|
 On November 14, 2009, it was a privilege and an
honor to attend and participate in a benefit concert for my coworker
friend, Rashean
Oliver Hyde. We started the school year as usual in
August. Then suddenly she was absent and soon sent word to us
that she was having a mass removed from her colon. So, I
thought that she was simply at home recovering from her
surgery. We greeted each other with waves and smiles one day
when she came to school briefly to visit. I thought it
wouldn’t be long before she would be back with us. It wasn’t
until Wednesday, October 14th that I
learned that she was diagnosed with Type 4 Colon Cancer, after they
went in to remove the mass. At that point, my week at school
was cut short, as I was at home trying to recover from high blood
pressure. After talking to her assistant by phone, I called
Rashean on Friday letting her know that I had just learned about her
illness. Her reply meant so much to me. She said,
“Shondolyn, I know you didn’t know. When I saw you at school
the other day, and we spoke, I said to myself, Shondolyn doesn’t
know.” I said, “Now we didn’t speak in a bad way.” She
said, “I know. We didn’t. We didn’t. But, I knew
that if you knew, you would have been in my face.” That
comment touched my heart. It meant so much to me that
she knew me so well.
Rashean and I have worked
together at the same school for the past 9 years. There are
only two other teachers that I share that history with at my
school. She was the one who made me feel welcome when I
arrived at Stokes-Beard Elementary as a third year teacher.
She would come and visit me in my classroom; and, I quickly took to
her and began checking in on her as well. Over the years, we
have exercised together off and on in each other’s neighborhoods or
at school. We have spent long hours at school, many times
being the last to leave the building. It became a connection
for us to joke about who was actually leaving the building
first.
You have to know Rashean to
understand why I admire her so much and enjoy being in her
company. She has such a magnetic personality. She’s
always been energetic and the life of the party. If there is
no party, she will start one. She is a one woman show and will
keep you in stitches. However, I most appreciate and admire
her for her sincerity, positive attitude, and contagious
smile. It’s no secret that sincerity is a hard trait to find
in people.
For her benefit concert, there
was a sign-up sheet for performers who wished to participate, no
questions asked. The only rule was that performers could only
sing one selection. When I walked in the door and saw that
people were literally able to sign up to perform, it was no question
or hesitation in my mind. I was going to sing “I Bowed on My
Knees and Cried Holy” to the glory of God and for the benefit of my
friend. Various church choirs, soloist, and poets from the
surrounding communities made the program a success. Knowing
that I don’t normally volunteer myself to sing, it was a pleasant
surprise for her to see me walk up on stage to sing. I
prefaced my song with the comment that the Lord accepts all of our
praise. The joy and happiness on her face as I sang was the
most rewarding moment for me.
Rashean is the wife of Larry
Hyde and the mother of Larry Jr. and Indya. Since September,
she has been unable to work. Some of our faculty and staff
have donated days to help her and her family. If you, your
church, or your ministry can help in any way, we would certainly
appreciate it. I would like to ask that you please add the
Hyde family to your personal and church prayer lists. Love
gifts can be sent to: Rashean Hyde, 2108 Shannon Ave.,
Columbus MS
39702. |
