Each person will meet one of their many Goliaths throughout life, and must don their Davidesqe shoes {I imagine strappy adorable wedge sandals personally} in order to challenge what they believe is wrong.
I have come face to face with one of my Goliaths in the past few weeks: my city council. In my city we are lucky to have a city run before and after school care program as well as a phenomenal preschool program. My four-year old twins have blossomed in this preschool environment. I count myself lucky that they have had this wonderful learning experience the year before they go to kindergarten.
The city tried to cut our preschool program and completely eliminate our before and after school care. Tried. Until the parents united and became their children's voices. We spoke at council meetings and stood our ground when the City Manager came to reiterate that the continuation of the programs seemed bleak at best.
Until, the third and final meeting with the City Manager. I had no intention of going to this last meeting. I was too busy. What I was, I was really too angry.
However, my gut said, go. So, I pushed the anger down grabbed my notepad and decided I would go and listen.
Listen. {Ugh, I just want to shake my fist and yell}
Listen and really try to hear what was being said and try to express my feelings and thoughts in way that would break down the wall I built when I was snarky and sarcastic thorn in the City Manager's side at the previous meetings.
This meeting was different. One, I kept my mouth shut {well, as best I could} and interjected when I thought I could share valid points and tried to support the other parents. Secondly, it felt like we were heard and for the first time despite the words of "I can't offer you hope right now" from Thaddeus, {the aforementioned City Manager}but the parents around that table felt just that. Hope.
I'm not sure how things changed or if it was the unity of our voices that showed Thaddeus he might want to look into stock options for Tums with all the heartburn we were likely to cause him, but within the week things changed. For the better-- we won. Won. There will be some changes, but they are mild into comparison of what was initially proposed. My kids are allowed to continue in this wonderful program with loving teachers and exceptional support staff well into their kindergarten and elementary school years. For this I am thankful.
In an attempt to extend the olive branch I expressed my thankfulness to Thaddeus I delivered a celebration cupcake from my favorite cupcakery {Miss. Priss in Long Beach California.} I just hope he takes it with the good will it was intended and enjoys the cupcake {only later to realize that upon eating the cupcake he is officially on save preschool and child care bandwagon if they ever try to cut it again.}
So, stand up to your Goliath. Put on your Davidesqe shoes and rock your rights-- you may just win and help leave the world a little better than you found it.
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