I met Myla in 2007. We were among 100 teachers chosen to train and act as literacy coaches - teachers who were to help teachers do their jobs better and more easily. From the first, her soul shone through her sweet eyes and her razor-sharp intelligence cut through to the heart of what teachers do: create with love and work harder than anyone else on earth for the sake of their students. That year she also discovered that she had ovarian cancer. And we all know what that means. But I remember with absolute clarity her exact words as we talked about her situation. "All will be well."
And all was well. She received treatment, her children rallied around her, she lost her hair, and she continued to work with the students she loved and with those of us who were blessed with her presence. After the first round of chemo, as her hair began to regrow, we all bought tiny barrettes and wore them as a sign of solidarity and support and love.
This isn't a happily-ever-after story - but it's a story of great joy. Myla has gone on before us. But every year Facebook let's me know that November 13th is her birthday, a time to celebrate. Then, a couple of weeks ago, while sorting through a box of odds and ends, I came across that tiny green barrette. And I felt Myla's presence and knew she was right: all is well.
