10 Years 9/11/01

I remember 9/11/01 so vividly. It was my first year teaching in Duxbury, MA. One of my very first days as a fourth grade teacher at Alden School. I was at the far end of the front of the school on the second floor. Somewhat isolated from others, but it was kind of nice too. I had a class of 22 or so kids, I can remember so many of them, (okay all of them) so clearly. There was K.A.-a lively, vibrant student--one whom people had warned me about; he was known to topple desks, talk back and rebel in any way he could, he was the most amazing artist and deepest child, once you took the time to break his walls down. There was N.C.-a physically bigger kid, who had an immeasurable heart and such a quiet demeanor. There was: M.C., M.S., H.S., A.W., K.M. and E.M.-many of whom thought they were 15 or so rather than 10 or 11 years old. I remember them all. They were my first class there, but they also were THE CLASS. The class I watched personally lose their innocence.

It was a glorious Tuesday, the sky a picturesque blue, not a cloud at all. We were in class and the school guidance counselor came to talk with me in the hallway in the midst of a lesson. I was a mere 25 years old, fresh out of graduate school and immediately thought, I must have done something wrong. Mrs. D. informed me in the hall outside my classroom about the events that were taking place in NYC. I can remember where I was standing, where she was standing, I remember her telling me two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center, I remember thinking about all of my close family members and college friends-many of whom resided in NYC and NJ and worked in the World Trade Center towers. I remember being terrified. I remember my baby sister studying abroad in Italy, she had left from JFK airport just a few days before. I remember the reality that I had to be the adult and go back into the classroom and act as nothing different had happened.

When the day reached the point that our indescribably talented principal, Mrs. S., opted to have us read a scripted statement to our students, I remember the different atmosphere that instantly was created. Instead of sitting at their desks in chairs, I recall the kids sitting on their desks and us in a open circle format. I remember reading this short, yet so incredibly life altering paragraph to them and purposefully not looking up from the paper as I read to avoid catching a worried eye or tearful expression.

And then, it happened--which I should have known, but never was prepared for. The questions-the whys, the hows, the we need to know more more more! And I couldn't tell them more...We were told to just read the statement and let their parents fill in the blanks at home. One savvy student-the daughter of a fellow Alden teacher, asked me "Miss Ritt, planes crash all the time, no one ever tells us in school and they NEVER crash into the same place and not into a building? What's really going on?" I told her that was all I knew, though I really knew she was way too smart to accept that.

The following day, kids poured off the busses and in true child like fashion many asked me if I knew what had happened-as if I could have avoided it. For the night of 9/11, my former roommate and I watched CONSTANT coverage, ESPN, CNN, FOX, MTV, you name it. It was EVERYWHERE. I don't remember much following that on 9/12/01. I do remember a student telling me her mom told her "The Jews caused it." I remember how much that stung and how hard it was to not be personally hurt by this child/mother's words, but I also remember how we all were just looking for someone to blame, some answers.

The days afterward 9/11 were such a haze; I remember hearing about a few college friends narrowly escaping, running from the towers, missing subways or being home sick that day and counting their lucky lucky lucky stars. And then it happened...

I remember getting the phone call at my parents' house in Sharon, on a phone line we rarely answered, on Rosh Hashannah night. It was an old students' mother-her husband, their father-was missing. He worked in the towers and couldn't be located. She asked me to come over and talk with my former first grader and spend time with them. I remember the disbelief, the sadness, the feeling of necessity to be there and to fix what this now 8 year old and his 7 year old brother were feeling, let alone their amazing and now torn mother. And so we went. A family friend/ fellow teacher and I went to their home. I saw confusion, Lego towers built by the boys to match the twin towers and I will NEVER EVER forget D's one question, when I asked him if there was anything I could do... "Umm.. Yeah, could you tell me who did this to my dad and why?"

