Just Plain Bill

Hope for our Future

I’m happy to say that my hope for our future has been rekindled by the children I’ve been working with as a substitute teacher.

Every day, in every classroom, I experience curiosity, inquisitive spirits, and joyfulness in so many ways.

I wish everyone could experience the lift, the energy, and the joy gained from those not yet shaded by the doubts and fears that can often come with age.

Future posts will feature my experiences, many of the individual acts of hope from our youth… the evolving reality of possibilities.  

Just Plain Bill

What can I say to my students?

We’re at that time of the year when we honor the memories of two famous presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In schools around the country, there are class assignments that recognize and honor the lives and leadership provided by these two great men.

I’ve been teaching children of all ages for many years. When a 10-year old student recently asked a question concerning words or actions he felt were unacceptable from our current president, such as calling someone names, using belittling language, and making fun of someone, I was challenged to provide an appropriate answer.

I believe that our country is strong enough to deal with the occasional period when our leaders may not reflect the values I cherish in our constitution and the functions within each branch of our government, but something has eroded our collective conscience.  

I’ve not seen many suggestions concerning how to answer the student’s question, and in that regard, I feel our educational leaders are lacking in not stepping up to these types of questions and helping educators – and parents – respond appropriately. I know with certainty in some elementary schools, students aren’t even allowed to talk “politics”.

How would you respond to the student?

Just Plain Bill

COMES THE DAWN OF THE NEW DAY

Comes the dawn of a new day, 

complete with all its energy untapped

with potential for wonder, beauty and joy,

steadily unfolding into magnificent moments to celebrate,

absolutely perfect and complete –

 And while kisses are not contracts, gifts are not guarantees,

cards are not commitments, presents are not promises,

and flowers are not fortunes fulfilled,

all these expressions of feeling and affection

translate into a deep and timeless friendship and love comes alive

 Love that enriches not enslaves, lifts up and not limits,

frees and not frightens into being anything else

than full and complete independence

with mutual trust as a launching pad and linchpin,

balancing the dawn of the moment

with the uplift of the likely and the possible –

So, as each new, unique and never-before-lived day unfolds,

bringing unknown and certain moments of magic and light,

I send you my full measure of intention,

one that is infinite in encouraging life-long growth,

limited only by vision and grasp,

as your garden of gifts continues to blossom,

expanding the universe and your essence of perfection

in greatness, abundance and peace.

By Bill Denyer, 1994