My Friend, Teresa

It has been one of the most hectic years of my life.  Hence the no blogging status at all this year.  However, I just can't go without blogging today.

You see... one of my really good friends died yesterday.  Her name is Teresa, and I would like to tell you a little about her...



When we returned to school after our Christmas holidays in January of 2012, I told my co-workers about a fabulous blog I had discovered and this great looking little teacher store called Teachers Pay Teachers (better known as TPT).  I had a desire to start my own blog and store, but all the other teachers were skeptical, except for Teresa.  Teresa, with her quick wit and infectious laughter was always up for anything and willing to follow me on my hair-brained ideas.

http://williams2ndgradepigpen.blogspot.com/

Turned out that this wasn't one of those times.  Little did we know that day when we made blogs and opened stores that this was a journey of a different kind.  We were going somewhere we had never been and oh, what a journey it has been!!!  When we made our first sales, we celebrated together.  Teresa was forever doing her money dance for us.  Our new favorite catch phrase became "cha-ching!"  What fun we had learning how to make our units.  We couldn't wait to share our new savvy computer skills with each other.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teresa-Williams-8


Teresa became very sick in the fall of that year.  So sick, that the doctor's didn't give her family much hope.  She was placed in a drug-induced coma.  I went to the forums on TPT to ask for prayers and boy did everyone deliver.  There were prayers being said from all over the world.  Because that's the kind of friends we have in our TPT family.  Many were quick to offer to help financially, and we set out to do one of the first-ever fundraisers through TPT.

Teresa's health rallied and she came home.  She wanted to return to the classroom so badly, but her health wouldn't allow it, so she had to retire just a few years early.  Through her blog, Facebook, and TPT she was able to feel that she was still in the middle of her love of teaching.  A close group was even formed from some of those who helped contribute to her fundraiser.  We became super close, even though most of us have never met.

http://www.theteachingtribune.com/


Unfortunately, Teresa's heart gave out on her yesterday, and Thursday will be her funeral.  My heart is just broken.  We have had so many laughs and good times...especially with our TPT journey.  We had no idea when we started that it would end up being less about money and more about sharing and caring.  That because of the fundraiser, a group would be formed that would become the best of friends who would talk daily in our fb group and even make a blog together although most of us have never met and live all over the world.  We had no idea that TPT truly has a community that rallies around each other to support each other in the good times and the bad.  We had no idea how much we would be BLESSED because of TPT.

Teresa was so happy to finally meet up with 2 of of our bloggy friends.  (L-R  Merinda of Pirate Girl, Terry of Terry's Teaching Tidbits, me, and Teresa)


To all of you out there that ever supported Teresa's store, read her blog, encouraged her through the forums or the Facebook groups, please know that your encouragement and support to Teresa meant the world to her.  She really loved what she did.  I only wish you could have all met her in person.  She was a bright and shining star no matter what her life entailed.  She could laugh the best laugh you've ever heard!!  That was just her way.

If you have bloggy friends, don't wait until tomorrow or the future to actually meet up.  Tell them TODAY how special they are to you!


Go dancing into Glory, Teresa, my dear, dear friend!  I love you and will miss you dearly! "CHA-CHING!!!"

21 comments:

  1. <3 <3 <3 Love you Cynthia! That was beautiful. :) I know when she read the "Cha-Ching" part, she said it right back to you. :)

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  2. Oh my gosh. That was beautiful and eyes are tear-filled. You were definitely lucky to know her...and her you. Dancing in Heaven she is!

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  3. Teresa blessed us all by bringing us together. We loved her from the start in Dec. 2012 and will miss her terribly. Thank you Cynthia for your vision.

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  4. Beautiful, Cynthia! It's hard to believe you can feel so deeply, miss terribly and cry so much for someone you never met personally. I know Teresa was the way you describe because it permeated through the cyber skies. All of our lives were touched by her. She's definitely dancing to the Cha-Ching polka!!

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  5. Beautiful tribute to your friend! I am so sorry for your loss of your good friend.
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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  6. I am so sorry! I really enjoyed reading her blog. She will be missed!
    Hilary
    Second Grade is Out of This World!

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  7. What a special friend she must have been! I am so sorry for your loss...prayers being sent.

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  8. That was truly beautiful Cynthia!

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  9. I think you did a beautiful selfless tribute to her. She was truly a great person. We knew her through typed words and pictures. You were the lucky one who got to know her heart, her head and her personality. Keep those memories with you as close as you can. I am very sorry for your loss. I hope she is dancing in heaven! Watch this video for a beautiful song.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNoLJy68ZcE

    Patty
    Second In Line

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  10. These posts about Teresa are such a lovely tribute! :) She was so loved in this community. Thank you for sharing your memories of her! :) I really wish I knew her myself...and feel that I am getting to know her through these sweet tribute posts! :) What a true joy she must have been!
    Praying for you guys as you journey through this tough time,
    Regards,
    Tamara
    Mrs. Russell's Room-First Grade

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  11. Teresa and I met through email, I was lucky enough to win her whole tpt store in a giveaway she had. We quickly realized we both live in Georgia and I have followed her ever since. Such sad news, praying for her friends and family.

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  12. What a beautiful tribute, Cynthia. Teresa will be remembered for ever more through our blogs - she brought us together and will be forever in our hearts.

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  13. I'm tearing up....what a beautiful post and she was lucky to have you! Bloggers unite <3
    Journey of a Substitute Teacher

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  14. What a wonderful tribute to your friend. Teresa was obviously a wonderful teacher and person. Prayers for her family and all those who love her.

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  15. What a special post. Teresa will never, ever be forgotten. This bloggy community is the real deal. I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your funny, spunky, dance-y and very close friend. )))tight hugs(((
    Growing Firsties

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  16. This brought tears to my eyes! What a great post. I too had talked to Teresa through email and on our blogs. We used to laugh about our names being the same. What a beautiful tribute to your friend. Hang in there! (hugs)
    Theresa
    Pinkadots Elementary

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  17. Very sorry about your friend.
    That was a lovely post.

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  18. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Cynthia, you wrote a beautiful tribute.

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  19. Such beautiful words for a beautiful person. I'm so sorry about your friend xo

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  20. So sorry to hear about Teresa! I remember when she was so sick the first time and how we all came together to do a fundraiser for her. I lost track, after that, and did not know of the fb group. How wonderful you were able to make so many friends all over the world. I'm really sorry for your loss, Cynthia! God bless!

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  21. A beautiful eulogy, Cynthia! Teresa is smiling and showering cha-chings on all her TpT friends.

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