The Wedding Day

We had planned for almost a year. Our beautiful daughter had always wanted an outdoor wedding.  So the first thing we did once they had narrowed the window for the wedding date, was check the Farmers Almanac to see when it had rained the last time on that date.  We decided on April 9th because it hadn't rained on that day in 26 years.  The odds were in our favor! 

A week before the wedding, everything was in place.  We'd picked a beautiful county club with a patio for the wedding and a ballroom for the reception.  Behind the carpet of green stood the stark mountains so typical of those found in the Arizona desert.  We just knew that it would be a beautiful sunny day April 9th.  When my daughter called to say that rain was predicted for the following Saturday, I wasn't too worried.  When you live in the desert, you hear a lot of weather reports that predict rain, most of which end up being inaccurate.  I told her not to worry. 

As the day got closer the percentage for the chance of showers went up; but I just couldn't believe that it would actually rain.  However, when Friday night arrived and we gathered for the Rehearsal, it was down right cold.  I began to wonder if rain was reality for Wedding Day.  I realized that we had a choice, we could either be upset and ruin the day, or we could be happy have fun and celebrate.  We chose the latter.

It didn't rain during the ceremony; but it did before and after.  Chairs were set up on the patio under the awning.  Almost 200 people gathered, looking out at the lush green.  The clouds were visibly moving, and the moutains were touched with grey haze.  The seats closest to the heaters were the most popular.  When the bride turned the corner to head up the aisle, the crowd that had gathered audibly gasp.  She was so beautiful; and her dad so proud.  As we listened and watched, a flock of birds flew back and forth across one corner of the golf course.  At dusk, the fountain behind the couple lit up.  And then the ceremony was over. 

Ten minutes into the reception, the rain and cold was forgotten.  It was time to eat and dance. 

Rain. After 26 years of no rain.  There had to be a lesson in this.  After much pondering, I've come to this conclusion: It was a strong reminder from God of a few things.

First of all, He's in control - not the weathermen, not me. not the Farmers' Almanac, not even history. That's a good thing. He knows some much more than we do what is in our best interest, even when it makes no sense to us.  

Secondly,  in life we have a choice.  When the skies are cloudy and it "rains on our parade," we can either be happy with what we have or be upset about circumstances beyond our control.  Especially in marriage, that is a HUGE lesson if learned early can mean a better life.   I pray that how Will and Rach started - smiling inspite of the rain - will be how they spend their years together.  Because they are human, there will be difficult times.  However, I trust that God will bring to mind their wedding day and how wonderful it was, rain and all. 

On the way to the wedding, a friend of mine saw the brightest rainbow she had ever seen.  It was so bright, she made her husband pull over so she could take a picture of it.  God sent the rainbow as His message of hope to His people many years ago.  There it was again for a young couple starting their life together.

I thanked one of the servers for helping us make the wedding celebration all it could be.  She said, "So many families get upset and angry when it rains.  But you all didn't, you had a great time and were happy.  I think that's great." 

"Hey," I responded, "It's Wedding Day, what's a little rain."  I was so grateful for her words. We chose to be a blessing and were blessed.  With the rain came a lifelong reminder that while God is in control, He lets us choose whether we follow in His character or get sidetracked with anger and negativity.

Education Re-Form: Pig vs. chicken

I've never been a real breakfast person.  Even though I used to be a "morning person," I just couldn't get into the whole breakfast thing.  Having said that, I've always absolutely loved bacon.   I'm acutely aware of the sacrifice that the pig makes in this case.  It doesn't mean I don't like eggs or that the chicken isn't doing the best she can, it just means that the pig makes the ultimate sacrifice, and I am the benefactor.

When I started a charter school 13 years ago, I did it with a group of people who were committed to offering a good choice to families.  When I left the district, I became the pig on the breakfast plate of school reform. I left security to live what I had professed. While my friends who stayed in the district did their best to change an old rusty system that in many ways had forgotten why it exists -for kids; I began an adventure with the commitment that all decisions would be made with the consideration of how they affected kids.

So, what does a good choice look like?  It can look as different as all the differences that we find in each student.  Whatever it looks like, it looks especially good to parents who simply want the opportunity for their students to receive a high quality education.  It doesn't matter the color or social economic status of parents, there are many who care deeply about the educational opportunities afforded they kids. 

I knew right away that I had a lot to learn. That meant attending trainings with other educators.  I discovered that district educators considered charter educators as "enemies of the state."  I had to develop a thick skin and an eye only for the target - to provide the opportunity for high quality education for ALL kids.  Soon after we opened our doors, I flew to San Diego to attend an ASCD training on curriculum by design.  I sat at a table with 10 other educators in a packed room.  Everyone was pleasant and talkative.  Our first assignment was to go around the table and introduce ourselves.  I was the last person at the table to do introductions.  When I introduced myself and explained that I was with a charter school, eight of the nine other people at the table picked up their things and moved to a different table.  The remaining lady said, "It's ok.  I'll stay here with you."  I wanted to cry and run out of the room; but I reminded myself that I had paid a lot of money for the workshop, so I stayed.