E3 - See Everything Eye to Eye?

At the Golden Living Center where Mother and Dave reside, they have been redecorating the main lounges and hallways. They have removed old wallpaper, and painted all the areas with fresh, clean colors. They have also added some very attractive new framed art posters in the hallways. I have been enjoying reading the inspirational sayings on these posters as they add them to the finished areas.

The other day, one of these inspired me so that I stood there in the hallway and copied down what it said. This is a quote from someone named Johann Friedrich Schiller. He says:
"There is real power when individuals come together with a single purpose, real strength when they stand shoulder to shoulder, and work toward the same goal. Unity does not mean you will have everything in common, or see everything eye to eye. It is agreeing you cannot reach your destination alone. Even the weak become strong when they are united."

I think this says much about life. It really speaks the truth. When I have read about great projects that have come to fruition, witnessed such happenings, or have been a part of a successful event, I realize that just such a cooperative effort caused them to happen. And we all know that any time two people confer, there will always be two view points and opinions. But being able to rise above selfish aims, and stand shoulder to shoulder toward a common goal allows for a successful result.

Even in the raising of a family or carrying out the day by day routine of family life, shoulder to shoulder gets it done. Don and I certainly don't see eye to eye on many things. But we know to consult one another, talk it out, do some research, form some common ground, and agree to proceed together. As I look back on our marriage, it amazes me at some things we have accomplished. But it could only have been done because we stood together. And when we can't get it done, we know we have kids, and family to help us..........shoulder to shoulder.

When I look back on the city of Anderson, and its schools, I realize that probably the biggest blockade to stand in the way of our ever having the kind of school system we want and need, is that having three distinct high schools and areas that feed into those schools has caused a great division of effort, and enormous partisanship. People can't give up their loyalties to things of the past, in order to form a school system that will best serve the future.

The recent success of the united high school band, winning first place at the Indiana State Fair, should stand as an example of what can be done when we forget former school loyalties and stand together shoulder to shoulder and become one strong unit. I say congratulations to Mr. Fletcher and these dedicated students for showing adults the way to "get er done!"

Let us remember to love and appreciate our old schools for all that they have given us, and all they have meant to us. But let us remember to put that devotion in the perspective of history. Let us keep the history of our schools dear in our hearts, and then put that aside and look to the future. If the citizens of Anderson can put aside their partisan loyalties, stand shoulder to shoulder, and work toward the goal of providing the very best education for all our students it would be awesomely amazing what we could accomplish!