Educational Excellence

Happy Hump Day, All!

Yes, it is … the middle of the work week for many of us! Even for those of us whose “weekends” fall on other days, it’s just so cool to have “Hump Day” anyways!!!

A quick house-keeping note, if you will, I wanted to thank you all in the Educational Excellence e-mail family for “putting up” with my early morning typos and stuff! You know, it seems no matter how early I wake up to write, or even if I put together a piece the night before, later in the day is when I find an error like “your” instead of “you” or vice versa! So thanks for still reading as I seek perfection, especially in the blog page which I can edit “all day long”!

Haven’t we all noticed that certain times of year seem to highlight “the family”? I have always been a big fan and student of the family. In fact, my senior thesis written as part of the graduation requirement from Princeton was called: “A Critique of Studies on The Black Family.” As I continued to have opportunities to explore and travel to different places, I became intrigued by the “other cultures”. I wouldn’t call myself “ethnocentric,” or thinking my ethnic group is the center of things. Yet, I do recognize, appreciate and accept the fact that ALL ethnic groups, including mine, are part of the fabric of the human family. We ALL, thusly, have made and continue to make contributions to the “human experience,” if you will. My thirst for knowledge, to learn another language, and to experience other cultures all make this journey quite intriguing and interesting, enjoyable even. Of course, we want to “know” the positive contributions, though it is important to learn about the “not so positive” characteristics of any culture, too! That knowledge may help us avoid certain pitfalls, misunderstandings and just “bad habits”.

My daughter by birth, Ayanna Lynne, is coming to visit me tomorrow and stay for Christmas! I honestly don’t remember exactly how old she was the last time we spent Christmas together since her mother and I separated (and ultimately divorced) only two or three years after she was born. It was a sad time in all of our lives though she had no control over what was happening between her biological parents. After a few years, I had traveled to Cali, Colombia, SA, to teach and live, and we were finally divorced. I suggested that her mother permit Ayanna to come and visit me while I worked in Cali, but she refused. Peace be still … Once I had returned to the USA five years later, Ayanna and I reconnected a bit, she did come to Florida for a Christmas which she spent part time with me and part time with my sister Edna and her kids, Ayanna’s cousins. We had a “falling out” after the visit and things changed for the worse. I unofficially was adopted by a young lady, Natasha Carilles, as she learned of the pain I experienced in missing Ayanna. She and I have been very very close friends ever since then, too! Maybe they’ll have a chance to meet up, since “Tashi” lives here.

The concept of “family” often extends beyond direct biological connections. It is often characterized by warm, loving, caring and uplifting relationships that are developed outside of the traditional biological connections. A good friend, my landlord, “Mitch” even dropped off an “early Christmas present” for Ayanna and I … maybe even “Tashi” … to enjoy together. Thanks “Mitch”, much appreciated! I think we’d have a lot more progress as the “human race” if we tried to connect as one human family! May we use these “holy days” to experience the widespread vastness of this “human family”, especially if you already haven’t.

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director