A Moment to Remember...

9/11--a day that is sadly memorable for so many reasons!  What do I remember most?  Grieving desperately as I looked at my room of 1st graders and wept for the loss of innocence and hopelessness that they faced...It seemed so surreal at the time.  It was like time stood still, but we had no choice but to keep moving forward.  The world was ending, but we still had to do lunch duty, carpool duty, recess; we moved through that school day in a fog of weeping, hugs, storytime, and math lessons.  What a strange paradox life is at times! 

My students were so little and had so many questions both that day and in the subsequent weeks!  Looking back now, with 3 children of my own, I recognize that although so much changed on 9/11, that day would not be the death of life and hope!  Children serve as a wonderful reminder of joy, faith, and the resilience of the human spirit!  This is just a reminder to never lose sight of the profound impact we have on the children we teach; what they see in us, influences the adults they become.  Live your life, leaving a legacy for the generation to come!  Empower children to leave the world better than they found it, and let's all try to encourage those around us--showering love on those within our sphere of influence, telling people how much they mean to us, and inspiring hope in hearts both little and big!  God bless you and yours, Shannon