Perspective

This is the artwork that hangs on the wall directly outside my bedroom in Chicago. Its the first thing I see in the morning when I wake up, and its the last thing I glance at before going to bed. What is it? Its a reminder, a series of echoes from those who came before me, those who inspired me and created in me a sense of duty and work ethic. It suggests to me how fortunate I am to be doing a job I love, a job that is safe, not physically demanding and fulfilling. I am a teacher....my father and grandfather were both coal miners.

The helmet belonged to my grandfather, a man who endured the rigors of a West Virginia coal mine for over 35 years. One of my lasting memories of Grandpap Held was his incessant coughing, a souvenir of this life spent underground, breathing in coaldust. The lunchpail top is my father's. My father also worked in and at the coal mines for over 30 years. My father's job was shift work, which meant for the better part of my life, he changed his sleep schedule every week. Dayshift meant he worked from 8 to 5, afternoon shift from 3 to 12 and midnight shift from midnight to 9 am. I don't know how he did that for so long, but that's why he's my hero. And now, when I wake up to go to work, no matter how tired or grouchy or lazy I might feel, I can look at that wall and be reminded how lucky I am to work in the teaching profession. Thanks Dad, thanks Grandpa, I only I hope I can live up to your examples that hang proudly next to my bedroom, and that resonate loudly in my heart.