Seconds slowed to the length of hours as my children waited for the clocks to confirm that final dismissal this past spring. Well, at least that is how I remember summer vacation starting at their age. My family shifted pretty seamlessly into the break and enjoyed the time off without dwelling on the past or the academic year to come. As a teacher’s husband I am fairly in tune with the schedule of continuing education then classroom/student prep during August. However, back-to-school always yields its own unique surprises and reminders of the effort spent when nobody’s looking.
A couple weeks ago I stopped by Emerson School to pick up boxes and random classroom items as teachers and staff prepared for students. Not realizing everything had been piled outside the east door, I parked on the north side and walked to the main/office entrance beside freshly mown grass. Vibrant designs in circles including the Earth, a smiley face and a heart brightened the stretch of walkway leading to the doorbell and tinted double doors. The students will surely like this, I thought. A teacher pointed me in the correct direction and I found more sidewalk art, in the style of hopscotch, in front of the recycling complete with an inspiring message: I am brave, funny, helpful, kind, strong, friendly, brave, honest, smart, creative. A perfect way to start the day as children return or step foot in the building for the first time. These fresh designs replace sidewalk paint that appeared on the northeast corner of the school a few years ago (and has since faded) to promote activity, such as hopping from letter to letter of the alphabet. Inside, golden yellow highlighted stairs to the second floor with teachers decorating for the fairytale theme. With an economy of time and expense the changes lent the elementary school what I consider “unexpected beauty”.
Keep Alliance Beautiful promotes a clean and, yes, beautiful community environment through our recycling and educational resources while encouraging people to reduce, reuse and curtail litter. There are scenes you expect – a main street without trash blowing down the bricks, and those you do not – a colorful, custom crosswalk when others only rated a fresh coat of white. We are all called upon to do the minimum, such as mow the front lawn or pick up after the dog on a walk – which ensures an attractive town and maintains the status quo. Of course, on the other hand, certain people step up to ensure instances of unexpected beauty grace residents and visitors alike. These are changes and improvements, typically in the public sphere, that few would have argued as necessary yet add character and vibrance.
Imagination holds beauty in its mind’s eye based on memory and the will to create something new. While a public building, such as Alliance’s Learning Center or, perhaps, rows of flowers and vegetables on a former vacant lot, may qualify, I keep thinking of the role of art. To somebody passing through Alliance, Carhenge, the fountain and sunken gardens often stand out. They likely have been unaware of these gems or how much effort, expense and time went into creating, maintaining and, in the case of the gardens, rebuilding. Art is a highlight when I travel on vacation or a routine trip. This town still has a bandshell, that one sports more than a dozen murals downtown, yet another greets passersby with sculptures on the corners. A first-time surprise may be a reason to return and learn more about the local culture.
Unexpected (often anonymous) beauty comes when something new brightens your day. It could be a painted message that will speak to certain children and never be read by others; or waking up after a heavy snow and seeing somebody has already shoveled the walk. New or old, I appreciate the positive aspects that have woven the fabric of my hometown while recognizing the patches and frayed ends. The possibilities are far from finite when we imagine how to add our special stitch that many will appreciate or prompt a solitary smile.