Saturday, March 6, 2010

Encouragement


I have been asked if there were times I ever felt overwhelmed when raising my two older Deaf children. Yes, and God always sent someone my way, who encouraged me to believe I was capable.

The first year my son (at that time 4 years old) was in The Regional School for the Deaf, he was in a school play. I was so excited. Mrs. S (then almost 18 months old) and I were in the audience and as I fought back tears of pride, exhaustion, my baby was overly tired because it was way past her bedtime...and then I saw a new friend. She was Deaf, the Mother of children in the same school, she always took the time to Sign with me as she smiled and encouraged me towards my goal of learning Sign Language. That night, she smiled patiently as I struggled to sign with my limited vocabulary while holding a fussy baby. I was embarrassed and overwhelmed...I signed, "I just don't know if I can do this." She looked at me, smiled, touched my baby's shoulder and signed, "You will do this, you must do this for your children and for yourself." How powerful her words were to me...I went home convinced that yes I could and would accomplish my goals to learn Sign Language for my children and myself.

Many years later, Mrs. S was a freshman in college. I was a Sign Language Interpreter at that same college. One day I was asked to interpret a meeting between a new student and the director of our department. I was interpreting the meeting when the director excused herself because she had to take a phone call. The new student and I were chatting away, when I looked at her and signed, "I know you from somewhere." She signed back the same to me. I looked at her face as she smiled and then I jumped up and reminded her of our discussion at the school play many years ago. She shared a look of amazement with me. I thanked her for being such a positive role model in my life. I told her how her encouragement - empowered me to continue learning Sign Language and ultimately become an interpreter for the Deaf.

God's blessings never cease to amaze me.

10 comments:

  1. Sandy,
    You write beautifully!! What a fabulous memory.There is nothing better than a mom with so much love and determination in her heart. You are inspiring to me.
    Lynn

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  2. Such precious post today, Sandy! Lovely words .... I totally agree with Lynn's comment, you really are inspiring. I love coming over here, reading, looking, thinking ....
    Your comment today on my post: so so so beautiful and sweet. Thank you very much. I wish you a most wonderful weekend, sweet Sandy! xoxo

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  3. What a heartwarming story. Yes our God is amazing.
    Blessings!
    Gwen

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  4. What a beautiful post, a beautiful story...and what a beautiful writer you are, Sandy! So enjoyed reading this--what a wonderful mother you are to turn a hard thing to deal with into a blessing for both your children, yourself & others. God really does give us the gifts we need to accomplish what we need to, doesn't He?

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  5. Sandy, your story gave me chills! It's funny - God never gives you more than you can handle, and always seems to help right when you need it most.

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  6. What a wonderful post! The power of someone's words can work miracles!

    Kat :)

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  7. Your life experiences and the way you have handled your stuggles ....always amaze me..and make me so proud to be one of your followers.

    I am glad GOD made it possilble for us to have found each other in ALL of blogland...and right here in TEXAS too.


    Rose

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  8. Dear Friends,

    Thank you one and all for taking the time to visit and leave such beautiful comments.

    It is amazing the power behind words, be they spoken or Signed...

    That's one of the many wonderful things about the land of Blog...the positive communication shared by all ...can you imagine what we could do as world powers? It's pretty awesome to contemplate!

    Thank you for caring and I truly appreciate your support!

    Sandy

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  9. Dear Rose,

    LOVE YA GAL!

    You are like the sister I never had!

    XO

    Sandy

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