handwritten on August 21, 2021
I have been waking up and reading the same excerpt of text before I start my day. It's written almost as a prayer I think. It requires focus, reflection and an attitude of hope. It has created a renewed burning fire in my soul, and I hope it does the same for you.
Six months before he was assassinated, King spoke to a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967...this was his prayer:
I want to ask you a question, and that is: What is your life’s blueprint?
Whenever a building is constructed, you usually have an architect who draws a blueprint, and that blueprint serves as the pattern, as the guide, and a building is not well erected without a...
handwritten on August 11, 2021
In the days leading up to full-time teaching I generally go haywire in trying to find the perfect selection of read-aloud book for as my grandfather always called them "my little cherubs." Though in the realm of life, my third grade selection of global read alouds for them probably doesn't matter all that much, I've convinced myself that it indeed is a life-changing decision. This is probably again why I have not gotten the hang of work life balance. But then again, if your work is not actually work but a pathway or a calling, then there is no such thing as needing to have such.
And in some ways, maybe it is life-changing when thinking about language and literacy and identity development. I...
handwritten on August 8, 2021
This summer has been full of
new realizations
and new learning
continued finding of truths about the world
about dreams about perspectives and
perhaps undiscovered whimsies
full of cooking and running
eating and walking many miles
and nurturing a garden that has thrived
beyond expectations
the beginning of August is always marked with
something that feels final
but as an educator we know that
August is simply a new beginning to stir
things up and let loose
inspire and be inspired
a new year of beginning, new books
and new perspectives and new starts
an awakening of a new journey
or maybe not brand new but continued
for there is so much to fill our hearts
when we begin again
handwritten on July 10, 2021
There is a time in everyone's life where
the world starts to feel more real
emotions are deeper
dreams shine with a brigher light
colors are more vibrant
and you can feel the
stretch and slow
and quickening pace of time
life stops simply passing
and every moment becomes important
and you yourself begin
to shift and change
a metamorphosis of sorts
and I realized this Fourth of July
was the first one spent in Buffalo
without my grandpa
we watched fireworks from the street corner
and took turns sitting in his chair
and you could just tell my grandmother's
light was a little dimmer
her bright red lipstick wasn't worn like it usually was
but then again
can you blame her?
and when the...
handwritten on July 10, 2021
A beautiul sunset filled summer night
with breezes and smiles
family and boating and
a melted-crayon
across the sky
laughter outside
and bustling feet past
8 PM
and even some nuns enjoying
ice cream outside our favorite place
and that's when you
are 100% sure you just witnessed
a blessing-filled
day.
