It can be a rough tumble from top of the heap to just another face in the crowd. It’s a lesson Daughter and I have both experienced — actually, she’s experiencing it now. Many years ago, I yawned my way through the first six grades of what was then elementary school. Interesting aside: In these … More The 7th Grade Blues, When It Just Didn’t Add Up (for the first time)
It was early on a Sunday evening. The three of us sat around the small round table in the area of our house that we have loosely described as the […]
… More Feeling growing pains — and watching beauty and grace blossoming before me
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and bottles of bubbles … During our more-than 2000-mile trip, that Arianna Grande pop hit was on some sort of radio perpetual motion machine, playing in every state, every county — occasionally interrupted by a song from a performer named Post Malone. Listening to these stations pleased Daughter immensely, especially when she … More Music echoes through time — but now I hear dead people
Never has there been such turmoil, such change, such incredibly demanding work. My family’s possessions are scattered: A full storage unit in Florida. A stuffed PackRat trailer stashed in Cherry Hill, NJ. A truckload of possessions at our current home, waiting to be emptied from the house and move to somewhere in Florida … ? … More Moving to Florida: Frustration and chaos, but Daughter’s smile overshadows all
It’s Kindergarten Graduation Time. Again. It’s been six years since Young Daughter made this same step up to 1st grade. It’s the kind of June morning where the mugginess plasters your shirt to your back, between the shoulders. Parents wave paper programs, coaxing a hint of a breeze. The children are restless. The teachers are … More New memories of Kindergarten, inside looking out: Small students, big hearts
You know she’s growing up when she hits the birthday when the gifts include only one toy … and a collection of clothing, books, gift cards, a beautiful photo collage of daughter through the years, and cash. The celebration with friends has evolved as well, of course. Two close friends spent the night Friday night, … More Sweet friendship is blind for Birthday girls; meanwhile, one gift is painful irony
Kindergarten? Kindergarten. Kindergarten! If you had asked me a year ago the grade level I’d be least likely to teach, that was the answer. But here I am: In a kindergarten classroom — and loving it. It seemed kindergarten students were so needy. “Mr. Walker, can you tie my shoe?” I spend lunchtime tearing open … More Kindergarten: Finding a classroom home during students’ Age of Exploration
“My name is TRACEY. You should know that. I’ve worked here for six years.” Embarrassment crept up the back of my neck as I mumbled, “Sorry.” It didn’t matter. she was quickly out of earshot. I immediately flashed back to a memory of my father — and just as quickly wondered if my daughter would … More By any other name, subtle race stereotypes still haunt us
First day of 5th Grade. A new school year. A new, grown-up “tween” world view. A new uniform shirt color. She told me at breakfast this morning she felt nervous, an unusual admission on her part. Reason? She didn’t know who (which friends) would be in her home base/fine arts and content classes. She will … More First day of 5th Grade: A year to learn about yourself and make (good) memories that last
What’s bothering her? She’s barely 10 years old. What weight of the world is she carrying? Is there something big going on in her life, or is she simply submerged under a landslide of minor injustices and irritants? Tender queries reveal two answers: “No,” and “Nothing.” Stomp. Slam. It must be hard growing up in … More When her feelings turn from tender to toxic, best strategy is keeping my mouth shut
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