One Word at a Time

'Never doubt that  a small group   of thoughtful, committed, citizens  can change the world.  Indeed,  it is the only thing  that ever has.' For the last few months, I've been working with an amazing group of women who have had one goal in mind - raise money and awareness for our St. Baldrick's event, money and awareness that will go towards providing research grants to fight childhood cancer. We live in a small town. We have one elementary school, one intermediate school, one middle school, one high school. It's a suburban rural town, where a quick drive will put you in the middle of beautiful farmland. I didn't grow up in this town, but I am strongly connected it. This town gave me my first job, my husband, and now, my home. Two years ago, my friend Judy and her committee put together a St. Baldrick's event to raise money and awareness and to honor a child in her classroom who was battling cancer.  I watched as she put togeth...

Tonight is going to be many things. Tonight is going to be sad. Tonight is going to be beautiful. Tonight is going to be emotional. Tonight is going to be difficult. Tonight is going to be inspiring. Tonight is going to be supportive. Tonight is going to be special. Tonight, our community is holding a St. Baldrick's event.  A young girl who lives in town was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, and the St. Baldrick's event initially started to support her and her progress through treatment. Over the last few years, we've raised money, shaved heads, and inspired people.  We've taken on new "honored children" who are all battling cancer. On Christmas Day, that little girl lost her battle with cancer.  This year's event will be held in her memory. Tonight is going to be many things. ~*~*~*~*~*~ If you are able and would like to donate, please click the link: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/878...

Twenty-three truths for the 23rd day of slicing . . . 1) I have visited Disney World more than twenty times - and would return tomorrow (and the next day, and the day after), no questions asked. 2) If there was a job reading things out loud for a living, I would love it. 3) I still practice my signature, just like I did when I was growing up. 4) I dislike everything about peanut butter - smell, taste, texture. If I accidentally eat it, it comes right back out. 5) I still sleep with a teddy bear (or rather, with a Winnie the Pooh bear who lost his shirt), to the dismay of pretty much everyone else. 6) My grandfather, who turns 90 on April 5, is one of my favorite people on the planet. 7) I went skydiving for my 30th birthday, crossing one thing off my bucket list - and would absolutely do it again. 8) I got my first tattoo when I was 18 - and am anxiously awaiting my next one. 9) I find Bullet Journals so soothing and beautiful and organized and amazing - and would nev...

Friends . . .  . . . make you laugh across the room at meetings. . . . listen while you talk about your crazy upcoming weekends, no matter how many times you talk about them. . . . sometimes are wearing the same clothes as you, because you bought them together. . . . come over on a weeknight and help you decorate over a hundred cookies. . . . shoot you a text to tell you things that they know will make you smile. . . . like the same kind of pizza that you do. . . . remember conversations and bring them up in new conversations. . . . make you try new drinks. . . . are totally okay when all you want to order is appetizers. . . . sometimes let silence say everything.

All that's left today is a slight bruise, a little redness - and a whole lot of embarrassment. Yesterday afternoon, I stopped at my mom's office to do a quick drop-off and pick-up - she works in the town I live in, so it's pretty convenient to stop by after work. As I entered, I glanced at the receptionist's desk, which was empty. That was pretty rare, but I didn't think anything of it. I walked through the door and saw Tina and Kim sitting at desks, and waved my hand to greet them. I was focused on them, and, thinking the window to the reception area was open, began calling out to them as I walked up to the open window. Too bad the window wasn't open after all. My forehead met the window with great force and I stopped talking immediately. I stepped back. I think I immediately stuttered something out as they exclaimed and, honestly, laughed. I gathered myself together and pulled the window open.  As I watched it slide by, I noticed the oval shaped oi...

Today, our school started a "Look for the Good Campaign".  Our assembly this afternoon taught students what it means to be grateful, what they could be grateful for, and a little about how to show that gratitude.  The whole school was decked out in colorful "You Matter" t-shirts - staff included. Here is what students will do over the course of the next two weeks: Step on Gratitude Spots! Gratitude Spots are spread around the school and outside at recess - students step on them and think - or say out loud! - something they are grateful for. Add to the Gratitude Wall! Students write what they are grateful for on a sticky note, and the sticky notes will go on a large Gratitude Wall, located in our school lobby. Let people know "You Matter"! Students look for people who are kind or show kindness to them and pass them a "You Matter" card. When they receive a "You Matter" card, they get to sign the Kindness Wall. Tell people ...

My fingers nervously folded and unfolded the flyer.  The words at the top - "Welcome to Admitted Student Visit Day" - were quickly becoming worn by the anxious folding.  My mom, seated to my right, skimmed the brochure. "It seems to funny to be here. I can remember you talking about being a teacher, ever since you were little and started teaching your brother. And now we're here!  Time flies," she said. "Moo-ooom," I groaned, "don't say stuff like that."  The teenager inside of me was fighting against the young adult I was about to become.  I was in a room, listening to what college might be like for me if I went here, but back home, I was still in high school, still in teenager mode.  It was a combative combination of feelings. After attending the initial meeting to welcome us to campus earlier that morning, they broke us into our "colleges" - and there, we sat waiting for the presentation about the College of Education a...