Open Doors

Friday May 24, 2012


Open doors...to the future. That's what I see ahead as I reflect on this past week. My favorites?

1. A restful weekend. Last weekend, I found myself with some time of my own. I just squandered it…and it felt so good! I was all caught up at school and ready for our exams this week, so I slept and read and just took it easy. After awhile it got a little two quiet for this mom of four boys, but I just took the short time as the gift that it was and reveled in it!

2. Hope for the future. My son’s future back in Kentucky looks so bright, mainly because of the people lighting the way. (If you're new to my blog, you can read about my son's journey since January here.) His school and church are so excited about having him back in the future, and that’s providing great motivation for him. So thankful for those who love him there!

3. The end! Of the school year, that is. That’s a huge sigh of relief you hear from South Florida.

4. The chance to touch the future. Yes, on some days, my students are frustrating. But what a privilege to be involved in those young lives. It always hits me at graduation time that these are real lives in the making, and to be involved in some small way in their lives is huge. I’m thankful to have that privilege.

5. This quote:

“There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you with so much quail shot that you can’t move, and the kind that just give you a little prod behind and you jump to the skies.” (Robert Frost)

I love Frost any time, but this quote is so perfect for the end of the year. (I should recite it at the beginning of the school year, too.) I have awesome teacher friends who are retiring and moving on, and they’ve been not only colleagues but teachers to me. I’ve watched them deal with students, inspire, and make them jump to the skies. I’ll miss those teacher friends, and I aspire to be like them.

Isn’t it awesome the people God puts in our path each day--and the open doors in front of us?

Wishing you joy on the path this week,


Linking up with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five.

17 comments:

Mothering From Scratch said...

Glad things are progressing well for your son, Laura. I know it has been a long road ... I hope you can enjoy your well-deserved break this summer.

Mom24 said...

What a lovely list. I'm glad things are going well for your son.

Karen said...

Oh, you deserve every bit of that relaxation and the summer off! Yay, for Andrew and that wonderful school keeping his job!

Jerralea said...

So good to hear that things are going so well for Andrew!

I just want to thank you for touching the lives of young people. It takes a special person to relate to them. It's not my calling to work with teens - but I appreciate those who do!

Jean Wise said...

I love Frost too and really enjoy these weekly lists of thanks from you. You really deserved some down time last weekend.

Annette Whipple said...

Hope is so beautiful!!

I think I will be sharing that quote with M's teacher. Lovely!

Thank you for caring and loving as a teacher!

Willow said...

I love Robert Frost and that's a new quote for me. It's so true about teachers--I remember the prodders in my education and try to forget the shooters. My goal is to help my students soar.
SO so happy for your boy!
Oh, and you weren't wasting your free time; you were investing it in your future :)

kendl said...

so glad andrew is progressing and that you hav emade it to summer break! i have one more workday!

Faith said...

Praise God that things are progressing for Andrew!! And I LOVE that quote....and the thots on the teachers reminds me of the wonderful teachers I am blessed to work with as well. Happy summer vacation Laura...that'll be me in just 4 more weeks!!

Covnitkepr1 said...

You have a great blog here with good uplifting posts. I write and maintain a blog which I have entitled “Accordingtothebook” and I’d like to invite you to follow it.

Covnitkepr1 said...

Oh...and I'm already a follower of yours.(6 pages back on your wedgit)

Gattina said...

Fortunately school and study times are long gone and I am happy that my son has made a real good career.
I don't have good memories of all the teachers I had during my school time, they were all dragons ! They never heard of a little psychology ! Fortunately my son was more lucky, his teachers were all very nice. But that was also another generation.

Susanne said...

I definitely remember those teachers who prodded me and helped me jumped, who encouraged me even though I had no faith that I could do it.

What a blessing to have friends for your son who are willing to support and be there for him when he returns to Kentucky.

Barbara H. said...

Love that quote about teachers! I had never heard that one before. My youngest got a new appreciation for teachers when he had to take a correspondence course to fulfill a requirement for graduation -- he said it was really dull and hard without a teacher. We just attended two graduations, and it does bring the importance of what goes on in school into focus.

I was blessed to have some restful time in-between two busy weekends -- so helpful.

We're loving the end of the school year, too.

So glad for Andrew's future looking so promising and for those who are helping along the way.

nikkipolani said...

Oh, that is good news about your son. That encouragement was just the little prod he needed to further motivate and cheer him. Regarding #3, thank you for explaining that mysterious whooosh I heard coming from the east ;-)

Nikki @ Simplystriving said...

oh, God is good. All the time. What a lovely list of thanks!

and the Robert Frost quote...brilliant.

So thrilled to meet you!

All for Him,
Nikki

Bluerose said...

I'm incredibly grateful to all the GREAT teachers out there! :)

I'm glad you got to enjoy a restful weekend! Those are always such rare, but welcome occasions.

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