Wednesday, February 25, 2009
what a gift
okay...wow...i know it's been a long dry spell. i really meant to use this blog as a place to manage my thoughts...and boy, have i had a lot of those lately...but my life has gotten in the way! obnoxious, huh? just when i really should be journaling some of the crazy stuff that hits me in the middle of the night, i have no time to come in, fire up the computer, and jot it all down. so, i'll just say this...
last friday was my girl's seventh birthday. she woke up feeling taller and smarter, which i think is hilarious (although she really could've been taller...i think she's growing an inch a day!). she also felt "like a good and fabulous girl" when people sent her cards, either through the mail or on the internet.
on the night of rosie's birthday, she went to the dads and daughters dance at her school, escorted by one snappily dressed daddy. they had a marvelous time. they danced and had a "prom" picture taken. so cute. then, tim and i lay in bed with her until 8:48 pm...the moment of her birth...so we could kiss her right then. i get all sentimental remembering that day seven years ago. it seems like yesterday, yet a different lifetime ago.
the next day, she had a big birthday blow-out at our place complete with a face painter and a bounce house. she invited pretty much everyone she's ever met, plus their siblings. rosie had a great day. instead of presents (she has so much), she asked her friends to bring a hardcover children's book to donate to our school library. everyone liked that idea, and we collected 50 books! the librarian was thrilled, and rosie learned a good lesson: it's often way better to give than to receive.
i get the best gift of all...my rosie. peace out...and in.
Friday, January 30, 2009
tending my garden
whew! what a week. in the world of teaching, there aren't too many things crazier than parent/teacher conference week.
i've always liked conference week. it's a time to connect with the moms and dads, and talk about the wonder of their children. i tend to have parents who worry a little more than average about the progress of their kids. i teach the "special" ones...the ones for whom learning, development, or some other life function is delayed or maybe even broken. for some, the progress is quite slow...you won't even see it if you don't look REEEEAALLLY carefully. but i do...i look carefully. i find any seed of possibility and i tend it...my staff and i encourage it along. and when it yields a bloom, no matter how small, we hold it up and marvel at its beauty. we display it for all to see. we celebrate it for what it is...a remarkable achievement. to some, our little flower won't look like anything special, but those of us with the trained eye and the open heart will know what it is.
some of these wonderful parents just want the blooming to come faster...for their precious flower to "catch up". some will...but lots won't. so my job is to collect as many of the beautiful buds and petals as i can, and present them lovingly. sometimes it takes a while to see, but every single bouquet our children produce is a wonder. and for some, it's nearly a miracle.
thanks, moms and dads, for trusting your little ones to those of us charged with their care and education. the gardens won't all look the same, but every single one is worth appreciating. in some cases, it takes a LOT of work to get there.
have a happy weekend. peace out...and in.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
6 billion others
well, i wasn't going to post today, but i came across something i HAD to share. it's incredible. it would take quite a while to go through the whole site...i just watched the testimonials on love today. incredible. go there. watch something.
http://www.6billionothers.org/main.php?Lng=en&File=homePage
go now.
peace out.
Monday, January 19, 2009
civil rights
some would have us believe that same sex marriage is an affront to God. i'm not buying it. who made us all the way we are anyway? i don't think God is really keeping tabs on who's getting married and why. he's got bigger fish to fry. i'd say he's pretty cool about the whole thing as long as all of us married folk behave responsibly and don't hurt other people. seems fair.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
true friendship
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
perspective
Thursday, January 1, 2009
then there's rosie (see last post). i get to be her mom, which is awesome. i learn from her every day.
zach is 15, a high school freshman, and my stepson. that should tell you a lot. he and i have a unique relationship, as anyone with experience in blended families knows. my tolerance, patience, and capacity to love have all been developed by having him in my life.
my family is incredible. i am grateful that my parents and sisters live nearby. i adore my beautiful nieces. i will post more about these people in the future.
i am fortunate enough to work in a career that i love. it comes with many challenges, but when i focus on the kids and that i'm there to serve them, it all works out. they are fantastic.
i have a wonderful circle of friends. many have been with me for a long time. i am blessed by their friendships.
i have some furry children (lucy, molly, and scout) who bring me joy. i'd have more if it wouldn't cover our entire home with fur.
i am healthy, living in a lovely home, and today i feel great. 2009 is off to a great start! for you all, i wish for peace, love, joy, and prosperity in the coming year.