My husband sent flowers to me at work, which was a very thoughtful gesture. "He did good!" as my Principal commented on my way out of school on Friday afternoon. The past two years, which were somewhat difficult financially, we were not able to buy anything for one another, let alone send a surprise delivery. As I reflect on all of the years that we have been together, though, there is not one that stands out as being more special than any of the others - time times that we shared gifts, the times that we didn't, before we had children, nor after we had children. Our relationship has always been based on a strong friendship and a loyal commitment. I am blessed to love my husband, and to sense his love in return, no matter what else (work, money, etc.) we have dealt with, or are dealing with, in our lives.
Celebrating friendship this weekend,
MWM Turns 30
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A Memory in the Making
I will never forget this day for as long as I live. My daughter has been up since 8:00 a.m. chattering away about the Daddy-Daughter Dance that her daddy will be taking her to tonight. Her joy is unbridled, her excitement unabashed. I am so in love with these two people - my husband and my daughter - that I cannot help but feel warm with pride as I watch her dance around before her "big date."
It is as though this is her "first wedding," and I am the photographer capturing it all. This is a memory in the making.
MWM Turns 30
It is as though this is her "first wedding," and I am the photographer capturing it all. This is a memory in the making.
MWM Turns 30
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
There's Got to be a Better Way!
It was a blustery winter day. The snow whipped past my face as I opened the heavy door into a small waiting area cramped with people. I gripped my cable bill in one hand, and tugged at my purse to keep it up on my shoulder. I remember thinking, "why me?!" as I took my place in line, 9 months pregnant with my second child.
About 10 minutes passed. I had been eavesdropping on conversations between other customers as I continued to pout. One lady chatted about where she'd gotten her nails done. A man griped about the economy, and in particular how difficult it was to keep a household going in Flint. A woman behind me texted on her cell phone meticulously, as though her life depended on the exchange. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a short, older man trying to make his way up the slippery walkway into the building, hunched over his walker and gritting his teeth. He was hell bent on doing this on his own, and waved away a young man that offered to help him just outside of the door. From further up in the line - which had begun looping around the room like a snake - a tall African-American man with a booming voice said out loud exactly what we had all been thinking: "There's got to be a better way!"
For some reason, this man's words have stuck with me. When people conflict, when decisions are made hastily, when worry begins to set in... I try to remember the promise that I made to myself about never contributing to a mess such as that. If there's got to be a better way, then we should all be committed to finding it.
MWM Turns 30
About 10 minutes passed. I had been eavesdropping on conversations between other customers as I continued to pout. One lady chatted about where she'd gotten her nails done. A man griped about the economy, and in particular how difficult it was to keep a household going in Flint. A woman behind me texted on her cell phone meticulously, as though her life depended on the exchange. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a short, older man trying to make his way up the slippery walkway into the building, hunched over his walker and gritting his teeth. He was hell bent on doing this on his own, and waved away a young man that offered to help him just outside of the door. From further up in the line - which had begun looping around the room like a snake - a tall African-American man with a booming voice said out loud exactly what we had all been thinking: "There's got to be a better way!"
For some reason, this man's words have stuck with me. When people conflict, when decisions are made hastily, when worry begins to set in... I try to remember the promise that I made to myself about never contributing to a mess such as that. If there's got to be a better way, then we should all be committed to finding it.
MWM Turns 30
Monday, February 8, 2010
Informational Report
I explained the next big writing assignment to my students today - an Informational Research Report. They have 3 weeks to complete it, and can write about any researchable topic of their choice: sports history, world leaders, animals, regions, landmarks, artists, etc. I tried to emphasize the idea that students should research a topic that they are passionate about.
This got me to thinking about how often we, as adults, pass up the opportunity to learn more about things that we are passionate about: politics, spirituality, genealogy, current events, our neighbors, and even our own family members. What if we all had to write an Informational Report this month? What would we write about, and how would we make time to learn?
MWM Turns 30
This got me to thinking about how often we, as adults, pass up the opportunity to learn more about things that we are passionate about: politics, spirituality, genealogy, current events, our neighbors, and even our own family members. What if we all had to write an Informational Report this month? What would we write about, and how would we make time to learn?
MWM Turns 30
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Watch the Superbowl? I'd rather clean!
First of all, I'd rather do almost anything than clean. When I think of giving up 3-4 hours on a Sunday to watch a football game, however, I realize that I would rather clean, iron, or work on materials for my classroom than watch this sporting event with teams and players that I can't even name.
Did this happen when I was born with ovaries instead of testes? Did this happen when I grew up with parents that cared more about reading than watching sports? Perhaps it happened when I became a home-owner, a Mom, or passed the age of 25. I am unable to pinpoint the moment that I decided against sports in favor of home, work, and family, but it definitely made me who I am today... and determined what I will not be doing this afternoon.
A toast to all of you that, like me, will be engaged in something meaningful (to you), while your hubby or significant other watches the game in the other room. Have a wonderful Sunday!!!
MWM Turns 30
Did this happen when I was born with ovaries instead of testes? Did this happen when I grew up with parents that cared more about reading than watching sports? Perhaps it happened when I became a home-owner, a Mom, or passed the age of 25. I am unable to pinpoint the moment that I decided against sports in favor of home, work, and family, but it definitely made me who I am today... and determined what I will not be doing this afternoon.
A toast to all of you that, like me, will be engaged in something meaningful (to you), while your hubby or significant other watches the game in the other room. Have a wonderful Sunday!!!
MWM Turns 30
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