Now being a mother of two small daughters and wanting to protect them from everything; teasing, tripping, tears, terrorism, all of it... I realize I can't. I couldn't take away the 44 eyes looking at me for answers I never had or will have-why, why does someone feel such strong hatred towards us to do that? I couldn't answer a son's question of why someone would take a dedicated father from his two sons and adoring wife. I couldn't do it.

9/11/01 allowed me to retain such powerful memories of my students in that class. It allowed me to connect with my future students on a deeper level, and with people in general. It has allowed me the want to teach our children about being Americans and what that really means.

I am hopeful that tomorrow will not be just another ordinary day. So many lives were lost, changed and forever impacted. And I want to be able to take the time and reflect on the fond times when our innocence had not ended.

Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didn't have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standing by
When "happily ever after" fails
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers dwell on small details
Since daddy had to fly
But I know a place where we can go
That's still untouched by man
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
You can lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
O' beautiful, for spacious skies
But now those skies are threatening
They're beating plowshares into swords
For this tired old man that we elected king
Armchair warriors often fail
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers clean up all details
Since daddy had to lie
But I know a place where we can go
And was away this sin
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair spill all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
Who knows how long this will last
Now we've come so far, so fast
But, somewhere back there in the dust
That same small town in each of us
I need to remember this
So baby give me just one kiss
And let me take a long last look
Before we say good bye
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence.

August Snaps

Here are some new cuties!

Thank you Billy Dalwin!

When I was in sixth through ninth grade my parents decided to send me to private school. For assorted reasons, they felt it was best for me. Despite my opposition, I went and each day we went by car and later by school mini-van an hour or so to school and an hour or so back home. I remember vividly a snow day that it took us at least two hours to get there only to arrive and discover that during the time it took to get there the school had decided to close due to weather. :)

I was baffled not only by my parents' decision to drive me such a distance for four years, but why they felt so strongly when I told them I wanted to go to school closer to home. Clearly they knew that my educational experience was best served where I was going. Despite the extra effort it took from them, they wouldn't have done it differently. As a mom now, as with many things, I am understanding why.

Driving to camp this summer, each and every Monday/Wednesday/Friday was one of my most favorite times of the day for me. Jenna, Maya and I would pile into the car and sing to our music, share a coffee/munchkin snack some days and talk over our typically 40 minute drive. We'd talk about: the day ahead, the theme for the week at camp, their friends and more. They'd ask questions, tell me stories and bond.

Each morning saying goodbye to Jenna left the lump in my throat that happened when I dropped her off at school, sad I was leaving my BIG GIRL, worried how she would do and a little envious of Lucie and Lois that they got to keep her all morning, but this summer it was different. Jenna hugged me more tightly, smiled more brightly and walked away SO much more confident and happy.

When people ask, "Where does Jenna go to school/camp?" and I respond we drive to Lexington their facial or verbal responses are often as if I told them I take her to the moon! "Wow that's SO far!" And really, it isn't. "Aren't there other schools/camps in the area, or at least closer that you could send her to?" And really there aren't. Well, not where she and we would gain the same experience for our dear Jenna. We value so deeply the personal attention, care, love, support, education, sincerity, honesty, (the list goes on and on) that you have shown for our family. For us there is only one place that makes sense, Billy Dalwin.

Today, as camp was ending and people were hugging and kissing and waving goodbye, I got that same lump in my throat. I felt for those families who were off to kindergarten or some other school in the fall and was sad. We are immensely grateful for the work you all do and I continue to be amazed with the entire Billy Dalwin staff. EVERY PERSON there take her job as a passion and labor of love. It not only shows to the adults, but to the kids and for us-that's really all we could ask for. You take the time to "get" each kid, to love each kid and to let them know it. Jenna knows it and therefore, loves you in return.

Thank you for a fabulous summer. Jenna's comment said it best, as I shared with Shelley earlier this week, "You know Mommy, I'm pretty sad that camp is ending, but the best part is, I can go back to school and do it all over again!!!!!"

xoxo

Please enjoy the remainder of the summer and RELAX!!!! We look forward to more fabu times ahead!!

