Saving Summer

We're to the point in the summer as an educator that the stress levels are rising quickly.  We have all had a lot of training this summer with more to come in the next few days.  Hopefully, we have all had some down time with family and friends as well.  The anticipation, the welcome challenge, the new opportunities and the fun of a new year will come in time but right now we are making final preparations and we have a lot of checklists (I love checklists) to work through.  I feel this myself and I see it in my teammates and students here at Ozark SD.  

Then, there is your own life to deal with.  Each start of school means my own beautiful children are one year closer to leaving my nest.  I do NOT like to think about such things.  I selfishly and by human nature want to freeze time and keep them with me, like this forever.  Safe and Sound, Beautiful and Innocent---Yet, I know the reality.  It isn't that they aren't ready.  It is me, I am not ready for my beautiful baby girls to be a 9th grader and a 7th grader...  My 4 year old son will be spending another wonderful year with his grandparents at the River Bluff Academy.  For some reason, that doesn't seem as urgently pressing and emotional.  "He's still little" is a thought I have a lot about him.  

My girls on the other hand are growing and changing daily it seems.  The last year of Middle School and the last year of Jr. High respectively...  Yikes and Wow--How did this happen so fast?!  Time really does fly when you're having fun.  I am reminded of a quote I read about regret that I'll have to paraphrase:  At the end of your life, you will have some regrets, one of them will NOT be the time you spent with your children.  Love them, hug them one more time, read them one more story, take another nap with them, watch a movie, toss the ball around, take them fishing~~Make time for at least one more summer blast.  

I know I am not alone in this state of mind.  Parents, Teachers and Students have a lot on their minds this time of year.  We are stressed, we are excited and we are anxious about new beginnings/the road ahead. We need each other by design and I encourage you to encourage one another.  We are in for a lot of fun this next school year.  Life is a Gift~~Live it to the Full

Here is a simple non-exhaustive list and challenge to focus on during this time of transition:

• Be Thankful
• Be Patient
• Be Kind
• Be Honest
• Be Humble
• Be Confident but not Arrogant
• Apologize First
• Say Thank You
• Listen without interrupting
• Hold Doors Open
• Smile