Greetings,
At this time of year it is always a good idea to reflect back and give thanks for the many blessing we have gotten throughout this year.
As more vendors and factory workers of Chryler and Ford face closure and reduction of workers with families. It is comforting to know that as an Educator in the New Year most of us will still be employed.
In the last few weeks and months, we have all watched in amazement as the stock market took dives and many lost investments. It is comforting to know that all Teacher Retirement monies are safe and will be there when I am ready to retire.
As history was made with the first African American elected to the highest office of the land-President. It was comforting to know that in my life time such an event could occur and I would be alive to witness such.
As many lost homes and family members in the wake of all the hurricane winds, flood waters and fires. It is comforting to know that my family members will be gathered in one place at Thanksgiving safe and in good health.
However, several of our students may not be in such a comforting state this Thanksgiving. Some may experience anxiety, depression, a loss of material or emotional attachments, limited food sources, and less than adequate housing and heating needs. For those students, we should remember what blessings we have and seek to be a bit more understanding and giving at this time of year.
Let us each take comfort in knowing that at this time of year we have given a student just a bit more time to finish that assignment without consequences or we have allowed one tardy to be excused.
Let's each remember that the student is somebody daughter or son and treat them as you would want another Educator to treat your child.
Thanksgiving is a time of sharing and being thankful for what you have. This year take the time to share what you have with someone less fortunate. Who knows maybe next year that person you gave to will remember this act of kindness and give that same act of kindness to another. For truly I do believe it takes an entire village to raise a child and kindness is contagious.
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.
Ivyspecial (Janis)
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4 comments:
Though Thanksgiving is over, I feel that your message is applicable to the entire holiday season. We should certainly take the time to be kinder, and to think about the less fortunate, who may be our students.
You are absolutely correct, it does take a village to raise a child! :) Many blessing to you this holiday season!
Thanksgiving day and the turkey are long gone, but the feeling of being thankful and grateful for what is on our proverbial plates is still present. I have found that the adversarial nature of today’s society is corrupting the human spirit. However, we must look at sections of society as well as society as a whole. I was born and raised in northern Maine. Primarily a farming community, this area has some of the harshest winters in the US. Up there you learned at a young age that the sum of the community is greater than any individual or family unit. Everyone must help to survive the cold, snow and ice.
In this day of instant law suits, people in northern Maine reach to help first, regardless of who you are or where you come from. Two years ago, my father died suddenly. On the way back to Florida, my mother and I got a flat tire in the middle of nowhere on I-95 in northern Maine. With out of state license plates, we thought we were going to have a long time until AAA could come and help us change the tire. However, in less than 15 minutes, three farm trucks had pulled over to help us. Not one of them exacted promises that if they screwed up, please don’t sue them. When I asked them about this (as they were figuring out where the spare tire was on a Volvo SUV), one of them said, “Why would I ask? I’m not going to sue you if it falls on me. That’s my own bad luck.” Coming from that area, I understand that statement. I wondered how other people from out of state would look at that remark.
South Florida is an entirely different situation. I wonder if this is because we are truly an international melting pot. With different backgrounds we face each other in an unknown realm. In the news everyday we have talks of who’s suing whom over some of the most minuscule events I can’t even image. I think it is summed up by the fact that a local television station has a lawyer that “helps” people by telling them if they have a leg to stand on in a suit.
Without this constant threat of fiduciary disaster every time you pull over to help a person or confess that you were wrong and if we spent time understanding each others backgrounds, society as a whole might return to the dignified and ethical world, its spirit whole, and a place where you can say, “I’m sorry, I was wrong.”
It is really nice to know that we will be able to continue our employment and that children will always need teachers to give them the education they need. I am thankful for my family and all those that have worked to help me get where I am today. I am thankful for God and how he has provided me with my needs and given the strength to continue to provide for my family. I am thankful for my life and where it has been and where it is heading.
I agree with taking the time to assess our blessings. At school, we try to do this weekly to assist us in keeping on top of our game, so to speak.
We are thankful for the opportunity to touch the lives of our students. We feel blessed to have jobs that enrich our lives and the lives of others. We are grateful for working in school that respects the diversity of its students and staff and we are thankful for our supportive parents and community.
Sure there are the daily frustrations that come and go, but those are such minor issues, that we need to remind ourselves not to get derailed by the distractions, but to revel in the celebrations.
Enjoy your holiday season each and every day.
Robilowe
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