My five-year-old starts Kindergarten today. She had a very hard time going to sleep last night because she was so excited, so worried, so conflicted about all the possibilities. Should you ride the bus for an hour to go 1.6 miles? Should you pack your lunch or eat at school. Will you get to sit beside the one other little girl you met so far? Will your sister ever be quiet so you can sleep? What if you can’t get to sleep and you are tired . . . . I watched her turn into a queen worrier before my eyes. Just three days ago I was confident in her ability to go to school and not get derailed by the newness. I am not so sure right now.
Working Check-in yesterday it was very easy to pick out our newest students. The level of apprehension was different in the folks heading down the hallway towards IT and Financial Aid for the first time and those walking confidently down the hall mumbling about having done this before. Everyone new or returning got a new Hornet Handbook.
I started thinking about my own attitude as we get ready for another year. I am excited about some new opportunities that are shaping up. I am thrilled that the chapel organ renovation is on the horizon. I am excited to work with 14 new advisees. I try not to dread the on call rotations that started Wednesday, because no matter how much I feel called to be with hurting students as they find the way through our local medical facilities, no one wants to leave a perfectly comfortable sleep at 2 in the morning. I have a few fears about what might be this fall—will everyone be safe—will all of our students stay healthy— will I handle every situation the way I am expected to. Where are you, as you return for the new semester?
I pray that we are all healthy and happy. I pray that our community excels academically, has new levels of curiosity and asks the difficult questions. I pray that we treat each other with gentleness, giving grace for bad days yet holding one another accountable for clarity and honesty and the “values that guideth.” May we know the joys of victory and celebrate accomplishments of all shapes and sizes. May we count each other as family and live up to all the ways we brag about the LC environment. May it be a year of blessings, teamwork and vision. AMEN.
Blessings, Stephanie