Through My Pane Glass Window
Because of autumn’s arrival a few Beaumont ISD employees reaped the benefits of a seemingly misplaced pecan tree. Perhaps other employees who passed by it daily were not as fond of the Texas state tree. I say that because it’s hard not to notice the tree that’s conspicuous by its height of more than 70 feet and a standoffish presence, away from the other trees along Harrison Street in front of the administration building. This year I was reminded of the tree’s existence when I peered outside of my office window one afternoon and saw a few co-workers using their lunch break to partake in a backbreaking, tedious task of harvesting the nuts that had fallen to the ground.
With each day that passed, the tree bore fewer leaves. Those that remained were withering away as their fleeting, vibrant, rich green color turned shades of rust or burnt orange and then later to brown, an apparent transformation or “change” that transpires each year during the fall. As we travel through life’s journey, we also experience change. Sometimes it’s expected, and then there are times when we are caught off-guard by change. In the past few weeks, members of BISD’s family experienced both heartwarming and heartbreaking change. For some of us the change was the arrival of a newborn and for others the death of loved one. In recent weeks, I tried to fight change, but reluctantly accepted the resignations of two loyal employees. Although I know like the transformation of a pecan tree, life’s changes are always in due season, that is, they come at the appropriate time.
As I leave you with my last journal for 2012, I encourage you to say a prayer for our comrades in Newtown, CT. who are dealing with an unspeakable crime. This life changing tragedy could have come to any school district’s doorsteps including ours.
2013 will be here before I see some of you again; remember to look forward to new beginnings. “Change” is inevitable, but the choice is yours to view it as a “beginning” of something new instead of the “end” of what was. Take time to appreciate life’s moments and hold them dear while embracing what comes. This is a personal lesson gleaned from a tree outside my window and from watching those who took time to value its fruit.
Focused on every child every day
-Dr. Timothy Chargois
