Cecelia Ann 7/49 | GlitznGrits.com

Mar 16, 2014

Cecelia Ann 7/49



Consider this the seventh installment of I am the South and the South is me: Southern Portraits. Ms. Cecelia.
 "Walk down the halls of the church on any given Sunday, ask a member who's Ms. Cecelia, and they'll probably look at you dumfounded before replyin', "who?" On that same Sunday, stop a child runnin' through the halls and ask 'em the same question and they'll know exactly who she is.  
"The Lord put me on this earth to work in Early Childhood. It's what I'm supposed to do. 34 years I've been at it. 28 of 'em down South. From Children's Church to Learning Centers to Girl Scouts and now trainin' educators for the state of Texas", were her words. Her eyes misted as she told of her life's passion to a room of children ministry volunteers at our church of many many years. Ask her about that day and she'll more than likely blush. She'd rather be in a classroom of 30 three year olds than a room of adults. Shy to a fault, she stands a modest 5ft 3 inches by adult standards. To a child: She's larger than life. When she talks, they listen. Her words: thought-out, captivatin' and animated. Her knowledge on Early Childhood Standards, policies and practices vast. She sees children through eyes of love. She'll tell you there are no bad children, just their actions. 
Ask her her favorite verse and she'll pause before replyin',"Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will direct your path." Content with the task of directin' children's lives, her favorite verse mirrors her life's work. 
20 plus years later a former student, from the first learning center she taught at, walks up to her at church. He wants to see if she remembers him. He tells of his life's accomplishments and the impact she had on his life. She smiles before huggin' him and invitin' him to service next Sunday. And so the woman known as Ms. Cecelia is content with bein' unrecognized, cause in the end moments like that are all the recognition she needs.

I am Cecelia
I am the South and the South is me
Southern Potraits: 1/2/3/4/5/6 /7

12 comments

  1. Beautiful portrait and story to go along with it, Aleshea! Just reading this makes me so happy... Ms. Cecelia sounds like an incredible lady, teacher and momma!

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    1. Thank you Erin. I think she's pretty great but I'm also biased

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  2. I love this! I'm in childcare and I love to follow the kids I have been honored to help raise!

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    1. Aww, yay. I work with kids as we'll and I ways say I learned from the best.

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  3. What a lovely portrait of your mother! She sounds like an amazing woman. I am a teacher and I also work with young children at my church; I hope to one day have this kind of legacy. Blessings to you both!

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  4. Oh I love this, bless Ms. Cecilia's life! So encouraged by this post.

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  5. Incredible woman of God! Humble, faithful, hard-working, encouraging. Inspiring!

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  6. you mom is amazing & her favorite verse is also one of mine. Good to be reminded of it on a day like today.

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    1. Glad it was helpful. And thank you for the kind words. I think she's pretty great.

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  7. Great verse! Sounds like she had plenty of practice with kids ;)

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  8. I love your Southern Portraits series, Aleshea! People like Ms. Cecelia make this world a better place. Thank you for sharing her story at Treasure Box Tuesday. Tweeting. ♥

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