Something fun in my memory I like to do is to recall books I love. It's funny to think how much time I spent in libraries (and my own homemade library) as a child. To me, one of the greatest things ever was meeting and learning and listening to authors of all kinds. I'm currently trying to remember all the authors (and illustrators) I've met in my life. When I was little they came to my school, but when I got old enough, I would go to conferences, book fairs, book stores, anywhere where I could listen to them talk about their books.
I've laughed with friends (even recently to a pal who will be another published author I will go listen to someday:) ) about how authors were always like Hollywood "stars" in my mind, although, to almost all of them, they don't see themselves that way. They are just people, and most keep their fame to themselves because they are known by their words not anything else. I always said I wanted to be an author just because I loved writing so much, but as an added bonus, people would know who you were, but not really. In other words, you could stand in the fruit section of the grocery store mulling over melon without people swooning over you.
I still have the desire to have published books, but my dreams have been tweaked a little and I'm seeing more clearly what God wants me to do with my passions.
Anyways, currently, here are the bookish folks I can think of meeting (or seeing, maybe?). Please note some of them are current. My enjoyment of this pasttime has never run out.
-Ann M. Martin (this is still very vivid in my mind, and one of my truly exhilerating childhood moments..yes I was a nerd:) ), author of The Babysitters Club series and many more books. Something about her Biography (yes she has a biography and yes I read it) stuck out to me even before I've had health issues, but I will talk about that later. But I admire her for it, and knew I wanted to meet her when I read it (curious- just ask:) ).
-Wendell Minor: illustrator of America the Beautiful
-Kevin Henkes (of recent): author/illustrator of Lily's Purple Purse and many more excellent children's books),
-Jan Brett (of recent) awesome illustrator (and writer) of The Mitten and many more
-Sarah Dessen (of recent) author of The Truth about Forever (which I lent to someone...who? It would come in handy for everyone I know to read my blog so I could find out right about now)
I know I met more as a child but I cannot remember their names right now:( However, I do remember a man named Michael Rosen. Apparently, he is still going strong as a poet and illustrator. In middle school, he came to our school and spoke the poem from a book that does not seem to be too much in print any longer. It was called Speak! Children's Book Illustrators Brag about their Dogs. I think I liked it because all the procedes were to raise money for some cause. Anyways, it was such a silly book and I love silly stuff that is still meaningful. He had a great poem about dogs, and I loved dogs...I still do, but not in the same way. Being around dogs in the way that I hoped didn't happen until I was much older, so I was always interested in them. In the poem, I remember him talking about all different kinds of dogs and what they were doing. Some of the dogs were doing silly things, of course, like Pinchers pinching his pillows, but others were just being still. I remember the line "16 Irish Setters sit serene along the stairs." I memorized the poem when we did poetry readings in English class. I loved it!
But now that I think about it, what jolted my memory about those Irish Setters today was that they were being serene. I thought of the word serene because I want to be more serene. Whenever I think of certain words, my memory does a play back of a time in my life when I heard the word a lot. Serene makes me think of the dogs sitting quietly and still on the stairs.
Serene means calm, not agitated. It is very easy right now in my life to not be serene. Even if I am happy, because of what I've let go of so I can focus on what's most important right now, many times I am anything but serene. I don't think I am the opposite of calm, but I am not always as calm as I'd like. There are times to move and times to be still, and it is hard sometimes to allow life to happen when it doesn't go right or it takes longer to do things. I will try to remember the Irish Setters. I know there is a purpose for the rhythm of the current current. It all evens and balances out in the end. This I have hope for and will keep pressing toward.
