Take a deep breath....

Today, oh my today. Today was not a good day. For the first time in almost four years of teaching I felt like I lost control of my classroom. There is a laundry list of issues that need attention in today's public education. And today I realized that I do not have the answers. Today I realized that I cannot save the world, I do not have the ability to change every life, and I will not always be successful. But today I saw through the fog of these truths and realized that I can be a positive influence on the lives of the students that have the desire to be successful. I will be able to help some of my students. And finally, I will never give up on any student regardless of their own motivations. Today I learned the I look forward to the next more than I truly realized. I am reminded that regardless of how the bad a day might seems there is always a reason to give thanks.

Thanks

Living is a painful thing, a
Strainful thing, a
Gainful thing.
-Thanks-

Thanks for-
The spanks
The cranks
And the yanks.
-Thanks-

Toys bring
Joys bring
Noise means
Girls and a boy
-Thanks-

Spread not tread
Give and live
Believe then achieve
Learn then earn
Above all,
Love big not small!
-Thanks-

G.Cook 10/08

Oh! The humanity!

Oh, the humanity, all different sizes short tall wide thin massed in the ebb and flow of commerce. The mature and grizzled wash through the waves sullen faced and discontented. All the while the babes skip along the edges like a perfectly rounded stone sliding across the water. We note the age of each by the creases in the corner of their eyes or how far below their hips their jeans fall. So, there I stand, a cross between discontented and a babe, watching my own babe skip across the top of the water. All of which is a code for; I just spent an afternoon with my daughter at the mall.

It was quite interesting moving along the edges like a teen-ager. I was so glad to be able to spend just a few moments with my daughter at the mall. I fear at times that those moments will soon be gone. I will truly enjoy them while they are here.

I stood aghast as sixty glassy orbs peered through their own personal fog. I was certain that the prose in which I had just breathed life into had imparted some life altering wisdom. Unfortunately, sixth graders really do not care about ratios, proportions, and coordinating sides of similar shapes.

Why a walk through the fog?

A good walk is but a slow methodical journey. Often times that journey is but a short traverse from one side of the house to the other. However, there exist along the periphery of our own mortal existence a fog. I view life as a journey through, along and sometimes beyond this fog, for it is not the arrival that I seek so much as the journey itself. Fog represents to many an inability to witness that which lies beyond. I see it as shroud that protects me from that very same beyond allowing me to travel my so chosen path without guilt or regret. That being said real fog is unsubstantial with the ability to divert only light through reflection. Light is that mysterious unseen thing that makes all the world visible. Thus, I choose as my armor that which is not. Exposing my journey for all to witness. If, they can but see through the fog. Won't you join me on a walk through the fog?

Let's get the party started!

So, a buddy of mine sends me a crazy link via FB, and I am compelled to follow. Well, what do you know, it is a link to his newly formed blog. The next thing I know I am typing my very first entry in my own blog. Let the fun begin.