Morning Walks, Fake Fall, Real Community
This week the mornings have been a gift. I like to call it “Fake Fall,” because by afternoon it’s still pushing into the 90s. 😆
But in the mornings, bright spots abound: crisp air in the 60s, sunlight through the trees, and my daughter’s hand in mine as we walk the handful of blocks to Rosemont Elementary. It’s only a few minutes, but every day we’re greeted by the hum of life—parents chatting, kids in navy, light blue, and khaki uniforms, friends squealing with delight at seeing each other again. Rosemont just turned 100, and after a major renovation, it has re-opened this fall with a new energy that feels both historic and brand-new.
Shameless plug, join us for the Community Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday, September 20!
This morning, after I dropped Vivian off, I ran into Shannon Christopher — a Rosemont alum, neighborhood mom, and current PTA treasurer. She’s a force of nature. In the span of a few minutes, I saw the principal stop her to ask a question about the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a teacher talking to her from the car line about 1950s Rosemont scrapbooks. She’s the kind of person who makes the whole place hum. Rosemont isn’t just her kids’ school — it’s her school, and it has been for generations.
Watching Shannon in action stirred something in me. Part gratitude, part guilt. Gratitude for the incredible support our neighborhood school has, and the thoughtful way parents show up — like the new Community Closet that ensures every child can get free uniforms without questions asked. But also guilt, because I’m not the parent who spends hours at school each week.
When I told Shannon this, I added: “But I have my school.” And then I shared about United to Learn, the nonprofit where I serve as a liaison. My school is Dunbar Elementary near Fair Park — a place where 20% of students face housing insecurity and there isn’t a PTA to raise thousands at an auction. Instead, parents are working multiple jobs just to get their kids to class. At Dunbar, I work with their angel of a principal, Mrs. Garrett-Jones, to figure out what her school needs most. Sometimes it’s small things — a surprise “sunshine cart” with snacks to lift the spirit of her staff. Sometimes it’s big projects — like partnering with the Young Men’s Service League to install sensory boards in the hallways and murals on the walls of the playground.
People sometimes ask me, “Why not just volunteer at your kids’ school?” My answer is simple: all children deserve to feel supported, loved, and celebrated. Rosemont is blessed with incredible parent and community involvement. The Rosemont PTA, is next level amazing!
Yes, I do support Rosemont, perhaps in smaller ways than people would expect. AND Dunbar needs a different kind of community lift so I preserve time, energy, and resources for them. Both are worthy. Both matter. And my kids know this, too — they help bake cookies or pack supplies for Dunbar’s teachers and call it “Mom’s school.” 🥹
This morning, when I shared this with Shannon, she paused, smiled, and said, “Thank you for telling me. I’ve sometimes wished I was doing more for other schools, too.” And then, right there on the sidewalk, we locked eyes, high-fived, and saw each other clearly: two moms giving in different ways, both part of a bigger story.
Walking home, I thought about how these little everyday exchanges are what make a community. Not just volunteering hours or writing checks, but looking someone in the eye and saying, I see you. Thank you.
And maybe that’s the heart of it: every school is our school, every child our child. Some mornings that looks like holding my daughter’s hand on the way to class. Some mornings it looks like high-fiving a fellow mom who’s giving her whole heart to her neighborhood. And some mornings, it looks like showing up for kids I’ve never met — but who deserve every bit of love and support we can give.
If you’re interested in becoming a United to Learn liaison yourself, or want to ride along with me someday, let me know! And if you’re on a PTA board, a PTA member, or are helping schools in your own way, Thank you.
Together, we’ve got this. ❤️
