A Friendship Renewed

So a number of years ago, I became friends with a couple who were very close with my boyfriend at the time. I loved hanging out at their place, and getting to know their little girl who was then 2 years old and just starting to talk. I was very excited to learn that they were expecting twins. We spent quite a bit of time with them, and I really connected with them. And then said boyfriend and I broke up.

Honestly, there were times when I think I missed this couple more than the boyfriend. But I didn't want to invite myself in to what I perceived to be "his territory." I was excited for them when when I heard the twins were born, but being unsure of the appropriate way to get into contact with them, I did nothing.

Well yesterday the mom and the 3 little girls (including the twins whose third birthday happened to be yesterday!) and two of their friends were on an "adventure" exploring the town, and ended up at our school. When R (the mom) recognized me, I took a second to figure out who she was - I didn't recognize her from far away without my glasses on, and she had a toque on! She right away told me that they had missed me, and I got all choked up when I told her the feeling was mutual... As we talked some more, she said the ex tends not to be around as much and she thinks it would be fine to have me over for a visit again sometime soon. I am so looking forward to that call.

For this, I give thanks

In case you just tuned in to this blog, I have been VERY delinquent in posting regularly. Here's the thing: I started this blog to record things that amuse me or inspire me, to share them with others, and to refer to them later when I need a pick-me-up. Well. Good. Only problem is, I am easily amused, and often inspired. And there's no way I'd have time to blog about it all! So here (in no particular order)are some things that have amused and/or inspired me in the past weeks and months:

1) Relationship Matters - A two day lecture by Dr. Gordon Neufeld about developmental psychology, attachment theory, and how we can harness the power of relationships as educators, parents, spouses, etc. He inspired AND amused. After 2 days of sitting in church pews listening and taking notes, I was up for a couple more days of his food-for-my-soul.

2) Democracy in action. I went to a standing-room-only all-candidates forum today in preparation for the election. The inspiring bits were: the variety in our candidates (age, race, gender, etc), the number of people who got up to ask questions, and the fact that the turnout was so good.

3) Friends. Way back in August, I attended a friend's daughter's fourth birthday party, with grandparents and immediate family only. To be included in the family like that was a very precious thing. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I am so, SO blessed to have the friends and the family that I have.

4) Thanksgiving. It may be my favorite holiday. I try to have a grateful attitude year round, but this time of year, with the beautiful fall colours around, and the brisk days requiring hot cups of tea/hot chocolate/coffee and cozy blankets, reminds me how lucky I am to have the luxury of spending time just being still. (On weekends, you understand; Work is way too crazy for that right now!) This year will be extra special because aside from going to Edmonton to visit the bf (having already celebrated thxgvg with my immediate family last weekend), my younger brother will be driving up to join us for part of the weekend. It will be the first time the three of us have spent quality time together just us, and I'll be cooking my first turkey!

5) Our students. Wow, this year has a unique feel to it at our learning centre. We are physically very nearly full every day, and yet the space is often nearly silent because everyone is so focused. I am so inspired by all these individuals that overcome a hundred barriers just to get there, and then still manage to focus on school work and hand lots of stuff in (a sure sign of progress!)

6) Facing my apprehensions (not fears exactly, but still requiring courage.) I am embarking on an adventure that will require every ounce of creativity I can muster. I am (thankfully) supported by a friend on this project, but I am nervous because it is something I have always wanted to do, and I really want it to turn out perfect, even though I know I'll never be 100% satisfied with it. Still, I was inspired by a student of mine, who, upon hearing that it was something I'd always dreamed of doing, challenged me with, "so what's stopping you?" Coming from someone who's had far more obstacles in her life, I had to take that to heart. And within a couple of days, the ball was rolling. What it came down to was realizing that I'd rather do it imperfectly than not do it at all ... (and I'll eventually reveal the project when I have a better idea what it's going to look like... still in preliminary planning stages!) :-) Carpe diem, right?

That's it for now. There's way more, but it's late, and I do Wednesdays much better on a good night's sleep! :-)

I've been waiting for this

I thought I had posted about Sheena Grobb before but apparently not... I have become one of her biggest fans over the past year (helps that she grew up in my hometown and we used to sing in choir together), and I really think she's the next big thing.

I saw her in concert last month and was once again blown away. I was very tired, and tired often equals emotional for me, but I was crying/teary-eyed through about half the concert. She announced that night that she would be releasing a free download of one of her songs and I've been anxiously waiting because it was my favorite song from the night. She's asking people to spread the word so she can get some more publicity about her upcoming album, so check it out!! www.sheenagrobb.com (click on the graphic) Enjoy!

