The journey continues

Today I chose to substitute.
The pit of my stomach reminded me of the anxiety.
Would I be able to return?
Exactly why is this important?
How were my gifts to be used as tithing?

Be brave!

Walked in and took over.
There were a few tears through the five hours-
but more giggles and smiles.
Relaxed mood eased in as
the anxiety moved to the back of my mind.

Thinking back.
When was the last time I substituted for four and five year olds?
Thinking further.
How would my grandson react if things were not going his way?

No need for me to worry.
The children simply needed reassurance that
they would recieve  consistent loving care from me.
They knew the routine
They could lead.

The hours ended.
Children who were nervous and melting down at the beginning
chirped and spun with those who had giggled the entire time.

Next time I will bring my supplies of glitter, glue, books, music and joy.
No anxiety.
Early childhood,
beginning skills,
at home,
once again.
Maybe a few feathers to give my new journey flight!

Teaching someone to read

My months have been busy.
After  a few years of being quite lazy in my volunteer life,
it has all moved forward.

I took on an adult who had never learned how to read.
He is the same age as my oldest,
a product of :
too early in school,
whole language only approach
and no one who knew how to reteach after second grade.
He left school in eighth grade.

This man is anxious to read.
We spend every morning together.
As we progress, he finds that he does remember certain aspects of reading.
There are loads of pauses and head nods as he reaches into childhood
to pull out a different memorized word.
When he learns a new "English rule" he often states,
"that makes sense".

He has given me so much.
In two short months I have learned how important it is
to simply admit you do not know what you do not know,
seek someone to help,
and try not to let pride get in the way.
Those are things I have always held, but never seen on my own.

I have so many things to work on myself.
Confession is something difficult for me.
And yet, through the witness of this man, Tuesday saw me "in the booth".
It is much easier when you let pride step to the side.

This man has great goals.
He would like his Bachelors before his son gets out of elementary.
There is an air that his wife totally supports his efforts.

Letting people support,
Putting sights on goals,
Moving forward.
That is life as we know it, isn't it?

Starting

I spent a week with my mom
Going through things
Parting out Christmas ornaments
And Easter baskets.
She decided on what she wanted to keep
She has started over.

My friend's youngest is moving away in April
She has decided to sell her house
Get rid of most of the stuff and start over.

Another friend is moving after a 20 year relationship ended.
She has decided to not sell the house
But she is moving on
Starting over.

My daughter thought that having another child was impossible
Their child is due in May
Gathering the things to make the baby's entry easier.
Starting over

Returning to "retirement" is my starting over.
New challenges in teaching someone how to read
One on one
Just as I hoped life would take me.
Starting over.

I am so pleased to be at a point and a place
That starting over is a good thing.

Hi Ho!

The travel season begins tomorrow.
Disney will see "the girls+ 1" beginning tomorrow.
The next week will find me helping mom clean out a storage room.
My son and daughter on law will move at the beginning of March.
Mid March  will find me helping to straighten out the new baby's closet back East.
April is for breathing and helping J&M settle on.
May is when my N will be ready for Nana time
while the baby invades his house and life. East again.
Hoping for a warm( not hot) summer full of lake and gardens.
September will be back visiting my N when he starts Kindergarten.
Life is good, but I am going to be sick of the airport for sure!

With all change comes a time for expanding learning

Sew Liberated has endured as one of my all time favorite blog. Meg has evolved in front of her blog audience eyes from a young and idealistic teacher to a simplistic mother. Not more stuff- but more attention to small details.  I see my daughter growing in the same way. There is that tender balance between crafts, cares, climbing and cuddles. It is wonderful to witness. My only wish is that I could be close enough to enjoy it more than thirty days a year.

My bags are packed for our next journey together. The small bag is filled with my clothes- extra shoes, rain gear, light pants, Tums. The second bag- the much larger one is filled with baby gear- Boppy, infant hats, gloves, onesies, and clothes.  Of course, since the larger bag is going home with the other family it is also filled with cassette tapes (yes, my grandson now has an old tape recorder and loves Adventures in Oddessy), books, bubbles, paint and whatever else I could scrounge for him. Play is a child's work.

I almost like that my two traveling adult companion are both pregnant. That gives me, selfishly, more time to be with my grandson. Nothing like placing four strong willed people in the same 550 ft room for six days. We should survive since we will all be exhausted from walking, walking, walking. My hope is loads of talk time as we walk from place to place. Learning about each other and what our dreams look like.

At Mass today the reading was about "many parts, but all one body". It is one of my favorites.  It gave me perspective. Sitting back and thinking; there are six families here joining. We are one body with many different gifts to bring to the table of the Lord. 

A time for reflection and learning. I have a great deal of learning to do!

Another amazing speech

If you have not read it please read it for yourself.

Now, if he would simply follow his words!

Lincoln

Forgetting that Presidents are people
makes them into some sort of folk hero (or villain).

What pushes a person to place themselves into such a role?
Many of our Presidents have only had one parent raise them
or none.
Many were seen as brilliant scholars
even though they never have made it to college in the formal way.
Most were great humanitarians
even if they never met a common man.
Actually, most started as "common men".

Some saw their children die
of common things
or no real cause at all.

What makes them tick?
What makes them want to put
one leg and then the other into pants every morning?

They take the blame even during the times they should be applauded.
Once again I am reminded that I would never want to be
 in the situation to put another person's child in harms way.
I truly appreciate those who have to make that decision.

If you have not seen the movie Lincoln
you need to go.
It is insightful.