And a Semester Ends

I knew it would be hard. For nearly a year I have been on this roller coaster of emotions as I anticipated and planned for taking a one semester sabbatical from my position as Lower School Librarian at La Jolla Country Day School. And it was difficult to meet classes that last school week of December. And to talk to parents, who all wished me well, and confirmed that, while they would miss me, they shared my excitement, and were proud, as I am, of our school for recognizing the value of continued education. Fortunately, I had a good story to tell that last week of the semester, and there is nothing like a good story to move the teller and the listeners beyond the present moment and into the world of imagination and truth.
Not too long ago I was honored to attend the Word's Alive luncheon. One of the speakers was Gregory Maguire, whom many know as the author of "Wicked." I have been fortunate to know him as an expert in children's literature and as a leader of Children's Literature New England, a week-long symposium that took place annually for twenty years. I was able to participate in CLNE for the final two of those years, and the memories and inspirations are huge in to me personally and professionally. Greg's greeting to me was heart-warming, as he said it was a happy surprise to meet, in California, a Children's Literature New England participant. During his talk, he quoted Robert Scruton. It is that powerful quote that I share with you now.

"The consolation of imaginary things is not imaginary consolation."

If ever I needed a reminder of the veracity of that one sentence, it was as found consolation in sharing a story that last school week of December. The story? "The Polar Express," of course.