- Christmas Gift
Newsletter Article - February 2007
Well, we're sitting here at the end of the week in something of a daze. It's amazing how quickly things can change.
Last weekend I asked all the girls what they would like for Christmas. For 17 years, My Daughter has said, "A chocolate bar." Never anything else. Getting an idea for a gift out of her was always met with, "Mom, I just want a chocolate bar." So I had resigned myself to barely even asking anymore because I just knew that I would be getting her a chocolate bar.
This time she surprised me with a different answer: "I would like a cell phone and an iPod!"
WHERE IN THE WORLD DID THAT COME FROM?
We went from a chocolate bar to a cell phone and an iPod? Holy Smokes!
Well, we knew there was no way we could afford a cell phone with monthly service sooooo I pretty much decided there was no way!
But then I thought that perhaps if My Daughter paid for it herself, it just might work out. So on an absolute whim, I e-mailed one of the job coaches at our school about the situation and just asked if perhaps she would know what places we could THINK ABOUT taking My Daughter to interview for a job. I explained it would be just for December so she could save some money for a cell phone.
I did not hear back for two days.
Then Tuesday afternoon I received an e-mail telling me that the manager at a local movie theater wanted to meet My Daughter right after school.
YIKES! I had a LOT of after-school work to get done, so I did not get her there until 7:00.
We missed the manager, but we left My Daughter's name and number with the assistant manager.
Lo and behold, the manager called the next day and asked for My Daughter to come for an interview. My Daughter went on Wednesday night and had an interview — with me standing a few feet away TRYING to keep my mouth shut. My Daughter answered the questions beautifully, and the manager said she would call with a decision on Friday afternoon. Of course, My Daughter was on pins and needles waiting for the call.
Tonight they offered her a job as a ticket taker. Her training will be Monday night from 5:30 to 8:30 (which My Husband or I will also attend to be sure all info is understood). I also suspect that we will "hang out" at the movie theater for the first few FOUR TO SIX HOUR SHIFTS to be sure all goes well. (We already plan on sitting at one of the tall tables while we grade papers.)
The BEST part of this whole scenario is this:
When the manager was thanked for the opportunity, she replied very humbly this: "You know I think Your Daughter will benefit from this, but I have to say that my employees, customers, and I will probably benefit even more from working with such a great employee."
WOW WOW WOW! Those are words special needs parents hear in their dreams!
