A letter from Sarah Wooten, Director of Enrollment Management & Financial Aid
After giving birth to my first child in November, I feel as though I have a new range of emotions—like in the movie Inside Out 2 when suddenly the headquarters console changed and Anxiety, Ennui, Embarrassment, Envy, and Nostalgia showed up. If I could wager a guess as to what was added to my console, I would say Hyper-vigilance, Pragmatism, Adoration, Guilt and Ferocity, with frequent glitches caused by Brain Fog, Dread, and Fear making guest appearances.
During my parental leave, as I managed so many surprises, difficulties, and changes, I was buoyed by the consistent outreach from members of the CRS community. Having only been part of the community for a year and a half, I was taken aback by peoples’ genuine joy and care. I won’t lie—it has been a bumpy road as a new single mom with a complex kiddo health-wise. But, I literally had to start turning down offers of support because of the level of generosity people showed me. My experience is proof that the CRS mission to ensure people are “authentically known and valued” isn’t just for the students; my son and I have come to be known and valued in a way I never expected.
As I emerged from the newborn haze and came back to CRS, the care didn’t stop. In my three weeks back, I’ve received so many kind offers from meal prep to hand-me-down clothing. Last week, Megan Rose, Grayson and Lincoln’s mom, calmly and without judgment, talked me off the ledge from canceling summer travel because of my intense anxiety about Denzel getting too hot or dehydrated. Bryan and Laura Hong, parents of Darian, Audra and Hadley, shared recommendations about self soothing and sleep techniques for Denzel. Rebecca Boswell simply gave me a hug while saying, “you’re doing great!” Christiana Stevenson, Eloise and Otto’s mom, recently shared, “please let us know if there is anything we can do to help (I know that sounds silly, but it takes a village!)” Because of all these interactions and more, I would add “deep gratitude” and “grace” as the two largest buttons on my console.
On my first day back, there was a knock on the window in my office. Jaylynn waved vigorously at me and then ran in. “How’s the baby?!” she exclaimed. “When will you bring him in?”
Later in the day, Marigold found me and said, “You should bring Denzel and my class can babysit him for you.” Sometimes families wonder why social-emotional skills are so important to hone—I can say first hand, these moments are why. Will I let the Kindergartners babysit Denzel? Nope. But did the thoughtfulness, sincerity and joy with which the offer was made touch my heart in a way I can’t express? Absolutely! And in these initial weeks away from my kiddo, these are the interactions I need and that mean the most.
As someone who never thought I could have a child, being a mom is totally surreal. To be part of a community of adults and children who have yet to meet my kiddo, but who are already cheering us on, is indescribable.
At CRS, we say that understanding the “why” has a profound effect on learning and on students’ school experience. My “why” for being here has never been clearer. I can’t imagine a better community to be part of during this challenging yet wondrous phase of life.
With much gratitude,
Sarah
P.S. If you haven’t seen Inside Out, I highly recommend it. Just like the CRS community, it’s not just for the kids, grown ups can enjoy it too!