2015

The year is 2015.  The uplifting phrase we hear every new year, "Wishing you a healthy and happy new year," has new meaning to me. 

As educators, we are responsible for making sure kids learn, saying it simply.  Expose, make progress, and come out knowing more than you went in with.  But we need to remember, we are dealing with kids.  And adults.  With people.  With people's lives.  It's not black and white.  People have lives beyond the schoolhouse. 

Today I learned that one of my family members has only a few weeks to live.  The ripple of heartbreak in the family is echoing. Nothing else matters right now.  And when she's gone, nothing else will matter for a while. Slowly, real life will creep back in, we will join our routines again. And we know this is a good thing. It begins to happen naturally.

I also look at my own health differently this new year.  One week ago, I had my gallbladder removed. After several months of curious pains, I finally narrowed down the culprit. Of course, this is the year I lowered my level of health insurance because "I never get sick." I began to question my ego of good health. I'm not a sickly person.  I'm proud of my good health. But what if I'm not that person? This entire experience affected my job, my family, and my pocketbook.

I am one person who boasts a drama-free life.  But these big things have happened to ME in one week.

When you tell someone that you wish them a happy and healthy new year, mean it.  People will feel your good energy.  And that is something we all need.