news from home: my momma

Posted by on Sep 30, 2010 in news from home, on my mind, veronica | 2 Comments

Mom and me before my wedding (29 December 2007)

Today I’d like to write a bit about Dorothy Andreassen because she rocks, because she’s my mom and because it’s her birthday.

September 30th is the day that God graced the world with my mom.  That might come across as a pretentious sort of way to say it, but it’s very true.  My life has been graced by my mom’s presence.  After all, she did carry me for 9 months, bring me into the world and raise me.  But beyond that, she, relatively single-handedly, instilled in my brother and me a sense of optimism, a yearning for adventure, a love of learning, a spirit of giving, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. And she accomplished all this with only a meager salary, a ton of creativity, and her own sense of adventure.  So yes, my mother has graced my life.

She also has graced the lives of thousands of students. My mom wanted to have a truckload of kids and because of the teacher she is, she’s ended up with a boatload. Due to her teaching celebrity, there’s not a place in Aiken, SC, that I can go where I am not identified as Ms. A’s daughter.  She’s tough as nails in the classroom.  (Well, she’s tough all the time.)   She’s got expectations for behavior and performance and effort — both of herself and of her students.  As long as expectations are being met, my mom’s classroom is full of noise, laughter, creativity, and hugs.  She’s a master at balancing academics with the fun and creative process of learning.  And while when you’re her student, you love and hate her simultaneously, years later, you wish that you had paid more attention and been more grateful in the moment.  I know, I was a student of hers myself.

She’s loyal and non-judgmental and encouraging. She’s beautiful and well-spoken and humble. She’s boisterous and quirky and loud.  She gives the best hugs and makes the best spice cake.  And I love her and miss her to pieces.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

 

2 Comments

  1. dottie andreassen
    October 17, 2010

    A quiet and humble thank-you is all I can give in return!
    I love you, Veronica!
    MOM

    Reply
  2. Lowman Jamison
    July 10, 2016

    I am searching for your mother, Dorothy Andreasson, she was my teacher and I would really like to write her. I can’t find her address or number through yellow pages, can you PLEASE email her address to me at nicolellomax@gmail.com, my name is Lowman Leon Jamison. I’m sure she will remember me. She was amazing. I just want to express my gratitude to her. Thank you.

    Reply

Leave a Reply