Every year, in late August, public School Districts hold welcome back staff development trainings. During these things there are usually ‘ice breaking’ activities, pep talks, introductions of new policies, administrators, programs. One of the inspirational talks I heard at one of these many years ago really stuck with me. It’s a story you could use for other professions as well, but I found it actually useful in teaching, it kept me buoyant even on days when it seemed like most of my students were just waiting for the lunch bell or end of school day bell or just to be elsewhere.
The anecdote is this: A high tide washes up and strands many sea stars (we used to call them Starfish but apparently they’re not fish), high up un a beach. A man is running along trying to toss them back, one by one, into the Ocean before they dry up and die.
A passerby stops him and asks: “What are you doing? You can’t possibly hope to make a difference here.”
And the man replies, tossing yet another one successfully into the water: “To that one, it makes a difference.”
To that one. In that moment, on that day.
I guess I like this story in part because I am that beached Sea Star. I am the recipient of at least one teacher, one neighbor, one Auntie and many friends who ran behind me on the beach and tossed me back at points in my life where the possibility of water seemed remote indeed. I cannot thank all of them, but there were enough to make the difference in this little quasi-fish’s life.
The butcher at the market I like here told my husband that I saved his life. I didn’t. He was already a totally delightful human being when I encountered him in ninth grade. But I did believe in him (who wouldn’t?) and try to help a little (why not?). And the fact that he thinks I was one of the people who thought he mattered (I do!), makes me more grateful than I can easily say.