Foreheads

I. Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. Like so many others in our city, I crowded into a local parish and recieved a cross of ashes on my forehead. While he touched my forhead, the priest murmured “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.” I received communion and then walked back out into my day.

II. I’ve begun observing at a local middle school. I’ve only done it twice, but it’s been a great experience so far. Yesterday, I observed my first advisory meeting, a homeroom-cum-group therapy class  unique to middle school. The day before, the school had attended a presentation on bullying. To reinforce the concept, my host teacher had devised an activity. She selected six students from her advisory and placed something made from construction paper on their foreheads. Then, she asked the students to begin interacting with each other.

When the students turned around, the whole class knew what she was up to. One student had been designated the “Leader.” Another’s forehead read “Clown.” Another was designated “Loner.” “ESL Student” “Nerd” and “Cool” were also present. The students treated each other according to these labels. Later, they removed the labels from their foreheads and sat down to discuss the experience.

My forehead yesterday said “Christian.” I’m sure on other days it says entirely different things.