Goodness, how time flies! I didn't realize it has been almost six months since the last post. Suffice it to say, things around the Stress Pool have been pretty busy. Just to catch everyone up to date - Big Brother and DiDi had another baby! Little Sister was born in the middle of January, and is now smiling, laughing, and talking up a storm. Of course, none of us is fluent in baby babble, but if you make the appropriate facial expressions, she's happy to continue her story. At some point she's going to realize we don't have a clue as to what she's saying, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
Morticia and the Doctor are expecting their first baby this summer - he's hoping for 4th of July; I'm hoping she's at least on time, and not the one to two weeks late she and her siblings were. Those children knew they had it good, and for the most part, had to be coaxed out. Ms. Business was the only one who came on her own, ready to start running from day one!
Of course, the house - which we still love - has kept us busy. New roof in the fall; new microwave, new dishwasher, new stove to come (they just can't find parts in order to fix these things!) Plus, all the things that need to be done around the house. There is a LIST - Kellys always make a list, but this is THE LIST of what needs to be done, some of which we are in agreement, and some where there is a little disagreement in the priority order. Last night, the air conditioner was leaking - through the ceiling fan in our bedroom - onto the bed! Priority list....
Back to the title of the post. I arrived home from our High School Art Show - wow, what a powerful show! - and sat on the back porch to tell Darling Hubby about what I saw. Several of the students had openly shared their struggles with depression and anxiety through their artwork, and isn't that what the arts really are about? We communicate ideas, feelings, emotions, whether it's through the visual arts, music, dance, creative writing, or theater. Struggles and conflict, as well as beauty are things we share through our art. What courage it takes, though, to put it out there for people to see. Baring your soul is hard, but that's what separates the artist from the dabbler.
So, as we sat on the porch talking, one of the large trees growing in a neighbor's yard suddenly crashed to the ground. It had been leaning. It was covered in ivy, and while it was absolutely full of new leaves, it seemed to just give up. Other than the leaning, one would never have suspected it was going to fall. It made me think about the students whose artwork I had viewed, the struggles they've faced, and how they've learned to cope and express their feelings through their artwork.
If we look at all the children we as teachers supervise and instruct, we need to actively remember they are dealing with so much more than what we see. Some of them are tall with full foliage; some have full foliage but lean a little. Our job, besides teaching them to read, write, and add numbers, is to make sure they don't fall. To be there; to show them healthy ways to cope. To let them see that when the tree falls in the forest, it does make a sound, whether or not someone is there to hear it. To let them know that we do hear them, we see them leaning, and want to do what we can to keep them from falling. This is where the arts come in. I'm grateful to work in a school district that is supportive of all the arts, that recognizes the importance the arts play in taking a child into adulthood through a well-rounded education.
As we come to the close of another school year, for those of you who grumble about teachers getting off for the summer, know that this is a time of healing for us. Our days are physically and emotionally draining, as there is no possible way to live your day with groups of students and stay emotionally removed. No, we do this because this is what we chose to do. Most of us still love it, and we pour our hearts and souls into it.
In the meantime, we'll finish out our days, pack away the books and supplies, and take home the things we'll work on for next year, putting hopes and dreams into new lesson plans. I'll be doing that in the afternoon, pool-side, or while I'm sitting by the firepit, watching sparks fly to the stars. Healing time for me will also be in the studio, or playing with my grandchildren, or sharing a quiet moment or two with DH. Maybe, just maybe, I'll find a little time to write in the blog. Plus, I'll have to make my summer reading list - a book a week, maybe even a couple more this year! Who knows?
Thanks for stopping by, and as always, we have towels and lemonade a plenty, or bring a beverage of your own choice! We'll talk about the times we were leaning, and who helped us to not fall, or who gave us a hand to stand again. We're happy to see you here at the Stress Pool!
