A favorite thing to do is begin my morning drive to work in complete darkness, witnessing sunrise. This daily experience often helps me center myself. It helps me realize that, despite what's happening around us, one thing we can rely on is the sun coming up to start each new day.
Without getting into details, with respect to the families, there have been two recent events that have impacted families in the town in which I live. Both tragedies, one has gotten national attention and the other, that has gotten significantly less attention. Each is having an enormous impact on a small town community. I've been thinking, empathizing, sympathizing, and distracted, grieving for my own kids. It's reminded me to never take what I have for granted. This has added meaning to the next sunrise or sunset I see.
On this morning's ride to work, as my day's schedule ran through my mind, I was feeling like I'd forgotten something. Was it my "school bag" or my lunch? When I was within a mile of my destination, I'd realized what it was: I was supposed to wear green.
The reason being today was "Say Hey Day" as part of our Start with Hello Week's events. The sponsoring organization, Sandy Hook Promise works tirelessly to protect children from gun violence with programs that work. For those of us who remember the tragedy at Sandy Hook, it's a painful and important reminder that this work is never done. And for our students and some staff members, too young to remember this tragic day, it's a positive week dedicated to making our school (and the world) a little bit smaller. Start with Hello Week fits perfectly in middle school and aligns well with our mission to include all students so they are known, and they know that they're known.
So I didn't wear green today. It'd be my first "First Attempt In Learning" of the day (and certainly not my last). I have to remind myself, even as a middle school principal, it's important for me to model learning and being a learner.
The silver lining for me today? The act of kindness I was afforded?
When one of my colleagues came to work (school) today, and noticed my customary shirt and tie, announced that she had an extra green shirt in the car. Not only would it fit me, but it was one that several staff members had ordered and would wear, as a sign of unity.
When I offered to purchase the shirt, she declined, telling me it'd cost me a cup of coffee.
After watching the sunrise, the kindness of this gesture reminded me to stay aware of and open to the silver linings. Fortunately, I work with others who are constantly engaged in a service mindset, are student-centered, and share a common priority to make our school and workplace one of belonging for all. These people are and represent my silver linings.
This doesn't change the sadness or grief of loss, and the struggle to understand why we can't remove pain from the lives of children or their families. However, it does remind me to look for the silver linings and whenever possible, be that silver lining for someone else.
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