i used to tell my kids...

when they were young and had chores that required "cooperation", i used to tell my kids, "you aren't done until all of you are done.  until the whole job is done."  and it was hard for them.  if they had managed to get an easier bit to do.  or decided not to do their part as well.  they were "done" sooner.  but not  done.  but,  they wanted to go on with life.  go do their own thing.  turn their back on what they all were supposed to accomplish together.
i am feeling like telling some of the grownups around me during this flood the same thing.  "we're not done until we are all done."  as in, our church isn't ready to go on as usual until all of the churches are cleaned up and cleaned out.  and our school community isn't ready for business as usual until we are sure that our whole district is ready....that every child has a safe place to go to.  and my home life isn't just normal until everyone has a home to have a life in.
my school has hurt me in this way.  they don't see.  they want to go on while our school district as a whole is reeling.  while families are trying to clean sewer sludge out of their yards, basements, living rooms, cars.  but the school powers that be want us to be ahead.  to move on.  and i think that they feel like it's a gold star in the eyes of others for them to be able to do so.  but it's not.  it's a black mark.  because people see when you behave as if you don't care.  you can say words about community.  you can say you care.  but if you don't make the time so that those of you who were spared can help those who were not, then it's only words.
we are going to have four hours of work on wednesday.  four hours that they could take that huge staff and dole them out in the trailer park across the street to help.  four hours that could be spent clearing debris from the area around the bridge that was destroyed right by our school.  we could have four hours to take drinks or food to the national guardsmen or policemen or firemen or emts that have worked tirelessly for a week.  who have kept our city going.  we could gather and make care packages.  or go find some of the elderly that were transported from the retirement home in lyons....that isn't there...and let them tell their stories.  there's so very very much that we could be doing to make our school truly great.  to make our students truly see the value of character and citizenship.  but instead,, we are looking at our own organization and how to simply "move on."  i wish they could know how that looks.  i don't live in lyons.  don't live in an evacuate d home.  but i feel the grief. like it's my own.  part of my personality.  i see the need.  i hear the cries.  feel the longing.  and i wish that i could explain it to them.  sometimes, if you really want to be great, you lift others up. maybe always.
blessings.