The resident 7 year old's first grade teacher. His first year in first grade was a disaster, fraught with illness and issues and he ended up not learning to read or do math hardly at all. His teacher not only recommended he repeat first grade, but asked to have him back in her class. She felt that it took her almost a year to get around his issues/behaviors and get to know him, but once she did, she wanted him back. They retained him, he had the same teacher, and he's like a different kid. He's grown emotionally and physically, but he had this amazing woman for his teacher, again, and now he can read, and he got the top score in his class on the end of year math assessment. She stepped up to the challenge of a challenging student, and he is just shining in school now... and off to 2nd grade in the fall!
The admin assistant in the chemistry department at work. She is just a gem. Hard working, true salt of the earth kind of person. She has answers for questions, suggestions for working things out, advice when you have problems, and provides a huge, huge shoulder for us to cry on when we are annoyed, frustrated, or upset. She is an hourly employee who is only "allowed" to work X number of hours, but she never pays attention to that. If the department needs her, if WE need her, she is there. My job would be so much more challenging to navigate if I didn't have this "behind the scenes" woman to help organize things and be my friend.
It sounds silly, but my husband. As of June 26th, we'll have been together 40 years, married for 32. He has stepped up to the plate more times than I can count. He has always worked a full time job and one or two part time jobs to keep us afloat. It meant I could be a SAHM when DD was little, and could work a school-year job when I did go back to work, so after school care wasn't an issue. Part of it is because he is a scientist and LOVES what he does, is always thinking about the next development or product, but I know he got tired over the years, missed family events, etc. He sacrificed personal time, vacation time, and sleep to keep us financially stable, without complaint. I know it took a lot out of him and he is starting to run down, but we don't need him to work like that anymore (but he does... he really does love it). I wouldn't have been able to do it, I wouldn't have wanted to do it, but he did... and for that I will always be grateful. It allowed me to be home with DD, then available when she needed transportation or whatever, she was able to do summer programs, we were able to vacation regularly, we have a roof over our heads, could help DD with college and grad school... because he was willing to do what he did. (AND he vacuums and cleans the bathroom!!)
I have some we've received as gifts, some DS made when he was little, and some I've made myself.
