Mrs. Art

“Every day is a gift.”  What is often an overdone phrase takes on new meaning when it is uttered by someone fighting for her life.  Two weeks ago I ran into Mrs. Art (Claudia Hayes-Hagar) while having breakfast at deBoer with friends, namely Mrs. Coney and Mrs. Sale.  We were three friends enjoying our time together, catching up on summer activities and events.  We were delighted to run into Claudia.  All three of us knew that Claudia had received the news that her cancer had returned.  Furthermore, we were aware that she faced a difficult road.  However, standing there that day with Claudia it was evident that she was in excellent spirits.  She shared with us the latest news on her cancer treatments.  While she stood there talking I couldn’t get over how wonderful she looked.  She was dressed in loose, yet stylish capri’s with a peasant top.  She had on the cutest shoes! (Claudia always wore the neatest shoes!).  Her hair was a little longest that I was used to on her, but I loved how it softened her face and if I dare say, made her look younger and more carefree. 

 

As Claudia turned to say goodbye, she commented to us, “You know, every day is a gift.”  When I heard the news today of her passing I thought back to her words.  Every day IS a gift!  In the seven years that I taught with Claudia at Waukazoo she often shared the gift of her friendship.  She taught me to adore French press coffee!  Whenever I walked into her classroom she pulled out a coffee mug and prepared a fresh cup.  She never asked, she just gave me a smile with the coffee mug.  I also remember a staff meeting where Claudia shared a few yoga stretches to get us into the right mind for the meeting (I’m not really sure that is possible, though!)

Claudia was the type of teacher who spoke her mind.  She was fearless, opinionated, and passionate.  Her gift was that you always knew where she stood with you.  If she didn’t like something you’d said or done, you knew it.  But you also knew when she agreed with you, was happy with you, or proud of your work!  I appreciated this as a colleague, and as a parent of two of Claudia’s students.

My girls loved art class!  They loved the art projects, the creativity that took place in the classroom, and the faith that Claudia had in their efforts.  Claudia’s gift to her students was her belief that each and every one of them was an artist.  She saw the uniqueness in each of her students and worked hard to pull that out during her classes.  I believe she was successful! 

Every day is a gift!  Claudia embodied this spirit when she battled cancer in 2008, when she walked the Waukazoo halls and made students smile, when she stood up in meetings and spoke up for kids.  Claudia reminded three friends of this when she saw them just two weeks ago.  I will miss Claudia.  I will miss being called, “Dude!”  I will miss seeing her at the Holland Area Arts Council, where she taught my girls once again in after school art classes.  Most of all, I will just miss Claudia.

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Waukazoo Boys and Girls:  Feel free to add your favorite memory of Mrs. Art in the comments section.  Make sure to sign only your first name!