I’m a country girl from Floyds Knobs, Indiana. My heart still wants to be among the hills and trees and wild animals happily living in the forest in peace and quiet, but God called!
I am a singer of songs. I am a grower of flowers. I am a teacher of teenagers. And, I have been a Benedictine for these 42 years. My life is simple though reality tries to make it complex. I strive to serve God here and now - - forever. My ordinary days are made extraordinary by the sheer fact that God walks with me at every step.
God sings songs to me and I sing them back and share them with any who want to hear. I listen attentively to what God has to say through them and sometimes I cry with joy or sadness.
My country heart has to work in the dirt and help God to bring forth flowers to gladden the senses and the spirit. My garden is open to all creatures so you will see humans, rabbits, squirrels, hummingbirds, bees, ants and wolf spiders - - and it is good.
My students keep me young and give me gray hair! This paradox is always present. How I want each to reach their highest potential and oh, how they want me to go easy on them! But we do learn from each other. I have a Master’s Degree in mathematics but even after 35 years of teaching, I am still learning to see old concepts through the fresh eyes of my students. St. Benedict tells us to listen to the young! Of course he also tells the young to reverence their elders! I’m not sure my students are ready to go that far.
I remember being young with all those possibilities ahead. It was exciting and also fearful. That has given me a life full of adventure and yet it would seem an uneventful life to most. But as each new song is sung and each new flower springs forth from the earth, and each new student appears in my class, I see anew the wonder of God’s creations.
My advice to my students and to all – leave God do the driving and you will have adventures great and small, and you will never get truly lost!
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing another great vocation story. I just love reading them. They bring a smile to my face. You are Spectacular Sr. Nicolette!
Peace and Love,
HJF
As I sit hear practicing "If There Were Time" I am also taking the time to read your vocation letter. Even now you believe that your youthfulness comes from your students and that maybe your flame has grown weaker. Let me tell you that the youth will be stronger because of your strength. Your flame has been passed again and again amongst your family, friends and students. It is a no longer a flame, but a wild fire that to this day continues to spread. Be secure in the knowledge that your legacy is etched in stone and on our hearts.
Your nephew,
Paul III
Aunt Susie,
Amen I say to Paul's comment. In fact, I found this article because I was googling you to find the lyrics to your "Be Still" song (one of my favorites). The reason being is that one of my friends is struggling right now and the words to this song hold the hope and love of God that, I believe, she needs to feel right now. She is also a teacher. Your wild fire is growing....
I love you!
Lizzy
Sister Mary Sue -
It has been such a long time. Life has a way of oozing through the cracks and before we know it, so much has passed.
I wish your young students could know already the influence you will have on their lives in the years to come. My Honors Algebra and Calculus teacher who inspired me much with numbers, but even more so with her music and view of the world.
I am currently transferring your albums to mp3's for my iPod and was looking for pictures online to put with it. And lo, here you are. Your music has accompanied me for many years from one end of this planet to the other. It still comforts, incites, inspires... just as you do.
I only have your first two albums, but if you have never had a digital copy of your songs, please send an email and I will forward them to you. You can here some of the noise from the album, but I still love the music all the same.
Much love and happiness your way.
Ken Miller, Providence '83
www.kwmiller.com
jazken@roadrunner.com
Sister Mary Sue -
It has been such a long time. Life has a way of oozing through the cracks and before we know it, so much has passed.
I wish your young students could know already the influence you will have on their lives in the years to come. My Honors Algebra and Calculus teacher who inspired me much with numbers, but even more so with her music and view of the world.
I am currently transferring your albums to mp3's for my iPod and was looking for pictures online to put with it. And lo, here you are. Your music has accompanied me for many years from one end of this planet to the other. It still comforts, incites, inspires... just as you do.
I only have your first two albums, but if you have never had a digital copy of your songs, please send an email and I will forward them to you. You can here some of the noise from the album, but I still love the music all the same.
Much love and happiness your way.
Ken Miller, Providence '83
www.kwmiller.com
jazken@roadrunner.com
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