Thursday, July 20, 2017

Scribble Picnic - LADYBUG / ICAD - Day 49 - Charm Bracelet

Our Scribble Picnic theme for the week is LADYBUG and today's ICAD prompt is CHARM BRACELET and thinking about them both a memory clicked.  

One of our special education teachers passed away a few years ago.  She had ovarian cancer and by the time she was diagnosed she was already at Stage IV.  When school ended in June of that year we never expected that she would not be returning in September.  Or ever.

I was asked to help plan a little memorial for her.  Something that her students could take part in.  


I remembered that she had been very distraught over losing her ladybug charm bracelet at school one day.  She had told me that she loved ladybugs and her husband had bought it for her.  (It was much more elaborate than the one I have illustrated.)  To my knowledge, the bracelet never turned up.  

Because she had a love for ladybugs, in the spring I planned a ladybug release.  I found a nursery that sold them in containers of hundreds in each.  We took her former students and anyone else from the building who wanted to take part out to the playground.  Our principal had a few words and then I read this:

"Mrs. _ loved ladybugs - maybe because of their bright color, or maybe because they are so small. Or, maybe it was because of all the good they can do - just like she wished for her students.  For whatever reason it was that she loved them think about this - When a ladybug opens it's wings to fly, you'll be surprised to see that the wings form a heart.  And...... it's in our hearts that we will keep the memory of Mrs. _ and all the good she did."


We also planted a tree in her memory.  A redbud that has beautiful magenta blooms in the spring that give way to heart-shaped leaves.  It was planted outside our principal's window and when his door is open I can see it.  

While I was searching for the card that I had with the write-up on it (it was glued in a journal from around that time period) I came across a few of these drawings below.  Before I worked in the school office I used to substitute teach and in my "go bag" I always kept some markers and paper/notebook to have something to do should there be a lot of prep time.  This was something that I had doodled during one of those periods.  It was chock full of ladybugs so I thought I'd share it also today.


I see by the clock that it's already Thursday here, but I believe I still can post this at the Picnic this week since it's officially held in another time zone.  Let me hurry on over there to check that out and to see all the other ladybug/ladybird entries for this week.  You can click here to join me.  And if you want to join the Picnic next week, the theme is CURTAIN.  

23 comments:

  1. this is a nice tribute. & I like the idea that ladybug wings form a heart.

    that's a wonderful heart/bug doodle.

    have a lovely day.

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  2. What a meaningful tribute..So special for her and the ladybugs. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.

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    1. You can't imagine how everyone didn't mind having them crawl all over their hands. It was special.

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  3. Such charming art for your friend. Nice that because she loved ladybugs you think of her when you see or think of them.

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    1. Thanks Tammie. My daughter's sorority mascot was also a ladybug so they have a lot of memories.

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  4. Lorraine,waht time zone are you in? I'm guessing east of here, right?

    I love that 2nd illo in particular - so intricate, and love the dedication you planned in that teachers memeory with this thoughtful piece you did there too.

    What a great addition for our picnic this week. Thank you so much.

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    1. I'm on the east coast Michael. I've been getting a much later start lately and staying up too late as a result. So it helps, in this particular case, that the picnic is in a different time zone so I can sneak in when it's already the next day for me!

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  5. lovely lady bug and that was a very touching tribute to that women :)

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  6. I really like the ladybug heart, so pretty! Very sweet tribute.

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  7. Thank you for sharing such a lovely story - and the illustrations are really beautiful Lorraine.

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    1. Thanks Mary. Glad you like them, thanks for visiting.

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  8. Thank you for sharing that story, Lorraine! It sounds like a wonderful way to have paid tribute to a special person.
    I actually saw a video on National Geographic's site recently of the wings opening and closing, it was quite amazing to see the size of the wings and how they fold them back again under the wing cases. Your little ladybird sketch (and the older doodled heart) is just delightful.

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    1. It was fun to note that the kids, for the most part, had no problem with letting the bugs crawl on them. The teachers on the other hand were not so eager. I'll have to see if I can find that video. Thanks for the head's up.

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  9. Lorraine,
    This is a beautiful story and your words to remember your teacher by. I loved both paintings. The second one is stunning.
    Blessings
    Janis

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  10. Such a wonderful thoughtfully planned tribute Lorraine. Love your ladybug art too.

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  11. What a lovely tribute. I imagine and hope that a good number of those present that day will think of Mrs. __ when they see a ladybug now.
    I take along my little sketchbook when I sub now, too, but haven't come up with anything as colorful as your pretty ladybug heart doodle!

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    1. I hope they do too! I know a few comment on the tree when it's blooming in the spring. Always brings back memories. I still carry art supplies with me back and forth to work though I seldom, if ever get to use them in the office. I even bought myself one of those calendars that you can color this year and only finished one month. But now that you're prepared for those down times, you'll be happy you have your sketchbook with you. If nothing else, to write down those witty or humorous things that happen when you sub.

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  12. P.S. You and I both appreciate that time zone difference for Scribble Picnic!

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  13. Your card so beautifully commemorates the teacher who left. It's very sad, but your memory of it is amazing. She's still alive because she's in your thoughts.
    Hugs,
    BożenA

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