This isn't just a random collection of 'stuff' - each item feels specially chosen and warmly offered, from the school tee-shirt (which I've already worn proudly) and thermal drinking cup (they know I drink tea and water while I write) to the fine, fine chocolates (they know I love chocolate) –
that come with this warning
(they have a sense of humor)
and these seeds
"seeds of esperenza and morning glory"
to be scattered
(representing hope)
Clipped to the top right of the card is
a trio of trinkets
representing cats, dogs, journeys
(Love That Dog, Hate That Cat,
and many journeys)
and letters, amazing letters
full of enthusiasm and humor and warmth
Listen to this one line:
"I like to say your name, it has a creek in it like a door closing real slow."
Referring to my Skype session with them, one says:
"All of the love and happiness imported straight from New York
makes me flabbergasted!"
And poems - how about this one:
So much depends upon
Tacos
We gobble them
we make them
we fight over them
TACOS.
And of course, also in this box of treasures,
this perfect little red wheelbarrow
which refers to the William Carlos Williams poem
that means so much to the boy in LOVE THAT DOG:
so much depends/ upon / a red wheel / barrow // glazed with rain / water // beside the white / chickens
This is a school with such a good feeling about it, from the teacher and students with whom I bonded several years ago, to their librarian and principal and fellow teachers and students - and there are more schools like this out there
ones where the administration and teachers and librarians
set the tone
and
so much depends upon
their energy and compassion and enthusiasm
and you can feel it
in the students
in their words
and their actions
and I feel honored to know them.
They are changing children's lives:
so much depends upon them
so very very much.
