What Matters Most

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” ~ Steve Jobs

What a week work-wise! I managed to work 12 hours of overtime in four days, which is a little abnormal, but at this time of year I make my final visits to schools. I must have driven over 1,000 kilometers and flew up North for a one-day trip, working a 16-hour day. I cannot be happier that I have three days to recover from it. I am back on the road next week, probably clocking 500 kilometers. Is it June 30th yet?

The visits have all seemed stressful to me. I had a long conversation with some parents who wondered if they are making the right decision for their Deaf child. What can I tell them? I see how much love they have but still they are right on some levels—it is not enough. I know they wish they could do more but circumstances do not permit it. They are among the best parents on my caseload and my heart breaks for them.

I watched as another young man wants to drop out of school and wondered what carrot could be dangled to entice him to stay. I had a 6-hour round trip drive to attend this particular meeting and I think my presence made a difference. The only suggestion that was proposed that he agreed to was the one I made. I can only hope it works out for the best.

I witnessed one staff dissolve into tears at the difficult year she has had because she thinks the teaching staff does not respect the work she does. Her colleague at the same school also confessed to similar feelings. I wonder if I am doing enough some days. I am not sure that day I went to bed feeling like I had done something wonderful. I wish I could take away the frustration or at least reduce its intensity.

My job won’t make me rich financially but it will satisfy me because I can make a difference in the lives of students, families, and those who work with them. This week was fairly exhausting but that is exceptional. Towards the end of my very long Northern day, I received an email from a colleague who had shadowed me earlier in the week, thanking me for the opportunity and letting me know her respect for the work that I do has increased since she caught a glimpse of how complicated the task can be.

What matters to me most is that I bring an element of God’s grace to each situation. Each night as I have crawled into bed this week I reviewed my day and prayed that God may accept the good work of my hands and forgive whatever sin I have committed. That matters more to me than the financial benefits that are attached to the job.

Peace,

Suzanne