A long, long time ago, my daughter Nikki came home one day and said "Mom! I wanna go on Coldwell and play at Mary's!" Coldwell was two blocks over and Nikki was, at that time, still young enough for me to worry about her walking and wandering "so far" from home. Long story short, Nikki and Mary Evelyn became best friends in only the way young girls of that age do and by that I mean life-time friends. Friends you keep forever.
Mary Evelyn had a twin, Kathryn, and an older brother Walt, and a younger sister Carolyn. And Mary had one heck of a wonderful mother, also named Mary. Through the years, their house became a second home for Nikki and LOTS of other teenagers. I learned a lot about parenting from Mrs. Peoples and she's remained a role model for me in many ways as both a parent and a teacher.
Today Mrs. Peoples had a birthday celebration organized by her children. They were all in attendance, grandkids in tow. Mrs. Peoples is a teacher by profession and also just by life. She taught me a lot about parenting when a tragedy happened in our neighborhood that devastated our teenagers and she knew how to pull them together. Mary and Johnny Peoples have always had an open door and a soft heart for any kid that came through their door. I will always remember the lessons she taught me during those dark days ("These kids ALWAYS know they can stay here at my house!"). She would feed them, talk to them, advise them, teach them, nurture them. Raising teenagers these days is scary business and she told me back then, "I'd rather them be here, at my house, than somewhere I don't know where they are or what they are doing!" and she did - she had an open door, a soft couch, a warm blanket, a plate of food, a soft shoulder, a heap of loving, motherly advice for all of them. Lesson learned! She's right!
Mary has been teaching for 30+ years and has been teaching at Cope Middle School for over 20 years. I can't even begin to imagine the impact she has had on lord only knows how many kids. It is a real testament to her that her birthday celebration tonight was attended by folks of all ages -- kids she "raised" and those she taught, people she's worked with and worked for. And by the way, it was a beautiful party with twinkly lights, candles, lots of food, specially recorded music, and if I am correct, they even tore down a garage for her! I can't think of too many more people that I hold in higher regard!