***I encourage YOU to become a kid again and listen to an author, especially a children's author. It is SUCH fun to hear the audience's questions...the kids ask who his/her favorite character or book is like 10 times, and ask random questions about the characters that were in the stories like they are real people and expect a very serious answer. Like, shouldn't every author know what their characters are doing NOW, even if their story has "ended"?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Million dollar doctor
Sooo I don't think anyone reads my blog as I've said before (except maybe Traci and Danielle:) ) but I don't care too much. I strongly dislike the computer these days..BUT I thought anyone who does read this blog might go forth and pray pray pray that eventually (eventually =ing tomorrow would be great) some doctor (or doctors because there's multiple issues) figures out what the heck is really wrong and why I have so much pain in my upper body all the time. So many doctors, years, and different spinal diagnosis' later, I'm going again to see someone tomorrow. I am trying to keep my expectations low, and perhaps, even though I know (and God knows) that I ultimately am serious about my desires to combat it, I have to lighten my thoughts about my pain or I'll go crazy. For tomorrow, this means, in my mind, I am going to go in thinking, "wouldn't YOU like to be my million dollar doctor? I've always said the one who finally figures out why nothing seems to remove my pain can have a million." (don't ask how I'm going to get that money:) ).
I think it makes a good story title anyway...
I think it makes a good story title anyway...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Alphabet book
I am trying to write an adult alphabet book, and not getting very far. If I post some of my trouble letters here, maybe I'll be motivated to get it done faster. Anyone can give me feedback, or just ignore me for awhile as I try to sort out my thoughts:).
C
Changing the world
When we're young, we think the world is simple, that there are easy answers for the largest problems. With this mindset, I could easily write off world peace as simply a lack of communication and love. Criminal activity would disappear because of a higher accountability to oneself and others. Stress would go away because we'd look at the big picture, and so on.
When I was little, I was fortunate enough to enjoy a carefree life. I didn't worry too much what people thought of me, and I mostly thought of far off lands and adventures I would one day have, and how it would be easy to help put an end to all the silly madness that went on in life.
Then I grew up and realized it was harder than I thought.
One of my favorite books is “Writing to Change the World” by Dr. Mary Pipher. The reason I like the book and the author so much is that they demonstrate how psychology, general interest in living and life processes, and expressions of writing and communication can be powerful and effective when combined. I have always loved people who also wanted to make an impact, even if small, and despite any defenses fighting against them.
As my life and life in general got more complex, I sought answers for what I could do. Recently, I've realized that as much as I have hope that people and the larger systems of the world can change, I remember that it's important to v isit and revisit the idea that I need and can change as well. Part of my defense against life's brutality has been to combat it full force, but I'm now trying to deflect and fight more gently. It's a process, and one that doesn't come without a few flinches and blocks, but I'm realizing that the best defense is subtle and often flows like water. I've begun taking Tai Chi lessons, where self-defense and skills are learned in non-forceful, indirect way. When done correctly, the methods are still very effective. You just don't have the rigidity that exists in other defense forms.
It's hard to remember the practices learned and apply them to everyday life, especially because they don't come naturally. It's my (and probably most people's) first reaction to tighten up, but by relaxing, and allowing the body to draw power from within, the benefits and results are much better. Like in the current state of my life, relearning to move and function this way is a work-in-progress. There are times I feel I am only going backgwards, but I do not believe we belong to any one moment or experience. If I mess up, or don't get things quite right in the form I'm learning, I keep going, or try to patiently stop, and start again. When I finally allow myself to breathe (what a concept) in the truest sense of the word, I can move rightly without thinking too much.
Life is a constant reorganization of the steps we take to create our own dance. It might be cliche, but at any given point, we're moving to a new beat. Or we can be. I think this helps keep the rhythm and music from fading too soon.
C
Changing the world
When we're young, we think the world is simple, that there are easy answers for the largest problems. With this mindset, I could easily write off world peace as simply a lack of communication and love. Criminal activity would disappear because of a higher accountability to oneself and others. Stress would go away because we'd look at the big picture, and so on.
When I was little, I was fortunate enough to enjoy a carefree life. I didn't worry too much what people thought of me, and I mostly thought of far off lands and adventures I would one day have, and how it would be easy to help put an end to all the silly madness that went on in life.
Then I grew up and realized it was harder than I thought.
