The Dash

from my post in May 2012:

Last night while watching "The Middle" I was struck by a profound statement made by one of the characters, Mike. He was speaking to a group after his brother's wedding about family. He mentioned that on our tombstones, we will all have a birth date listed below our names.What was so striking though is that he said it is the dash that comes after that birth date and before the second date (death) that means so much. 

The dash represents life and what we do with it...

Today:

My students and I are studying Thomas Gray's "An Elegy in a Country Churchyard." Upon first glance, it seems like a morbid poem, yet, once you read the masterpiece and dig down to its roots, you will see that the poem gives the reader some great advice: Live the life that you want others to remember you by. In an effort to encourage my students, who think they are invincible, to think about the legacy they will want to leave behind when their times come, I had them write their own epitaphs. At first, they, understandably, thought that I had lost my mind! Once I explained to them that writing your epitaph is an excellent way to plan your future, they got on board. I have seen them create some amazing epitaphs - some were clever, others hilarious, and several were tear-jerkers. This exercise helps me remember what kind of life I need to live today so that I know I will be able to leave the legacy that I desire tomorrow.

Small Acorns

"From small acorns mighty oaks grow." 

My 2017 seniors have not quite caught on yet as to why I call them Mighty Oaks. They will, though! Two days ago, one of my 2016 Mighty Oaks stopped by to visit. Isaiah told me that he had just returned from basic training - oh, how proud I am of him and how grateful I am for his service to our country. Isaiah is looking forward to the next journey in his life which will take him to Kuwait. In two weeks, he will be joining his father, who is also a marine, at Camp Hellraiser. When I asked him about his mother and how she is handling all of these changes, he told me the following: "When I left for basic training, I gave my mom the acorn that you gave me last school year. Interestingly, my acorn had a hole in it. While I was away, my mom planted that acorn. It is now growing! Mom calls it her Miracle Tree." After I shed a few tears, heard some some of his stories, admired Isaiah's marine ring, and hugged my mighty oak before seeing him off, I was humbled thinking about how lucky I am to be a teacher. #mightyoaks