Links of Time

How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

I came across my Red Room friends measuring the hallway last week. I could not help but connect their efforts to my thoughts about coming to the end of this school year. Over the past few weeks, I noticed how different all the children looked and acted, compared to when I first met them in September. Every morning during the last week while I announced their arrival at the playground gate I thought back to how anxious I was about remembering their names in the first few weeks of school. I remembered how tentatively a parent would approach me, always with the phrase, “I know you’re really busy, but…” I remembered the hesitation with which I hit ‘send’ on my first few Friday emails. I also remember the first feelings of familiarity and confidence that very surely began to take root and grow over the weeks and months of dealing with Covid, and all the other everyday things that come up in a preschool.

How DO you measure a year?
How about in multi-colored links?
How about in smiles, stories, laughs, and tears? And in friendships?

If so, I think the measure of the year that came to a close is that it was a hard one and it was ultimately a good one. In the most fundamental way, gratitude is what I feel today. At the end of a long and challenging year, there is much to be grateful for and so much to be excited for next year. I ask you to keep asking questions. Keep sending your concerns my way. This is how I know what needs to be addressed. This is how we – together – continue to grow and improve, to build relationships, and to experience community. None of us will do or say the right thing always. All of us have the opportunity to be heard, and all of us have the obligation to listen. I am already very much looking forward to next year. Let the planning begin!!

We hope you are having a wonderful summer. Remember to send photos to us from your summer lives.

Shabbat Shalom,
Amy