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Today I led a tour of Directors of Guidance Counselors around Union High School. Occasions like today always remind me of how wonderful our team of people is! As we walked into different classrooms and offices, I listened to these professionals say again and again, "My kids.... my kids..... my kids....." I watched their eyes light up when my teammates talk about our students and the programs we offer and I am at once reminded what a joy it is to be a member of this team.
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My boys and I went to dinner last night - a date night if you will. I think as parents we all wonder if we are doing this right or all we are just crazy and moments away from failing our kids. Our kids love to tell us that we put the fun in dysfunction, Taylor especially. Whatever we have done right and whatever we have failed to do, we have always been able to tell our kids anything and have been able to open safe pathways for our kids to tell us anything. Part of taking one day at a time includes just getting through the day. Pretty soon, you look up and nine days have passed, and we have taken care of the needs of the day - but we haven't really talked to each other. Getting through the day often means I have just faked it. It's too heavy to be as sad as I am all day; it is too heavy for me, and it is too heavy for those around me. Faking it makes me tired. However, faking it at home exhausts me. My boys seldom emote and have less of a need to "name" these things - but oh, how tenderly they listened to me say - "I need to know what you think and feel. I need to be able to ask you." "You are free to say, I don't want to talk about it, but I need permission to ask."
I am thankful that these investments into people and relationships reward us with joy, with gratefulness, and with security.
#golighttheworld