Monday, December 17, 2012

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Along with the rest of the word, I am grieving.  Nearly mute when the horror of Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary comes again to mind.  I wonder... What can I say, what words can I offer?  Here in this place where I share my heart, I feel compelled to write.  Compelled to tell you these things.



I went to school today.  
So did my students. 
So did the wonderful teachers I serve with.
So did millions of teachers across this nation.

My principal was there,  
this woman I call my friend.  
This woman who would run into danger if it entered our school. 

All of us;
we all showed up.  
On time.  
No dragging feet or reluctant hearts among us.  

We all arrived, ready to do our sacred duty.
We taught.
We loved and we hugged. 

And we'll do it again tomorrow. 
And tomorrow. 
And tomorrow.

There is no bullet that can stop love.
No fear that can extinguish the passion to teach. 
No way that we'll quit.  
Ever. 

Yes, we'll cry. 
Again.  And again.  And again. 
We'll ache for those precious lives, stolen.

We'll pray for those families who face the unthinkable.
We'll cry for all the hurting left behind 
to face each tomorrow without their children, their friends.
And we'll show up.

Because we know something precious. 
We know that love and learning can save a life.
And we have that to give. 


The picture above is my school, High Pointe Elementary in Nixa, Missouri. 

31 comments:

rayfamily said...

Thank you Relyn. I'm going to share this.

Nonnie said...

well said, dear teacher!
But I wonder if anyone will be able to walk through the Sandy Hook doors ever again.

Patti said...

Your words truly touched my heart, but they always do- you have that way. You were/are able to ay what we all felt this morning and will feel tomorrow and all the days after that. Thank you- I will be sharing as well. Hugs!

Suz said...

my daughter said just about the same thing...
she's a 3rd grade teacher
God Bless you Relyn...

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Debby said...

God Bless the wonderful teachers like you.

Jeanne said...

It is an unspeakable thing to even have to consider in a school, isn't it. Hard to imagine, and so heartbreaking.

Elizabeth Halt said...

I can't imagine how it felt for teachers to walk into their schools this morning. Sending love to you and your students and everyone round the world. xo

Unknown said...

Love your post and know you mean every word. For all the years my girls have been going to Nixa schools, I have felt the love and protection around them. All children are precious and deserve great teachers and staff just like the ones we cherish so much! The CT school teachers did exactly what every teacher would do and there are no words to describe the love shown that day... Thank you for writing this because it helps to calm the fears that are very present in my mind this week.

Gigi Thibodeau said...

Love this post and love you, my friend. xoxo Gigi

amelia said...

Such a beautiful post, Relyn. Your students are blessed to have you, as are we . . .

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Beautifully put. Here in Scotland we have been talking about how courageous teachers are in all they have to deal with, each and every day. And people are recognising that they do it out of love. Thank you.

Marilyn Miller said...

Perfectly said! Nothing to add. Sending love to you.

Hindsfeet said...

thank you, Relyn, for your heartfelt words that help the rest of us express the unexpressable....

Jeanne said...

Sending love and praying for all those in deep grief and sorrow this Christmas.............
Love you sweet friend.
Love Jeanne

allisondegeorge said...

thank you for teaching love with your life

Mrs. E said...

Beautiful! You put my thoughts to words!

Cindy said...

Relyn this is so well written and so heartfelt. I will read this many times. It will give me some peace. This week I have been questioning the world in which we live, but now I feel I can show up once again. hugs to you and Thank you.

Cindy said...

Relyn may I show this on my blog. Please let me know. Thanks.

Gayle at Planet M Files said...

xo

Lisa Gordon said...

What a beautiful post this is, Relyn.
It is so hard to find words right now, yet you have done it so wonderfully. Thank you.

I wish you and your family a most beautiful Christmas, and thank you for being here!
xo.

S. Etole said...

My son is teaching for the first time this year and I can appreciate what you have expressed here in a deeper way.

Mac n' Janet said...


Well said! I loved my years of teaching and the children I taught. Some of them have found me on Facebook and it is a joy to see how they've turned out.
Merry Christmas and keep writing, I love your Blog..

Kyra said...

@Relyn only silent prayer of empathy and healing is all I can think of

Jeanie said...

Well stated, my friend. Beautifully.

I hope by now you are feeling a little better -- I'm sorry you had to miss a big gig at school but hope you recuperate quickly so that you'll be ready for Christmas.

Merry Christmas and joyful new year.

Unknown said...

Oh wow, Relyn. I can't imagine how you must have felt the day after the shooting in CT. My SIL is a teacher and is coming for Xmas. I'm wondering how she processes these events and what her thoughts are on school safety, gun control, etc. I worked as a substitute teacher in 3 different schools as well as a teacher's aid when my kids were in elementary school. Those ages are just the epitomy of innocence and all that is good. Happy Holidays to you and your family and let's hope that the new year brings much needed change in our country.

miruspeg said...

Your words are very comforting Relyn.
Across the world we all mourn for those stolen lives.
Namaste and love
Peggy ♥♥♥

HKatz said...

Teachers don't get enough credit in our wider culture. I've been reading about the teachers who did all they could to hide as many students as possible, and some of them lost their lives confronting the killer or shielding/hiding the kids. They were heroes every day working with these kids and teaching and caring for them, and heroes in their final moments protecting these children's lives.

And their efforts go largely unsung, because in our culture heroes are people with guns. I think that's part of the problem.

Jennifer Richardson said...

you have the heart of a hero,
friend:)
i'm grateful for the gift
that is you,
Jennifer

Kyra said...

@Relyn I wanted to stop by and wish u a merry Christmas, may the season of joy and festivities help you and all those affected by this painful incident. May the season of healing heal you all :)

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