"You go to the margins, not to make a difference, because then that's about you. You go to the margins so that the folks at the margins make you different." - Gregory Joseph Boyle, S.J.Tomorrow marks my last day as a classroom teacher and I wanted to take the time to write out the many ways I'm feeling. I already know that one post will not suffice, but in the meantime here's one of the greatest lessons I've learned from my kids.
Everybody gives and receives love and care in different ways. The state of togetherness is a constant interplay of building a relationship and repairing it. Learning a person, making mistakes, but being humble enough to say "I fucked up and want to make this right."
I've realized the value of holding the people in your life to a high standard because nobody grows from mediocrity. However, in turn, the necessity of patience and forgivness when somebody fails to meet those expectations.
Most importantly, this is something that I'll demand of myself first before I ask it to be reciprocated.
So much nuance I'm missing; I have more to say, but for now, signing off for one last time...
Ms. Amador