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Stacy Low's avatar

Having known you for about 25 years now, I can confidently say that you were a pretty great self when you were younger, too. You were working harder than any other teacher I’ve known (and that’s a very HIGH bar!!) to give our children the best and most generous and kind education possible. And, at the same time, working to be the best human you could be in all the other areas besides career. And your post also reminds me of a refrigerator magnet that you gave me a few years ago. It says “Life can only be understood backwards but it must be lived forwards.” So true!

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Graciewilde's avatar

You are so kind, Stacy! Thank you for those words. I loved teaching the children in Room 28 and still remember them (and their parents) with such fondness. It was easy to work hard for them.

And, yes, that magnet says a lot and I do believe it is true. I wish I could have understood more when I was younger but that's not how it works. 🤷🏻‍♀️. Thank you for reading , commenting, AND being such a welcome friend for all these years.

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Gerry La Londe-Berg's avatar

I appreciate these:

“And, like me, I suspect their even better selves will emerge as the years go by.”

And

“The young people I know are open and curious and their openness and curiosity will lead to even more kindness and insight. “

But to tie the beginning to the end, I suspect that the approach to “open and curious” grows, gets bigger and better. We are not less of our better selves as we mature, unless we stop trying.

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Graciewilde's avatar

I agree. My openness and curiosity has only grown with age. Thanks for readying and commenting, Gerry.

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