Snow

Here is what I remember.

We had just sat down for the meeting, the eighth grade classroom teacher and myself.  Others had left to retrieve the remaining members of the team.

The teacher and I began to have idle conversation to warm up before the meeting.  We had never met before so we covered some basic topics such as how long we each had been in the system, the weather and so on.

We got to talking about the moment in the middle of that day it had begun to snow.  As we all know, this, of course, is not terribly surprising in January in New England.  Her students apparently all stopped their work to look at the snow, and she proudly reported to have said to the kids, "Never seen snow?" somewhat sarcastically.  After which, she claimed to have briskly and triumphantly directed them back to their seats so she could educate them.

Soon after, we learned the meeting would be postponed, a couple of essential members could not make the meeting.  The classroom teacher and I parted company with a good healthy handshake and returned to our duties.

I drove away from the building in the snow, now heavy and wet, thinking and feeling very sad.  Asking myself, why is it that our culture can't allow our children to look out the window and marvel at the snow?  Marvel at its simplicity, its grace, and the basic beauty of it?  Though this teacher and I could fill the time on the very same topic, we can't let our children pause and enjoy a quiet, joyful moment and foster a love of that moment of grace and connect with nature's presence?  And, how is it that sarcasm is thought to foster growth and well being, and stopping to marvel does not-where did we get that basic belief and why is it pervasive throughout our thinking, our perception on what is right for kids?  And, why didn't I say anything?

Next time will I share such thoughts with the teacher?  Or, will I be satisfied to pause with my own children and let them watch the snow?

What about you?