A Little Perspective

This was not an easy week.

Chris's job site got really underway - meaning several mornings of leaving before 5 a.m. and getting home around 6 p.m. We had our state tests (CSAP) all this week and into Monday at school and I was in charge of planning four, one hour assemblies to finish each day. On top of all of our work pressures, Sofia has not been sleeping well at all - waking up 2 & 3 times a night for lengthy amounts of time. Need I even say that when we woke up this morning we were THRILLED it was Friday?

But, as I drove home this afternoon bleary-eyed and slightly grumpy that our home was going to be invaded yet again by potential buyers during our dinner time, I was struck with an incredible sense of guilt. Sure, we may be tired, pressured and inconvenienced from time to time, but there are definitely better ways to spend our energy than to feel bad for ourselves.

So, I changed my focus.

My dear friend of many years, Christie, who lives in Washington D.C. was struck by tragedy this week as her apartment building caught on fire and burned to the ground. She lost everything but the clothes she was sleeping in, her wallet, running shoes and phone. Luckily, she managed to escape the fire without injury (thank goodness!) and has a friend that has lovingly taken her in until she can find a new place to stay. We want to help Christie in any way that we possibly can. There were over 200 families (many low income) that were displaced as a result of this 5-alarm fire. If you are interested in helping Christie or people from her neighborhood, please let me know and I will point you in the right direction.

Chris's grandma is a trooper! We have been fortunate to listen to hundreds of stories about her life, family, singing, family business and amazing recipes. She has even beaten bouts with cancer on 3 different occasions! Currently, she is battling her 4th round of cancer and this one is proving to be a dousy. She recently spent some time in a Minneapolis hospital because the chemo treatments were taking a tole on her heart. She is home now, resting and as usual, is in good spirits. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she facing the last of her chemo treatments in the near future. Yay!

Being the perfectionists that Chris and I are, we often lose sight of the impact we are having on the people around us. To us, we can always do our jobs better. But today, each of us got a little something special and the realization that we actually do have an impact...

For Chris from two 1st Graders:

Dear Worker, I think you work very good. I wot to be like you be. I like working. Love, Haylee.

Dear Worker. I think you are working hard! You are doing a very good job! Fomr, Emma.

From my principal regarding this week in a staff email:

And Meghan, yes, you are a party planner Diva. You did a great job and we had a ton of fun. in the midst of what could have been a disaster (850 kids in the gym and no performer anywhere near showing up) we did one of the most fun things ever. When life hands you lemons...play dodgeball. From Sky Vista Gladiator, to Dodgeball, to the basketball game, I absolutely loved watching you all and the kids have fun. What I realized is that next year we will not pay anyone to come provide entertainment. Our staff can do a better job of that.

It feels good to be able to go to sleep tonight with less on our shoulders. There are lots of people out there who need us and deserve our attention. Being tired and having a bad day/week is going to happen. To dwell on those moments will not allow us to get anywhere. Our thoughts and prayers are with those we love and cherish.

Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day weekend!