New Beginnings

J. Gawlik has taught for over 25 years. She put herself and her son through college, working multiple jobs most of the time. The most important accomplishment in her life, however, has been parenting. She regards good parenting, especially single parenting, as courageous, requiring dedication and selflessness, saying, When a child is grown, a parent crosses their heart. Though she strives for stability, her life hasn't always had that. Her son was diagnosed with bone cancer at age 15, affecting them both dramatically. Gawlik says, "It's not knowing what your fate will be that's so draining from one day to the next, month after month. So, to lead a 'boring' life, knowing that, at least for now, the ones I love are safe and reasonably happy . . . that's a good life in my book (pun intended)."