Student's Confusion

So, all day today I watched the inaugural events with my students. Sometime between the inaugural address and the beginning of the parade we sat down to talk about what this means to each of us. My students could firmly regurgitate why I or their parents were excited but only 2 could tell me why this was an important day for THEM! I was deflated to say the least. Since November we have been discussing the election and the importance of today, but somehow I had not relayed the real message of today. We are keeping journals and will continue to discuss this for the rest of the year, and I hope that some day in the future they will come to grasp the importance. Not my opinions, but an understanding of what today means to them.

Second Chances

My mother and father's story began with a chance meeting on a flight to and from home/school. They talked during the flight and my father gave my mother a ride back to her dorm. The story in my mind is then filled with love letters, long phone conversations, and stolen moments. I've heard the story of the proposal so many times that I can picture it all happening! A small wedding takes place in a quaint church and they begin moving around the world. See, I had the privilege to watch my parents really love each other. My parents were blessed with an enduring love.
When my mom passed, I watched my dad sink lower and lower. We were all struggling to accept our own grief when my dad received a letter of sympathy from a childhood friend, Sandy. She was the ear my father needed. They rekindled their friendship. This is where our journey takes a new turn. In our short lifetime, we all hope to fall in-love with someone who truly loves us and we love in return. My father has had the privilege of falling in-love twice! Sandy and my father have found love with each other!
Over Christmas, Dad and Sandy made their commitment final and got married in their childhood church with their children standing by their sides. The honest truth is that I'm not sure about a lot of things now, but I am sure of their love. It is evident in the way the speak and laugh. I wish them nothing but extreme happiness and an enduring love.

Change..oh how i hate it!!

So I know that change is the one thing in life that you can count on. Blah, blah, blah! You'd think that after all the changes that I've seen in my life, I'd be better prepared to handle life's changes. But alas, after 10 moves, 7 schools, 2 children, several deaths, and several births I am no better prepared than when I began this journey. Actually, I hate change! I crave the mundane, predictability of my life. Many of you know what happens to me when things do not go as planned or when, heaven forbid, there is no actual plan!! I am a mess. On some rare occasions I stand taller and repeat my mantra that has carried me through for years..."I am safe, I am calm, I can handle this." With this coming year, my ability to adapt will be tested over and over!

And so it began...This weekend my principal called me to let me know that I would be let go at the end of the year due to budget cuts. We are a very small school and he's having to cut $215k from his budget!!! I'm not surprised but was shell shocked to say the least. I was stopped dead in my tracks. We're trying to buy a house, we're trying to have another baby!!! Doesn't the economy know this about me and MY plans???? So after several phone calls to and from loved ones, we will march on. Without a house of our own and without the next addition to our family...for now.

For this coming year, I have resolved to react calmly in all situations. I am trying to be patient. I am trying to stay positive. I am trying to stay healthy and not allow the stress of change to dominate me. Help me...