Much appreciation,

Leigh, Scott, Jenna and Maya

JDRF Walk 2011

We're walking... AGAIN

See-ya!!!! I'm off to camp!

Jenna headed off to camp and never looked back. She is having a BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jenna is loving the themes that they have and really looks forward to celebrating Shabbat at camp as well. She plays in the water, swings on the swings, eats lunch there and three afternoons a week gets a much needed nap after she gets home! :)

Uncle Derek moves to Beantown! (Sort of)

Since my sister, Samantha, told me she was moving to NY years back, I have wished her to return to MA. She went there for a job and found (well re-found) her love, Derek. Samantha and Derek were a college "connection"-near the end of their senior year. Sam introduced me to him at a party at Colgate and I thought-WOW! He was so devoted to Sam, so sweet with her and so much fun! When she told me she was going to take a job in NY I think I always knew that she would stay there and likely end up with Derek and I am elated that the latter part was correct.

Samantha and Derek have lived in NY for getting close to 10 years now. They talked briefly about coming to live in MA after Sam finished grad school and then opted to stay so Derek could tackle business school. Samantha and Derek are so supportive of each other; one of the most impressive qualities about them as a couple is there willingness to "take one for the team" and do what the other needs to help them succeed. They truly are such a wonderful match.

They have been so sweet with and to our daughters. They were there for both of their births-meeting each of their nieces the day they were born-and shower them with phone calls, hugs, gifts and such attention and devotion.

Derek has had the opportunity to complete part of his internship here in Boston this summer. Ironically being housed at the same glorious hotel he and Sam were married in in November of 2007. Due to his "move" here for a short time, we have been extra lucky to have Samantha come and visit two out of the last three weekends. The first weekend she brought the well adored Puppy Charlie and this weekend the famed and deeply missed Uncle Derek.

Charlie's visit is still talked about at length for his interaction with Big Bird and Maya's requesting him to "jump down." Jenna loved taking a walk around the neighborhood with her baby in the stroller and Auntie Sam escorting Charlie around. Derek's visit, albeit short for the girls as he arrived after a tough day of work and they girls were heading to bed, was still much anticipated. Maya even asked for him again as she went to sleep. Jenna enjoyed a special treat of having her books read to her by Auntie Sam and got to show off all of her "moves" to her.

As the girls often do, when they woke up this morning (MUCH later than usual) asked where Auntie Sam and Uncle Derek were. When I explained they were back at the hotel, the ideas streamed in as to how it could be arranged to see them again today, tomorrow, you get the idea. We all wish they lived closer. We wish Uncle Derek LOADS of luck-though he doesn't need it-and hope that as next summer approaches we can say Auntie Sam and Uncle Derek move to Beantown FOR REAL! :)

Raspberry Picking

something we never ever have-a free day! :) A Mommy and the girls day, as Scott was at work. Maya and Jenna immediately started flooding me with ideas of things they wanted to do, places they wanted to go, and we finally opted to go raspberry picking. Maya has coined Brooksby Farm in Peabody "Bob Watts' Farm" as we saw him there a few weekends ago.

We arrived at "Bob Watts' Farm" and entered the barn to get our picking baskets. Each of the girls took her own basket and was on her way. Funny to see how each of them picked so differently-Jenna picked then ate, picked then ate, picked then ate. Maya selected to pick, walk to the next bush, taste one, spit it out, pick, walk to the next bush, taste one, spit it out, and so on. After Maya's container was full to the brim, it would inevitably get too heavy and she'd drop it on the ground. Scrounging around on the ground trying to salvage each and every berry she'd worked so hard to get, she'd tell me "OH-NO! Berries all on the ground, go get more now!" And so she would.

We enjoyed our time in the berry field, took a quick jaunt around to visit with the emu, llama, pigs, chickens, sheep and the lone (sorry looking) goat. We hopped into the car all smiles and sweaty. Sometimes the best laid plans go astray and then new best plans are made. :)