Thursday, January 20, 2005
More is Caught than Taught
Interesting conversations often happen during bedtime prayers. The ice breaker is often times a one-sentence prayer uttered by one of my children that reveals the content of their hearts, either desires or fears.
This evening it was the simple prayer of my son that revealed that some scars remain.
His prayer:
"Please God, can I not have any nightmares tonight about the house catching on fire."
When I questioned him, he confessed that ever since all the batteries in our smoke detectors died at the same time (I kid you not!!) and they are all laying on the kitchen counter waiting for new ones, he has been having nightmares about the house catching on fire.
Now if you know anything about our history, this is NOT a trivial childhood nightmare. He has valid and legitimate reasons to fear this happening. But somewhere in his intelligent little mind he connected the fact that our warning system is out of order and we are more vulnerable for it.
For me, this is just a reminder that, for my children, a certain amount of childhood innocence also went up in flames that night, never to be recovered. But what I have noticed about fires is that often times the new growth is more beautiful than what might have been and in my son's case, I have noticed that he is tremendously caring and empathetic to people who are suffering.
Just a few nights ago we were looking at some satellite photos taken of the geographical changes wrought by the Tsunami. We did not talk about the people that lived there or the specific losses. The photos spoke volumes about the tremendous, expansive loss that part of our world has suffered. We just sat in silence, clicking to the next photo and the next. And that night's prayers revealed empathetic compassion as my son prayed for the people who needed homes and clothes and stuff. Would he have prayed in such a specific manner had he not also experienced a devastating loss? Who's to know for sure.
I am better for knowing my son (and my daughter too). He teaches me more about wisdom and compassion than I would have ever imagined. Yes, more is caught than taught.
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This evening it was the simple prayer of my son that revealed that some scars remain.
His prayer:
"Please God, can I not have any nightmares tonight about the house catching on fire."
When I questioned him, he confessed that ever since all the batteries in our smoke detectors died at the same time (I kid you not!!) and they are all laying on the kitchen counter waiting for new ones, he has been having nightmares about the house catching on fire.
Now if you know anything about our history, this is NOT a trivial childhood nightmare. He has valid and legitimate reasons to fear this happening. But somewhere in his intelligent little mind he connected the fact that our warning system is out of order and we are more vulnerable for it.
For me, this is just a reminder that, for my children, a certain amount of childhood innocence also went up in flames that night, never to be recovered. But what I have noticed about fires is that often times the new growth is more beautiful than what might have been and in my son's case, I have noticed that he is tremendously caring and empathetic to people who are suffering.
Just a few nights ago we were looking at some satellite photos taken of the geographical changes wrought by the Tsunami. We did not talk about the people that lived there or the specific losses. The photos spoke volumes about the tremendous, expansive loss that part of our world has suffered. We just sat in silence, clicking to the next photo and the next. And that night's prayers revealed empathetic compassion as my son prayed for the people who needed homes and clothes and stuff. Would he have prayed in such a specific manner had he not also experienced a devastating loss? Who's to know for sure.
I am better for knowing my son (and my daughter too). He teaches me more about wisdom and compassion than I would have ever imagined. Yes, more is caught than taught.
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Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Midsummer in Winter
Monday, January 17, 2005
It's been one week since you looked at me...
That is because of life. I am very busy, and most of it is a good busy -- fun with friends kind of busy.
We had another hockey weekend. That won't change anytime soon. Although this was not supposed to be a hockey weekend for us, but thankfully it was.
It was -35 this morning when I drove the kids to school. I am amazed that I live in a place that gets that cold often enough that it doesn't really create any kind of amazement amongst the residents. And the biggest shocker -- I love it! The longer I live here, the more I love it, the more I want to really live here.
I love the crisp cold. I love how sparkly the air is when it is this cold out. I love the way the snow looks like glitter here (instead of soggy Cream O'Wheat like it did in Western Washington, when AND if it ever snowed there). I love how this cold weather sucks the air out of your lungs and makes you gasp for breath. There is something in that that makes me feel alive. I love the blue skies in the middle of winter. I love that fact that I will need sunglasses in the winter. I love the fact that it actually gets cold enough here to wear fashionable layers of blouses and sweaters. I love the dramatic changes of weather here in Northern Minnesota (all of Minnesota for that matter). I love how these cold winter days make me really enjoy the warm summer days all the more, knowing that they are fleeting. There is something in this all that makes me live life more fully no matter what season it is.