One of my favorite books is “Writing to Change the World” by Dr. Mary Pipher. The reason I like the book and the author so much is that they demonstrate how psychology, general interest in living and life processes, and expressions of writing and communication can be powerful and effective when combined. I have always loved people who also wanted to make an impact, even if small, and despite any defenses fighting against them.
As my life and life in general got more complex, I sought answers for what I could do. Recently, I've realized that as much as I have hope that people and the larger systems of the world can change, I remember that it's important to v isit and revisit the idea that I need and can change as well. Part of my defense against life's brutality has been to combat it full force, but I'm now trying to deflect and fight more gently. It's a process, and one that doesn't come without a few flinches and blocks, but I'm realizing that the best defense is subtle and often flows like water. I've begun taking Tai Chi lessons, where self-defense and skills are learned in non-forceful, indirect way. When done correctly, the methods are still very effective. You just don't have the rigidity that exists in other defense forms.
It's hard to remember the practices learned and apply them to everyday life, especially because they don't come naturally. It's my (and probably most people's) first reaction to tighten up, but by relaxing, and allowing the body to draw power from within, the benefits and results are much better. Like in the current state of my life, relearning to move and function this way is a work-in-progress. There are times I feel I am only going backgwards, but I do not believe we belong to any one moment or experience. If I mess up, or don't get things quite right in the form I'm learning, I keep going, or try to patiently stop, and start again. When I finally allow myself to breathe (what a concept) in the truest sense of the word, I can move rightly without thinking too much.
Life is a constant reorganization of the steps we take to create our own dance. It might be cliche, but at any given point, we're moving to a new beat. Or we can be. I think this helps keep the rhythm and music from fading too soon.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Some new thoughts.
Ok, so for your four people (or five- I'm thinking big here!) who read my blog, or maybe just for myself, so I actually get down on paper some of my random thoughts..here we go again...
I've had lots of interesting revelations and learning experiences lately. I've also had a fun/challenging week/weekend. This weekend, I was almost entirely academic, except for a couple splashes of social fun. Maybe I'll write on this more later, but my apartment has turned into a Biblical Library. I feel like a 5th century scholar. It's kind of fun (partly).
I also saw He's Just Not That Into You and that made me laugh. It was not the best movie ever, but it was silly and aligned pretty much exactly with what I thought it would be....except for the sleazy man who kept cheating on his wife (and I love that actor too..whatever his name is/Will from ALIAS). Anywho, it was interesting that the one guy who gave all the love advice still didn't know when he LIKED the girl who was right in front of him. Sorry, but guys are often more dense than we even thought.
I also went to church and listened to the ever inspiring Jeff Ramsey. And got to see friends throughout the rest of Sunday. So it wasn't allll books, just mostly.
I thoroughly enjoyed my walk with Danielle today. I must mention her a)because she's one of the four reading and b) because she likes it when people mention her, or how much they are a fan of hers:).
I mentioned to Danielle (as I do to most people) that I don't enjoy technology much, or at least some technologies. I'm grateful for them but a lot of time they create more trouble than they are worth. Specifically, I don't like the computer, mostly because it hurts my neck to sit and crank out words for very long. That's one of the many reasons I don't blog much.
Enter into the equation- the Blog on Tape. My solution for getting stuff out there so it doesn't continued to get all jumbled in my head. Sure, I mostly use regualar pen and paper (the BEST approach by far for writing anyway:) ) but I really think this is going to be the device of the next decade. Can I say I coined it? Probably not, but it's fun to think anyway. I often do things without thinking about them (like talk in accents and have to be reminded I'm using an accent:) ) and so I talk into my little microphone sometimes at home when I want to record something interesting, or that I think is worth noting, and I guess I don't think it's TOO weird. I started doing this a few weeks ago when my neck was really out of commission. I have hardly played what I said back though, so there's no real point to the process, except that I feel better that it's down somewhere. Replaying it would certainly be odd/funny, as I often say 1 sentence, hit stop. Say one more sentence. Stop. It's really not fluid. But it's fun. Is it strange that I have no trouble saying that I do this?
