Lament and Quiet Pride
End of March 2021
The teacher just left our place after a muddy walk and ‘goodbye lunch’, a chance to thank her for the special learning environment and experience she provided. This followed the term wrap up/spring celebration at the school two days ago where the kids performed a lovely medley of recorder and sung pieces as well as showcased their truly beautiful, artistically presented learning work. They are bursting and just love what they have made.
Coming down from all the feel-good of the celebration, on the drive home, it was striking just how large and intense their upset was. They were so distressed at leaving this school/community/cabin-life, seemingly heartbroken that this was their last day. Oh the ironic echos of the angst and 'foul frustration' hurled at us in the first day(s) of the Gold Bridge school in September: We do not want to go!
In late February we decided at last to wrap up the year here at spring break and return to city life in April. I hopefully and poetically thought that Nature could better hold us in our wobbly transition when daffodils, blossoms and a green hue of renewal are all around. The Bridge River Valley has been a sanctuary for us, protective for our children in a strange new pandemic landscape. But for many reasons it was time to re-enter Vancouver.
In the middle of these transition weeks, journalist Daniel Wood’s much anticipated article in BC Magazine on the Gold Bridge school came out! See article here. In December, I was so happy to chime in on the topic, to participate and share in the story of this unique school and community. Now it is being shared publicly at the peak intensity of our feelings on the subject! After an excited debrief, we contributors laugh about his journalistic ‘license’ details. He does, however, succeed in honouring so much about life and learning here. Very sadly, it’s his last written tale due to a dire health condition.
Some pieces I’m holding onto as we return to civilization:
Big vulnerability is woven into the heart’s big risks
Transitions are messy and goodbyes are hard
In a retreat with intentional slow down, there is space and capacity to see oneself, family and life with new eyes
As a family we are changed for the good, understanding each other better, and wanting more of what we’ve had
Reunions and returns are so good