New beginnings scare the junk out of me. I'd love to say I'm a free spirited adventurous soul, ready for anything. That's such a lie. I'm not wired that way. I sometimes complain that I feel suffocated by the middle. But I curl my hands around its safeness and hold it tight. I rub my check across it thoughtlessly. It feels like comfortable, stifling home.
Beginnings are hard.
Sometimes we don't know how our new life will fit us. Or how we will fit in it.
I can't think of a single important beginning of something I've done that wasn't hard. That didn't make me nervous and uptight and twitchy and unsettled. Everything that's ever been worth it- started out hard. Beginnings are hard because we don't know what to expect 100% of the time. We don't get the script in advance, therefore, we must constantly wing it.
When you are a control enthusiast (I LOVE you thesaurus! Enthusiast is SO much better then Freak. THANK YOU for the suggestion!) we focus on what change will force us to leave behind- because that part is KNOWN. It's hard to focus on the future and focus on the good we can't necessarily imagine yet- the UNKNOWN.
At least for today. Trust the unknown.
Back to school often focuses on the kids. For a moment, I want to focus on the Teachers.
Teachers, you amaze me. You inspire me. You change the world DAILY. Sometimes it feels like laminating and correcting and stapling and babysitting. What you do is SACRED. What you do is APPRECIATED. You constantly buy stuff for your class with your very own dollars. You think about our children even outside of school. You often spend more time with our children each day than you do with your own family.
You are Corinthians 13:4-8. I don't think God would mind if we interchanged Teachers and Love.
Teachers are patient, Teachers are kind. They do not envy or boast. Teachers are not rude, self-seeking, or easily angered. Teachers keep no record of wrongs. Teachers do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. Teachers always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere. Teachers never fail.
It's crazy how both LOVE and TEACHERS both work so perfectly.
I think the greatest of Teachers are the ones that challenge our balance. The ones that teach us to think differently. The ones that teach us to think for ourselves. Sometimes I wonder if Jesus is looking down on those WWJD bracelets thinking, No! NOT ME.You. What would YOU do?! That's why you're there. The greatest of Teachers, inside the classroom and out, are the ones that teach us that anything is possible.
So, the pencils are sharpened...
The desks are ready.
Now GO CHANGE THE WORLD. I promise to help you.
_________________________
Who am I not to be happy? I've got an in the ground pool. Growing up in Missouri, above the ground pools were mainly the thing. In the ground pools were mostly for insanely lucky and rich people. In 3rd grade, if you would have told me that one day I would have an in the ground pool when I grew up, I might have died. I would have thought I had EVERYTHING.
And somewhere between then and now, I started needing stuff. More stuff. Different stuff. Then one day I needed husband and a home and then a bigger home and then children to fill it. Luckily they are damn cute kids.
If you don't like the view, change your perspective.
And then I got a pool. An in the ground pool, and I never really stopped to recognize it in awe until this very second.
All 3rd grader me needed to be happy was an in the ground pool. I never said- In order to be happy I can't be affected by autism. It wasn't on any short or long list. And so now I realize I have my family and my in the ground pool. And friends all over the world like you. I have a lot for which to be grateful.
You absolutely need to read this blog about a woman with two boys with autism, I imagine someone saying to me in my past life. Yes- give me the link! I imagine saying with a smile, then promptly deleting it. That sounds...depressing. Life is depressing enough, why seek out more? But since you are here, that means you didn't throw it away. Which leads me to believe it isn't depressing, which then somehow gives me strength and perspective and hope. I'm pretty sure I need you more than you need me.
So thank you for being here. And thank you...for everything.
Love, love love. Love.
Chrissy
Forward this blog post to all the Teachers you know. Tell them we appreciate all they do. While you're at it, Like Life with Greyson + Parker on Facebook. Sorry, I'm being a little bossy.
From a teacher - thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt's not depressing at all. And yes, teachers are so very important and under appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSharing with my teacher friends! I'm a teacher, too, staying home with my babies (mainly bc teachers are paid so little here that I can't afford to teach and have quality care for my kiddos- but I'm also crazy blessed with this 'forced' opportunity. Wish teachers got paid more. Glad I get to stay home.)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thank you.
"You absolutely need to read this blog about a woman with two boys with autism..." I've been emailing that out a lot lately. Monday mornings have become my favorite, so I can read up on you and your lovely boys. I know you don't love Mondays, but you have certainly made mine!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday, friend. First - those are damn cute kids ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd, ya know, I never think about this blog as being about a momma with 2 autistic boys. I think about it as a Momma who is wildly in love with her boys - like me - and they are also autistic. I think of this place as an enthusiastic (yep - I used it) Momma who wants to make the world better for her boys, just like me. I don't mean to take away from your struggles of being a mom of boys with Super Powers, because I certainly don't know the scope of that. But we all have our own struggles, and here is a good place to find acceptance and love and hope. Can't think of anywhere I'd rather be.
Monday on! Love & happiness to you, sweet Momma <3 Jennifer
As a 20+ year preschool teacher who probably spends more of her own money than she makes, THANK YOU!!! YOU are amazing and I know you are a world changer! I LOVE reading about life....living with autism (super powers) and feel you are my friend!
ReplyDeletexox
No, it's not depressing coming here. Not at all. I'll tell you what it is: Hopeful. As in, "full of hope." ;) That's why I come here. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so NOT depressing. I come here because I'm inspired by your attitude and your words MOTIVATE me. I enjoy your pictures. The kids are pretty cute too.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter loves your site and constantly encourages me to read it. WOW!!! She was sooo right! You, lady, have a wonderful way with words and in "hitting the nail on the head". Bless you for sharing your life with others.
ReplyDeleteThank you from the "speech teacher"! :)
ReplyDeleteYour blog is the opposite of depressing! ;)
ReplyDelete