I got pink slipped yesterday. This is my 20th year with this school district and I got pink slipped. Somehow I got dragged into this vortex of negativity regarding public school financing along with my awesome colleagues who have 20 or less years experience.
When I opened that email (btw, this was during Parent Conferences) my heart sank and I somehow felt violated. I'm only one of an army of teachers who have chosen to dedicate their lives to others. Sure, there are teachers who should not be in education. They pretty much suck. But the rest of us...we're tireless and caring and so so so invested in our students' welfare and well-being. And we got pink slipped. I was numb.
But...you know.....so what? Just like my job doesn't define me, neither does this. I'm still a good teacher. I'm still a good human being. My family still loves me and my baby granddaughter still snuggles and likes me to kiss her neck and make her giggle.
Remember that line in The Sound of Music when someone (Maria? Rev. Mother? Hitler?) says, "When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window"? That's how I feel. Who knows? This could be the best thing ever for me! It's all in how you choose to view it....and I choose to view it as an open door to new possibilities!
So, my friends, what has happened in your life that initially seemed devastating but turned out to be amazing?
I look forward to learning from your experiences!
Dang it...you took mine!! :)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously...I was devastated when we realized that getting pregnant wasn't an option for us. But looking back on it, we probably wouldn't have taken to adoption path to discover the perfect little boy for our family. In a strange way, I am very thankful that happened to us....otherwise we wouldn't have our Gus. :)
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ReplyDeleteI joined the army for four years. Uncle Sam decided four equals five and sent me to Afghanistan for my last year to learn math his way. At first, I was devastated but then I started to see it as an oppurtunity for character growth. It wasn't personal on their part, they just needed more bodies. It became a defining moment in my life and I wouldn't give it back if I had the choice.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I would categorize it as amazing. I learned alot about my perpensity to survive and to choose to control my attitude when there wasn't much else to control. Leon Uris calls that, "The last of human freedoms." His book changed my entire outlook on life. Have you read "Man's Search For Meaning"?
I loved (Maria? Rev. Mother? Hitler?). One of my only true LOLs lately.
The sad part about service is that you put your destiny the hands of people who may or may not see you for your true value as a human being. Therefor, they may not respect it. That's scary.
Chad,
ReplyDeleteYour comment means so much to me. It sounds cliche but I'm truly grateful for people like you. I remember when you were a senior and so gung-ho to join the Army. I was so worried. No need! You have grown from a great young man to a great man.
Too true, Beth, too true. I could not imagine a more perfect fit than you, Joel and Gus!
ReplyDeleteI am so sad that this happened to you! I am at a loss for words. I love how you say that you will not be defined by this. I think it's easy to get swallowed up and let something wash over you. And if you let it, pretty soon, you can't figure out where *you* begin and *it* begins.
ReplyDeleteAs cliched as it sounds, you never know where life is going to take you. Now go and take a peek out of that window and see what awaits you!
Oh...thank you so much! You're so right....sometimes situations do take over and "you can't figure out where "you" begin and "it" begins". I must keep that separated and maintain my sanity!
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