Full Circle

In February, I taught the idea of the importance of public speaking. I used poetry as an example. I said, "Even the worst poems (like my own) sound great when you put yourself behind that poem and belt it out with confidence." I then expanded the idea, "Conversely, even the world's greatest poem sound terrible if you mumble it quietly like this..." and I launched into Shakespeare's Sonnet 18. I know this sonnet "by-heart" from a drama teaching gig about fifteen years ago. Imagine my surprise when I began reciting (mumbling), "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day..." when first, one student began singing it, then another, then another until by the end of the sonnet, the entire class had sung it along with me.

I stood there in awe, tears welling up a bit. Overcome with emotion. "How do you know that? Who taught you that?" They responded that their drama teacher had put the sonnet to a melody to teach them to memorize it. I was dazzled. What a brilliant teacher. How incredible, too. I mean, I didn't know that before I used that particular sonnet as example. Seriously, I couldn't have planned that lesson if I tried. It was magic.

I relayed this experience on facebook in my delight teaching at this utopia school. Many people "commented" to give credit to that particular teacher. So, I made it my task to meet this incredibly brilliant woman. She is amazing. One of the most kind, caring and dynamic teachers at school. I made a point of stopping by to sit in her rocking chair on my planning bell from time to time to chat with her and just breathe in her drama room space.

My last day at that utopia school, I stopped by her room. She invited me to stay, asking me to paint a canvas that would be used as a prop for a play she was managing for a local theater company. Of course, I agreed, even though I haven't painted in a long time. And how stupid. Why haven't I made time in my life for painting? So, I picked up a brush and delved into my task. Her class filed in and guess what? It was the day for the kids to recite Sonnet 18. There I stood, blissfully painting away singing along with the sonnet.

It was a full-circle moment that left me centered and grateful to have joined the best school I had ever served. I left the paint on my hands all day to remind me of how peaceful painting is for me. What an incredible meditation that centers my being. I won't let that much time pass again depriving me of one of my favorite activities of life. Time to brush the dust off my studio and delve back into my art.