Butterfly Wednesdays, Supporting Daniel's Family, Dyanne's Wisdom

Dear Golden Forest Families,

It continues to be ever more delightful to be with your children at our beautiful schools surrounded by incredibly rich and expansive forests.  Our first two days back have been nothing short of radiant.

BUTTERFLY WEDNESDAYS
It was fun to mix with the Butterfly nursery children on the playground on Wednesdays in the Fall.  We will start to do so again starting tomorrow (April 17).  We will eat snack outside and join the nursery for a short walk or time on our playground (I have hopes of bringing out the Maypole which your children danced with me in parent & child and nursery, and around which some of the current nursery children danced with me).  WE WILL START DISMISSING AT LUNCH TIME FROM OUTSIDE ON WEDNESDAYS FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.  (Thursdays will continue as an indoor dismissal).

SUPPORTING DANIEL'S FAMILY
Daniel's mother broke both her ankles over the April break.  I am impressed by her resourcefulness and the support she and Daniel are receiving from friends and members of their church community.  I know families in our class would like to help as well.  I spoke to Nancy Barker (who is dropping off Daniel and with whom Daniel is spending many nights), and she thinks what would help Marilyn most in the short term is parents and children inviting Daniel over for play dates (beginning at 12:30) next week.  It has been harder for Nancy and Marilyn to find care for Daniel during that time until Nancy is off from work.  I know several children have been asking to have Daniel over; this would be a great time to set something up.  Nancy thinks calling Marilyn directly would be the best way to schedule this.  Her phone is 360-331-3597.

DYANNE'S WISDOM ON BIRTH INTO THE SPIRITUAL WORLD
Please read Dyanne's words that she composed (below).  While our class as a whole seems abundantly joyful when together on our playground or in the woods,  I know individual children in our class were very connected to the Hobbs family.  I will tell something like story Dyanne describes to our children over the next two days.

With appreciation,

William

Dear dear parents,
Many, if not all of you have heard the very sad news of Rhianna Hobbs' death.  Rhianna and her twin brother Ryder are 10 years old and have been part of our school community, on and off, over the past 7 years.  Of the scanty information I have received thus far, Rhianna suffered chest pains yesterday while horseback riding with Ryder, and soon after, passed.  Although the story that has quickly circulated reports that she was kicked by her horse, it is actually stil unclear what the cause of death was.

This morning while setting up the classroom I was informed of this shocking news.  Many of you let me know at drop off that your children had some level of awareness of the situation.  I could see within the first ten minutes of the day that about half of the class were conscious of sadness and of a tragic story.  The class as a whole was connected to the turning of events and the emotions in the air.

At story time, I chose to bring a different story than the fairy tale that they are receiving right now.  It was not the fullest of stories, but I felt good about it's message and I observed a positive response from the children throughout the morning.  I feel it was a beginning step toward helping the children feel the goodness in the world and the rightness of things.  I cannot give to you word for the word what came through me this morning.  But I would like to share with you some of the salient points so that you have something to build upon as your families attempt to weather this news and the deep feelings of loss.

Not so long ago, and not so far away, there was a little angel who lived with her big angel.  (this is the beginning of the birth story the children have grown to know and love).
This little angel was about to make her way across the rainbow bridge when she found her dear dear friend who had promised to go with her.  Together the two crossed the rainbow bridge, and when they awoke, they were in the arms of their mommy and daddy.  The two grew together, did many things together, and loved each other very much.  (Here is where many real stories can be inserted about swimming, gardening, running through the fields, performing on the stage in plays, etc.)  While here on the earth, the girl discovered a very special animal who would come to be her other best friend.  This was her horse.   (More can be inserted here).  One day, the girl heard a calling from a distant place.  When she listened carefully, she could hear the voice of the Sun King.  She knew his voice from the land where she lived before earth.  He was calling her to return to the land of the Sun, for she was soon to have completed her tasks on earth and the Sun Beings were preparing to welcome her back to the land of the Sun.  The girl was not sure the way back to the rainbow bridge.  So, she gathered together her two best friends...her brother and her horse, and asked them to help her find the way to the rainbow bridge that she may cross it to Sun Land.  They agreed to do so and took her out on the beautiful trails until at last they came to the gateway to the rainbow bridge.  The girl kissed her brother and her horse good bye and made her way.  As she crossed, beautiful rose petals fell behind and marked her way to the land of the great Sun.  

There are a few important elements to consider in this story:
* Death can be seen as birth into the spiritual world.  The children know this path well, they traveled it not so long ago.  While I told the story, I heard many of the children remark at different times "I know this story".

* The horse was a helper to a kind of destiny that we may not be able to understand, comprehend, or even believe in.  Yet, the horse was there to help her on her way.  The horse is not an animal to fear or demonize

* Death is as real as birth.  Both events are life changing for those of us on earth.  As adults, we are striving to know how best to process such information in our hearts and in our souls.  Young children need mostly to know that we know that feelings are happening all around, that adults and older children are feeling loss and confusion, and that it is a normal and healthy process that is all part of the larger picture of a good, good world.  They don't need a lot of talking, but they are seeking some affirmation of all the feelings they are sensing.  As highly imitative beings, the feelings of others quickly become their own feelings and they don't always know what is happening or how to discern what is their own and what belongs to someone else.

* Stories speak a thousand words and speak directly to the heart and soul.  This event is not understood intellectually by the children, but they can grasp it and work with it through story and images filled with archetypes.

I hope this helps.  Please stay in contact as you see necessary.  And blessings on your children and your families.

Love,
Dyanne