I wrote this tiny poem last year, on April 29th. It has sat unpublished in my WordPress Account for nearly a year. One year later, I once again find myself asking similar questions, in a place I never would have imagined a year ago. I replay all of this in my mind on a daily basis, wondering what more could we do, how else can we structure the day, the learning, the students. How much more can we give? I’m constantly left feeling, now more than ever, that none of this is enough. Distance learning will never be enough. We cannot recreate the small opportunities that we are provided within the boundaries of a brick and mortar school. For now, we do the best we can. For now, we keep outgrowing ourselves, to give our best…until we can be back together.
Enough
This is the time of year where I wonder
Have I done enough?
Enough to inspire
Enough to move towards engagement over compliance
Enough to grow real readers and writers
Enough to make an impact, to make change
Can we ever do enough?
Where There's Joy 
There is always so much possibility that we might always ask this. I think you answered what I would say, if you have done your best and given it all you have, it is enough. You always do that!
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If there has ever been a time when I’ve used this word more it is now! Your poem captures this for me. We are big givers and can’t seem to find that sweet spot in this ever changing place
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A very good question. I believe we have to do our best and leave the rest to God. If are satisfied that we have done our best then that is enough. Take care 🙂
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I’m with you. I’m never sure it’s enough. How can it be? I think this is what keeps me going every day. Trying to do enough, be enough, for the kids. And this situation just doesn’t feel like enough. We are working on it, and I’m so glad I have you to work on it with.
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I know that this kind of teaching does not (yet) seem to allow for me to come close to feeling like I have done enough. I am not the April teacher I like to be … A good time for reflection.
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This poem feels especially important and resonant right now. What could possibly be enough in our current circumstances? And yet there’s no way given those circumstances that we can do enough.
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What a powerful slice!
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In one of her speeches, the Maine Commissioner of Education said something along the lines of we are all trying to do enough during a time when we can’t possibly do enough. It’s stayed with me.
BTW, I think you’re doing more than enough.
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I hope they are learning other things, how to entertain themselves, how to help around the house, how to be content.
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Your poem resonates with me so much–I always find myself struggling with these questions at this time of year, too. I love this line that you wrote in the introduction: “for now, we keep outgrowing ourselves, to give our best”-that’s such a lovely way of thinking about things. Thank you for sharing these words that speak so well to my feelings!
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