Page 256 - She's One Crazy Lady!

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I am convinc“
longer having a direct influence.
Meanwhile, her enthusiasm and approach, increasingly touched
ed that this difficult and challenging change of direction, seemingly ‘forced’ upon Glennis over the past years is in fact God’s will – or fate if that is easier to accept – and I am proud to be considered as a true friend of such a genuine and caring
others outside educational circles. Unable to return to school but needing to channel her bubbling energies in other directions she began to apply her own “Special Measures” to help others. From small ideas to ‘give something back’ to those who helped her, huge sums of money have been raised through one of her ‘Crazy’ but fantastic ideas, and countless people have been helped, reassured, supported, given hope or simply cheered up directly or indirectly by Glennis. Her passion for a cause has been rekindled – her dreams now directed – and these have opened up new worlds for so many.
No matter what she does, Glennis gives her all. She has resolution, fortitude and ways of tackling whatever faces her in life by thinking of others before herself. She creates her own ‘Extra Special Measures’ – inspirations, ideas and things that she does selflessly to impact in a positive way on the lives of others. It seems that her battle with breast cancer has steered her away from her lifelong dream in education and onto a new pathway where she has and will continue to impact on the quality of life for thousands, perhaps even millions.
I am convinced that this difficult and challenging change of direction, seemingly ‘forced’ upon Glennis over the past years is in fact God’s will – or fate if that is easier to accept – and I am proud to be considered as a true friend of such a genuine and caring person.”
I wasn’t expecting such a personal contribution. A reference to my future life! Thank you Julie. Julie was (and remains) such a good friend to me through those awful times. She gave me time; she offered so many words of wisdom, she listened, she gave personal support and was always honest with me and kept me grounded. Above all, she was a constant
perso”
n. and confidante – and we always found time to have a laugh. She, along
with other staff, and Des, arranged a retirement party at the same pub where we met prior to my chemotherapy. They presented me with a huge hat card made and signed by all the children – one child having written:
“Sorry you’re living!”
So, did I cry? Yes.
Did I forgive those who had made life so confusing? Hmm – a hard one! Did I learn? Oh, yes – and I am still learning. Ever since my experience
at Victoria and then at Highfields I have great empathy with anyone who feels they are ‘being got at’... when there appear to be no justifiable reasons; my heart goes out to such people, just as I feel for people faced with a breast cancer diagnosis. I’ve been there. I so strongly believe in ‘justice’.
Did I move on? Oh, yes!!!! “Crazy Hats” became my new school and I had a book to finish!
(Months later, I was so pleased to learn that Highfields (now Greenfields) was taken out of Special Measures and continued to receive good Ofsted reports.)