I love words.
Sometimes, in the hours before dawn, I lie in bed with my eyes closed, and say some of my favorite words over and over again - serendipity, beauty, plain, genius, simple, wonder, ordinary, kindness. They are my comfort and joy as I prepare to give myself to the world as a teacher and a writer in a public school.
I carry an old copy of Webster’s dictionary in my back pocket. If I have moments during the day when I am still and silent (of course, those moments come few and far between for a 4th grade teacher during the school day), I open it and read a page and learn new words that I never knew or ever used before.
Today I learned the word akimbo, which is an adverb that means hands on the hips with elbows turned outward.
As a teacher, I often have to stand akimbo in front of a room full of lively nine and ten year olds.
Sanctuary is my word for 2020.
The most important paper I wrote in college was about the Sanctuary Movement.
Have you heard of it?
It was an underground railroad that helped protect refugees fleeing from violence in Central America in the 1980.
The movement is still alive (and giving life) today.
I love the idea of offering my life to help and protect others. I love the idea of being a sanctuary in the world. I love the idea of opening my heart and mind as a sanctuary.
For my students.
And for you.
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