Thank you Edmund Burke!

I have been putting off writing this post for a few weeks and not quite sure why.  In fact, I was just about to click on Netflix when I decided that now was the time.  I wondered why now?  Was it the fact that I just got off Facebook and the last twenty something posts I scanned were Burke alumni or faculty OR was it the fact that it is Thanksgiving and Burke is up there in my top 3 reasons to be thankful OR was it the fact that when I Skyped my nephew in Afghanistan this morning and told him I would not be returning to Burke, he said "But you sure had a good time there, didn't you?", to which I replied "I grew up there Brian."  So now is the time to tell you about the rest of that conversation and to attempt to pay tribute to a special place that taught me, nurtured me and allowed me to grow......and continues to support that growth, even in absentia.

This has the potential to be a very long piece as I spent 22 years of my life at Burke and could not possibly pay tribute in just a few paragraphs.  I mean, I guess I could but that would be like me only talking for 2-3 minutes when I have something meaningful to say and we all know that is a rare occurrence! So, I might write in stages.....or not.  We will see where it goes. In the end, I hope that those of you who have helped shaped my experience at Burke; students, teachers, parents and staff, know how much you have touched me, and for those of you not from Burke, you have certainly missed out but I hope this gives you a little glimpse into a wonderful world that I was lucky enough to call mine.

The Beauty of Burke (reason #1)

Approximately one year ago, I walked into David's office (then Head of School) and told him that this would either be my last year at Burke or I would like to take a leave of absence if this was even an option.  I had just returned from Kripalu Yoga Center where I received my 200 hour yoga certification in a month long immersion program.   The beauty of Burke -David said he absolutely hoped I would consider a leave of absence over retirement and supported me 100%.  I was grateful but not surprised.  Burke had always supported me.  I told him very candidly that I did not know what the future held but needed this time to help explore that question.  Knowing that I had a place to return to and a place that I would want to return to, made the decision easier.....for a while.  All year long people would ask me "are you really coming back?" and I would say,  "That is my intention."  With close friends and colleagues I would open up a bit more and add, "That is my intention, but I want to explore yoga for the year, do some serious inquiry and find out if I am supposed to come back."  I really didn't know the answer and it took a while for me to become o.k. with really not knowing the answer.  The school year ended.  David retired and I was tired.  Summer came and went--the inquiry had already begun.  The school year started.  I wasn't there.  The inquiry continued.  "But it is only October, why should I declare my intention now when I still have a few more months to decide?" I asked. "Because if you know it is time, and I think you do, making the decision now will allow you to travel the next few months with a new lens of exploration and opportunity.  You have many gifts my dear and returning to your safety net is not the way to keep growing," he said.  I took a deep breath, nodded and thanked him.  I knew he was right.  I knew the time was right.  I sent the e-mail.  I drove cross country. There you have the backdrop.  Join me again tomorrow for The Journey.

Happy Thanksgiving.