We need to celebrate the good things, especially in ugly sad times. Ruth Ayers cultivates this with her Celebrate This Week link up. Thank you, Ruth, for the space to share. Read other reflections here.
The news reports out of Paris cut to the core.
When disaster strikes, I hold my own close and breathe a sigh of relief. I think, they are safe.
Then I think, but what about those who aren’t.
I’m going to take a leap here.
Hold on.
They are mine. They are me.
This week I celebrate perspective. Long hours. Late nights. Frustration. Fatigue. Report cards. Mistakes. Missteps. Imperfections. And, the gift of tomorrow. Next time. I celebrate being able to look back, reflect and make better.
I celebrate the times I stopped myself. And asked: What’s up? Are you ok? Did you get enough sleep last night? What made you think that? How did you do that?
The times I didn’t assume. I kept listening.
The times I encouraged. Say more. Show me.
The times I took a deep breath and didn’t react. I didn’t say anything.
The times I thought, what if this was my child? What if this was me?
This week I celebrate the ability to look back, have perspective and remember they are mine and me.
To Read To Write To Be 
Never just accept, always wonder and ask. You are so wise to understand this. Beautiful celebration!
You write like an old soul who truly understands that we are ultimately all one.
They are mine…just right for today. I was thinking of you as I had lunch in NOLA with my girls at the same restaurant we ate in this summer. Can’t wait to see you soon!
We truly have a gift when we can reflect. And yes, we are all one.
This is a deeply thoughtful post at a time when, as teachers, we are all reflecting on who we are and the very important work we do every day.
I love this…deeply thoughtful, indeed.
You’re always thoughtful in your posts, Julieanne & I appreciate that so much. You’ve said it beautifully in such few words: “They are mine and me.” Thank you. Friday and after have been tough.
Thank you for expressing how we all feel and doing it in a way that makes us proud and want to CELEBRATE!