Principally Speaking
We'll Keep Getting Stronger
Sit Just Quietly
Unlike my better half (that would be Mrs. Finger), I was not an English Major in college, so putting my thoughts into writing can be challenging. Having thoughts is not the problem; it's the writing that sometimes fails me. In this month's Principally Speaking, I will attempt to weave three different themes together, and the odds are, I may fail miserably, but here it goes anyway.
"Once upon a time in Spain there was a little bull, and his name was Ferdinand. All the other bulls he lived with would run and jump and butt their heads together, but not Ferdinand. He liked to sit just quietly and smell the flowers." And so goes the story of one of my favorite children's books, Ferdinand, about a bull who is not like all the other bulls. Sometimes I wish I could be more like Ferdinand!
As a matter of fact, I have been acting more like Ferdinand (minus smelling the flowers) over the past couple of weeks. This past week, I have been sitting around reading books, playing Battleship with my son, talking with family members, and believe it or not, taking a nap or two. Can I tell you how awesome this has been! While this sitting around was by choice, another type of sitting around was by necessity.
My 90 year-old grandmother suffers from Dementia or Alzheimer's or some combination therein, and to say her quality of life is quickly deteriorating would be an understatement. When my mom called last week to say she had a seizure that almost took her life, we made a beeline to her nursing home. Our time there was spent mostly in silence, for what do you say to someone who has no idea who you are and who struggles to put a coherent thought together? Honestly, sitting just quietly in the presence of someone who has impacted my life so immensely was just fine with me!
Why is it that I cannot be more like Ferdinand on a daily basis? Why does it require something like Christmas Break or a very ill relative to force me to do this?
Two weeks ago, I was asked by some 6th graders about my New Year's Resolution. I told them that I have resolved to watch less television. If you happen to see these 6th graders, let them know that I have resolved my resolution (is that possible?) Anyway, my new New Year's Resolution is to be more like Ferdinand and more often sit just quietly.
Important January Dates
2nd - School Resumes
17th - Student Council Sponsored Pajama Day - Wear your pajamas!
20th - Martin Luther King Day (No school)
24th - End of 2nd Marking Period (11:55AM dismissal)
27th - No school