Saturday, September 20, 2014
Celebrate Good Times, Come On! - 9/20
Each Saturday Ruth Ayres invites us to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week. Looking for celebrations has certainly improved my outlook on my week. For that, I am certainly grateful to Ruth and to all of you who choose to celebrate with me.
Emotional endings. I love them in books, but not so much in real life. The end of this week was filled with different emotions which were coincidently tied to blog posts I wrote earlier in the week.
Today, I celebrate timing.
My Tuesday Slice of Life was about teenage suicide. I was very hesitant about writing it because I didn't want to divulge information about the young man. I sent the link to a teacher-friend at my previous school because we both had this student in our class. She responded back saying how strongly she felt my move to the middle school would benefit so many students.
Fast forward to Thursday. A student asked to go to the restroom, and I noticed she was crying. I followed her out to the hall to ask her about it, but she did not want to tell me why she was so upset. I told her I could not help her if she didn't tell me what was upsetting her. The moment she mentioned suicide and the name of her friend, a chill went through me and I immediately thought about my Tuesday post. I saw the similarities in her friend and the boy in my post. Hopefully, we have intervened and my student just may have saved her friend's life.
I believe in my heart I was meant to make this move to the middle school. Writing that post made me think about how important teachers are in the lives of our students, not just in their learning. That post was not only about my student - it was about all students who feel left out. That post was meant to be written.
Today, I celebrate timing.
Thursday I wrote a post about forgiveness. When Holly Mueller from Reading, Teaching, Learning, told us the topic for Thursday's Spiritual Journey was forgiveness, I had no idea how much I would need this post the very next day.
Friday, I learned that once again, someone I respect and hold in high regard made a poor decision. I went through the same thing at the end of the school year and wrote about it here. I am still wrestling with forgiveness.
Then, Friday happens. I know we all make mistakes, but his actions will have huge consequences for him, his family, and his friends. As we move forward, my thoughts about forgiveness will be tested. My trust, my faith, and my friendship have been shaken once again. I know I need to find it in my heart to forgive and I know that with God's grace, healing will take place. That post was meant to be written.
Today, I celebrate timing.
After writing this celebration post, it does not seem very celebratory. Actually it seems somewhat depressing. But please know that I am smiling today, because I do have hope. This week, I grew as a teacher, a friend, and as a person because of my writing and yes, because of timing. THAT is a reason a to celebrate.
Have a great week and may you have many reasons to celebrate!
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Leigh Anne, So many big things going on at once! I believe with all my heart that you were put in middle school for a reason. You do make such a difference every single day. I'm sorry about what happened on Friday. Struggling with forgiveness is a daily struggle for me (sometimes minute by minute). I'm sorry that you are hurt and you have to deal with this struggle!! I celebrate your endless hope!! I celebrate your ability to help and forgive and you endless kindness & compassion you show to others. Leigh Anne, I celebrate you!!!
ReplyDeleteYour heart is spacious. Your actions matter. And timing matters. I am glad that this post ends with hope.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote this with such love, Leigh Anne. I went back to read your previous posts, and think your friend is right, you are going to be a wonderful teacher for those middle schoolers. Your intuition seems to support you well in doing good things for people. It's great that you followed that student to find out more info, & your words must have touched her, meaning a good thing happened. Have a good and restful weekend. Sometimes teaching middle school is an emotional roller coaster. I love the way you crafted your celebrations.
ReplyDeleteGritty celebration, Ruth calls this, in the midst of the mess life can be seeing something important. Understanding the value of timing to enlighten us, move us forward and educate us towards positive change is so worthy of celebration.
ReplyDeleteWow Leigh Anne - there is such brave honesty here. That is certainly worth a lot of celebration.
ReplyDeleteAs Kim says above, gritty celebration. That's what this is. You are such a brave and loving person. You definitely belong in middle school and obviously have a heart for your students.
ReplyDeleteGod is Able
ReplyDeleteHe will never fail
He is almighty God
Greater than all we seek
Greater than all we ask
He has done great things
Hillsong United - God Is Able Lyrics