dad was lying inside and proceeded to give Blue a huge hug.  Afterward, she gave Emily a stunning invitation.  “Do you want to come in and see my Dad?”  That's right, this very proud daughter invited that random jogger to meet her father.

Emily was not really dressed for a funeral.  She also knew that walking in the door would cause a scene but she also knew that this was the last time that this little girl would be able to introduce her Daddy to anyone.  Emily followed her gut and accompanied Raelynn down the aisle. 

Everyone in the chapel watched and wondered who this person was walking next to Raelynn.  Lacey, Raelynn’s mother, puts it this way, “ Everyone was looking around thinking ‘where did she come from?'  She came in right next to Rae like they had known each other for so long.  There was that connection there.”  

How could two people bond so quickly?  It wasn’t a mystery for Raelynn.  “She helped me feel better. By her kindness.”  These two have been together again and plan to stay friends forever.  No one will ever replace her Dad but Raelynn is clearly on a path to a better place thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the healing power of a warm puppy.

We do not begin to know all the varieties of challenges that our students bring with them to our classrooms.  It is our job though to build an environment where those varieties thrive for all involved.  This is our challenge.  How do we affect and change the lives of our students every day?  Our story this week highlights the quick ability of Emily to adapt to the situation and use her empathy to help make a decision for kindness in Raelynn’s worst moment in her young life.  Bob Hope said, “When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things, not the great occasions, that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness.”

Thanks for working to give the “simplest” moments to our students and families every day.  Helping each student understand the power of and then act to give simple positive moments to their peers is one of our “Dare to Dream the Impossible”.  Building a place where kindness and empathy are the norms.  I see this building throughout our partnership.  Keep up the hope for our vision to become a reality.