It is never easy to pack up and move; the emotions that slip into each suitcase, plastic bin, and aged box hold a lifetime of memories. When the choices are limited and feel like they’re less than our own, the mix of gratitude and hesitation is palpable. Establishing resettlement homes for refugee families has groomed … Continue reading Presence
Author: admin
There Will Come Another
Today marks the 17th anniversary of the Western New York October Storm. The lessons I learned during that unexpected storm have guided many a decison over the past 17 years. In memory of that event, the book There Will Come Another, A Lesson from the Trees, is again available for purchase at a special 'Storm … Continue reading There Will Come Another
What Was Hard About Today?
It was one of those teacher days… in the class I was observing a lesson in, the co-teacher called in sick and would be out for the rest of the week. A little one vomited in class and that made other children feel sick. The class, though rich in goodness, has their fair share of … Continue reading What Was Hard About Today?
One Last Pause… The Gift of Slowing Down…
Four months…! It’s four months today that I had my shoulder surgery. A little over five months that my friend graciously offered me her recliner chair so that I would be able to sleep and heal therapeutically. When I got the text that they were on the way… I paused… She and her grandsons were … Continue reading One Last Pause… The Gift of Slowing Down…
Perspective Offers Us a Wider Lens
On a recent morning of service working with volunteers on establishing a refugee resettlement home, I was asked to work with an agency employee to pick up items from our storage unit (provided by the sponsoring agency.) Having this chance to work directly with staff was a first for me, and was particularly rewarding as … Continue reading Perspective Offers Us a Wider Lens
The Best Classroom Lessons are Right in the Moment Before You…
You can ask any elementary teacher… first year as well as those in their 30-something-year… there is something about a teacher’s ‘inner calendar…’ We somehow know intuitively to begin preparing inwardly for the year ahead… Mine comes in the form of early morning insomnia, woken by a growing to-do list that may or may not … Continue reading The Best Classroom Lessons are Right in the Moment Before You…
Emptiness Provides us an Opportunity to be Filled…
The word was out… our shelves were EMPTY. DEPLETED. I was in the storage unit, waiting to accept donations, when three sisters walked in… I recognized one from a previous work day. We re-introduced ourselves to each other. "Don’t mind us, I just wanted to show my sisters... We can’t help today, because our sister … Continue reading Emptiness Provides us an Opportunity to be Filled…
The Space
There’s Something Wrong with the Village
It is almost 4 weeks out since I had a total reverse shoulder replacement. My recovery is nothing short of a miracle. Not only have I had no pain, but the entire process has been surrounded by progress, support, and strength. This is my 3rd major joint reconstruction, and I can only explain it as … Continue reading There’s Something Wrong with the Village
PRIDE. Longer than a Month… Stronger than a Word.
This year, as June approached, I felt a stirring inside like I have never known before. Perhaps it's because of where I am in my own life, secure in loving relationships that support and empower me. Perhaps it is the energy and mission of my work with SUNY@Buffalo, that genuinely keeps the focus on Diversity, … Continue reading PRIDE. Longer than a Month… Stronger than a Word.