Eating Blackberries

I was honored and blessed to attend the NBA All-Star breakfast in downtown Cleveland, where TNT’s Ernie Johnson was honored for his life’s work as a broadcaster. He eventually had the microphone in his hand and told some relevant and wonderful stories. Included in this time was a reference to a Little League baseball game, where his center and left fielder hopped the fence to grab the ball that had bounced over for a ground-rule double. When they disappeared into the woods, the infielders came to check on them. While the hit baseball was sitting there on the ground, the two outfielders had set down their gloves and were picking and eating blackberries. In the middle of an intense, busy moment of a game, they stopped life to take a moment and enjoy what was right in front of them - blackberries. Ernie challenged all of us to do the exact same thing. What he couldn’t have known is that I was having that exact moment right then and there. I was surrounded by former players and coaches who all stopped our busy lives to eat breakfast together and rekindle some amazing memories and moments together. It made me realize that what we had done as a program and, most importantly, what the school experience had done for those kids was close to perfect. School had done enough for those kids that their friendships and love for one another not only started during formative years, it has lasted well beyond. I had similar moments this past Saturday. When I heard that the Norton wrestlers won the Sectional Championship and heard how many individuals qualified for the districts, I couldn’t help but think what this time and program has done for these student athletes. The same thoughts occurred later that night when our Girls Basketball team won the District Championship in overtime. As our ladies wore their medals, held up the trophy, and signaled #1 with their index finger, one could state that a program, a community, and many moments had given so much to so many girls in this program. Beyond that, when permitted, their student section - their dearest friends - stormed the court for hugs, high fives, and pictures. What it tells me is that Norton City Schools, along with so many other local school districts, often provide kids exactly what they need to find springboard moments in their lives. Schools are certainly not perfect, but, oh, the moments kids can find! As we transition out of a very challenging educational time period and face many challenges from those who don’t believe in the power of school, these recent moments have provided more personal proof that our work in public education is good work! For those students in both our past and our present, our kids’ smiles, friendships, and personal growth stand firmly engraved in the knowledge that our work as educators has been and continues to be strong.