Ruth Ayres invites us the celebrate each week. Click over to her site Discover. Play. Build. to read more celebrations.
Jack interviews Martha via Google Hangout.
My nephew Jack, a nine-year-old 4th grader, had a class assignment this holiday to interview his hero. He chose my youngest daughter Martha. Martha is a social worker in Chicago and couldn’t be with us for Thanksgiving. (She is coming home for Christmas! Yay!) I had the privilege of listening in on his conversation with her in a Google Hangout. He had a list of 9 questions.
Martha is a Community Support Specialist with Thresholds, a nonprofit organization that works with the those living with mental illness. What struck me most about the interview were her convictions about being a good listener and giving voice to people who have been silenced through society. She spoke with understanding and respect for her clients.
Being Martha’s mother and she being my baby, I haven’t really appreciated her selflessness. As she was growing up, she was the quiet one. She was always well behaved. She did well in school. When she decided to go to Chicago, I worried. I worried about stupid things like will she be warm enough and how will she navigate such a large place. I didn’t tune in the significance of her work. During Jack’s interview, I saw her differently. I saw her as his hero. I saw her as an advocate for the lonely, the homeless, the mentally ill. She became my hero.
Today, I celebrate my daughter. I celebrate special time with my family. I celebrate heroes.
Reflections on the Teche 
As our children grow older, I have noticed my perspectives change and always lean towards the same view as you have “my hero.” Love the authentic homework assignment and use of technology is perfect. Enjoyed our visit at NCTE thanks for sharing your busy schedule with me.
This brought tears to my eyes! What a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman!! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
That’s such a neat experience – to hear your daughter through an interview with your nephew. Sometimes we don’t step back and see our family members’ through others’ eyes. When we do, we appreciate them in a whole new light. How wonderful!
What a wonderful experience. Really seeing and hearing how your “baby” is making a dIfference. I don’t think there is anything better than being proud of your child.
As I was reading this, I was thinking of my eldest daughter, who also works at a nonprofit and helps the good citizens of the Bronx find access to housing, health care, and school. I, too, worried about all the “wrong” things when she went off to college. And now, I, too, marvel at the way she has chosen to live a life helping others. Here’s to Martha and Elizabeth – they do us proud, and the world needs more young people like them.
Yet another connection, Tara. They should meet someday. They’d probably hit it off as much as we did. Thanks for sharing.
I am glad that this little nudge from an interview helped you to see your daughter in a new perspective. She sounds as a remarkable young woman. She will be your daughter forever so you are absolutely allowed to worry whether she is warm enough.
Ok, that post got me all misty. How wonderful for you to be at a place where you can see your daughter for the amazing woman you helped her become!
Isn’t it wonderful to see our grownup children be such wonderful people. I love how you said she became your hero. I’ll bet she feels the same way about you. 🙂 It was so wonderful meeting you at NCTE.
Wonderful to meet you, too. In the interview, Jack asked her who her heroes were. Her list included me, my mother-in-law, and her older sister. Isn’t that special? That we can all be heroes for each other. My heart is full!
We see our grown children often with all the ‘background’ of growing up, & sometimes it’s hard to see them as those “other” beings. What a wonderful post about your nephew and your daughter, Margaret. She is special to make those with mental challenges her life’s work. I’m grateful for her and others like her!