Adults

It has been a long winter: long nights, grey, cold, rainy, sad, isolating, endless.

But spring always returns. We are reminded that we come alive again by new growth, color, singing birds, longer days, warm sun, neighbors emerging, and happy hearts.

This is the cycle of life. Our dark days are enlightened by the hope of a new day.
When winter seems endless, spring impels us forward to joy.

Hope will never disappoint.

As a child, not realizing that seeing 10 seconds into the future during moments of panic wasn’t the norm, Julia couldn't forgive her father for his own murder.

Now as she neared home, a prickle of unease, unfamiliar creaks and voices coming from inside. A vision - shouts, hands, a struggle.

"Dana, could you go whisper to Ms. Perez (the adored math teacher) that I could use a hug?" (She’s a mom friend who "gets it.") It was a rough week - back and forth to the hospital. Room 310’s door burst open - twelve teenagers with wide smiles, who had overheard, enveloped me. Openly, and true to character, I cried. My students teach me, every day, in all the ways that truly matter.