The Strength of a Web

 A few weeks ago, my husband pulled me outside to show me a wonder of nature. There was a spider web reaching from the tree to our shed in the backyard. That web stretched about 10 feet and  absolutely glistened in the sun.  It was magnificent.  We stood there in awe.  Gary made sure to set up cones so we wouldn't disturb it when we mowed and edged.  You have to love a man who cares so much for one of God's tiniest creatures, right?  

Every day or so we would go check on "our" web.  One day I asked Gary what came to mind when he looked at the spider web.  Without hesitation, he said, "Strength. It amazes me how strong something that looks so fragile really is."  My thoughts went in a completely different direction.  I looked at the thin strand that anchored the web to the tree and thought of my students.  Because of factors beyond our school walls, some of our students seem to "hang by a thread."  Sometimes the connection seems pretty precarious, but they hang on with all their might.


Soon after,  teachers, support staff, and administrators at school met to discuss students.  We talked about students' strengths, their areas of growth, and their challenges.  These discussions can be difficult and precious at the same time.  It is humbling to discuss children and discover the heavy burdens that some carry on their small shoulders.   It is also an honor to witness the concern and caring of our staff as we reevaluate and create individualized plans to help build student success.

As I reflected on our students, my thoughts drifted to "our" spider web.  Gary and I were both correct in our impressions.  Sometimes we all experience times when life intervenes; when we literally feel like we are hanging by a thread.  But, even that small strand is enough because we also have an inner strength to carry us forward.  Like a web, our strength may be invisible to others, but it is there just the same. 

Planet Science (don't you love the internet?)  found that "...some spider webs can withstand hurricane-force winds. Although silk is very strong, that's not the only important factor in a web's strength. Spider webs have a very complex design. The way the web is built means that if a single strand of web breaks, the strength of the web actually increases."

That explains a lot about spiders, teachers.....and children.