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A Family of Teachers - Amen, Amen, AMEN!

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I come from a family of teachers. Four of my sisters are teachers, as are eight nephews and nieces. One brother-in-law is a principal and one sister is a school nurse. Now I, too, have joined their ranks by teaching at Seattle U. My student experience was prolonged through many years of course-at-a-time graduate studies. Plus, I’ve carpooled, packed lunches, volunteered and overseen homework for my own children, other people’s children, and now my grandchildren

This morning the patter of steady rain awoke me, a punctual arrival after a sunny Labor Day weekend, reminding any of us who didn’t already know it, that today is the day that it all starts up again. I was the lucky one who got to drive my grandson and his friend to their first day of seventh grade. He’d dabbed some gel on his freshly cut hair, thrown his back pack over one shoulder, and come out the front door in his khaki’s and uniform sweater ready to start middle school. His tanned face and sun bleached hair were the only reminders of a season spent in T’s and flip-flops. 

The gray morning made it seem even earlier than it was, especially after those lazy summer mornings. But once we’d picked up his buddy, the two of them started to anticipate seeing all their friends. As we pulled into the lot, I said, “Hey, let’s not forget to say our prayer,” and we all three placed our hands on top of one another.

We thank you, dear God, for the gift of this day
We ask you to bless all we think, do, and say.
Help us to be good and to love everyone
And remember to thank you when this day is done.
Amen. Amen. Amen!

(It’s always three amen’s—tradition) The Amen’s get pretty loud we throw our hands in the air and break up more like a football huddle than a prayer meeting but, hey, it works for us!  

As I drove home the rain lightened, the sun began to peak through and the curve of a small rainbow hovered over the western hills. Returned to the quiet of my own home, I sat with tea in hand and prayed—a bit more quietly this time. I prayed for all the little and not-so-little boys and girls—my own and others, for their families and teachers, for the great and brave venture that is learning. I thank God for all the goodness and effort that goes into it and ask protection and blessing on these tender shoots of hope.  Amen. Amen. Amen.