 "I kind of view everybody like a rainbow. Everybody on the planet has all the colors of the rainbow inside." | Do you look for a rainbow? I know when it starts to rain, the first thing I spy for is the rainbow that comes once the precipitation concludes moistening the ground. I don't always see one, but_ this is why rainbows are so special, God doesn't always paint one across the sky. At the end of the summer I went to a "Back-to-School" picnic. This same picnic, one year ago, created anxiety and nervousness because I was meeting a new building of educators and staff. I knew a few yet the change combined with missing my "family" at my first school weighed on me. Once there, I laughed and got to know my new family and reconnect with others. |
This year was very different. Rather than anxious due to nerves, it was pure anticipation and excitement. I was reuniting with my new family and meeting new members that would join us for the year. Funny how a year can change our perspective, isn't it? If we could see what lies ahead, some might think it would be better but we might miss learning experiences or life lessons if we knew what was coming.
Last year I adjusted to working in a new building, learned how things worked in comparison to my previous building assignment, and devoted time to building relationships. While I didn't know everyone at the end of the year and still struggle to locate everyone by name and room number, it was a good year. Prior to arriving at the annual back-to-school picnic, I set a goal for the new school year. In addition to continued learning and becoming a better teacher, I want to build on relationships established last year, and connect with some new people too (on a more personal level).
As much as I looked forward to seeing my new school family, I was apprehensive about the relationships. One thing I learned in 1994, tragedy brings out the awkward and uncomfortable with some of your closest friends. I didn't want anyone to be uneasy around me yet I prayed no one wanted to spend a lot of time talking about the news coverage. At my old school, they understood and a lot was left unspoken, needing no explanation.
God is so amazing, He read my mind. The only thing anyone shared at the picnic were words of encouragement and extensions of love and friendship, "I'm not going to say much, unless you want to talk, just want you to know we're thinking of you and your family...praying for you all...etc." I stepped away from the group a few times to collect myself as tears welled in my eyes at how loving and amazing my new school family is, an unexpected blessing.
The photographs of the rainbows in this blog were taken during this year's picnic. We had a slight rain and then a beautiful rainbow. It wasn't until someone looked at their picture that I heard, "There are two! Lisa, did you see the second rainbow?" I hadn't. Everyone started taking more pictures trying to capture the second ribbon of hope and blessing arching over us. We knew it was a sign for the year ahead. Thus far, there are nothing but rainbows at school. Some days have a little more rain than others but when the day is over, we focus on the positives and rainbows shining around us...on the children's faces.
Last year I adjusted to working in a new building, learned how things worked in comparison to my previous building assignment, and devoted time to building relationships. While I didn't know everyone at the end of the year and still struggle to locate everyone by name and room number, it was a good year. Prior to arriving at the annual back-to-school picnic, I set a goal for the new school year. In addition to continued learning and becoming a better teacher, I want to build on relationships established last year, and connect with some new people too (on a more personal level).
As much as I looked forward to seeing my new school family, I was apprehensive about the relationships. One thing I learned in 1994, tragedy brings out the awkward and uncomfortable with some of your closest friends. I didn't want anyone to be uneasy around me yet I prayed no one wanted to spend a lot of time talking about the news coverage. At my old school, they understood and a lot was left unspoken, needing no explanation.
God is so amazing, He read my mind. The only thing anyone shared at the picnic were words of encouragement and extensions of love and friendship, "I'm not going to say much, unless you want to talk, just want you to know we're thinking of you and your family...praying for you all...etc." I stepped away from the group a few times to collect myself as tears welled in my eyes at how loving and amazing my new school family is, an unexpected blessing.
The photographs of the rainbows in this blog were taken during this year's picnic. We had a slight rain and then a beautiful rainbow. It wasn't until someone looked at their picture that I heard, "There are two! Lisa, did you see the second rainbow?" I hadn't. Everyone started taking more pictures trying to capture the second ribbon of hope and blessing arching over us. We knew it was a sign for the year ahead. Thus far, there are nothing but rainbows at school. Some days have a little more rain than others but when the day is over, we focus on the positives and rainbows shining around us...on the children's faces.
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