Relationship Reflection

      For me relationships are my emotional fuel.  They provide me with love, laughter, support, guidance, history, and passion.  They are based on trust, respect, communication, and common interest.  Successful relationships take time and energy that is regained because a relationship gives back exponentially.

My most important relationships are with my family!  

      

My relationship with my partner of 17 years, encompasses all the best attributes of a relationship.   Our life is full of love and laughter.  We have spent the last 17 years enjoying the good times and learning through the bad.  We support each other's hopes and dreams. We are committed to the process and trust we will see it all the way through.

My Partner and Daughter

My relationship with my daughter gives me the drive to be the best person I can be.  She also shows  me how to stop and smell the roses along the way.

My Parents

My parents' never ending love and support has allowed me to follow my dreams and be the person I am today.  They have advice and are great listeners.  We enjoying sharing our life's adventures with each other.

Peletonia 2011 with my cousins and brother

 My sibling and cousins keep me grounded in my past and are my source of passion for adventure in the present.

My friendships are a close second!

My relationship with my oldest friend in the world has been revitalized in the last year.  Our deep understanding of each other and ability to pick right back up where we have left off is a source of comfort even from across the country.

NAEYC Colleagues 

My relationships with collegial friends have been inspired by a common passion for the field of early care and education, but have developed into supportive personal friendships.  We mentor and learn from each other.  We share our dreams for the field.  And we have a lot of fun when we are together.  I would also describe these relationships as partnerships as we are often together to focus on work that supports young children and their families.

My relationships with children and families!

 The highlight of the 20 years as the Director of the St. John's Child Care were the relationships I had with the children, the families and the staff. These relationships were based on mutual trust and respect and drove me to do my best.  I learned so much from the people who touched my life while there.  These relationships were certainly partnerships focused on supporting the children in our care.   

"In a society that almost demands life at double time,  Speed and addictions numb us to our own experience.  In such a society it is almost impossible to settle into our bodies or stay connected with our hearts, let alone connect with one another or the earth where we live"

Jack Kornfield

       I am at my best when working as part of a team whether it is a team of adults or with a group of two year olds.  I absolutely believe in relationship based leadership.  I feel that most of my success in life is due to my ability to develop strong trusting relationships.  I have really enjoyed the reading and work of this week in our Effective Programs and Practices class.... I have been able to reflect on what I know and how I can be even stronger.  I appreciate the new relationships I am building as part of this work... the other students are an incredible source of information and experience as well.