Margie's Musings Archives - Page 4 of 5

From Soulful to Silly

August 25, 2011 No Comments

I cannot believe how much my inner world fluctuates lately between being soulful and silly. I have been doing lots of reading, research, and note taking in areas that I believe will be helpful for people who are either re-parenting themselves (isn’t that most of us???) and/or parenting children. On the soulful side, I am realizing that I am excited and even passionate about wanting to pass on things I wish I had known when our children were born, as well as current information science and psychology teach us about human development and intelligence. And as I continue to

The Sweet Nectar of Summer

August 22, 2011 No Comments

Where did the summer go? It seems lately that the hummingbirds and goldfinches are eating feverishly at their respective feeders. Perhaps they are soaking up the last days of summer and are instinctively preparing for flight. Watching the birds this summer has been particularly cathartic for us as Tom completed his radiation treatments and regained his health and strength. The birds fed our souls, as nature so often does. However we have also been amused and amazed at bird behavior around our feeders. And it has reminded me of how kids start to behave by the end of summer. They

That’s Character!

June 22, 2011 No Comments

On Father’s Day our children hosted a cookout for their beloved “pops” and “bumpa” (grandpa). The day was perfect. The sun was shining and like Goldilocks would say, “it was neither too hot nor too cold. It was just right.” The smell of hots and hamburgers cooking on the grill seemed to call us to the picnic table nearby where we could sit and munch on veggies and chips while waiting for the food to cook. The twins (age 5 1/2) were playing on the lawn and we adults took turns playing kick ball and such with them. We

Thank You, Mrs. Rose

June 17, 2011 No Comments

The primary school cafeteria was transformed into an auditorium. Chairs faced the make-shift stage. We grandparents arrived early to get good seats for this great photo opportunity. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation. The performers had prepared a kindergarten play under the creative guidance of their obviously well-loved teacher, Mrs. Rose. As we all filed in, it became clear to me that children are the great equalizers of our human family. No matter if we are plumber or professor, auto tech or computer tech, teacher or brain surgeon, engineer or artist, we all feel something strangely powerful when “our” children

Life Can Whiz By…

June 15, 2011 No Comments

Nature reminds us of the miracle of life and love. People also can remind us of the miracle of life and love. Life in all its richness and love in all its reach, do go together, don’t they? Recently I was blessed by attending a service in memory of of Ann’s mom, Dorothy. Ann is a former colleague and dear friend. I was privileged to get to know her mom in years past. The funeral mass was a blessing that continues to linger with me. It was a profound reminder of the power of presence each of

Little Toad Distracts This Aspiring Writer

June 6, 2011 No Comments

I was hoping to share something profound with you this Monday morning, but alas I am so distracted by creatures around me this morning that I decided instead to invite you to join me on my deck for an imaginary quick cup of coffee. It is so beautiful out with birds singing and calling from all directions, that I thought you too might like a mental break. Imagination and images are wonderful ways to rest the mind and renew the spirit once in awhile. Sometimes distractions can actually be renewing for our minds and spirits! A couple of weeks ago,

Weighing In

March 25, 2011 No Comments

Yesterday was cold again and for some reason instead of using my own treadmill or going outside, I decided to go the the fitness center for my work out. In the women’s dressing room there sits a very large set of white scales. So large, in fact, that they called out to me. No one was around so in my stocking feet, I stepped on. It should be noted that the numbers are also huge on these scales, leaving no room for reader error. My reaction? This picture tells it all. Admittedly of late I have noticed my clothes

Just One Step

February 3, 2011 No Comments

A few years ago on the last week of school I visited an elementary school. It was the traditional year-end hand off of their students with disabilities to the middle school staff. Similar to parents, they wanted to speak on behalf of their children and make sure the middle school staff understood their unique needs! We were deeply in conversation with a young man who was a one-to-one aide for a boy with severe autism when suddenly the fire alarm rang. The young aide fled from the room. As the rest of us were making our obligatory exit and the

Humiliated vs. Humbled: A Reflection

December 15, 2010 No Comments

CHRISTMAS EVE REFLECTIONS: ( Humiliated or Humbled?) So many people have stories from childhood about the Christmas season. I know some of you do not celebrate Christmas, but even for those who do not view Christmas as God’s intervention for a dreary world, it still is generally experienced as a delightful interruption, where we all can celebrate love and peace and a break from the routine of life. I personally use the word Christmas here because it is my faith, and I really love my memories of Christmas growing up on the farm… …. except for

Love ~ Hope ~ And a Locket: ‘Tis the Season!

December 11, 2010 No Comments

LOVE ~ HOPE ~ AND A LOCKET (‘Tis the Season) The white snow was crunchy. The winds were calm, making the cold less cold as we walked across a full parking lot last night. People of all ages trudged into the middle school to see beloved children perform the musical “Annie.” I couldn’t help but notice that we were a motley group of people. I imagined that everyone entering the building had an individual story, even a challenge that they overcame to attend this show. You could just tell.

The Shared Journey

Category: Margie’s Musings