msmeierblog-blog

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Getting Started

So, I’ve thought for a while that I need to do more writing, as a way to reflect, refine by craft, encourage others and share what I often don’t have time to share with friends, colleagues and family. So, here goes.

Today was the Memorial Service for Greg Poulin, our custodian of 30 years. Remembering Greg reminds me of all the good things we all hope to be and instill in our students. Be kind. Have a servant’s heart. Smile, be cheerful. Love life and those who are in your life, both chosen and those you run into each day. Work hard. Pursue your passion. At times, I struggle with each of these things, and the reminder of their value is necessary, especially when I get bogged down in the everyday things or running a school.

Father Hans spoke at the service reminding us that we have hope.  Although his hope referred to faith, I believe that we can also hope in a future that we can impact and make better.  Our hope is that we are all able to take time to reflect on how we can better ourselves, and how we can make the world better. This sounds cheesy, but every time we make a child feel welcome, or offer a smile to an overwhelmed parent, we are making their world better, and that makes a difference. Little things add up to big things.

Greg’s death seems so unfair. He was going to retire this year. His son has two more years of high school. He left many unfinished projects and ideas. We had initially talked about how to celebrate his retirement, as his service to our school has been so significant. I look forward to meeting with a team on Tuesday to plan how we can honor and remember Greg at our school, as his tenure spans 30 of the 60 years we have been a school. I hope he knew how much he touched each student, staff and visitor to our campus, as we will not have the opportunity to share those reflections with him. 

That’s all for now. Going to go figure out dinner for us. At least there are lost of Thanksgiving leftovers to dig into. Remember, be like Greg.