And then it’s spring…

One day 40 years ago when I was a freshman in high school, Sr. Helen my religion teacher asked all of her students to meet her at the windows. Sr. Helen was probably in her sixties or seventies and was affectionally known as the blue nun because of the tint her beautiful white hair had. Religion was in the old building at Ursuline and the windows were tall and wide. As we looked outside Sr. Helen said, “Look carefully. Look at the green. Once a year we get this green and we should celebrate it. It is what hope looks like.” At fourteen I didn’t get it but I’m happy to report, I eventually did. These days I make a point of celebrating the green and sometimes I even invite a class to look out the window with me, knowing they won’t get it…yet. But maybe some April day when the green all of the sudden pops they’ll feel the same hope I do.

LIFE IS RANDOM LOVE IS NOTTM

Of connections and kindness...

A couple of years ago I wrote about where I work and how North Mianus was the nice school. I've also written about the power of connections. Last week was a perfect example of these two things coming together in a force of love.

In my last post I wrote about Sam, an eight year boy who has Vanishing White Matter Disease, and his amazing family. They designated April 4th (the anniversary of Sam's diagnosis) as Mismatched Shoe Day and encouraged folks to wear mismatched shoes and make a donation to the VWM Family Foundation. 

As I previously stated, I have never met Sam but we are connected nonetheless.

His mom is friends with and grew up with Jen, one of our former assistant principals;

Kat, another former assistant principal, was Sam's teacher at Glenville School;

Sam attended pre-school with Michael, our music teacher's, son;

Sam and his family are neighbors with one of my all time favorite people, Carolyn, who when I started working at North Mianus showed me what being the kind school was all about;

Finally, one of our parents, Alice, is good friends with Sam's mom. Alice donated the bracelets and delivered our donation...

Speaking of our donation, at NMS, we got the student council involved - they shared Sam's story and we asked for donations. And donations we received. In an amazing display, the North Mianus Community raised $3720.00. I can't say I'm surprised but I am in awe. And my heart is full.

LIFE IS RANDOM LOVE IS NOTTM