The Willow or the Oak

An “old timer” once asked if the willow was stronger than the oak.  I was young and bold and quick to answer that the oak is stronger than the willow.   The oak stands tall and it does not waiver in the wind.  The wind blows and branches of the oak do not yield.   The “old timer” looked me in the eye as he poured us a shot of rye whiskey and said you have a strong opinion and are quick to answer.

The “old timer” smiled with lips closed and his marble blue eyes twinkled as he said that the willow also stands strong on the lake front shore as summer storm winds blow stronger than the winds that reach the big oaks deep in the woods.   The willow branches flex as the wind whips them around, but the willow holds tight to the sandy soil not giving away its ground.  His wrinkled face twitched as he took a puff of his pipe and said what is stronger the willow or the oak?

Thinking that I was wiser than the 80 year old man, I rubbed my mustache nodded my head and said it must be the willow.  The “old timer” took a sip of that rye whiskey.  He took a long slow puff of his pipe and said son they are both strong and then he shared the wisdom that comes from living on the planet for 80 years.   His eyes twinkled and his wrinkled old face twitched as he said knowing when to be strong and unyielding like an Oak and knowing when to be flexible like the willow is the secret.   Both the willow and the oak hold their ground, but when the winds are strong flexibility keeps the willow from cracking.

We are living in a time of turbulent educational winds.   We will hold our ground on what is right for kids, what is best practice, and taking care of each other including our families.   We will be unyielding like an oak in protecting and helping kids, families, and staff.   We will be flexible and change what is right to change and not losing principle centered ground like the willow.   We will remain strongly planted at “OUR SCHOOL” doing what is right for children.  Our roots run deep and our branches reach out sheltering our children, our families, our staff.  This is "OUR SCHOOL".

Note:  The story is true.  The old timer name was Ed Pitt.   Robin, my wife, called him grandpa.   I called him Ed.  He told me he had enough grandchildren so don’t call him grandpa.  At eighty, he was out living his friends.    He wanted someone with whom to debate and argue.  I miss my friend and our debates.