Remembering

September 11, 2015 {254/365} Remembering

As I walked across campus shortly after 8:00 am, at almost exactly the time that the south tower of the World Trade Center was struck fourteen years ago today, I paused under our flag flying proudly yet somberly at half mast. The air was crisp and the sky was the same bright blue that it was on that tragic September morning that seems like yesterday for me. I was teaching communications to a group of eighth graders when a colleague entered my classroom and whispered in my ear to turn on news. In the minutes to follow, my room, one of the few with a television, quietly filled with teachers and students who watched in disbelief as the Twin Towers collapsed. The rest of the day was a blur of tears, phone calls, and parents arriving to hold their children close. 

This morning, as I entered the elementary school and navigated through a sea of excited students just beginning their day, it occurred to me that none of them was even born on that horrific day. In fact only our high school students were alive in 2001, and it is unlikely that any of them remembers the pain that so many Americans experienced on that Tuesday morning fourteen years ago. So rather than dwell on the fear and sorrow, perhaps our legacy to this generation and those that proceed them is to focus on our strength as a nation, on our love for our country, and on compassion and respect for diversity. And while we'll never forget that terrible day, Cardinal Timothy Dolan reminds us that "We must never allow September 11th to become a time for protest and division. Instead, this day must remain a time for promoting peace and mutual respect."

The Library

September 10, 2015 {253/365} The Library

"A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life." - Henry Ward Beecher

When is the last time you visited the library? It has become so convenient to download books and periodicals onto my computer, tablet, and phone that I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't used my library card in years. I do love the culture of literacy that has been established in Pewaukee -- how wonderful that all language arts students (i.e. all students) are afforded luxury of time to read whatever inspires them. Yet, although I am fortunate enough to work among the great works of literature, poetry, biographies, historical and popular fiction, I rarely take advantage of the school libraries. 

This week, I was invited to help students in various English classes set up blogs to showcase their writing. When I arrived at the start of the first class, I actually envied the students who were immersed in their chosen books. I miss taking time to read. Why have I allowed myself to be "too busy" to enjoy a good book? I also realized that as much as I love the convenience of technology and digital downloads, I miss holding a book, the feel and smell of paper as I turn each page in anticipation. So before the next class, I solicited book recommendation from other avid readers and took myself to the library. I chose The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, a book that I have been meaning to read for some time. So now, for the past two days, I have hurried to the five classes that invited me to savor those ten blissful minutes of reading. It feels great to rekindle my love of reading, of books, and of visits to the library.  

Henry Ward Beecher may be correct that a library is a necessity, but the library in today's photo is also very luxurious. Wouldn't you love to curl up with a good book in this beautiful space? There are some great choices here, including the classics, art books, fiction and non-fiction. I remember buying that Edmund Fitzgerald book for my dad years ago. 

Why not savor a cocktail along with your literature? Cocktails in the library? Now there's a novel idea (ahem)! This "library" is in Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia. What a great space and a great idea!

[Photos taken in Philadelphia in June 2015]