why is it that my children were shocked
when i told them that i was born ‘before ranch’ (b.r.)?
shock and awe that i was alive when
cap’n crunch, doritos, $100,00 bars, pop tarts, ding dongs, cool whip, count chocula, and more
came to be
back in the day when food fell into the
quick, easy, greasy, crunchy, sweet, and fun category
and lived to tell.
—
“my mouth doesn’t want to be quiet.”
-greta, age 4
back in time on a summer’s day
when your parents thought
you and your friends of all ages
were just pedaling around the block for hours
but in that time you really
explored abandoned houses and those still under construction
built your own underground fort
jumped in the mud to see if it was quicksand
left your socks behind
met a new kid
balanced on a a board going over the water to get to the other side
found a golf ball
explored the gravel pit
rolled down a hill backwards
shared snacks that fell in the dirt
had the best day ever
every single day.
—
“keep your children wild, don’t make them grow up too fast.”
– brooke hampton
advice from the kinder to the parents of a classmate’
about how to take care of their new baby.
one so sweet
one filled with adventure
all the others equally from the heart
everyone has their own unique way of approaching parenthood.
“folks, i don’t trust children. they’re here to replace us.”
doing virtual early childhood parent-teacher conferences online
did not feel natural
but i give parents so much credit
some went to elaborate lengths
to find a space and time
where their child wouldn’t find them
so we could openly talk
and share stories
about how their child
touched our hearts this year
we talked to parents
in a closet, in a basement, up in an attic room,
and those who sent their child off on an errand
some waited until their child was asleep at night
but one thing was the same
this was a wonderful group of supportive, think-on-their-feet parents
who kept our connection with their children going
even from a distance
as we all navigated our way through this uncharted territory
and we were so lucky to have them as our teaching and learning partners this year.
—
“in a world where the great technologies enable us to record, replay, cut and paste, zoom in, and delete –
listening is the crucial commitment to keep the heart touchable.”
-mark nepo
—
photo credit: bored panda
“i believe that one defines oneself by reinvention.
to not be like your parents.
to not be like your friends.
to be yourself.
to cut yourself out of stone.’
-henry rollins
—
credits: Chad Knight digital sculpture, right brained, wild child
in memory of my father, a funny and gentle man
who was about as far as you could get from a bad ass.
but instead,
he was just my dad
who was a busy madman in the ad world during the week.
but
who i watched this movie with,
many times.
along with every other
wwll, madcap comedy, western, and crime caper,
on saturday afternoons.
in our family room,
with sandwiches, and burnt popcorn and lemonade.
thanks for the gifts
of shared time,
a boundless imagination,
and a love of the magic of the movies.
—
For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake.
Alfred Hitchcock
I didn't have my glasses on.... 