When I see I am nothing, that is wisdom. When I see I am everything, that is love. My life is a movement between these two.
Nisargadatta Maharaj

The other day, one of my classes had a thinking project on family traditions.  I asked them to brainstorm with me, I got my usual bunch of blank stares.  So, as a warm up, I indulged them with some personal examples.  From about the ripe age of 7 to right when I left for college, I would get up at 7:30 every Saturday and watch cartoons, while my dad would bring me home me fresh donuts. 

I got a bunch of surprised faces, “Wow! Really??” “Your Dad sounds really nice!”

I didn’t realize how special it was until this moment either.

Another class, we had to talk about a time when they didn’t want to go school and what happened.  I shared how I used to fake being sick when I was in first grade.  I also shared how I told my mom I wanted to switch from private to public school when I was in 6th grade.  A kid asked, “Were you able to?”

“Yeah”

“Wow, you have a really nice Mom. My parents hit me when I told them I didn’t want to go to school.”  

This is followed by a handful of laughs.  When kids say they were hit at home, it is shared in a joking fashion.  I find it unamusing, but given the circumstances and the customs, I try not to react in shock.  

The more I teach, the more I appreciate my family.  Leaving home has opened my eyes in so many ways.  Though, it is unfortunate that in other people’s misfortunes, I am daily finding the grace that has been given to me in my life.  I guess my goal now is to find a way to return the blessings.