#sol24 Religion Focused Holidays

 

This semester, I messed up, plain and simple. I didn't mean to offend anyone.

I followed the University's calendar.  I checked the dates of school vacations. I double checked dates for Easter and Passover. I even took note of the "fun" holidays of the spring semester (Valentine's Day, Pi Day, Earth Day) as it is fun when I can incorporate some fun into my class focused on school-based assessments!

Yet, I messed up and it was clear to me when one student asked at the end of class, "Do we have in-person class next week?"

Another student chimed in asking to "Zoom-in" as she would be with family celebrating.

A third student responded a bit disgustedly, "We probably have class because it's not a Christian holiday. It's discrimination, if you ask me."

"It's Eid and I will be with my family as we break the fast," another student volunteered, possibly trying to help me understand the request that was trying to figure out if this was just a group intent to get out of a scheduled in-person class. "A lot of us celebrate."

It was late and I vaguely remember reading about NYC schools and Eid. I really was not prepared to either offer a zoom option (which everyone would likely take) or add on a class at the end of the semester, so I promised to look into the matter and clarify through an email within 2 days.

I started exploring as soon as I got home. 

For the first time, Eid, an important Muslim holiday celebrating the breaking of the fast, is a school holiday in NYC; however, it did not make the University calendar, this year.  

As I stalled my decision, I found a recent Gallup Poll suggesting 3 out of 4 Americans identify with a specific religious faith.  68% of those identify as Christian, 2% identify as Jewish, 1% identify as Buddhist and 1% identify as Muslim.  Additionally, 45% of Americans say religion is very important in their lives. 

I made the decision, for this year, to keep the scheduled in person class and offer students the option of a full zoom class the next evening. 25% of my class took the zoom option. It was still the right thing to do. 

#sol24 A Double Rainbow

Last week started with

Storms, water in the basement,

Mopping,

Last week continued with

Serious illness impacting

Those I love,

Prayers.

Last week ended with

A double rainbow.

It might have been

 Light reflected twice,

It was a sign

If you look closely

There is hope.

 

#sol24 April 9 Better Than the Eclipse

 

It seems as if THE eclipse

Was the highlight of the day, 

Perhaps the week.

It really was memorable,

A testament to the power of nature

To create beauty.

Yet,

A phone call made my day, week, perhaps my year,  

We talked and we listened

About people and happenings in our lives.

About wonderful and devastating things,

About possibilities and accepting 

What we cannot change.

We have talked rarely in the last decade,

We've had harsh words, unkind thoughts,

Yet, "old" friends somehow 

Pick up where they left off,

In spite of time, changes, emotions,

Leaving barriers in the dust.

#sol24 April 2 Handicapped Parking

 

"I hate it when people park in those handicapped spots and don't need them," I thought as a tiny sports car  pulled into one of the last remaining spots clearly marked handicapped.  I had already driven around the crowded lot on a gray, rainy morning and class was about to start. I ended up in the outer lot and was a drippy mess when I finally got into class.

The lady who had nabbed that up close spot was already in my gym room, although she was not as far in the preparing for class process as she should have been!  She was slowly taking off her coat and there was a crowd gathering around her offering greetings and clear messages of "I have missed you."

 "I'm doing better, she assured her friends, and I am going to try to do at least part of this class." she smiled. As I glanced over, I noticed her thin shirt hung on her bony shoulders. Then, I saw her slowly raising her arms and adjusting her hair and I just knew she really needed that spot. My guilt level went through the roof.

Clearly, she had already faced a powerful enemy.  

Clearly, she needed and deserved that spot.
Clearly, not all disabilities are visible.