Happy 1st Day of School New York!

As the teachers in the school district I work gathered yesterday to celebrate the start of a new school year many thoughts went to a missing part of our day. A dear friend and teacher let go of the pain and cancer in exchange for true healing and a new life in heaven. Her absence was felt.

Our district remembered her and commended its staff and our community for the unity, perseverance, and character exhibited after the loss of a staff member. There was in a moment of silence in her honor. As her friend, hot tears started to flow and I kept trying to quietly wipe them away. Of course the eye liner on my hands and down my cheeks was a clear indication I failed at the attempt to hide my tears.

I cried for her in the morning while getting ready, while driving to school knowing we won't pass each other in the hall or have laugh fests before the kiddos come in. After the tears came prayers. Prayers for her family who miss her more than any of us and experience these moments far more often than us. I prayed for our staff to remember her and move forward. I prayed for me to keep it together so my new team didn't think I was an emotional basket case on their first day of really working with me.

Today's blog is dedicated to her. I remember my first day working in the district and she made her way down the hall to say "Hi," and catch up since we hadn't seen each other since high school. I had the privilege to teacher one of her children for a few years and got to know her better as both teacher and friend.

A cardinal is said to represent hope, love, cheer, pride, focus, energy, and renewal. Hospice says the cardinal represents death and the afterlife. Many of the sites I looked at talked about how hospice workers and families see a cardinal after their loved one dies. I've always loved the beauty of the cardinal and after our friend's death, this brightly colored bird took on a new meaning.

Our keynote speaker yesterday morning reminded us to sweat the small stuff because it's all the little things that add up to make the big things. One little thing that can change the way we think as the new school year begins is this, there is always hope and we need to plant seeds of hope and strength for our kiddos so they can carry on the tradition so well established in our community.

With that said, it's time to get ready for school and to meet my new kiddos! Have a great day! My first day of school jitters are in full swing, love it.

Please share a 1st day of school memory below...