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Mandie, Benson - Benson, Mandie


My eyes popped open at 4:15am. I rolled over, cuddled up next to Patti, closed my eyes and hoped to get a bit more sleep. No luck. My mind was racing. I was up and ready to go when Jamie knocked on my door 30 minutes later. A big hug and kiss to Patti, and we were on our way.

The last time I drove to North Carolina from Georgia, I stopped for the night halfway. This time, it was straight through. During the seven hours the trip took, Jamie repeatedly commented on my ability to go into the unknown and be so positive about it. Crazy enough, I had no anxiety about any of this. While he was questioning whether the car would work out, I assured him it was all good. I marveled at what a great guy he was to drive me to North Carolina at the drop of a hat. Seven hours didn’t seem long enough to cover all that I wanted to say about how much I appreciated all he has done for me. Before I knew it, we were in Benson.

The first person I met in Benson was Mr. Avery, my vice principal. The man who believed in me as a candidate and recommended me for the job.  When everything finally came through, he scoped out a car and a place to live for me. He took the time out of his weekend to spend a couple hours with me to show me what he found.

The car dealership was first on the agenda. So many questions had been asked about the ’99 Cadillac with 35,000 miles for only $2500. Was it for real? Had it been in an accident? What did we not know about this car? No surprise to me, really, when we discovered it was all for real. I was hoping for a cute little sports car, but instead I got a grandma car complete with a leather interior and more bells and whistles than I know what to do with. I slipped behind the wheel of my new car, turned up the radio, and followed Mr. Avery out of the lot to my new house.

I have enjoyed living in the city limits for the last three years. This time, however, I will be living in the country in a beautiful three bedroom house. No handiwork to be done! My landlord? A fellow teacher. I am moving in tomorrow! More amazing news as I learned that I did not need to pay rent for the rest of August. And, September’s rent wasn’t due until I got my last check from Colorado. It continues to fall into place.

Onto my classroom. While Mr. Avery told me how small the school was, I hoped I wouldn’t get lost on my first day. After walking through miles of hallways, we finally got to my classroom. A big room with lots of wall space on which to hang student work. A smart board. A desk with a chair that looks like a throne. I am ready to be queen of this classroom! I am up for the challenge of 25 students in a class. I am rather excited about it, actually. Add to that the added challenge of having NONE of my classroom resources with me. I can hardly wait!! For real!

Before leaving school, I met a colleague. Cindy and her family have never met me, but yet were willing to open their house to me until I have one of my own. (Her husband thought she was nuts. She told him that if I could move to Benson sight unseen, they could put me up for a night the same way.) What a wonderful evening of getting to know each other, laughing, and eating incredible ribs! (They grow all their own meat!) We talked school, Uganda, crazy adventures, and grandma cars. I learned Cindy and her daughter both work on cars. (I think I have found my new mechanic.) I shared that I wanted to focus on getting living room furniture soon. Cindy and Shane smiled at one another and told me they had some. I bought myself a chair and sofa – to be delivered tomorrow.  As I was heading off to bed, I heard their son say, “I like that teacher.”

And I like Benson.


Comments

  1. JanetAugust 22, 2010 at 12:14 PM

    Yay Mandie! I am living vicariously through your adventurous life. I love Grandma cars. Think of all you can do in a bench seat that you can't do in the bucket seats of a little sports car! You can spread out paperwork, take a nap, snuggle with your honey when he visits, etc etc.

    ReplyDelete
  2. James AAugust 22, 2010 at 1:54 PM

    Mandie, I reminded our folks at church this morning about our Awesome God and the people He chooses to help us along. It has been about a week since you and Patti landed in Georgia with your brother & family. In God's time, here you are with a good job with people you like and who like you, and an awesome car (I like bells & whistles too), a caring boss and a class room to die for. Just wait till the students get there. Oh yes, and a kid that thinks you are pretty special too as does your dad!

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