saving the dandelions

We spend a lot of time in the car, which means we spend a lot of time battling radio wars. I like Mozart and Debussy. They like Drake and Ariana Grande. Sometimes they win (I never do), and sometimes we compromise on the contemporary Christian music station – upbeat music they like and lyrics that… Continue reading radio wars

I used to play the piano with my hands and my brain. Then in a flash, sixteen years ago, I lost my finger in a construction accident. I thought piano was stolen from me, but when it was restored (as it turns out, a left index finger isn't necessary for most octaves and chords...who knew?),… Continue reading piano

My friend the electrician is a great storyteller. He’s been on the planet for quite a few years and has stored up some life lessons. He tells me he used to be someone completely different; he was angry, alcoholic, difficult to be around, a traumatized Vietnam veteran. Then, in a crisis, he tested God to… Continue reading use & value

Our attendance question in Kindergarten yesterday was, "What is your favorite kind of flower?" Several of them, of course, chose the beautiful, bright dandelion as their favorite flower. They've been bringing me fistfuls of them after every recess and putting them in my little dandelion vase by the sink. My busiest little guy (I'll call… Continue reading sunshine

I had eggs for breakfast today; really special eggs. Last spring my Kindergartners hatched chicks as we always do. And as usual, a good percentage of them hatched and we enjoyed the noisy little yellow fur balls for a week or so before they went to live at the farm. Also, as usual, the last… Continue reading Eggs

Four little girls I know have been practicing their new names. They found out the caring people they’ve grown to love are going to adopt them. It’s surreal and confusing and a little over their heads, but they are happy. That lonesome, fearful pit in the bottom of their bellies is gone now. They’ve been… Continue reading new name

I’m filling in for the 3rd & 4th grade Sunday school teacher at church. The class is mostly boys. Noisy ones. This morning I was teaching them about forgiveness. In my perpetual optimism I thought I could teach them a new vocabulary word…early in the morning…when most of them didn’t even want to be there…and… Continue reading reconciled

In our classroom, when someone brings a book from home, I always read it to the class. It’s a deliberate policy to promote literacy at home. Kids get excited about reading if they know they can share an especially funny book or a good story with their classmates. Earlier this week one girl brought a… Continue reading Jesus Books

The lawn mower started with one pull. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but it is. For years I fought against being a single foster mom. I had taken in a child on an emergency basis a few years ago and even though it was more than I could handle at… Continue reading Lawn Mower