Letter: Appriciates ‘Mom' Murkowski

My mom used to say that the true test of my character was how I behaved when she wasn't around.

On Monday, Sen. Lisa Murkowski was the guest of honor for Sherrod Elementary School's Alaska-themed playground dedication. Though all the television and print media were invited, none were able to attend. So Sen. Murkowski was there, without pretense, just to be with the children of the Palmer area. There were no photo-ops, posings, jeering, whooping or other things we associate with political leaders today. Mrs. Murkowski was like any other mom (granted, a more famous one) visiting a school just to be there with the kids.

She was gracious in her short speech, reading student letters she had received (from last year) asking her to see their playground (I must admit that we had forgotten we had even sent them). But, like a good mom, she had saved them to be remembered at a later time. She ran up the hills and through the valleys with the students, leaving the other adults to be with the children.

OK, so students asked for autographs, reminding us that she was a VIP, but the senator signed them graciously. No press caught her doing this, no TV camera captured the moment for the evening news. She stayed longer then she had planned (what mom doesn't?) with her schedulers looking at their watches trying to hustle her to her next appointment. But our students will remember Sen. Murkowski as the nice lady who took the time and played with them. That lasting image should be her heritage here at Sherrod.

Every day children teach us what is important. There are no political parties to them, no stones to throw at positions or decisions. Instead, many students gave Murkowski a flower picked from their playground, just like they would give to their own mom. Lisa, your mom would be proud.

Mark R. Hoffman, Principal

Sherrod Elementary School