I did not blog last month because December was a blur. I was away with family for the holidays and, like everyone, my thoughts were preoccupied with the tragic events in Sandy Hook. Our hearts go out to the families and survivors whose memories are forever changed. Those of us who work in schools and clinics know what little six and seven year old children are like in December. Their exuberance and joy are palpable. Their loss deprives us all. May we honor their memory by being inspired to help all children as did the courageous teachers of Sandy Hook. Educators deserve such admiration and respect for the responsibilities they assume every day to advance the knowledge, preserve the safety, and sustain the self-esteem of our young.
One of the gifts I received for Christmas was Far from the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity by Andrew Solomon. It is a 700 page tome but written with such sensitivity and beautiful language that you don’t realize how much you have read. You can bop around the book and read the chapters of high interest first but may be surprised by those you didn’t expect to relate to and do. The stories shared are particularly compelling. What resonated for me was the responsibility all of us have when using language.
