Day 355: Pain and loss

'Hate will never win...love is love is love is love is love is love. Love cannot be killed or swept aside' - Lin-Manuel Miranda

Project 365: #355

The school flag is flying at half-mast today in honor of all those who lost their lives in the senseless Orlando night-club shooting.  Wise words from the composer of 'Hamilton' in his Tony acceptance sonnet, that no matter what, love will prevail, and this senseless act of hate will result in an outpouring of overwhelming love that will eventually overpower all evil. These terrible acts of random terrorism against the innocent will not create fear, but unity through the pain and loss and love to fight for freedom, will remind us that each day, hour, minute, second is precious, and to live life as such. Loving our neighbor and working together for the betterment of all; putting aside our petty hatred and judgement.

Day 354: Track and field banquet

"Awards can give you a tremendous amount of encouragement to keep getting better, no matter how young or old you are." - Alan Alda

Project 365: #354

What an inspirational coach the Track girls have had, and what a positive impact on their lives. Each one of the captains gave testimony to the positive influence of being part of his team, and being coached by him, of valuable life lessons taught, and the encouragement of their passion and what they love to do. Through his straight forward demands of them, they respect and admire him, and want to go the extra mile for their team. We are so proud of Caitlin for being awarded the Coach's Award for truly reflecting all the values considered important as a team member in track after just one season on the team, and for her achievements throughout the season. She managed this while juggling everything else going on, including IB exams in the middle of it all, missing just one practice the entire season to take her pre-scheduled driver's license test!

Day 353: Inspirational horse show

"With horses, familiarity breeds comfort. If you haven't been around horses for a while (or ever), the best thing to do is to go to the racetrack, a horse show, a rodeo, or some other horsey activity, and watch the horses. Familiarize yourself with the way they move and behave themselves." - Jane Smiley

Project 365: #353

This was such a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon, and I had forgotten how much I love horses and all that comes with them.  After some secret planning so Jeanne didn't know we would be there (so as to not make her extra nervous with additional spectators!), we went on an adventure to the Sussex showgrounds. A perfect day to watch her compete in a dressage competition. The most amazing part of all this was that she hadn't competed for thirty years! What an inspiration to do what you love, conquer your fears, and follow your passion! And with such finesse!

Day 352: Last Friday of school FOREVER!

"I wish my school days could have dragged on a little longer, or that I could go back and do it later in life." - Cara Delevigne

Project 365: #352

Woohoo! Last Friday off to school forever for Caitlin...a happy day for her...one of mixed emotions for me. She is all grown up - even driving her sister to school and back! While all the excitement of finishing school is here, I have warned her that she will miss life of no real responsibilities, and will probably wish she could do it all again one day, knowing what she knows with the experience of life! I never imagined that it would be like this without uniforms, and driving herself...you never know where you will end up in life, so embrace each moment!

Day 351: Rain garden

"Unless we practice conservation, those who come after us will have to pay the price of misery, degradation, and failure for the progress and prosperity of our day." - Gifford Pinchot

Project 365: #351

I am excited to see the conservation efforts here, as it seems as though most of this society is based on consumerism, with little regard for conservation and sustainability. This rain garden outside the middle school in town,  is 'designed to intercept, treat, and infiltrate stormwater at the source, before it becomes runoff. The plants are native to the region and help retain contaminants that could otherwise harm nearby waterways. Rain gardens are beautiful, low-maintenance, and inexpensive gardens that you can install at home'. This is a Rutger's University project, but has inspired me to plant these plants in the bottom of our garden, and encourage my neighbours to do the same. After all, we are the custodians of this beautiful earth, which we need to preserve for our future generations.

Day 350: Final band concert of the year

"Working together in concert more smoothly not only helps us move more quickly; it changes the nature of what we can undertake. When we have the confidence that we can orchestrate the group effort required to realize them, we dare bigger dreams." - Justin Rosenstein

Project 365: #350

When we arrived this year, after our little hiatus in Germany, I did not think that we would experience the amazing school music that we had the privilege of being part of in South Africa. Little did we know! What amazing performances of very talented musicians at their final concert of the year! With the combined bands I think there were seven tubas! Being part of an orchestra or band exemplifies teamwork, creating results and achieving goals that you are unable to accomplish individually. The confidence of group orchestration is carried through to daily lives, daring us to dream as big as our imagination allows, and better yet, to follow those dreams, believing in ourselves and those supporting us all the way!

Day 349: Graduate signs

"In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson." - Tom Bodett

Project 365: #349

The end of Caitlin's school career is fast becoming a reality. There was great excitement this evening when I saw someone on the verge planting this sign. I had forgotten that I had ordered this as a fundraiser....we are officially a 'proud home of a 2016 Menham HS graduate'! Woohoo! It is such fun to drive around town and see these sprinkled on the lawns, and realize that we are not the only family that has endured the senior year, and all that it entails.  This last haul seems to be dragging on forever, and the seniors are now completely ready to spread their wings and embark on their new journeys. This is a sign that they are ready!! They always say to enjoy each moment of them being little, as they are grown up in a flash, and this is so true! Here we are, the end of school for Cait! I do hope that through all her school experience she passes all the tests that life will throw her going forward, and that valuable lessons will be learned.