A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to treat our high school students to some root beer floats and a talk with Dr. Bill St Cyr, a founder and the director of Amleside Schools International, who was nearing the end of his annual school visit. After picking up the floats, we gathered chairs and sat in the Pecan Grove for a plein air discussion with no real aim other than to spend some time together. Our conversation flowed easily, readily drawing upon shared experiences, and almost always ending in full-face smiles and hearty laughter. One topic of conversation was a school-sponsored Colorado backpacking trip that many of the students took last year. As the memories kept pouring out I noticed that most of what was cherished were challenging circumstances. One such occurrence happened in mid-morning of the third day on the trail. A rain and lightning storm induced a hasty river crossing, which led to some very soggy boots, and then dispersed us on a hillside while waiting for the storm to pass. It was quite disheartening at the time, but as we remembered, deep-seated joy rose up among us. Another memory unfurled as a young lady recalled an incident where a tent door was inadvertently left open during yet another afternoon shower (of which there were many), which led to heavily sodden sleeping bags and clothes, forcing the two groups of five to turn a five-person tent into one fit for ten, which seemed impossible, and certainly stretched thin any hopes of a restful night. However, despite the adverse conditions, after recalling the trial, more smiles, more laughter. What is it about shared adversity that leaves us satisfied, encouraged, more together than apart? There is something there, and it’s encouraging as we go down the road of a new year together, for there will certainly be bumps in the road, and if we share them with one another, we will certainly come out on the other side with a bigger perspective, a heighted attunement to what is possible, more joy, more patience, more kindness, more self-control, more loving-kindness, more goodness, more peace - more of all that we were made for. All of that to say, it is good to be back together again, ready for more adventure, both delightful and difficult - it’s good to be on the trail together.
-Mr. York
Head of School