*Names changed to protect identities

Here's an email a colleague sent at work today... A little background info first though: "Jane" and "Mary" are both women in their late 20s, who have attended our learning centre for a few years, and overcome great obstacles, including not speaking English at first, to do so. We have supported them along the way, and they have worked very hard to acheive their current level of success. Both are still financially in tight spots, but it's not quite as bad as it used to be. "Kate" is a 17-year-old mom who started attending in fall when she was a few months pregnant. She returned to school as soon as "Maggie" was old enough (3 months) to be in the daycare, and has also worked very hard all along. All 3 women are going to be attending a student dress rehearsal performance of Dream Girls at MTC next week with a small group from our school. What follows is a brilliant example of the community we work so hard at building within our school...

And now, finally, the email:

"I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy, and I thought I'd pass it on.

This morning, I witnessed the loveliest "pay it forward" from our wonderful students.

Yesterday, I chatted with Kate and Jane about the Dreamgirls production. Kate expressed a combination of interest in going along with concern about what to do with Maggie.

Jane called Mary about this, and they came up with a solution to the child care issue - Mary has a friend who would be willing to watch the baby!

Then...this morning...Jane came to pay for her ticket, and decided to also pay for Kate's because, Jane noted, "she will already have to pay for a babysitter, and I would like to do this."

Try to measure that in any curriculum!!!

Have I mentioned lately how much I love this place????"

I couldn't agree more!! What a great way to end off my week! :-)

on getting involved

I had secretly been regretting my recent decision to join the Fellowship & Outreach committee at my church, mostly because, by coincidence, May and June (the first couple of months I've been on the committee) have turned out to be very busy for our committee, and I was hoping for a little less of a time commitment. I had also been secretly dreading tonight's event - a supper to celebrate the seniors in our church, and the first event put on by this committee since I joined up. I had been dreading it for a number of reasons that I won't get into, but primarily, I just wasn't nuts about giving up "my" Friday night. But tonight I changed my tune.

I haven't laughed that hard in a really long time. Although I was part of the group doing all the "work," I think I had more fun than some of our guests! I was both part of the entertainment, and I was entertained. And as our work crew joked around in the kitchen while we cleaned up afterwards, I realized that I knew exactly what I was signing up for when I signed up, and that I'm glad I did. I'm just sorry I lost sight of it for a bit there.

The F&O committee is about reaching out and including everyone in our church family. Our minister aside, I was the youngest person there by a good 20 years, but I felt completely at home with these warm, welcoming people. I actually felt like I was preparing a meal with all my aunts and uncles. We weren't out to raise money tonight, but just to provide a chance for people to connect, have fun,and enjoy an evening out with good food and good fun. And that's what we did. All of us. And once again I was very proud to be a part of this little community I call home. What a great way to spend "my" Friday night! :-)

Advice for Life

I was in my car for a total of about 5 minutes today, and managed to catch this on the radio. I'd forgotten about it since it first came out about 10 years ago, but it's so good, I didn't want to forget about it again. So I'm posting it here for future reference when I need some really sage advice about what's really important in life. And now I'll just let it speak for itself. Enjoy.

Every Minute

I spend a lot of my spare time a) on the phone with my mom or my boyfriend, b) online with my brother or my boyfriend, c) "facebooking" with a variety of friends and relatives, and d) actually having face-to-face contact with friends & family near and far. Needless to say, these relationships are very important to me. I often lament the fact that I am some distance away from many of these significant people, but I also really value the ones that live close by. This week I went for drinks with a couple of friends from work one night, and I was reminded again how lucky I am to be surrounded by such warm, caring, and fun people, who allow me to be entirely me.

Tonight I was playing piano and came across a piece by Sara Groves that I hadn't played in quite a while. It nearly moved me to tears (yet again), and I wanted to post the lyrics here to say thanks to the people I love for loving me back. :-)

Every Minute (Sara Groves)
I am long in staying; I am slow to leave
Especially when it comes to you, my friend.
You have taught me to slow down and to prop up my feet.
It's the fine art of being who I am.
And I can't figure out why you want me around;
I'm not the smartest person I have ever met.
But somehow that doesn't matter.
No, it never really mattered to you at all.

And at the risk of wearing out my welcome,
at the risk of self-discovery,
I'll take every moment and every minute that you'll give me.

And I can think of a time when families all lived together,
four generations in one house,
and the table was full of good food and friends and neighbours;
that's not how we like it now.
'Cause if you sit at home you're a loser;
couldn't you find anything better to do?
Well, no I couldn't think of one thing
I would rather waste my time on than sitting here with you.

And at the risk of wearing out my welcome,
at the risk of self-discovery,
I'll take every moment and every minute that you'll give me.

And I wish all the people I love the most could gather in one place
and know each other and love each other well,
And I wish we could all go camping and lay beneath the stars
when there's nothing to do and stories to tell.
We'd sit around the campfire and we'd make each other laugh,
remembering when.
You're the first one I'm inviting; always know that you're invited, my friend.

And at the risk of wearing out my welcome,
at the risk of self-discovery,
I'll take every moment and every minute that you'll give me.
I'll take every moment and every minute that you'll give me.