THE BACK PAGE by Riney Jordan
Advertiser Index DK Haney Roofing .................................. 6 www.dkhaneyroofing.com
Why are you doing this?
T
hat’s a very thought-provoking question. Why do you get up every morning, rush to get to your desk — many of you fighting traffic that is almost beyond belief? I know. Some of you will immediately think: “I need the money. I have to work.” If that’s the only reason, let me encourage you to find a job that pays better, involves less stress, requires less responsibility. Oh, those jobs are out there. If that paycheck is your only reason for teaching, do yourself a favor and submit your resignation today. For, you see, the really effective school employee — be it a teacher, principal, school secretary, bus driver, superintendent, school board member or whatever — does it because they care about making a difference in the lives of others. There may be other reasons, but if that one is not No. 1 on your list, I believe you’re missing the greatest reward that our profession has to offer. Our youngest daughter and her husband recently adopted an infant from Ethiopia. Now, bear in mind that they already have three children of their own, but they saw an opportunity to make a difference in the life of another human being. They named her Violet, and how things have changed for her! Violet had been discarded — literally. She was found abandoned in a box. The policewoman who found her turned her over to a local orphanage, where her future was uncertain. Violet had been born with severe facial defects. Her nose was in the roof of her mouth; her lips were nonexistent. Yet God had blessed her with the most beautiful eyes you have ever seen. She uses her eyes to smile. They sparkle and you know what she is expressing. Our little Violet has turned 2. The reconstructive surgery has begun; although, she has a long way to go. When I am holding her or watching her as she learns to walk or listening to the guttural sounds she makes for speech, I cannot help but think: “Where would she have been if the policewoman had not heard her cries? What would have 30
Texas School Business • July / August 2014
happened if caring individuals at the hospital and orphanage had not invested in saving her life? What if our daughter and son-in-law had not had the desire to help such a child in need? On a recent day, things were not going well for our daughter. There were too many errands to run. Baseball schedules for the boys had to be met. Dance lesson for the older daughter. On top of the stresses of everyday living, plumbing problems reared an ugly head that day. Then, during a brief thunderstorm, a leak was discovered in the roof. Violet had not been at her best behavior either this particular day. As our daughter was rushing out of the grocery store, pushing a cart with Violet in it, Violet dropped her bottle. As our daughter reached down to pick up, a few things fell out of her purse. At that moment, she wondered: “Why am I doing this?” Tears welled up in her eyes. She was at her wits’ end. As she stood back up, she looked at Violet, who returned her gaze with those big, gorgeous, understanding eyes. For just a moment, the world stopped. And as they looked into each other’s eyes, this beautiful little 2-year-old girl raised her little hand, formed it into a fist with her thumb extended and placed it over her heart. The small, circular motions said it all. In the language of those who cannot express audibly, she was signing, “I’m sorry.” Yes, they will disappoint us. They will make mistakes. There will be days when you are at your breaking point. But remember one thing: You might just be the most important person in their lives, and they need to know that you care. Every day, you have the opportunity to change a life — forever. Why are you doing this? I think you know the answer. RINEY JORDAN, whose best-selling book “All the Difference” is now in its sixth printing, is an international speaker and humorist. He can be reached at riney@yahoo.com or by visiting www.rineyjordan.com.
Shweiki..................................................... 9 www.shweiki.com Spectrum Corp. ...................................5, 11 www.spectrumscoreboards.com Stand 2 Learn. .......................................... 9 www.stand2learn.com Sungard K-12 Education........................... 2 www.sungard.com TASA......................................................... 4 www.tasanet.org TCPN...................................................... 32 www.tcpn.org Texas Association of School Business Officials .................. 31 www.tasbo.org Texas School Business......................4, 7, 11 www.texasschoolbusiness.com WRA Architects Inc. ................................ 5 www.wraarchitects.com
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