We'll take a cup of kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne.

Time is a funny thing.
One of those things that is meant to be contemplated, but never fully understood.
It seems to me that you cannot experience the present moment in time, without your memories of the past and your hopes for the future. Some would argue that time as we know it doesn't even exist. Let us save that for another day....
For now, let me just address my gifts from this past year and consider my hopes for the year ahead.

Dear 2011,

• I discovered that teaching high school is even better than teaching junior high! Thank you for the tremendous growth I had in my profession. With the start of this new school year, I saw that the growth would continue, as I met my most challenging group of students ever.  I am hopeful that I will continue to give them the very best that I have, and that your successor, 2012, somehow provides me with an extra dose of patience.
• I found out that online classes are subpar to a traditional classroom setting, and I am intrigued by the trend to this type of experience.  I wonder if the new techonologically infused generation gets more out of them than I do.  I am hopeful that this new year will see many opportunities for me to continue being a student.
• I saw again how you can truly measure the passage of time through the growth of children. New babies were welcomed into my world.  I wish health and happiness to all of the children in my life.
• I realized that I would not be the President of the Ladies Auxillary for the Eagles anytime soon. Perhaps when I am 60. It was interesting though, and I hope that new and interesting experiences will continue to come to me in the new year.
• I experienced life changing peace at the Peace Education Summit in Newark, NJ. I was able to see peace exemplified as I was surrounded by the strongest, most peaceful hearts in the world.  I also fell in love with the Dalai Lama at this event. I am hopeful that I will continue to sew the seeds that were planted in me.
• I saw a possible future cut from me, surgically. Thank you for showing me how strong I can be, and reminding me to appreciate my body.  I hope that I continue to trust in God's plans for me.
• Thank you for the people in my life that I was able to love a lot.  I hope that this new year gives me many opportunities to love the people in my life fiercely.

Yours truly,
Sierra