Because of Him

If I ever thought I was smart, it's because of him.

If I ever loved the blues, it's because of him.

If I ever realized that ice cream can cure any bad day,  it's because of him.

If I ever thought that I was good at music, or writing, or singing, or acting, or dancing, or any other art I attempted, it's because of him.

If I ever learned the importance of being a good friend,  it's because of him.

If I ever used movie quotes interspersed in my conversations,  it's because of him.

If I ever loved learning, it's because of him.

If I ever wondered how something worked or why something happened, it's because of him.

If I ever loved an old movie, it's because of him.

If I ever thought that I was strong and able, it's because of him.

If I ever read a book to savor the beauty of a well written sentence, it's because of him.

If I ever thought a boy was an idiot,  it's because of him.

If I ever felt so confident that I knew I could do what others could not,  it's because of him.

If I ever loved science fiction,  it's because of him.

If I ever learned how to rebuild an engine, it's because of him.

If I ever loved rap,  it's because of him.

If I ever felt like I was special and important,  it's because of him.

If I ever loved the ocean, it's because of him.

If I ever knew that I had something to offer the world to make it better,  it's because of him.

If I ever saw the importance of family, it's because of him.

If I ever felt like there was no place I could fall where I would not be caught, it's because of him.

If I ever felt safe, it's because of him.

If I ever desired to serve God and seek Him, it's because of him.

If I ever thought that all firemen were brave and strong and kind and handsome, it's because of him.

Happy Birthday to my dear Dad. He somehow was able to make me simultaneously feel like his little girl and empower me to be a strong woman. I could ask for no better father. It's because of him that I am me. Thanks, Daddy.

Children Should Be Heard

  I am good with kids. I have known that since I started being old enough to say, "I'm good with kids." I've tried to figure out why it is that I can relate to kids and talk with them and have them talk and relate to me. Part of it is certainly because I love things that are kid-like. I enjoy bubbles, coloring with sidewalk chalk, dancing to anything, novels meant for kids, tv shows meant for kids, and just being silly. But I've decided the most important reason is that I listen.
   I've recently been observing other adults and their interactions with kids. Some adults can't hear kids as they continually shout out, begging for attention. Some talk over kids in the middle of a story and start talking to another adult because they don't think what the kid is saying is valid. Some respond with a simple "oh really" while they are doing something else. I've also seen some who look kids in the eye while they speak. Who pause in conversation to listen. Who ask questions and respond like they want to know the answer. Who actually have conversations with kids as if they are people and matter.
    See, that's the key. Listening to someone tells that person that you think he or she matters. What you have to say and what you think about things and what you have done is worth hearing. When do kids become valid human members of society? Some might say adulthood, some when they get a job, some when they can talk. I say that all of childhood is a time when you are valid. You matter no matter how old or intelligent or learned or intelligible you are. So when a 3 year old at church wants to tell me about her dress, how is that any less valid than me wanting to tell people about my dress. And when a twelve year old is telling me about a book she loves, I want to know (mostly because I'll probably love it too).
     So often kids feel like they are not heard, like they don't yet matter. But they do matter! They are a functional and integral part of our society and they deserve to be heard. And just think about what you teach a kid when you listen. You teach them that respect is given to everyone no matter who they are, what they look like, or their age. You teach them how to listen by being a listener. You teach them that words have power. You teach them that they are valuable and have a purpose. You teach them to think of themselves in a communal way - a way that can lead to seeing outside of themselves and looking to others.
    The next time you see a kid, I challenge you to ask them a question. Start with, "How's school?" if you are feeling uncreative. But you might move into, "reading anything interesting?" or "what shows are you watching?" or "would you ever want to live in another country?" or "do you think that aliens have art?" or "what makes you happy?" or "who's your best friend?" It may be awkward and you may have to carry a large part of the conversation, but it doesn't matter. What the kid will hear is, "I'm interested in knowing more about you." The key is, when they answer - listen!

An Interesting Fact About You

Every year my kids fill out info cards about themselves: phone numbers, birthday, etc. But my favorite is an interesting fact they tell me about themselves. Most are about what sports they play or a talent they have, but some are just an excellent reflection of why I love to teach junior high. Here are some top samplings:

I like to play with my nails

I am a girl

I am boring. I do nothing.

PC NOT Mac

I love Pandas

I go to church every day

My favorite hobby is math and I love to play sports

I am aware of my surroundings and the people around me

In chess, I can beat everyone I know except for the computer.

I love and have a propensity of always using more complex vocabulary words when conversing with anyone when possible.

I mostly get "F's" in math. I don't know why.

I love to read Harry Potter books.

I have the same birthday as my sisters.

I don't know much Spanish.

(one girl's was a bulleted list):

•       I'm just a simple and nice girl
•       creative
•       nice with lettering

I am your student.

I have 2 ducks, 12 doves, and 3 parrots.

I like to dive in the pool and I can snap my finger really fast.

I like red, black, gray, white, and werewolves.

I love my sleep.

I like holding my lizards.

I could climb a lot of stuff.

In bsa (boy scouts of america) and courteous, scientific

I like to travel around the world.

I have a twin sister named Margaret. Don't get mixed up. :)

I know much about the Japanese culture.

There are haunted dolls up my attic. Really creepy. They appear every day on the ground. Then they disappear in a hour.


                This is going to be a fabulous school year...