While at the public pool playing with my 6-year-old daughter, I was splashed full-on in the face by some obnoxious young boys. I yelled out in surprise, “Hey! Careful!” The biggest one turned towards me. “What, it’s just water,” he replied with a sneer. Continue reading Bullies at the Pool [Life’s teachers are everywhere]
Having spent much of my adult life as a teacher (and all of my childhood as a student), I tend to measure time in school-years. Continue reading Another Year Done (Two Poems for the End of the School Year)
Dear Daughter,Here is what I need you to know: Your breath will always bring you home. It is your ruby slippers—just close your eyes, inhale deep into your belly, and follow it. Trust your breath to know the way back—every time. Let your heart be a lantern, not a vacancy sign. Hold it up and brave the darkness. Listen and it will reveal the beauty … Continue reading Dear Daughter
The juxtaposition of being a fragile human and a strong parent has never been more intense than this moment, during these times of global anxiety and local restraint. My children are young enough that they deserve to reside in the soft web of innocence a little longer. As parents, we are the weavers of this ethereal web, our sleight of hand holding the chaos at bay. These fibers become more tenuous each year, as our children’s arms and legs grow longer and their eyes begin to see farther into the truths of the world. Continue reading On wearing the Mom Suit
“uhhhh…Why do I have to DO this?” moaned my 6-year-old son as he melted off the desk chair, hanging sideways, arms flailed. After the most recent painful morning of begging and coercing my son to sit in front of the computer and feign interest in any sort of school work, I decided I needed a paradigm shift. Continue reading Why do I have to do this?
Little boy
you carry my heart with you each day
in your grubby hands Continue reading A Poem For My Son
Waking up Razzle-Dazzle 