The first day back after winter break. We had a 3-4 meeting= we have a professional development meeting after school. I am sure I wasn't looking forward to it, it was the first day back after winter break.
The discussion was talking about the pros and cons of new year’s resolutions and how people often don't follow through on them. At this meeting a book was presented. I am not sure of the exact book; it could be the name of this slice. The discussion circled around the idea of picking “one word” instead of a New Year's Resolution. I thought this could work. Then I kind of got excited about what I would pick... I had to choose wisely. This one word would have to fit for the entire rest of the year...it was only January 4th. I decided on my one word: INTENTIONAL That is it! That is my word. To my surprise I found this to be very meaningful. I think I like the idea of my “one word” instead of a resolution. I can apply my word to many aspects of my life instead of just one area.
What will be your “one word?”
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A friend and I were talking, and the topic of dating came up.
So how do you date in a pandemic? My friend and I are of the mindset that you should meet someone the old fashion way… through friends. On-line dating seems so intimidating. But… how does that even work in a pandemic? I think that there are many single people out there wondering the same thing. I don’t know where to even begin with this…there are many layers. Do you need to quarantine for two weeks before you even have A drink, with the possibility of dinner? Do you carry your vaccination card around, like it is your drivers license? Should you have proof that you are two shots in? You have an elderly parent who lives with you and they aren’t visiting family members anymore. So, do you kindly ask them to go somewhere else so you can have a “friend” over for dinner? How do you explain to your parent that you would like some alone time with your date without being mortified? Lastly, let's not forget about having teenagers... Honestly, I am not sure how you date in a pandemic. Everything is closed, I look at everyone wondering do you have it, and how do you get to know someone six feet apart wearing a mask. Suggestions welcome? Or Pandemic dating sympathy? UGH… stupid COVID-19 I am a school social worker and I happen to be the department lead. I can't really remember how long I have been in this position, maybe 8 years. As a social worker, you are the only person in your building doing that exact job. There are only 8 of us in the district, one in each of the elementary buildings and two in the junior high.
The first full week in March every year is School Social Worker Appreciation Week. I look forward to this week every year. This is the time that I get to celebrate my colleagues. In December, I start thinking of possibilities of what to purchase. I enjoy buying things to celebrate them. I try to make sure the gifts are meaningful and not just another tchotchke to put on their desk. This year I decided to get them a choice with their gift. I think it was the best decision ever! They were very appreciative of the gesture and always appreciative of me thinking of them! So, to my fellow social workers... I APPRECIATE YOU AND ALL YOU DO! It was gorgeous out today. the kind of day you can take a drive with the windows down. I decided to take a drive to visit with a friend for a few minutes in the town that I grew up in. I didn't have the kids today, so I figured it would be a good time to go.
As I am driving there, I realize, I likely have not exited at this exit in over three years. I haven't been over here since my mom sold her house. As I make the turn on to Harlem Avenue, I make my way to my town. As I turn off the main road, I drive slowly through the town to see how things have changed. I drive past all my favorite places I went as a preteenager. The first place was the library and the church. The church it looks the same as it did 34 years ago. when I made my confirmation. The exterior of the library looks different, they seemed to upgrade that. The little park that I would frequent behind the library looks the same but with a fresh coat of paint. I pass the cemetery where I learned how to drive. It reminds me of how we would walk through the cemetery and visit the grave of one of our friend's mom. I pass by my elementary school; it looks the same for the most part. They added a little park and they changed the directions of the streets to make drop off easier. It still brings back found memories of friends and teachers... some who are long gone. As I turn on to "my block" I am wondering how much the new owners have changed "my house." I slowly creep up the block and stare at every inch of the house. The first thing I see is the stained-glass windows, I am relieved they are still there. Then I see the stair railings, they look different. I remember they were fixed to sell the house. As I am passing, by I see that the garage doors are painted and the fence to the back yard is wide open. It isn't supposed to be open... it looks weird to me. I also see that the broken basketball hoop that was there forever is finally gone. It looks better with it gone. In that quick second you forget that it isn't your home anymore. but it was for 29 years. It is now someone else's home and I am glad someone else has made it their home. I hope they have as many found memories as I do and will cherish always. Next time I am in the old neighborhood, I will have to stop and pick up Mr. Subs! As I step outside, I feel the warmth of the sunshine on my face . Instantly, my mood is changed. This warm weather makes me so happy. It means changes are around the corner.
