Golden Nuggets

Daily Gratitude Year Six-Day 338: Today, I am grateful we can find gold in the little things.

Perhaps, this is what this season is all about: trusting in the unknowns, finding gold in the little things, trading fear of what’s uncertain for freedom to thrive within it. -Morgan Harper Nichols

I have used this quote before, but today there is a different golden nugget to discover. In this season of mad dashes through the snow and schedules that dismay us... when is there time for a one horse open sleigh?

We can stop the insanity by choosing to find the golden nuggets in the little things. 

For a season in my life I worked two part time jobs. I was privileged to work in District 150's Alternative high school and St. Jude at the same time. I had Wednesdays off. I worked with the most incredible people and co-workers in both places. Both had small staffs, so we were close. Both had hurting people to serve, and we were humbled that God allowed us the opportunity to serve in such special places. We were privileged to be engaged in their lives. They trusted us and let us into their trials. We learned as much from them as they did from us.   

One of my PAHS co-workers recently died. Mike was a special and gentle soul. He was a man who loved stories... the kind found in good books, on cemetery stones, in antique furniture and old houses. The time we gathered to celebrate his life was a time of grief ... but a time of celebration, too. Almost our entire staff attended the gathering to remember Mike. But, that wasn't even the best part (and I LOVE those people). It was the students who came and shared their stories of how much Mike (and the staff at Peoria Alternative High School) meant to them. 

So many students came. Some are nearly 40 years old. So many are doing good things with their lives. They are proud of each others successes... and they grieved for the classmates gone too soon. Listening to them chatter about Mike and the school was the sweetest gift. 

Students openly credited Mike and the team for not giving up on them, for pushing them and believing they could be success stories. So many former student are working as professionals, entrepreneurs, professional musicians,  paraprofessionals, tradesmen . One ...who could not attend... is an attorney helping the poor in Chicago. Nuggets of hope and potential turned into real life accomplishments.  

PAHS was housed in what is now the Dream Center in Peoria at the old YMCA. That old building was a perfect fit for our school family in the heart of Peoria. Our students came from housing projects, difficult family scenarios, homes full of sorrows and losses and some from affluent families, too. Some had learning challenges not being addressed 30 years ago. They reminisce about the old building, Mr. Ryon, the other staff and their days there. They felt our tough love and learned to trust it. They learned they could grow through failure. They learned they had a safe place to learn and they took it very seriously.

A pocket full of gold could never compete with hearing their stories; the things they remembered individually and collectively filled our hearts as we listened. Mike would have loved it. He was not a big group guy, but he would have loved listening to them talk. He would have nodded his head listening, laughed, joked, stroked his beard and his bright blue eyes would have twinkled. 

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. -Romans 12:15

Our grief was full. Mike was sick and then gone very quickly with his cancer. I am grateful he didn't suffer long. He would have hated that kind of attention. He will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts. 

Today, I am grateful we can find gold in the little things.