Perpetual Drafts of the Perpetually Daft

I am laughing at myself reading my previous post (with some pride as well) that I was leaning into the discomfort of the unknown.  About 2 weeks after that last cryptic post, I sent this email out: ...I am applying to be an educator at your wonderful school. I love all the ways your program fully embraces the idea of connection and community. Your learners not only get to experience exploring the land, but care for it, planting and harvesting, then sharing these gifts with communities in need. After being an elementary special education teacher for 15 years back in NYC and a part time outdoor play facilitator for 5 years, your program is my dream environment in which to teach.   Attending the Reaching Nature Connection Conference in 2015 (hosted by the Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers) profoundly changed the way I view my role as an educator. Being confined to the four walls of my special education classroom, this outdoor learning opportunity literally opened the door...

 Whew, it's been about a year and we are still here. Too many painful losses from the past year but I promise to remember and hold them in my heart always.   I'm here because I'm about to start something new. Not quite defined but feels right. Like I'm entering a tunnel but know it's the right one to enter still unsure of the otherside. Or this memory I have where I was skiing down a mountain and I was literally in the clouds, couldn't see what was in front of me and yet! I felt such thrill! I think I was about 12 or 13. I wonder if I was older I would be worried about crashing into a tree or a person? Somehow I knew the way down because I had gone down the path before, but this time I had to go blind. And it was a thrill. I might be going down that hill "again". I might crash? But it just feels right. I'm excited for the process even though I am so unsure of where it will lead. At my age, I thought I would be comfortable in an okay job, awaiting r...