I’m going to be honest: today I am feeling somewhat sad and at a loss for words.

As the school year comes to a close, I am reminded that some of our students feel sadness and apprehension at this time of year. As excited as many students and staff are to have a holiday at hand, there are those who do not look forward to more time at home.

Let us be mindful of these students in the next week and a half and give them what we can while they are still in our classrooms. They deserve our best.

We have a new baby in our family: he’s now two and a half weeks old. I held him in my arms and marvelled at the miracle of his life. Within an hour, I held the hands of my 94 year old grandmother in palliative care: she is within hours or days of the end of her life.

As I looked down at Carter, I imagined what his life will bring… I wondered what his little personality will be like… I anticipated the joy he will bring to our family.

As I held my grandmother, I felt gratitude for her immense impact on our lives… I felt fortunate for the privilege of knowing such a strong, positive, funny woman… I felt immense sadness knowing she will no longer be a physical presence in our lives.

Both a blessing, both helpless, on either ends of their lives.

 

Last week, a student in our school asked, “Will I ever be able to read?” Heartbreaking, right?

He doesn’t yet know all of the letters of the alphabet let alone how to string them together to form words. And because he’s a bit older, he knows he should know how to read. He knows that all of his peers can read. He knows he’s missing out on something.

The answer to his question? Yes, he’ll learn to read. It will take some time and a lot of hard work on the part of those who work with him every day, but he’ll learn to read. The basics at least. It is our privilege as educators to unlock the door for him, however long it takes.