It could be the ex-journalist in me. Or the future/current book writer. Or it could just be a weird Julie-ism. Oh well.
As a side-note/praise: I never really liked to listen to my voice on tape, or watch myself on videos, or really look at pictures I was in, unless somehow it met my high standard of approval for myself. I'm thankful to God that I'm caring less and less about these things as time goes on...
SO..I think I will leave you with this thought. When your shoulders get sore or you've had it with looking at computer screens, buy a little $5 tape recorder and let it follow you around. Don't cry over spilled milk, get out your blog on tape and record the moment. Once again this might be a little inside joke. I always hated inside jokes- so sorry people. Danielle and I said that it would be great if I could record something like "I went to the fridge and got out a carton of milk and the whole thing spilled on the floor. And isn't that just fitting" (or creating some deep connection to the occurrance and talk about it, the way we do on regular blogs).
That would be funny, Danielle. Too bad I don't drink milk. Maybe that will happen with my rice milk. Yes, I drink rice milk, or almond milk, or soy milk. My taste buds have gotten over their anger at me because of the stuff I choose to drink since I can't drink milk. Gotta put something on cereal:).
Have a good one folks.
I've had lots of interesting revelations and learning experiences lately. I've also had a fun/challenging week/weekend. This weekend, I was almost entirely academic, except for a couple splashes of social fun. Maybe I'll write on this more later, but my apartment has turned into a Biblical Library. I feel like a 5th century scholar. It's kind of fun (partly).
I also saw He's Just Not That Into You and that made me laugh. It was not the best movie ever, but it was silly and aligned pretty much exactly with what I thought it would be....except for the sleazy man who kept cheating on his wife (and I love that actor too..whatever his name is/Will from ALIAS). Anywho, it was interesting that the one guy who gave all the love advice still didn't know when he LIKED the girl who was right in front of him. Sorry, but guys are often more dense than we even thought.
I also went to church and listened to the ever inspiring Jeff Ramsey. And got to see friends throughout the rest of Sunday. So it wasn't allll books, just mostly.
I thoroughly enjoyed my walk with Danielle today. I must mention her a)because she's one of the four reading and b) because she likes it when people mention her, or how much they are a fan of hers:).
I mentioned to Danielle (as I do to most people) that I don't enjoy technology much, or at least some technologies. I'm grateful for them but a lot of time they create more trouble than they are worth. Specifically, I don't like the computer, mostly because it hurts my neck to sit and crank out words for very long. That's one of the many reasons I don't blog much.
Enter into the equation- the Blog on Tape. My solution for getting stuff out there so it doesn't continued to get all jumbled in my head. Sure, I mostly use regualar pen and paper (the BEST approach by far for writing anyway:) ) but I really think this is going to be the device of the next decade. Can I say I coined it? Probably not, but it's fun to think anyway. I often do things without thinking about them (like talk in accents and have to be reminded I'm using an accent:) ) and so I talk into my little microphone sometimes at home when I want to record something interesting, or that I think is worth noting, and I guess I don't think it's TOO weird. I started doing this a few weeks ago when my neck was really out of commission. I have hardly played what I said back though, so there's no real point to the process, except that I feel better that it's down somewhere. Replaying it would certainly be odd/funny, as I often say 1 sentence, hit stop. Say one more sentence. Stop. It's really not fluid. But it's fun. Is it strange that I have no trouble saying that I do this?
It could be the ex-journalist in me. Or the future/current book writer. Or it could just be a weird Julie-ism. Oh well.
As a side-note/praise: I never really liked to listen to my voice on tape, or watch myself on videos, or really look at pictures I was in, unless somehow it met my high standard of approval for myself. I'm thankful to God that I'm caring less and less about these things as time goes on...
