SOL25 March 1 What Lies Ahead?

 

I was going to write an introductory slice, but then life happened,

So you will have to infer something about me, for today.

Like lemmings pulled to a familiar green sign off the highway, the train of aging Priuses and well worn mini-vans made their way in the days after the announcement. 

 

If they were lucky enough to score a wagon, they filled the belly with paint, paper, crafts, thread and the remaining Singer machines.  They pulled patterns from the bins without worry about the price or sizes and loaded skeins of yarn in all colors as if their lives depended on it.  They waited in line fingering reams of fabric.

Throughout the store, people talked softly, respectfully, as one might at a serious event such as a wake. Even when the check out system crashed, there were no complaints, only subdued resignation. It was as if people were returning "home" one last time and shopping as if after a generation of supporting home sewers and crafters, the "mother-ship" was soon closing its doors for good.

I know we will be able to "get stuff" online; however, I am not sure how those of us who love the feel of fabric and yarn will "get our fix." 

Yet, my sadness was amplified 100 fold as I waited in the long check out line and read about the forceful end of diplomacy.  I was consumed with fear as threats and punishments break relationships but do not change behaviors.  I was filled with images of bullying and the damage it does on every level of society. A few tears fell down my cheeks because I am very worried about what lies ahead. 

sol25 February 25 Signs of Hope

 

February has been a hard season,

Bone-chilling cold,

Life-changing losses,

Moral-compass challenging news

Every single day.

I've tried avoiding 

Social media, evening news

Sharing my thoughts.

Afraid.

Saddened.

Scared.

I've been searching 

For signs

Hope.

As the sun emerged, snow melted,

Two signs emerged:

A grandchild's picture

Depicting

Hope through the ages.

A friends message

"One child, one teacher, one book, 

and one pen, can change the world." 

Malala Yousafzai

I am hopeful March

Will bring change.

sol25 Vestiges of the Pandemic

As I read about another "everyone back in office every day" mandate, I could not help but think of discussions, not that long ago, about the power of Zoom to change working environments, permanently. I could not help but think of the empty parking lots at the train station, month after month after month. I could not help but think of the plummeting real estate values for office spaces or the demise of "We Work" pop-up places for start-ups. I could not help but think about the moms and dads in shorts and Crocs, coffee mugs in hand, lazily walking their children into school long after the pandemic.  

I could not help but think of my own grad students in Texas, Manhattan, Queens, and Upstate New York who join together every week. Zoom has provided a means to a master's degree while working; however, I could not help but think this will change, like everything else, someday soon.

While I hope to never experience the isolation and loss of life we all felt five years ago, there are at least a few people longing for the work-from-home-in-sweats-walk-your-dog-midday vestiges of the pandemic era!

sol25 T - 37

 

There is snow/ice event headed my way in hours, long before my arms will have recovered from the last shoveling event! Then, there is another snow/ice event headed on Wednesday night and my arms ache just thinking about it! The local forecasters are also suggesting another event on Sunday and then next Tuesday. One after another as if we had requested snow and cold!

For three years, snow and ice had skirted my little spot on the map as if we had a protective forcefield around us! I dutifully pulled out the SAME bag of "safe" for pets ice melt every year and then dutifully returned it to the garage intact. To be honest, I was feeling a bit smug about the lovely if unusual winters.   

The first storms of this season passed me by, but the past month has been brutal! I've worn my boots every single day! I had to scour multiple stores in order to find another bag of "safe" ice melt. 

I was feeling "down" until I thought about my Littles sliding down that hill again and again at "take-your-breath-away-speed." If I am honest, that is what I really want to remember about winter weather!  I thought about the snow day video with my Littles dancing in the middle of a Thursday as if it was normal. Then, I got a request to come "see" my Little's new snow fort. 

If I am honest, snow is annoying and shoveling is not fun, but the joy snow provides is immense for those not burdened by shoveling. Plus, Spring is 37 days away.

 

sol25 February4 We Are Finally Starting

 

Towards the end of my undergraduate experience, I lost the bulk of an academic scholarship to a changing focus on increasing the diversity of the student body. As a headstrong young adult who had earned a 4.0 for the many semesters, I turned my head and walked away, finishing my degree elsewhere. I did realize I had many opportunities not available to others, but my heart was still sad.

Years later, I was a finalist for a fantastic teacher-leader position in a prestigious district with a salary I could have only dreamed of previously. I went to the wire with interviews, writing samples, demo lessons, but lost the position to a person who was equally qualified and filled diversity boxes in the world of elementary schools. To be honest, this time I did fully understand the need for teachers and administrators to reflect the student bodies they lead, but I still felt sad. 

In spite of a few bumps in the road, my own professional journey has been a great one. These days, I am proud to work with an increasingly diverse group of teachers and wanna be educational leaders. My students include first generation Americans, second language learners, career changers, special education students, and former members of the Armed Forces. Each and every one of them aspires to create educational environments where ALL students learn to be effective and reflective members of society who read critically, write responsibly, and create substantially. I am in awe of their passion and honored to lead discussions where we challenge the "status quo" and critically examine educational decisions. After each class, my heart is full of hope for the future of education. 

It has taken leaders with vision, quite a bit of legislation and an entire generation. These days, our schools are finally starting to reflect the beautiful tapestry of our society.  Yet, these days, I am concerned about the future.