Trying to find truth in a week of highs and lows

One friend received the highest award in the state for our profession, the other has become the most vilified in the area. One look at the forums attached to each story tells me plenty about how a vocal minority feel about teachers.

Somewhere, in a place hard to pin down, lies the truth. Roseanne Cash, daughter of Johnny, wrote this about truth this week in her songwriting blog:

The “truth” (or “honesty”) and the “facts” are not necessarily the same, they are not necessarily equal and one often requires the suspension of the other. This may not be the case in higher math or on Wall Street (or, actually, it may work there as well, but I’m clueless about that) but it is an immutable “truth” in art and music that facts are not necessarily the best indicators of the deepest human experience.

I know this: I am thrilled for one friend, and saddened for another. I know both worked hard to do the best they could. I don't think any of us will ever know the truth regarding why both flew high, and what allowed one to soar while the other came too close to the sun. All I can do is offer prayers of thanks for Jen, and prayers of forgiveness for Jim.