I am a social person. I especially love teenagers and being around other people who love teenagers. I find that environment to be inspiring, entertaining, thought-provoking, endlessly challenging, caring, and just plain fun. My wonderful, shared senior advisor group, my delightful math class, my colleagues, and an exciting leadership team have made this an especially memorable year. I have sincerely struggled to handle maturely my feelings of loss and melancholy at not seeing and interacting personally with everyone. My vacillating feelings have soared when I see the creative ways people have continued to teach, to help others with virtual techniques, to provide food for those that need it, to do everything possible to help others in our community. It is a shared commitment to help all of us persevere through a difficult surreal time. Despite the inspiration of incredible, heartwarming deeds, I still seek solace and comfort for the loss of memories that would have been made. I can’t imagine how strongly others must share these feelings.
When I am the most melancholy, I head outdoors. When I wake up in the morning, I head outdoors. This starts my day with a lovely boost. No matter the weather, my husband, our cocker spaniel, and I walk to the nearest water access. It is always the same place, but it is also always a different scene. The tide changes, the birds vary in looks and behavior, the sounds are abundant and variable, the driftwood comes and goes. It is a master banquet for those who sit and ponder. The three of us treasure these rich moments with each other and with nature.
“Nature, time, and patience are the three great physicians.” Chinese Proverb
“Just walk, see, sit down if you like. And be. Just be, whatever you are with whatever you have, and realize that that is enough to be happy.” Charlotte Eriksson
