Valentine's Day

the card
The first time receiving a Valentine card really meant something to me was in the fifth grade. I’ve always loved that grade. Bob Harper and I swapped Valentine cards. They were identical. Exactly the same card. What it looked like, the words stamped on it are lost somewhere in my memory. But the feeling that someone knew me well enough to buy the same card that I imagined wanting to receive remains with me. You know that WOW rush of feeling your body actually senses when all the messages of the universe pounce on you at once? That’s a feeling with lasting power. It has stayed with me through I-can’t-believe-this-is-happening moments, and I’ve relied on my brain’s neurons to kick that feel through my body on several occasions.
not so easy to live with
Admitting you may be hard to live with is powerful. This particular self-realization plummets a person with doubt, anxiety, worry, and a suitcase full of unwanted pain. Eventually, this same awareness brings confidence in being solo or pride for having a strong sense of self. But vacillating between extremes creates a war zone within the body, and it’s really, really hard to take sides.
the choice
That card from the past…actually the choice to remember how it felt to get that card…negotiates a truce. Just thinking about receiving that card reminds me that someone “gets” me. The day Cupid is elevated to a hero is the day I tell myself that I’m okay.

snow day

In the adult world of work, what is a snow day? Actually, what is a snow day if you live north of the Mason-Dixon line? I do not…live north of that line. Today and yesterday was a snow day, and I’m an adult who happens to live most of my day in a child’s world…school.

Top 10 reasons for a snow day:
10    It’s winter; your body’s a slug; it needs to move slow; snow slows you down.
 9   Snow is white; snow on the ground makes you look at where your neighbor’s dog poops in your yard.
 8   Going to the grocery store with the threat of a snow day is exciting, like driving in a NASCAR race.
 7   Being stuck at home forces extra-curricular activities...sleep, cleaning, and sex.
 6   Watching saved episodes of Saturday Night Live, drinking too much hot chocolate, and sleeping late           can only be accomplished during a snow day.
 5   It’s the only time to have a sanctioned fight with your family.
 4   The reason to stay home is because of the snow and that feels like a day of doing nothing.
 3   Driving when you aren’t suppose to makes you feel powerful and stupid at the same time.
 2   Kids love it.
 1   Everybody loves a day off!
 

May your life contain at least one snow day a year!

a question on the playground

a question on the playground
“Can he win?” asked Carlos. He was asking Henry. They were on the playground surrounded by five or six of his friends.
“Sure, he can win,” answered Henry. “He’s fast and smart.”
the race
A race to establish the fastest AND the best obstacle jumper was at stake. Carlos was known for his speed. Everyone in the school knew he could run…fast. But Jake was quick. In pee wee football Jake was known to move sideways and jump and to do anything to avoid being tackled. Every coach wanted him on their roster.
The course was set on the playground by future X Factor event planners Dawn and Derek. They set the first section for straight running. Next, they planned jumping a series of benches. The fourth phase required the boys to climb to the top of the play set and shimmy down two different ways to the bottom. The last challenge required each participant to choose a path to the finish.
playground event
The teachers admired the timing. Since each teacher spent different times at recess, but the kids coordinated the race timing through requests.
Six kids, six different teachers. Each teacher heard the same question. Can we watch the competition? We’ll give up recess tomorrow, so we can watch Carlos and Jake. And every teacher agreed.
Who won? Well, that’s the stuff of fifth grade memories!

we will rock you

Standing on a chair in the middle of a 12 foot wide gazebo surrounded by about 40 fifth graders at recess, Jason was the center of attention. He was leading friends, classmates, anyone who was interested in Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”
everyone knew the chorus
Jason was shout-screaming the lyrics to the first verse as the crowd accompanied him with correct foot stomping rhythm.The energy the kids produced was contagious. Students playing in other areas of the grounds acted like magnets as soon as “We will, we will rock you….we will, we will rock you” hit their ears. The second verse came up for Jason to bellow out, which he attacked with exaggerated mumbling. The goal wasn't to hear him sing; it was to get to the chorus so everyone could sing along.
what does it mean?
The impromptu jam session ended when the teachers yelled for most of students to go inside. One conversation between two friends as they walked into the building placed this fifth grade version of a sing-along in proper perspective.
“You got mud on your face…you big disgrace…kicking your can all over the place. What does that even mean?”
“I don’t know. Who cares? It’s fun to sing.”

The kids got it right. Sometimes it’s just fun to sing with a bunch of people!