I woke up early this morning, after a late night to sit down and write out some thoughts. First to write out, thoughts for a graduation talk that I'll deliver in about 2.5 hours. This isn't a huge event, but the 8th grade graduation at our school - which is lower and middle school combined - and I was asked to represent the PTA and give a few words.
The principal said to keep it brief and short --- just like last years. However, last year I was given I think an hours notice. It went well, but I wish I had been able to choose my words, and so this year I've tried to put a little more thought into it. I was up looking at something online, and decided to click over to a site I've come to really enjoy - for the last few months but particularly the last few weeks. Power of Moms. I really am loving their site & this morning I clicked on an article that sang to my heart --- and to which I borrowed the above title and first line of the post. Click HERE to read this great (and short) talk.
This has been tricky as time seems to be a huge factor in this week (as all weeks). Where is time going to these days?! I need more and of course can't get more - and well, as some weeks go there is just more to be done in this week than really possible to do.
Some weeks are just completely crazy like that, aren't they?!
The children finish school next Tuesday - so it's our final wrap up of school, which means that the schedule becomes overflowing of events to attend, and it becomes almost greater and more intense than the Christmas season! Each year things get busier as the children get older and we have more to do for them ---- we've had piano recitals, dance performances, the end of a swimming program for Madeleine. There was the final Book Fair last week which is a big project I take on every few months at the school, and the day I needed to pack it up and do the financials was Madeleine's Field Day - the day to run to Costco and the beginning of this crazy week! Bryson's field day was yesterday when mixed in with the day came up a situation where parents didn't get into classes they wanted for next year here at the school - this Department of Education seems to be a recurring thorn in the side for parents....watch out! There was news that a family will be leaving the school by choice because of some things they feel are important - and my heart sunk as I realized we were missing out on another great family, and selfishly I wondered how I would find someone to take that role in the PTA. Sigh. Then to a bigger sigh - I found out the teacher that is slated to teach Bryson's class next year - one of only 3 teachers we have that are Gifted & Talented certified - found another teaching job in the city. And I know that many other teachers wish that a job would blow their way and they could go for something new. There is just a lot going on. A lot. A lot.
Yesterday when I received the final news about the teacher - I was rushing to get the laundry sorted and downstairs before rushing out to make copies of some important papers. Oh yes - because let's not forget that our van that we keep out in Utah is not registered --- it expired in March, and although this isn't a huge problem for us as we don't get into town until July 19th - it's a problem for the family that I promised could use the van starting next Tuesday, June 28th when they start using our van in Utah and we start using their van in Oahu, Hawaii. So - atop all that is needed to pack for a trip for 3 weeks and a longer trip out to Utah for the summer - I was in the process of working with my mom to sell her our van so that can she register it in her name, and we will still be able to use the van when we come out...because it will be legal. So, I needed to mail out important documents - that first needed to be copied than run to the post office. Loop back home to change the wash to the dryer and run back upstairs with items that need to be hung up to dry. Get lunch for Jacob and lots of water & head over to the school.
Oh wait - back up to when I got the news about the school. It was as if a huge weight came down to my shoulders. What am I supposed to do? I'm just a parent who wants what is best for her children? I'm just a parent that got involved in the PTA and somehow ended up signing up for President for next year - and somehow I and others thought this was a great idea! It is still a great idea - but at the moment I didn't think so. It just all felt so overwhelming.
I prayed to know what to do. I know I'm leaving things out of this story - not by intention, but because there is so much to remember and there are so many emotions going on. It's not as if I can solve all problems in the world - and definitely not in this situation. However, we have been made aware that there are some critical things that can happen this week - and I needed some strength to figure out how to get them done.
The day progressed and although it stayed busy and there was always the next thing to do or place to be....I felt at peace. Things are going to be okay - somehow. Even though it was stressful and stressing!....I know that to get worked up only makes life that much more crazy. And I get too crazed at those times!
A great reminder of this came at dinner as I was talking with the kids about their day. Madeleine pulled out a book we had gotten at the Book Fair - a little "passbook" which is like a yearbook of sorts to have her and her friends fill out and answer various questions. She posed - what would you rather have: Health, Wealth or Happiness.
I turned to look at her - she was just reading from her book but it was as if the question were posed right to me. Of course - happiness. Happiness is what gives all other situations hope. It makes it bearable. If I were to have bad health, but I had happiness - I could get through the situation, or two or three that was going on. As much as I would love wealth - society as proven by many examples that those that have wealth are not more likely to have happiness as a result. If anything, life seems to get complicated with extreme wealth and a shaky foundation where happiness is being sought out instead of at the bed rock of a person's life. How sad --- which as this is the opposite of happiness I stand by my first thought. I'd choose happiness.
And although the week is absolutely still crazy, and my stomach is in a few knots this morning with all that will happen in the next few hours, the day and still this week....I know that by choosing to be happy, letting go of the things that really aren't THAT important --- life moves on. And hard or easy - that is definitely okay. We will make it through one more week...and somehow although it seems impossible right now, situations at school, with the PTA and the knowledge that I need to pack up for the next 2 months and be on a plane Tuesday morning --- will work out. They may not be perfect, there will definitely be some adjustments to the plan, and there will be work to do in the weeks to come on things that just can't get finished up now.
But come what may - life will go on.
And that really does make me happy!
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