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That is because of life. I am very busy, and most of it is a good busy -- fun with friends kind of busy.
We had another hockey weekend. That won't change anytime soon. Although this was not supposed to be a hockey weekend for us, but thankfully it was.
It was -35 this morning when I drove the kids to school. I am amazed that I live in a place that gets that cold often enough that it doesn't really create any kind of amazement amongst the residents. And the biggest shocker -- I love it! The longer I live here, the more I love it, the more I want to really live here.
I love the crisp cold. I love how sparkly the air is when it is this cold out. I love the way the snow looks like glitter here (instead of soggy Cream O'Wheat like it did in Western Washington, when AND if it ever snowed there). I love how this cold weather sucks the air out of your lungs and makes you gasp for breath. There is something in that that makes me feel alive. I love the blue skies in the middle of winter. I love that fact that I will need sunglasses in the winter. I love the fact that it actually gets cold enough here to wear fashionable layers of blouses and sweaters. I love the dramatic changes of weather here in Northern Minnesota (all of Minnesota for that matter). I love how these cold winter days make me really enjoy the warm summer days all the more, knowing that they are fleeting. There is something in this all that makes me live life more fully no matter what season it is.
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Monday, January 10, 2005
Eight
Eight hockey games this weekend.
Hockey Boy had one game.
And several of our friends had a tournament this weekend, so we spent most of Saturday and Sunday cheering them on.
But the highlight for Hockey Boy was Friday night's Skate With the Beavers. After the BSU men's game against Air Force (BSU won), Hockey Boy got to skate with the team. This is an annual event for all of the youth in Bemidji to skate with the Big Boys, which usually turns into an autographing session with the players signing jerseys, sticks and hats. I had been trying to find a jersey for Hockey Boy specifically for this event knowing he would love to have a Bemidji practice jersey that is signed, but I had not been able to find one. So I put him in his game jersey with a black t-shirt underneath and deliberately did not bring a Sharpie hoping that he would not be able to get anything signed. His game jersey is not ours to keep. We are only borrowing it for the season.
Oh how I underestimated one) his desire for autographs and two) his resourcefulness. Within minutes he had hooked up with a classmate who DID have a Sharpie and the two of them raced around the rink cornering players. By the time the ice and shavings cleared Hockey Boy had eight signatures on his jersey! His BORROWED jersey! Yep, we will be buying a new jersey for BYHA at the end of the season to replace the one that we won't be turning back in. He had fun. And I had fun watching him have fun.
It was a good weekend.
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Hockey Boy had one game.
And several of our friends had a tournament this weekend, so we spent most of Saturday and Sunday cheering them on.
But the highlight for Hockey Boy was Friday night's Skate With the Beavers. After the BSU men's game against Air Force (BSU won), Hockey Boy got to skate with the team. This is an annual event for all of the youth in Bemidji to skate with the Big Boys, which usually turns into an autographing session with the players signing jerseys, sticks and hats. I had been trying to find a jersey for Hockey Boy specifically for this event knowing he would love to have a Bemidji practice jersey that is signed, but I had not been able to find one. So I put him in his game jersey with a black t-shirt underneath and deliberately did not bring a Sharpie hoping that he would not be able to get anything signed. His game jersey is not ours to keep. We are only borrowing it for the season.
Oh how I underestimated one) his desire for autographs and two) his resourcefulness. Within minutes he had hooked up with a classmate who DID have a Sharpie and the two of them raced around the rink cornering players. By the time the ice and shavings cleared Hockey Boy had eight signatures on his jersey! His BORROWED jersey! Yep, we will be buying a new jersey for BYHA at the end of the season to replace the one that we won't be turning back in. He had fun. And I had fun watching him have fun.
It was a good weekend.
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Tuesday, January 04, 2005
FLIPPED
I just read this book and I am impressed.
