I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew
up. Before college my parents paid a
skillion dollars for a series of tests which would help me select a major and
pursue a career. After a long day of
personality and aptitude exams we sat down with the counselor and learned my
strengths lay in working with people.
Since I love and hero worship my Dad I decided
to major in business at Texas A&M. I
thought that would please him and make him proud. I took an accounting course. I changed my major to Education. I love and hero worship my mother. She taught school for many years.
I earned my degree and began teaching first
grade. I would arrive at school by 6:00
every morning, work until 6:00 every night, all day Saturday, and sometimes
most of Sunday. I loved the children and
families. I loved the other educators
with whom I worked. I felt uneasy and
restless. I found my dream job when we
moved to Chattanooga (but really my dream job found me). I earned my Master’s
degree in education. I felt uneasy and restless.
My babies were born. I sat in my hospital bed. Something washed over me. I think it was peace. I don’t know for sure. Someone whispered in my ear, “You don’t have
to search anymore.” I shivered.
It happened today at the Children’s Museum. The Trifecta danced while singing a song
about a rainbow. We made fruit loop
necklaces using the ROY G BIV pattern (but actually The Trifecta ate most of
the cereal and commented continuously about the deliciousness of the sugary
delight). I stood in the middle of a
tall staircase overlooking the museum.
Hendley had engaged in a game of imaginary play with a large car upstairs,
Elizabeth worked downstairs at the water table, and Mary Ellis’ body moved in fast forward
as she completed a loop up the staircase, down the slide, up the staircase,
down the slide. I smiled as I watched them
all; so happy, so busy, so involved in the occupation of play.
At unexpected times and in unexpected places a
feeling of harmony rolls through me. 
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