SO..I think I will leave you with this thought. When your shoulders get sore or you've had it with looking at computer screens, buy a little $5 tape recorder and let it follow you around. Don't cry over spilled milk, get out your blog on tape and record the moment. Once again this might be a little inside joke. I always hated inside jokes- so sorry people. Danielle and I said that it would be great if I could record something like "I went to the fridge and got out a carton of milk and the whole thing spilled on the floor. And isn't that just fitting" (or creating some deep connection to the occurrance and talk about it, the way we do on regular blogs).
That would be funny, Danielle. Too bad I don't drink milk. Maybe that will happen with my rice milk. Yes, I drink rice milk, or almond milk, or soy milk. My taste buds have gotten over their anger at me because of the stuff I choose to drink since I can't drink milk. Gotta put something on cereal:).
Have a good one folks.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
This is sad to me
Obama Reverses Abortion PolicyBy LIZ SIDOTI and MATTHEW LEE,
APposted:
(Jan. 23) - President Barack Obama on Friday quietly ended the Bush administration's ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide information on the option. Liberal groups welcomed the decision, while abortion rights foes criticized the president.
A White House spokesman, Bill Burton, said Obama signed an executive order on the ban, without coverage by the media, late Friday afternoon. That was in contrast to the midday signings with fanfare of executive orders on other subjects earlier in the week.
Obama's action came one day after the 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion.
The Bush policy had banned U.S. taxpayer money, usually in the form of Agency for International Development funds, from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. The rule also had prohibited federal funding for groups that lobby to legalize abortion or promote it as a family planning method.
In a move related to the lifting of the abortion rule, Obama also is expected to restore funding to the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), probably in the next budget. Both he and Clinton had pledged to reverse a Bush administration determination that assistance to the organization violated U.S. law.The Bush administration had barred U.S. money from the fund, contending that its work in China supported a Chinese family planning policy of coercive abortion and involuntary sterilization. UNFPA has vehemently denied that it does.Organizations that had pressed Obama to make the abortion-ban change were jubilant.
Anti-abortion groups criticized the move."President Obama not long ago told the American people that he would support policies to reduce abortions, but today he is effectively guaranteeing more abortions by funding groups that promote abortion as a method of population control," said Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee.
APposted:
(Jan. 23) - President Barack Obama on Friday quietly ended the Bush administration's ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide information on the option. Liberal groups welcomed the decision, while abortion rights foes criticized the president.
A White House spokesman, Bill Burton, said Obama signed an executive order on the ban, without coverage by the media, late Friday afternoon. That was in contrast to the midday signings with fanfare of executive orders on other subjects earlier in the week.
Obama's action came one day after the 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion.
The Bush policy had banned U.S. taxpayer money, usually in the form of Agency for International Development funds, from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. The rule also had prohibited federal funding for groups that lobby to legalize abortion or promote it as a family planning method.
In a move related to the lifting of the abortion rule, Obama also is expected to restore funding to the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), probably in the next budget. Both he and Clinton had pledged to reverse a Bush administration determination that assistance to the organization violated U.S. law.The Bush administration had barred U.S. money from the fund, contending that its work in China supported a Chinese family planning policy of coercive abortion and involuntary sterilization. UNFPA has vehemently denied that it does.Organizations that had pressed Obama to make the abortion-ban change were jubilant.
Anti-abortion groups criticized the move."President Obama not long ago told the American people that he would support policies to reduce abortions, but today he is effectively guaranteeing more abortions by funding groups that promote abortion as a method of population control," said Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The Point
So, it's been a pretty long time since I've been on here. A lot has happened...Christmas has come and gone, the new year came in without too much of a bang, and then the past few weeks have been quite a whirlwind for me. I am hoping and anticipating that life may do a mixture of settle down and also energize me in the coming months. I guess that means that I am enjoying staying busy, having new things on the horizon, but I do not wish for anymore madness I guess you could call it..still life, and especially my life, wouldn't be what it is without a little bit of the madness stuck in there to help me learn a few wisdoms.
