The Storms are Getting Tired

It is a beautiful January day in Arizona. 74 degrees.

The type of day where you can sit on the patio and almost forget the turbulence of the world around us. Almost.

My mood today, and this week, has been optimistic. In spite of the pandemic still raging (it’s especially bad here in Arizona) and the political vitriol and violence of recent weeks, I think there is reason for hope.

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I was looking for something to put on our school marquee to honor Dr. King, but I really wanted something that was relevant. I thought this quote did the best job of capturing our current situation. Our disappointment, failures, and fears — no matter how tragic, or painful — will not continue forever. Our hope must endure.

While this was my quote of the week, my tweet of the week (and likely of the year) comes from artist and author Charlie Mackesy. I shared it with my staff and I think it resonated.

Hold on. pic.twitter.com/4VUTltjlOM

— charlie mackesy (@charliemackesy) January 13, 2021

Next week our school will resume in-person learning in a state that leads the country in weekly case rates of COVID-19 infection. This return is understandably accompanied by a great deal of trepidation and anxiety for many stakeholders. I feel for my teachers, our students, and our families who have had to shift between learning modalities at a moments notice, rearrange schedules, disrupt routines, and manage their own health and safety (physical and mental). To say it has been challenging for everyone is a gross understatement. I’m sure it will continue to be a difficult road.

I do not have the answer to this problem. I’m sorry to tell you that you don’t have the answer either. You don’t.

The uncertainty is what makes all of this so difficult. I can’t tell you everything will be okay. But, I can’t tell you it won’t.

These storms are making us all tired, but we have to hang on.

We have to be compassionate.

We have to help each other get through.

We underestimate the power of kindness, patience, and empathy. Always, but especially during these trying times.

Tweet

Do something for someone else. Right now. Go find someone to encourage. Right now. Call someone you love. Right now. Check in on your neighbor. Right now. Text message your friend. Right now. Visit with a colleague. Right now. Connect with a student. Right now.

We must not lose infinite hope.

We must foster hope in those around us.

Hang on. The storms are getting tired.

Thank you for the inspiration, Charlie Mackesy.