by Bev Eigenberg
My name is Bev Eigenberg. I owned and directed Creative Nursery School for 30 some years where all the children, moms and dads called me “Miss Bev.”
I’m retired now, living in Brookdale in Lisle, where loving people care for us as we move through our journey of life. I love it here—interesting people, great activities, good food and no need to cook and clean up!
I pause often to think of all the special people in my life that I love. As we approach Valentine’s Day, I know I’m one of the luckiest people in the world. I’m thankful for each and every friend, memorable times, lots of smiles and generous hugs.
On a personal note, my family is all grown up. My son David is married to Chrysti. They have two children, a 7-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl. They live in Chicago. Helen still lives in L.A. And Betsy now lives in Tucson, Arizona.
I know now that I was one the people who loved to go to work every day. I have a degree in early childhood development, as did my awesome co-director Miss Carol. All of our teachers—some who were parents of children who came here first—were degreed and had to be warm and wonderful with senses of humor.
As the years passed, we began to read newspaper stories about the children we had nurtured, doing lots of things in the outside world.
So my husband, Mr. Harry, made us a large bulletin board to hang in the front hallway. We labeled it “Creative Kids Move On.”
We found so many articles about so many of our children! And I still do.
For instance, this past fall Conner Joyce made headlines as a football star at Naperville Central High School. His story would have appeared on our bulletin board.
Another notable was Evan Lysacek, a figure skater who practiced hard to make the Winter Olympics.
After Evan won his Gold Medal, he came to see us. He talked to the 4 and 5-year-olds about following their dreams.
“As you grow up, don’t ever give up on your dreams,” he said.
He talked about his goal to win the Gold, how he lost along the way, but eventually, he did win the Gold.
Then he showed us his video of winning a Silver Medal in Italy.
He brought me a magazine featuring his figure skating and a personal note.
“Dear Miss Bev,” he wrote. “We never forgot Creative. Thanks for the amazing foundation you gave me and all the children. Your dedication and kindness is changing the world for kids. Thanks. Love, Evan Lysacek.”
I’m so grateful I saved all those articles and beautiful notes written to me, Carol and the staff!
One last line I heard at Christmastime… “This old world has been awful good to me.”
And with that, I plan to write more about my wonderful experiences at Creative Nursery School, heartfelt stories that will be saved at positivelynaperville.com.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
In the coming months, Miss Bev’s Wit and Wisdom will be shared online via heartfelt and funny stories from 30 years with young children at Creative Nursery School.
