"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand." John 10: 27 & 28
Over my 21 years of serving as principal, I have watched the concept of a "Snow Day" evolve throughout the years. In the beginning of my principal career, I would receive a phone call from the Walled Lake Bus Garage around 4:45 a.m. indicating that Walled Lake Public Schools were closing. This information would require me to contact every radio and television station, as well as the entire staff. Finally, when the last phone call was made, I was able to enjoy the best part of the process... sitting and watching our school name appear at the bottom of each television channel.
However, with all of the technological enhancements, Twitter tends to allow students to hear sooner from Walled Lake than I do, and everything that I do to inform students and staff of a Snow Day is online or through text.
Many years ago, there was there was an extremely memorable Snow Day that occurred on Valentine's Day. The day began quite early, as most Snow Days do, but there were even more phone calls to make since every classroom Valentine's Day party was also cancelled. By the completion of this particular telephone fan out system, I was exhausted, so after viewing our school's name for a few minutes, I went back to bed.
I had not been asleep for very long when I awoke to the sound of our doorbell ringing and our little dog barking hysterically. Still half asleep, I grabbed my robe and raced down the stairs to see what was upsetting my precious little guard dog. To my astonishment, there standing at my door were four men, dressed up in tuxedos, red bow ties, and top hats. Rubbing my eyes to test if I was really awake or still dreaming, I reluctantly opened the door.
"Sue Palka?" they inquired. "Yes," I hesitantly replied. "Happy Valentine's Day," they answered. "We were sent by your husband, and this is your official singing telegram! Your husband instructed us to be here by 7:00 a.m. so we could catch you before you went to work!" Suddenly, a harmonica sounded, giving them each their pitch and on perfect cue "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" started resounding through my living room in four part harmony. I rubbed my eyes even harder to determine if I was truly dreaming as my dog sat watching the performance with his head cocked in confusion as well. As they enthusiastically held their final note in perfect harmony, my daughter's young voice interrupted the grand performance by shouting... "Mom? What the heck is going on?"
I politely applauded and one of the gentlemen announced exuberantly, "Now, before we depart, we want to leave you with a souvenir, so gather around for a photo!" Still standing in my bathrobe with the fierce guard dog in my arms, they formed a circle around me, and before I could even refuse, the flash blinded all of us! Tipping their hats, they bid me a "good day" and off they went to their next unsuspecting client.
There are numerous ways in which we can express our love towards others. Sometimes, it can be through our words, and other times, our actions can reveal so much. (Yesterday, much love was demonstrated as parents and students were seen shoveling our walk ways when the snow fell right before school started. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ASSISTED IN THIS EFFORT!)
Often, a sentimental text message or phone call can come at a perfect time and mean so much. And yes, even songs can be an effective form of expressing one's feelings as well.
However, the greatest act of love was demonstrated by our Savior when He went to the cross to die for all of our sins.
As we begin the season of Lent next Wednesday, may your heart be reminded each day of Jesus' incredible love for you!
Happy Valentine's Day!
In His love,
Mrs. Palka