Trust #4 Haiku

Reblogged from Labyrinth.Living:

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Trust like a young child,

Know God will catch me, I fall

Into loving arms.

Learning to trust God, He has total control, so I need to let go.

Labyrinth Walker

I have neglected my blog for many months, so it always surprises me when I log in and find that someone is following me. This morning I found a new follower Labyrinth.Living and decided to learn a little more about them by reading their
A Bit About Me page. I was immediately filled with awe. I quickly added this blog to the list of blogs I follow and vowed diligence in reading it. It is an honor to have this person following me. I look forward to following her as she walks through the labyrinth of life.

Cow Crossing

Thomas Says

On our way to church this morning, we discussed the family schedule for this week.  I started by asking Bill, “What do you have scheduled for this week?”  After listing the activities and meetings he had scheduled, I asked Tobi what her schedule looked like.  Next I asked Will.  A few seconds later, I hear Thomas say, “Talk to me, Mom.”  So, I asked, “Thomas, what does your schedule look like this week?”  Without missing a beat, he replied, “Angry Birds.”  

 

Perhaps I should stop letting him play with my phone.  

Time to Play

I spent the last two days in my classroom. Because it is fall break, I didn’t have to be there. When I arrived yesterday,the maintenance man, Chuck, told me I should go home and enjoy my time off. The thing is, I was enjoying my time off. For the first time in years, I spent time “playing” in my classroom and enjoyed every minute.

Journal

When we believe in education, in ourselves as educators and in our students as learners, we have confidence that even though it isn’t always easy, the possibilities are endless. If we lose any of these three beliefs, we lose faith and become harmful to the system.

Notes inspired by Rev. Elizabeth Gilliam’s sermon 6/26/11 First Presbyterian Church, Dickson, TN.

Book Review Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher

Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher. Greenwillow Books, 2001. This is a novel filled with so much tragedy that a reader might wonder if it is realistic. It might be possible for readers to dismiss this book as unrealistic. Even though it might be easier to close this book and say, “Chris Crutcher is crazy. Stuff like this doesn’t really happen,” readers must keep reading. In this novel, Crutcher tackles issues of discrimination, bullying, racism and abuse. We must remind ourselves that not everyone is in the same place in life that we are. We must remember that these ugly things exist and there are people who deal with them everyday. We need to think about what we can to do make life better for those who are suffering. This book is a great reminder to those of us blessed enough to not suffer and a source of comfort for those who do. Chris Crutcher has an amazing way of creating characters who can serve as examples us all.

This book is great for those who can handle truth. I will not be able to recommend it to all readers though. It isn’t for younger readers, and it isn’t for readers who are easily offended by the realistic actions and language of abuse and racism.

What is it about? A swim team filled with misfits who can’t swim led by a captain determined that every member of his team will earn a coveted letter jacket.

Book Review The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Scholastic Press, 2008.

In a postapocalyptic world filled with fear, hunger and submission, Katniss Everdeen sacrifices herself to protect the younger sister she loves more than life. Katniss finds that even though she thinks her destiny is to die in the Hunger Games, she has what it takes to not only survive, but also changed the destiny of the world she lives in. This book is impossible to put down until you get the last page and hard to forget after that page is read.

Finding Happiness

In Adriana Trigiani’s book Very Valentine the main character, Valentine, comes to realize that her fight to save her families shoe company is getting in the way of what brings her true joy–making shoes. She says, “The way I live from day to day in New York City suddenly seems ridiculous to me. I’ve mortgaged my happiness for a time that may never come. I love making shoes. Why does it have to be more complicated than that?”

I think about her words and compare it to my own life. I spent so many years thinking about leaving the classroom to become a reading coach, a college professor or something bigger. After three years of attempting to be a reading coach, I realize that maybe I too have mortgaged my happiness. I love teaching kids, and I love sharing ideas with teachers. I love collaborating with teachers. Why should I make it more complicated?

I am so thankful to be going back into the classroom where I can teach kids and collaborate with teachers.

Morning Coffee

Big, puffy, white clouds float above.
Little Thomas feet pitter patter below.
A lukewarm cup of raspberry delight coffee rests by my side.
Seems like a perfect place for a little writing.

I think I will always remember this summer as the summer I fell in love with the great outdoors. I hope that this summer is the beginning of a transformation. I hope that years from now I will look back at pictures pre-2010 and be able to say, “I don’t even look like the same person.” Physically, I never want to return to where I am right now. I’ve been running and cycling this summer and I feel young and alive. I feel like a kid again. I don’t want to lose that feeling. I want to enjoy life. Enjoy being outside. Enjoy being active. Enjoy my family. Enjoy my work. Just enjoy. Mentally, I want to continue to grow and change. When I think about the person I was 10 years ago, I am amazed at how much different I am. I’ve changed for the better and I hope to continue to become a better human being.