Growing up in New Orleans was such a unique experience. People who visit only get a small glimpse of its’ individuality and culture. Close family and community ties, united by deep faith and tradition is truly the cornerstone of what makes New Orleans a one of a kind city.
The community in which I belonged to in St. Bernard Parish was part of that unique essence, along with the faculty, staff, students and parents of Our Lady of Prompt Succor School where I taught for over 17 years. The diverse mixture of individuals all blessed with different gifts and talents made for excellent teachers, engaging classrooms and a strong faith-filled community.
As I sit and write about this group of individuals I came to call my extended family, I fight back tears and the overwhelming sense of loss from being separated from them for these past 6 years. Yet I know they are still with me in spirit everyday as I pray and interact with the new faculty I have joined in Florida and especially when we Facebook!
It is the women that I shared my hopes and dreams and family with that I miss the most. In big and small ways our lives were touched by each other. To me they truly exhibit what it means to be a “steel magnolia.”
Their soft, sweet demeanor on the outside masks the strong steel-like faith embedded on the inside. It is the core of who they are and it was manifested in them by their own parents and family. What we shared was spiritual and truly life bonding.
My principal at the time the storm hit is truly a woman of faith. Through her example I learned what real leadership is all about. Her message to me as Development Director was to “build community, everything else will take care of itself.”
Faith, Family and Knowledge were the blocks upon which to base our mission of teaching. She instilled in each of us a commitment to be the best we could be as teachers and ministers of our faith in and out of the classroom.
Another Steel Magnolia is a woman who is still is my friend, teacher and mentor today. We go way back to my high school days when she was my freshman English teacher. It is funny how many times our lives crossed each other’s as I grew up and finally we came together as teachers at Our Lady of Prompt Succor School.
Through her example of deep faith and commitment to God I have learned to be strong in the face of adversity. Her dedication to prayer and her unselfishness to serve others amidst her own trials and tribulations makes me want to be a better person.
I have to say that these two women have been shining examples of what it means to walk the path of faith. To both of these strong women I owe a lot of love and gratitude for making a difference in my life.
There are many others whom I worked with at OLPS that contributed to helping me grow in faith that I have not mentioned, but owe them a thank you. What I know is that the bond we share is still there because God is the center of that focus. No matter how many miles apart we may be the welcome of kinship never ends.
I salute these women and others who have been the Steel Magnolia’s in my life. Today, I share the lessons they have taught me with others.
Living life in Southern Louisiana was the most defining time in my life. It helped make me the woman I am today who is soft on the outside, but strong on the inside – a true Steel Magnolia.
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