This is the time of the semester when I see things come together for some of my students and when I see them fall apart for others. Life can feel so deeply rooted and enduring in a moment and so fragile and ephemeral in another.
I have been particularly concerned about three of my students. One of them is living in a camper with her husband and kids. She's lost her home and is trying to go back to school to get the kind of job that will help them buy another home. She is suffering with multiple physical ailments that she bravely struggles through.
Another student has been facing eviction. I have connected her with my church to get her the money and resources she needs to be able to stay in the rental she and her two small children are in. When I called her today to find out where things were, I discovered her phone service had been cut off.
Another student showed up for class all semester and turned in consistently excellent assignments. A few weeks ago her very young daughter was diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalized. My student stopped coming to class after she emailed me this.
So I'm lighting a candle for each of them and for all my students, so many of whom are given incredibly painful lessons and nevertheless endure them with humility, grace and strength. I respect and admire them deeply.
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