The female lead is fabulous and strong. She has a crush on her neighbor for the longest time until she finally realizes that he hasn't really any substance to back up his good looks. She loses interest in him when she evaluates his past behavior and concludes that he has not been a good friend to her. She drops him like any strong, self-respecting female should at this point.
In his defense, he realizes that he has been a total jerk to her. And he also realizes that he has not followed through on the bonds of friendship and defended her when he should have. In the end he redeems himself by putting his affection for her into a tangible bit of evidence that literally brought tears to my eyes.
My favorite quote:
"He (Grandpa) just grinned and said, "Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss..." He turned to me. "But every once in a while you find someone who's iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare."
I know it's a novel for children but the writing is wonderful and the POV is fresh. I recommended it to the school librarian and I recommend it to anyone interested in reading a real love story.
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The female lead is fabulous and strong. She has a crush on her neighbor for the longest time until she finally realizes that he hasn't really any substance to back up his good looks. She loses interest in him when she evaluates his past behavior and concludes that he has not been a good friend to her. She drops him like any strong, self-respecting female should at this point.
In his defense, he realizes that he has been a total jerk to her. And he also realizes that he has not followed through on the bonds of friendship and defended her when he should have. In the end he redeems himself by putting his affection for her into a tangible bit of evidence that literally brought tears to my eyes.
My favorite quote:
"He (Grandpa) just grinned and said, "Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss..." He turned to me. "But every once in a while you find someone who's iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare."
I know it's a novel for children but the writing is wonderful and the POV is fresh. I recommended it to the school librarian and I recommend it to anyone interested in reading a real love story.
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Saturday, January 01, 2005
All Shook Up
We have been living in a Bemidji-sized snow globe today. (Actually, I think it is encompassing more than just Bemidji).
It started snowing early this morning and it hasn't stopped.
Having no place we have to go, we are able to safely enjoy our winter storm.
Not only is it very beautiful, but it is just what the kidlets need to enlarge the snow forts that are taking shape in our yard -- one on each side -- which will eventually provide the protective cover for the impending snow ball fights.
And now, there is a huge pot of homemade wild rice and chicken soup sitting on the stovetop to warm us from the inside out.
I love days like this.
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It started snowing early this morning and it hasn't stopped.
Having no place we have to go, we are able to safely enjoy our winter storm.
Not only is it very beautiful, but it is just what the kidlets need to enlarge the snow forts that are taking shape in our yard -- one on each side -- which will eventually provide the protective cover for the impending snow ball fights.
And now, there is a huge pot of homemade wild rice and chicken soup sitting on the stovetop to warm us from the inside out.
I love days like this.
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On Thursday, we went to Little Bemidji, the kids and I, with her and her sons.
We met some nice people out there, some very generous fishermen who helped us detangle our fishing line (more than once), and others who relit our heater. We also found out we were fishing by a friend, though we didn't know it for about an hour.
Thanks to this great business we had the nicest icehouses to fish out of for the day. Hockey Boy caught a really nice perch and our friends caught a perch and a couple of walleyes on the rattle reels.
We survived the icerain and even managed to barbeque some hotdogs and brauts in the ice storm.
For some reason I can't seem to quite put into words how nice these neighboring fishermen were. Not only did they help us with our line which kept tangling under the spool, but they also threw about 7 perch in our bucket, not taking our objection at all.
And here we are two days later still spontaneously remarking about "how much fun that was" and trying to figure out when we can go again.
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We met some nice people out there, some very generous fishermen who helped us detangle our fishing line (more than once), and others who relit our heater. We also found out we were fishing by a friend, though we didn't know it for about an hour.
Thanks to this great business we had the nicest icehouses to fish out of for the day. Hockey Boy caught a really nice perch and our friends caught a perch and a couple of walleyes on the rattle reels.
We survived the icerain and even managed to barbeque some hotdogs and brauts in the ice storm.
For some reason I can't seem to quite put into words how nice these neighboring fishermen were. Not only did they help us with our line which kept tangling under the spool, but they also threw about 7 perch in our bucket, not taking our objection at all.
And here we are two days later still spontaneously remarking about "how much fun that was" and trying to figure out when we can go again.
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