I do not wish for anymore traumas though, yet I'm putting it all in the good Lord's hands because I know He has a plan.
Today a few people celebrated the birthday of a wonderful dear friend of mine- Melinda Pelinda. I don't know if she's ever been called that but I always want to rhyme her name for some reason. I know sometimes I get on tangents, but I really do think God allowing me to have Melinda as a friend has been a real treasure! She is so very genuine and I appreciate her for the unique person she is. She's also definitely been someone who I always knew would be there for her friends in a time of need, but experiencing that and seeing how much God has blessed her with the gifts of calmness and caring, among others, has been a humbling experience for me the past few weeks.
Anywho, I enjoyed seeing her get excited with a surprise gathering at The Point Restaurant in Raleigh today. Melins deserves to know that people are definitely happy for her life.
I think friendship is an interesting thing. I feel blessed that I've come to understand more fully the meaning of it in the past few years.
As a side-note, I really enjoy trying new restaurants and wish someone could pay me to try them more often (who would do that? Maybe I could write restaurant reviews- and be a PR girl for good ones;) ), but I realize more and more that Raleigh really has good eats. There are so many gems in this city. It's so interesting to me because where I grew up there wasn't nearly as many quaint and non-chain restaurants like there is here.
I really enjoyed The Point. I couldn't resist trying a piece of their pizza- to me, it wasn't as good as Lilly's or Z Pizza (up near where I live folks- I know, it's Egypt but if anyone wants to venture up this way I'll show you a good time:)), but it reminded me of a better/bit healthier LaRose's. I think that's how you spell it but I can't remember- growing up in Ohio I went with my cousins to Kings Island in Cincy many summers when I was little. One of my fondest memories was eating slices of LaRoses's pizza while watching the people run around Hanna Barbarra Land and listening to my first ever concert- Amy Grant.:)
Anyways, I actually think you get a pretty good deal for your money at The Point, because most of the food seems a step above ordinary and the servings are generous. I would say a lot of the food is a bit spicy, but overall, the chef does a nice job. I would like to go back sometime:).
I do not wish for anymore traumas though, yet I'm putting it all in the good Lord's hands because I know He has a plan.
Today a few people celebrated the birthday of a wonderful dear friend of mine- Melinda Pelinda. I don't know if she's ever been called that but I always want to rhyme her name for some reason. I know sometimes I get on tangents, but I really do think God allowing me to have Melinda as a friend has been a real treasure! She is so very genuine and I appreciate her for the unique person she is. She's also definitely been someone who I always knew would be there for her friends in a time of need, but experiencing that and seeing how much God has blessed her with the gifts of calmness and caring, among others, has been a humbling experience for me the past few weeks.
Anywho, I enjoyed seeing her get excited with a surprise gathering at The Point Restaurant in Raleigh today. Melins deserves to know that people are definitely happy for her life.
I think friendship is an interesting thing. I feel blessed that I've come to understand more fully the meaning of it in the past few years.
As a side-note, I really enjoy trying new restaurants and wish someone could pay me to try them more often (who would do that? Maybe I could write restaurant reviews- and be a PR girl for good ones;) ), but I realize more and more that Raleigh really has good eats. There are so many gems in this city. It's so interesting to me because where I grew up there wasn't nearly as many quaint and non-chain restaurants like there is here.
I really enjoyed The Point. I couldn't resist trying a piece of their pizza- to me, it wasn't as good as Lilly's or Z Pizza (up near where I live folks- I know, it's Egypt but if anyone wants to venture up this way I'll show you a good time:)), but it reminded me of a better/bit healthier LaRose's. I think that's how you spell it but I can't remember- growing up in Ohio I went with my cousins to Kings Island in Cincy many summers when I was little. One of my fondest memories was eating slices of LaRoses's pizza while watching the people run around Hanna Barbarra Land and listening to my first ever concert- Amy Grant.:)
Anyways, I actually think you get a pretty good deal for your money at The Point, because most of the food seems a step above ordinary and the servings are generous. I would say a lot of the food is a bit spicy, but overall, the chef does a nice job. I would like to go back sometime:).
