reminders

Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. There are many things below it, but there are also things above it. You cannot make it the basis of a whole life. It is a noble feeling, but it is still a feeling... Knowledge can last, principles can last, habits can last; but feelings come and go... But, of course, ceasing to be "in love" need not mean ceasing to love. Love in this second sense — love as distinct from "being in love" — is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriage) the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God... "Being in love" first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it.

C.S. Lewis

why i'm blessed to be where i am

We had a professional development session today at school led by the cheeseball the Leadership Program that PNA partners with. Though it was overall pretty hokey, at one point, they had us write down some figures or people in our lives that we felt had "character" and one characteristic about them. Naturally, there was sharing afterwards. For Sonya, also known as Ms. Johnson, that person was Jesus, whose trait was forgiveness. There were several "mm"s around the room, as another teacher whispered-- not disrespectfully -- "That's deep."

I'm reminded of the amazing faculty that I've been surrounded by. Granted that there is that undertone of complaining and frustrations, for the most part, I think I can say that all of these teachers here are in it for the students. I've been blessed with a staff who is still very much human and continue to be frustrated with the difficulties of education, but that is supportive of each other, that hopes and dreams for their students. I've also been blessed not only with colleagues, but fellow believers of the faith.