Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Blue Christmas--Didn't Elvis Sing About This?


I know it may seem like I haven't been in BlogLand--since I haven't posted for several days--but I've been here every day.  I've visited and commented and marveled at the cute and crafty activities and materials that I have seen on so many sites.

Until this year, I never realized how much I miss holiday festivities at school.

Sigh.

Twenty five years ago, I taught in a special education classroom for kids with significant disabilities.  We decorated a tree, baked cookies, made presents for friends and families, and sent the kids home with armloads of presents.  It was a time of LOVE and JOY.  For many of these kids, it was the only holiday celebration they would have.  We were respectful of the cultural differences of families and tried to have "something for everyone."  Santa visited, we lit candles for Kwanzaa, and we played the dreidel game.  We had a choral performance featuring songs from around the world and rejoiced in the season of giving and peace. 

Fast forward two decades.  That same school is now "holiday neutral."  After reading countless blogs and seeing hundreds of trees, elves, Santas, dreidels, and the like, I realize that we are, instead, "holiday missing."

I TRULY recognize the importance of being respectful of every child and family.  And I would never want to offend anyone.  But I feel like my "holiday spirit" has been put on hold until the last child leaves school and "winter break" begins.  Not a wreath, candy cane or holly sprig is in sight.  We just do our work and count the days.

In order to help ease my heavy heart, I have helped the Student Council organize a canned food drive.  By focusing on the needs of others, I hope we can kindle a little "good will" in recognition of the needs of so many people this year.  Through encouraging the "spirit of giving," maybe I will feel like I am, in a small way, bringing the sentiment of the season into my second home.

And, in reality, I understand and accept the restrictions.  Maybe it just makes me feel so old because "It wasn't always this way."  And, perhaps, it makes me feel sad because we are missing a chance to connect with many kids and families.  I worry that by saying nothing, we suggest that it is best to feel nothing about the many traditions and celebrations that ARE a part of many children's lives.  Like a missing puzzle piece, these two weeks feel incomplete. 

Next week, I will miss handing out candy canes and little presents.  I will miss hearing a chorus of "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" as I send the students out the door.  I will wish them a safe and happy "two weeks away."  But, in my heart, regardless of how--or if--they celebrate, I will be hoping for whatever will fill their days with JOY and PEACE.

15 comments :

  1. I like your analogy that it is a missing piece of the puzzle! It really is hard to ignore it, and I'm so sorry that you have to leave it out. I appreciate your great attitude though! Joy and Peace are always in season!

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  2. Casey:

    As always, you add such a calm, sweet perspective. Thanks SO MUCH!

    Kim

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  3. Waaaah!! This is sad!!!! :(
    Let's cheer you up! Have you read Miss Kindergarten's blog about the So Cal Blogger Meet Up??????!!!!!!
    A Teeny Tiny Teacher

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  4. Glad I teach in a small, rural school...we wrote letters to Santa last week, make Xmas bookmarks with 2nd graders, and during our last week we'll be reading xmas stories to the k-class.
    Merry Christmas,
    Pat

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  5. Great blog and great posts.
    Dawn
    http://literacymathideas.blogspot.com/

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  6. Pat:

    Thanks for the Christmas wish. That was my FIRST! Merry Christmas back to you!

    Kim

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  7. I am SO sad for you and your school community. Maybe you won't be able to read Great JOY to your class, but I KNOW that it'll bring that peace you're looking for. . . it's on its way to sunny CA.!!! Thanks for blogging so openly about your heavy heart.

    Barbara

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  8. Barbara:
    YOU bring me great joy! And I have LOTS of (big and little) friends with whom I can read. Maybe this story will become a new Christmas tradition.

    Thankfully, I'm not generally heavy-hearted. Maybe this "avoidance" will just make the "real" celebration all the merrier!

    I'll be on the look out!
    Thanks, BlogFriend!

    Kim

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  9. Hi Kristin:

    Thanks for the sentiment. (Big Waaaah from my teeny tiny friend--that alone cracks me up!)

    I'll check in with Hadar. Thanks for the heads up!

    Kim

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  10. I'm sorry Kim!! I love the idea canned food drive, what a nice way to still get in some holiday spirit.
    Kristen

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  11. Hi Kristen:

    Thanks for the cheer up! I know things will be better when we can focus on helping others. Thanks for checking in...

    Kim

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  12. Hi Kim, I totally understand how you feel. I am a Christmas nut and it pains me to not be able to do any holiday stuff with my kids. In the past, we have celebrated everybody's holiday. My room had kid created decorations of every faith, ethnicity, and choice. Now, we have to be holiday neutral. My answer has been snowmen. We do a winter theme with snowmen/women/kids even some snowpets, lots of snowflakes, and any other winter thing I can think of. It's helped to bring some jolly back into our room! I see from your most recent post you are feeling a bit more of the jolly yourself. Good!! :-D

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  13. Nancy:
    Thank you for stopping by. And thank goodness for snowmen... snowpeople? I just read your "Favorite Things" post. Hooray for you!

    Merry Christmas!
    Kim

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  14. I hear you! At my school we are pretty low key and there is an opportunity for children to share their holiday spirit. I do sneak in some generic holiday activities a la snowflakes, gingerbread man activities, etc. However, my daughters' schools have made all holidays taboo. What a shame and truly a disservice to those kids who should learn about our similarities and differences. It brings everyone closer together.

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  15. And at what point in their lives do students learn to respect differences if we take differences away? The month of December should be an opportunity to learn about cultures and traditions of everyone.
    Merry Christmas to you.

    Theresa

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