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December 6, 2009 |
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*Update*
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. 39702. |
