Preparations

Preparing for new job, new office.

Framing photographs of Gilad, Tom, beloved staff I miss from my former position for new desk and wall. Gathering the odd picture and appropriate posters:

There's Audre Lorde with arms outstretched saying: "When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid." Here's another by Dom Helder Camara: "When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist." This poster rolls out behind the others: "We will meet all of us women of every land. We will meet in the Center, make a circle. We will weave a world web to entangle the powers that bury our children." And then there is Pastor Martin Niemoller - you've heard of this one, surely? "In Germany they first came for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me - and by that time no one was left to speak up." I roll up the posters and slip them into a tote bag. The bag will hang in my office because Christina made it for me. She was a young, gentle, compassionate and competent teacher of young children with strong views and beliefs about how to protect our environment. The truest of true, purest of pure activists. Her bag will definitely accompany me.

Packing up a few boxes with professional journals and books. Not to forget a mug for coffee - the one those parents gave me for Christmas in 1995, from UNICEF, with children dancing around the rim. And how about a plant or two? My desk faces a window. I must leave space for the computer though.

Ada lies close by and looks up as I place something in a box. She eyes me. "Does this mean less time together?" she asks with a blink. I stroke her head gently and firmly just as she likes. "Yes," I reply. "But we'll have weekends and the evenings. I'm not leaving. Just going and coming again. Remember? Like I used to once when we lived in Buffalo." She puts her head back down on her paws and sighs.

I almost forgot. There's my rocking chair. Black and brown wooden slats up the back and a brass plaque that says my name and the years spent at the University Child Care Center. All the staff donated monies for that precious gift last May. I cried and cried with them when I untied the huge golden ribbon and unwrapped it at the party they threw in my honor. What a day that was! Tanya brought her church choir to sing for me and Kathi created chocolate wrappers with my picture on them. What a laugh we had! Janna roasted me. She wore a graying wig, lots and lots of bracelets and very practical shoes. She looked just like me. My mouth dropped open - I was almost speechless. Is that what I looked like? Good Lord! Yes, that chair definitely must go to my new office too. There's a cushion on it that Tom brought back for me from Brussels once, with woven browns and orange tapestry - hand made.

I remember, back in November 2003, when Susan and Tom made a party for me to celebrate the publication of my book. Susan made a speech that made us cry. She compared me to a butterfly! Oh my! Well, the crystal ornament that accompanied the speech? The one with the butterfly engraved in it? That has to come to sit on my desk as a paperweight.

Much to do - but before I forget what it's all about - not that I will, ever - I pull out of the drawer the poster of Statement of Commitment from NAEYC. It will go up on my wall as soon as I arrive:

As an individual who works with young children, I commit myself to furthering the values of early childhood education as they are reflected in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. To the best of my ability I will ...

Ensure that programs for young children are based on current knowledge of child development and early childhood education; respect and support families in their task of nurturing children; respect colleagues in early childhood education and support them in maintaining the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct; serve as an advocate for children, their families, and their teachers in community and society; maintain high standards of professional conduct; recognize how personal values, opinions, and biases can affect professional judgment; be open to new ideas and be willing to learn from the suggestions of others; continue to learn, grow, and contribute as a professional; honor the ideals and principles of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.

The Statement of Commitment expresses those basic personal commitments that individuals must make in order to align themselves with the profession's responsibilities as set forth in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.

I look around at photographs, posters, plants, books, pictures, chair, bag, mug and grand new pen that Tom gave me for Christmas - all spread out on my study floor - boxes waiting. Even my fingers start to tingle with excitement.

I have work to do.

Comments

[adriana bliss]

What a wonderful blend of memory and preparation for the future! I know you'll continue to spread your knowledge to those around you...much like butterflies with pollen.

[Brenda]

Oh wow, already your office feels like home... what beautiful gifts for the giving that you do...

[Tamar]

Thanks Adriana and Brenda!
The boxes are in my car waiting to drive with me ... this old butterfly is ready to go!

[nappy40]

The butterfly is spreading her wings now.

[Ella]

I think I know how you feel, I really do. You've inspired me to bring some personal things to my desk tomorrow. Hmm, let's see what I can find... and yes some posters and plants for the classroom.

[Tamar]

Ella, Glad to have helped! Good luck to us both, eh?

[Ella]

Yes yes yes. We'll be fine. :)