abandon the shoes that had brought you here
from “Finisterre” by David Whyte, Gratefulness.org
right at the water’s edge, not because you had given up
but because now, you would find a different way to tread,
Sometimes we have to abandon shoes, say goodbye, leave something or someone behind.
Today is my last day of summer as we define it in the world of education, not by the actual season but by the school calendar. I go back to school tomorrow. Students will come next Wednesday and the year 2022-23 will be up and running.
I will leave behind the shoes of slow mornings, lingering over coffee and conversation. When this time arrives, it’s hard not to evaluate your summer. The question to my colleagues and students will be “How was your summer?” So in one word, we evaluate how we spent our days off. “Good” “Rough” “Crazy” “Busy” “Fun” “Exhausting”
Which shoes will I reminisce about when I hear this question?
Teva sandals,
straps of yellow, pink, orange, and blue
draw attention to my feet, my yellow toenails.
I can walk through water in these shoes.
Hold steady in a river raft.
They are made of sunshine and beach shores,
strappy bathing suits and splash pad sprinklers.
I relax into them, feel summer fresh.
I will leave these at the shore of school days,
put on sensible teacher shoes,
and walk into a new school year.
If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.
[Paulo Coelho]
Reflections on the Teche 