Partnership Educators,
Driving to the annual family Easter Egg hunt that day seemed ridiculous. The wipers swooshing the rain off of the windshield as we traveled along the highway told of a canceled event to my wife and I. The kids were busy talking about the eggs found earlier in the house living room and speculating about the treasures that might be inside as we pulled into my brother and sister-in-law's driveway. The rain was still cascading down and we hurried our way to the front door and were greeted by the thirty or so family and friends who were already there.
Before the hunt, there is a large breakfast and everyone finds a spot and feasts on the smorgasbord of food pleasantries that were brought by the Easter revelers. Luckily they have a fairly large covered patio and living space for all to find room to enjoy the scrumptious food. We talked and laughed as we ate and enjoyed the time together.
It seems to me that anytime you want the weather to be an issue just plan an event. You know a big event. Like an Easter Egg hunt for all of your family and friends. If it's too sunny then it is about how we need cooler temperature or rainy then it's too wet. That day looked as if the weather might get the best of us. Yes, we had hundreds of colored eggs and plastic surprises and a few large prize eggs waiting for the lucky searchers but the wet fields are going to be terribly muddy and messy. I wondered if we were really thinking about doing this still.
While everyone ate the weather broke and the rain slowed to a light drizzle and my brother-in-law happily stated, "Hey, this is a rain or shine event. Everyone who wants to hide eggs grabs a bag and start heading out to the fields and trees."
How much do kids love wet, messy mud? Okay, there may be some who don't care for it too much, but I bet left to their own minds, without someone scrunching up their noses and scolding every time a bit of dirt appeared on their shirts or shoes, that most kids like to get dirty. As we placed eggs that morning it was obvious that people were going to get dirty.
After the egg-shaped treasures were placed in the hidden spaces beyond the sight of the wide-eyed scavenging gold seekers, we were ready. The kids didn't even notice that it was drizzly and cold. They're smiling faces jetted back and forth awaiting the moment to begin foraging for the hidden wild pearls. Pink, green, polka-dotted, bunny shaped, and old-fashioned baskets are twirling around on their arms. They've worn their boots. They've worn their raincoats. They've brought their smiling and anxious parents. Then the moment that everyone is waiting for and the hunt begins.
I have been blessed to be married to a wonderful lady who has been my partner for thirty-five years this coming May. Over that time we had three amazing boys who have become amazing men. But that day, yikes! The question is how are they getting home.
All of the children that day are now grown and have given many of us grandchildren to experience these types of events all over again. They still laugh about the muddy adventures of that day and lots of other days searching for eggs. There were lots of dirty, messy, filthy kids, clothes, coats, and shoes. But mostly there is mud and memories that no one will forget.
Times to remember for the students we work with don't always come in neat packages. Often it is the odd colored, egg-shaped events that they remember the most. Thanks for always looking for ways to create eventful memories for our kids that aren't always considered perfect whether moments but are memorable for their futures.
Enjoy your family and friends during this time off.
Rob
Superintendent
Redding Elementary School District
New Millennium Partnership
5885 East Bonnyview Rd.
Redding, Ca 96001