Thursday, December 4, 2008
remembering when i was really really blonde.
i met a girl today doing a match meeting at work who reminded me very much of myself at age 11 or 12. she even looked a lot like me. very blonde almost white hair and light colored eyes. very "chipper" and yet soft spoken and excited about life and ready to talk to anyone and smile a lot and pretty much find everything funny and just seemed glad and curious and interested with everything there was to think about. and she stated she liked speaking in groups and wanted to be a public speaker someday and loved writing and loved reading and her mom said she was imaginative about everybody. she loved to write stories, except she was always killing off one certain character and her mom never knew why. sounds about right :) (ok, i never really did that).
yes, i learned all this in my 45 minute interaction with her...but i think you can tell a lot by talking with people for a short while and also watching them with others. the amazing thing about this girl though was where all she'd been in her short life already. i don't know the full spectrum of it and especially what happened with her birth family, but the mom she is with now took her in as a foster child several years back..then adopted her. then she herself got divorced and so she went from one broken family to another..yet the second one was filled with love from her mom. even though she doesn't see her dad (first or second) and she has 3 older siblings to deal with, and maybe she didn't have the best roots to stem from, you can totally see how she has bloosomed. maybe it's a testiment to the love she now has surrounding her, maybe some is her happy disposition in general, whatever it is, you would never know she was even in "need" of having a mentor. sure, we all need them, but wow, how neat to know that this little girl doesn't act as though she wants for anything. she seemed simple and pure and said that one of her favorite things in life is just singing christmas carrols. she said christmas is so awesome because you can just feel the joy and you can spend more time with the people you love. the thing is, there was nothing strange or weird about her even if this sounds so "far out" from the world pre teenagers (she's almost 13) live in. even though i don't know her enough to conclude anything for sure, what she resembled in that brief bit of time was this remarkable example of what i feel we're all called to somehow get back to.
we are all seriously dealing with a lot of junk in life. but somehow, we have to find a way to still smile so completely naturally because there's something just a little mysterious, just a little too special to wrap your head around with the fact that we're all here, living this life together.
It was a strange way for me to realize that i can still find the girl in me who is like that girl tonight if i long to. that she never really went away at all. maybe she gets bogged down from life sometimes, but there's reason to smile yet...
yes, i learned all this in my 45 minute interaction with her...but i think you can tell a lot by talking with people for a short while and also watching them with others. the amazing thing about this girl though was where all she'd been in her short life already. i don't know the full spectrum of it and especially what happened with her birth family, but the mom she is with now took her in as a foster child several years back..then adopted her. then she herself got divorced and so she went from one broken family to another..yet the second one was filled with love from her mom. even though she doesn't see her dad (first or second) and she has 3 older siblings to deal with, and maybe she didn't have the best roots to stem from, you can totally see how she has bloosomed. maybe it's a testiment to the love she now has surrounding her, maybe some is her happy disposition in general, whatever it is, you would never know she was even in "need" of having a mentor. sure, we all need them, but wow, how neat to know that this little girl doesn't act as though she wants for anything. she seemed simple and pure and said that one of her favorite things in life is just singing christmas carrols. she said christmas is so awesome because you can just feel the joy and you can spend more time with the people you love. the thing is, there was nothing strange or weird about her even if this sounds so "far out" from the world pre teenagers (she's almost 13) live in. even though i don't know her enough to conclude anything for sure, what she resembled in that brief bit of time was this remarkable example of what i feel we're all called to somehow get back to.
we are all seriously dealing with a lot of junk in life. but somehow, we have to find a way to still smile so completely naturally because there's something just a little mysterious, just a little too special to wrap your head around with the fact that we're all here, living this life together.
It was a strange way for me to realize that i can still find the girl in me who is like that girl tonight if i long to. that she never really went away at all. maybe she gets bogged down from life sometimes, but there's reason to smile yet...
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