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Tuesday, January 19, 2021

#21 Looking To The Future

 


Do you remember birthdays, weddings, celebrations with shared food, cake, candles?

Do you remember greeting a friend with a hug?

Do you remember new Presidents walking past crowds on Pennsylvania Ave?

I'm looking forward to days when (hopefully) these are no big deal....

I am also thinking we might use "history" for hints of what the future might look like!

There was a fun filled decade after the 1919 Pandemic followed World War and a Great Depression.  

Let's hope we look to the past to protect our future. 









Tuesday, January 12, 2021

#sol21 That Feeling

 

Many years ago, I was a fledgling teacher near Washington, DC. My apartment was not luxurious but it was a convenient and free launching spot for visitors!  So, I had regular visits from friends and family members who wanted to see the nearby sites such as Arlington Cemetery, National Zoo, Lincoln Memorial Mall, and Arlington Cemetery.  When my brother, immersed in politics and history, visited, he had one request: to go into the Capital.

So in preparation for his visit, I did some research (not so easy in the days before internet and Google) and determined the best time to visit and how to get into the gallery seats.  As I remember, you could not get tickets in advance and had to just be ready and waiting at the right moment, Our visit was carefully planned. After we explored the rotunda and open to the public halls, we made our way to the Gallery waiting area.  We surrendered our cameras (it was long ago) and waited for our moment in gallery seats for some long forgotten debate by some long forgotten senator.  I do, however, remember that feeling of sitting at the seat of our government where decisions had been made through the history of our country.  I do remember my brother's comments as we left had something to do with that feeling he experienced as well.

As I crawled into bed last Wednesday, I was feeling heartbroken over the loss of life as well as the loss of our sense of security. In the future, Our Capital will likely be feeling differently with barriers and restrictions keeping people from ever knowing that feeling of becoming one with history.  I had tears in my eyes thinking my grandchildren likely will only know that feeling IF they run for Congress!  Then, I remembered that my grandchildren will also not know the feeling of walking freely into schools or an airport either.  

It was a seminal moment in our nation's story but I'm trying to be confident that we can help the next generation to understand that our words and our actions matter.   

  


Tuesday, January 5, 2021

#SOL21 OLW: Finding a Word During Chaotic Times


I started choosing One Little Word to guide my words and actions after admiring others in this SOL group.  At first, I didn't publish my words as if publishing would make them a public resolution. 

Then, I noticed that my chosen words, somehow, seemed to come true and I wondered (became scared) about the potential of a word to really shape my year. For example, there was the year I chose "joy" and months of joyful experiences culminated with a wonderful family celebration filled with joy.  Then there was the year I chose, "why not" and my tumultuous year included great loss and the need to rethink my entire life.. So, I concluded choosing a OLW was a big responsibility.

This year, there are several words that have circled my brain....but the word "confidence" seems to have emerged even though my own confidence in myself and others has been low for several years. I share my word choice cautiously, but hopefully, after months of turmoil.
                          con·fi·dence
t                               the belief that one can rely on someone or something                         
                                feeling certain about the truth of something
  • Confidence we can all hold it together until this pandemic can be brought under control.   
  • Confidence we will accept the learning challenges along with the gains for parents, children,  teachers.    
  • Confidence we will all be respectful of differing ideas, philosophies, and backgrounds.
  • Confidence we might all listen and reflect more than we talk.  
  • Confidence I will hug family and friends, soon.
  • Confidence I will drive, fly, visit explore somewhere.
  • Confidence I can prepare grad students to use assessment driven instruction totally on line.
  • Confidence I will focus on what I have accomplished, rather than what I have not,
  • Confidence our world might be a kinder, nicer, and more respectful place