The sunshine this time of the year means so many this are on the horizon:
Some waves start to lift you up to where you can take a deep breath. Friends are there to wipe the tears and remind us that better times are ahead.
Some waves allow us to enjoy the sunshine as they carry us to our next destination. Friends are there to enjoy the moment for as long as it lasts. I think that the most wonderful part of the waves is that no matter what kind of wave it is your friends are always there. The best waves are when they are in sync with each other and you are enjoying the ride together. Those moments feed our souls and carry us forward. I feel fortunate that through life’s ups and downs, I have my friendships. I started my day talking with my special education team at my new school. They invite me to their running challenges, which is awesome. It helps me to feel connected in our disconnected times of social distancing. The only thing is that I could be the mom of two of the three teachers. They are barely 24 years old, they are almost half my age. The third teacher is all of 32 or 33, but totally he fits right in with the young crowd. Realistically, I could be a 24 year olds mom...ugh makes me feel very old!!
As we are chatting it up about the run, I start to joke about how I am trying to keep up with these kids. They banter back about me commenting on how I would be their moms. Again, I am new to them this year, they know I have kids, but maybe not their ages. I have joked about how much older I am before, they are just kids in my eyes. I just put it out there…”Guys, I am 46, I will be 47 (big gulp) this year. So yes, I could totally be your mom!” Their reactions made my day!!! It gave me goosebumps...I may have even had a tear!!! “What I totally thought you were in your mid 30’s” “I would have never thought that!! OMG - that was the nicest compliment to start my day. They continued to talk about how they would have never guessed that I was “on the other side of 45.” I am still reeling from their response that I can’t even remember what else they said. I would have loved to see their actual facial expressions (stupid masks), but their words alone were so kind! It was a great way to start the day. I am just going to live in the moment for a little while longer. Thanks kids for filling my bucket today! As I finished out last school year, I realized I was one of the last people that would be in the building for the summer. It would be locked up tight and no one would be in due to the pandemic. Since I wouldn’t be back the next school year, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get the one who likes to prank everyone else...ALL the time! We shall call this person “Mark Buehrle” to ensure his privacy, I wouldn’t want to embarrass him. Knowing that “Mark” is a Bears and Cubs fan it was only fitting to leave a picture of the teams he HATES everywhere in his room. Packers and White Sox Logos it was! For good measure, I threw in the 40th birthday decorations that we forgot to use when he turned 40...several years prior. When I say everywhere… there wasn’t a place I didn’t think to put them. It was perfect, school would start and he wouldn’t have time to find them all. He would just take down the obvious ones. I was so proud! I am not this creative with pranking people. Who knew that he would come in a little early to help with a new teacher. Busted, he started to take down all the pictures. “Mark” even managed to be slightly impressed with my sneakiness, although I admited to nothing! He took everything he saw down before anyone even knew they were there….well that was disappointing. It has been about 10 months since those pictures were placed in that classroom. Just the other day I received a text message from “Mark.” It was simply this… I did cut out the thank you at the end of the text message, again not wanting to embarrass him :-)
That made it all worthwhile… hopefully there are still more to find in time! I have been taking my 15 teen year old out to practice driving. He was hesitant with snowy weather, but now he is all about it! As we were driving through the subdivision the other day, he appeared very comfortable. We have now been driving within this area for several months. He is doing a great job. He is still green and just needs some time and practice and he will be great.
So it has been almost a year since we last read each other’s stories about this “quarantine thing.” Yet here we are now, enduring the lasting impacts of a pandemic. I am not sure any of us would have ever imagined what the last year had brought us.
So many changes for the better yet so many changes that have forever impacted us in a way I can’t even describe. Looking back at last year's writing, I ended with gratitude. I think it is only fitting that I start the same way. The in between we will cover over the next few weeks. I am grateful that my family has avoided getting the virus and I have received my second vaccination. My kids are in school two days a week and looking at returning 5 days a week. High school sports are in motion....I think I am starting to see our new normal on the horizon. It kind of resembles a little of what we had a year ago, which is comforting. I am also very grateful to reconnect with people through this month of writing. I have missed you and you know who you are, more than you could imagine! |
AuthorI have worked in social work for over 25 years. The past 19 years have been within an elementary school setting. Archives
March 2022
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