Post Election Reflection

Like many Americans, I woke today with a heavy and troubled heart.  Our newly elected President represents for me much of what is worst about our people and culture.  We have no guide but his own words and they are troubling.  Building a wall, banning refugees, attacking a Gold Star mother, making fun of women.....these are things that candidate Trump did because they played well with his base audience, primarily white men who have found themselves caught up in a world that is rapidly changing and that they feel is leaving them behind. (For historical reference this happened in the 1920s and it gave rise to the revival of the KKK and the worse features of fundamentalist Protestantism (Scopes Monkey Trial) and a resurgence of nativism. )  Now president elect, he has to find a way to be the leader of all of us and I'm not sure he is tempermentally suited or intellectually prepared for the task.  But, we are stuck with him.  And, so what to do?  I cheered myself with the fact that like all Americans, I got up and went to work as I do every day.  I posted some hopeful, optimistic thoughts and took comfort from the words of faith and courage that others posted.  But, I am fundamentally saddened and it may take more than a few weeks, days, months and much reflection before I can move from sadness to action.  I can protect the children entrusted to my care and do everything I can to dispel the ideas that Trump seems to embody, that it is all right to bully those less fortunate or strong than you, that it is all right to appeal to the worst in our character and not our best, that it is all right to fear those who are different from you. For my own sanity, I think I will try and walk more, cook more, knit more, read more history (it gives me great comfort); and, later, when I am a little less sad and more emboldened, I will find a way to help those less fortunate than myself.  I will remain engaged in politics and encourage our best and brightest minds to do so as well.  I will smile and hope and love and greet all I meet with enthusiasm and grace.  Tomorrow, because St. Paul had it wrong....love, faith and hope abound and the greatest of these (for me) is hope.  

Another New Years' Day

Welcome, 2016.  The year began quietly but sadly.  I learned that my former professor, and later, good friend, Jack Dudey, died on January 1st.  I had not known that he was sick since I had not talked with him in several months.  Over the years, he would call with his characteristic "bark".  I always knew who was on the other end.  His death ends a chapter for me in some ways.  Jack was my advisor at William Woods, someone who helped through more than one crisis of faith as an undergraduate.  I still remember a particularly difficult day as a student teacher.  I called Jack at his office and he told me he was going to be home after school, changing the oil.  I stopped by and sobbed while he changed the oil in his driveway.  After I had related my sad tale of teaching middle school students, Jack rolled out from under the car and said, "there, do you feel better?'  And, in fact I did.  Then, there was the day in February as a first year teacher.  It was President's Day, I had the day off, I was teaching at Camdenton High School, living at home, and thoroughly miserable.  I spent the day in Jack's office where he listened and suggested that perhaps I should go back to school.  That summer I enrolled in a reading specialist program at MU, but when I didn't enjoy that either, Jack suggested a talk with then head of the geography department, Jesse Wheeler.  That conversation changed my life and introduced me to a discipline that has shaped the way in which I see the world.  Over the years, I would call Jack whenever I had questions or moments of doubt.  He was unfailingly supportive and encouraging.  With him I could talk about anything, from what behavior was "normal" for toddlers to whether it really was a good idea to become a principal at age 60.  Jack was a good friend and a terrific listener, someone with whom you could be yourself, however mysterious and allusive that "self" remained.  I regret that I didn't see him or talk with him these past few months.  Rest in peace, teacher, friend, mentor, advisor.  A poem for you by John Schlatter.

I am a Teacher

I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.
I have been many people in many places.
I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new idea through the use of questions.
I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.
I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen revealing truth through countless stories.
The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity.
Booker T. Washginton, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses, and Jesus.
I am also those whose names and faces have long been forgotten but whoses lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students.
I am the most fortunate of all who labor.
A doctor is allowed to usher life into the word in one magic moment.  I am allowed to see that life reborn each day with new questions, ideas, and friendships.
An architect knows that if he builds with care, his strucutre may stand for centuries.
A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth what he builds will last forever.
I am a warrior, daily doing bagttle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy......