The ecology of resilience
Posted on | September 1, 2006 |
Like a dislocated limb being reset, it was almost easy to slip back to where we were. A little pain for sure, but the ingrained rhythms of preparation (making charts, sorting crayons) quickly resumed its drumbeat in my heart. Everything had been put back, repaired, restored. Outside, kids and parents came en masse to weed and landscape; to plant trees and put up bird houses. The front doors were painted a bright new blue. And tonight, the community will gather again to hold hands all the way around the school.
This is the ecology of resilience. To choose not to be defined by tragedy, and to bend instead like a new sapling, toward the green sap of hope.
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16 Responses to “The ecology of resilience”
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September 1st, 2006 @ 5:30 pm
The idea of the community encircling the school like that sent a shiver down my spine, what a beautiful image. The best of luck, Christina, for the new semester.
September 1st, 2006 @ 6:41 pm
I love this image!
September 1st, 2006 @ 6:45 pm
“tonight, the community will gather again to hold hands all the way around the school.”
That is simply a beautiful idea. I’ll be thinking of you all and sending thoughts of healing and wholeness.
September 1st, 2006 @ 6:49 pm
To choose not to be defined by tragedy…
Wonderful. Simply wonderful.
September 1st, 2006 @ 7:08 pm
“Outside, kids and parents came en masse to weed and landscape; to plant trees and put up bird houses. The front doors were painted a bright new blue.” I love that - new life is being established.
Thinking of you all tonight.
September 1st, 2006 @ 10:34 pm
That’s the way it must be, because the only thing that can be left after such a tragedy is the human instinct to mend and prevail. Your drawing speaks of this in the green stalk and leaves that continue to grow strong, even though the black and white leaves fade. My heartfelt best wishes for a good school year - and the start of a new chapter in your life’s story.
September 2nd, 2006 @ 3:49 am
The resiliance of the human spirit will always prevail. I love the idea of the hands around the school.
September 2nd, 2006 @ 11:58 am
“toward the green sap of hope.” Beautiful. I wish your community finds this hope.
September 2nd, 2006 @ 11:31 pm
i’ve been reading your posts and am struck by your honesty, your journey into healing, and your wonderful, wonderful expression of writing.
September 3rd, 2006 @ 4:55 am
you are beautiful in so many ways. well done getting through this my friend and thank you for teaching me. big hug, clk
September 3rd, 2006 @ 7:50 am
this set of paintings and writings is stunning, both for their beauty and how exactly they conveyed your experience and that of the whole community even to someone not familiar with the details.
September 3rd, 2006 @ 2:35 pm
Awesome.
September 3rd, 2006 @ 9:13 pm
Oh, Christina, I’ve been so busy at work that I’m weeks behind in reading blogs…and hadn’t even heard about what happened. I’m so very sorry to hear that your school was part of that tragic situation. I can only try to imagine how I would feel if this happened at the school where I work. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your coworkers. Big hugs.
September 3rd, 2006 @ 10:46 pm
A wise community indeed.
Blessings to you all as you move through the grieving and healing processes.
September 4th, 2006 @ 12:08 am
Beautiful, that we can go on. We must go on. I am picturing a freshly painted new blue door, and loving that so much.
And is there anything more magical that the first day of school? I love that feeling so much, one of the best things of childhood. I know you’ll make it special for all your students.
September 5th, 2006 @ 10:12 am
I like your line about choosing not to be defined by tragedy. You are blessed with a strong community. Thinking of you this week!