“Looking forward to February!” The words greeted me from a hand-drawn bubble bursting from the mouth of a Snowman on the wrapping paper. Curious about the connection between the snowman and the gift inside, I tore open the package to reveal a pair of elegant gold earrings featuring red heart=shaped stones. “Valentine’s Day?” I thought … Continue reading Looking Forward to Moments
Category: Introspections
Little Fears Can Be Big Fears, too
Fear. He is a liar. These words echo through our car as the boys and I sing along, the truth of Zach Williams’ lyrics reverberating in our souls. And I think to myself that I face my fears every day. After all, I get in a car and drive miles down the freeway with my … Continue reading Little Fears Can Be Big Fears, too
Kindred Creatives
An educator’s world is a bubble, far-removed from other career paths. In my first years of teaching, my classroom was project-based and thrived on creativity and ingenuity. About five years into my teaching career, I jumped at the opportunity to teach the Gifted and Talented 7th grade English class. The room was filled with the … Continue reading Kindred Creatives
Teaching by Halves
I can only do things by halves - maybe not even that. In class this week, we’ve been reading Nina Cassian’s poem “A Man.” If you have never encountered the poem, here’s the gist: a man has lost an arm in war and fears being only half of what he was. This man lists the … Continue reading Teaching by Halves
Straining for Praise
Scrolling through social media, I feel helpless. No. Not helpless. Hopeless. Yes. That’s it. The light and hope evaporated from one of the few social outlets I have had during this shutdown. Even though stores and restaurants are opening, the expectation of social distancing has left an emptiness in my spirit, and Satan is preying … Continue reading Straining for Praise
All That Glitters 