A couple of weeks ago I challenged my students to write down what they were thankful for and I did the same. Remembering what we valued most during this season was healing and affirming. Comment with what you're thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
About a month ago, I finished reading Alice Hoffman's The Dovekeepers. I was riveted by this tale of four indomitable women, who were bound together through loss during the Roman siege of Masada. Women, who under different circumstances would have ostracized one another, instead protected one another. For me, the beauty of this historical fiction was in … Continue reading Thank you is not enough, but thank you.
Every morning on the way to school, my little love and I say our "good morning" prayer. As we drive, I say a little prayer for a day filled with safety, love, and gratitude. Then my sweet girl says her prayer. This morning she remained quiet after I finished, so I turned up the radio … Continue reading Good Morning Prayers
Love is in the air at our house. My four-and-a-half-year old has declared her love for her little preschool friend, who has apparently already proposed marriage. They are getting married so that they can go on a date, as "that's why you get married mommy." Of course it is. This budding, yet fast tracked relationship has … Continue reading Love is in the Air
I love my job. I love my students. I'm blessed that when I leave home every morning, kiss my daughter good-bye, and head to "work," that I feel fulfilled, that there is a God-driven purpose to my day. That's not to say that every day is easy. On the contrary, there are many tough days. … Continue reading Forgotten Prayers
Fear is a funny thing. It can take over our lives and turn us into the worst versions of ourselves. It may cause us to become bystanders, when we should be defenders. It may cause us to be followers, when we should be unpopular leaders. It may cause us to lash out, when we should … Continue reading We can choose compassion and hope in the face of fear
Last night I sat on my kitchen floor and cried. My dog stared at me with her soulful eyes, while my daughter pranced around me in her pajamas and tiara, her plastic heels clickety clacking against the tile. Every now and then she stopped to stroke my cheek with her little hand, asking me what we were going … Continue reading The Night of the Pumpkin Ricotta Lasagna
I once had an ESL student in South Korea who wrote an essay about how pointless she thought mosquitos were. She made a compelling and detailed argument, which ended with her simple, yet powerful declaration, "My mind is the truth." I feel like that's a mic drop, walk-away-without-looking-back moment of clarity. Nine years later, I still catch myself ironically repeating … Continue reading General Tso’s Cauliflower
"Mommy, will you tell me a story?" my little love asked as I was tucking her in. I looked at her sweet face and resisted the urge to prostrate myself on the floor beside her bed. I was tired. The end-of-school year craziness has been keeping me up at night, wrestling with fitful dreams. I had just used up … Continue reading Tell me a story
Over the past month, I've realized that my identity is not defined by the term "single mother." I know that as far as labels go, that's what I am, but it's not WHO I am. I'm just a mother, like any other. Although I was still married for the first two years of my little … Continue reading Family Dedication
