It's not really a tragedy that my blog has been without a comment box for months but it is sort of a pathetic calamity that I would simply view my lack of comments as a reflection of my blog's readability or my friends' lack of computer savvy. Exactly, what does that say about me? It's a rhetorical question and I finally got some professional help, for the computer problem, so kindly, don't make my first comments an answer to that question!
When I created "mickeysjoy", my goal was to share the memories of my mother's love of letter writing. Her dedication to that letter writing was such a wonderful example of the way she celebrated life and friendship. But my parents were both celebrators of life. Special occasions were recognized but ordinary days were full of ritual and tradition and considered as meaningful as the big events, in our family. I yearned to share some of those sweet stories.
As an adult, I found I was lucky enough to be surrounded by friends who recognized experiencing life through fun and silliness can be serious business. Enriching life through celebrations, of all kinds, just became a part of who I am and I found myself anxious to share some of those "grown-up" stories, mixed in with the stories from earlier times.
I envisioned "mickeysjoy", the blog, to be a sort of collaborative journey. Hopefully, readers would come away with some ideas that they could incorporate into their own celebrations of life. Perhaps the stories would just rekindle fond memories or make them laugh. Either way, I'd be celebrating with them.
From the very beginning, I have received warm feedback from my friends. They sent me e-mails, posted comments on Facebook or called me on the phone. I appreciated and loved their feedback but I did wonder why I never received an official comment in my comment box. Post after post, I'd stare at an empty comment box. Then one day...the comment box disappeared!
As it turns out, I didn't have to trade my kingdom for a comment box. I just needed to find someone, who (unlike me) was not a digital immigrant and could easily solve my problem. So, now my comment box appears at the bottom of my posts and is open for comments. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my posts as well as some of your personal celebrations of life. Together we can make this truly a collaborative journey!
Showing posts with label celebrations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celebrations. Show all posts
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Monday, February 4, 2013
Kim's Bachelorette Party
I read somewhere that February 7 is Send a Friend a Card Day. In honor of this unofficial day, I am going to re post the most read article I've ever posted. It's in honor of that amazing concept - friendship - something worth celebrating every day of our lives. Enjoy!
Celebrations naturally accompany friendships so I guess you might say that Kim and I have experienced over 30 years of shared celebrations. We became buddies in the earliest years of our teaching careers and recently joined the ranks of the retired. Still friends - but after all those years - more like sisters than buddies. This story is over 20 years old but it still makes me smile to retell it.
Kim had announced that she was getting married and I wanted to give her a Bachelorette Party. I wanted it to be an evening with lots of time for sharing but I also wanted a bit of tradition. Somehow, guys had to be a part of the equation even though the classic evening with a gang of girl-friends and a male-stripper just wasn't the right fit.
Trying to think of an idea to compliment an occasion is always fun for me. It's a bit like putting puzzle pieces together. I decided the first part of the evening, and the most lengthy, should be with just the two of us. Somehow, I would add the "man" touch at the end of the night. The pieces of the puzzle finally come together. I needed something like those life sized cut-outs of movie stars you used to see in a video store advertising the newest movie releases. But, I didn't really want movie stars. I wanted guys that had been a part of our lives. I would just have to make them myself!
The men needed to be life-sized and dimensional. I ended up creating something like large puffy paper dolls. Discarded old sheets of butcher paper, previously used to cover classroom bulletin boards, are easy to come by in a school setting. I knew my choice of colors would be limited to the primary colors typically found in a classroom but they could serve as bodies and clothing. I'd have to make faces out of something closer to skin color. I needed a body template so I asked a friend, who was sworn to secrecy, to take home one large sheet and trace her husband. From that template, I traced twelve bodies to be the fronts and backs of the six men. For several nights, I spent my evenings stapling the sides of the paper bodies, adding the torn newspaper as stuffing, then stapling the opposite side to seal the paper doll body. As I stapled and stuffed, I ran through years of memories to determine just who would be in attendance that night. I wanted the men, in attendance, to be somewhat representative of the experiences of our friendship, as single women.
Our first principal, Dave, needed to be there. I remembered him with a big smile and a genuine concern for children. He had a dream of owning a pet store specializing in birds. I wished I'd had a parrot for his shoulder but I settled on a t-shirt from the school where we had first taught together.
Steven and Joe represented our twenty-something years. The dating scene needed to receive some recognition. The four of us had gone on a skiing date. I knew I could dig up my old skis and poles. The guys provided memories. The ski gear served as decoration.
Ramon, her fiance, had to be in attendance. I gave him a little crown. He isn't really the crown type but it added to the ridiculousness of the whole evening.
When I was done, there were six guests in all. A little crepe paper and a few balloons and we were ready to party.
The night of the party, Kim came to pick me up. I purposely told her that I would just walk out to the car so we'd have as much time at dinner as possible. Combine friends and food and time always goes by quickly. We never seem to have enough time to just talk, anyway. I was excited about going back to the condo for the surprise but as we got closer I began to suffer the pangs of self-doubt. Was this idea a little creative, albeit silly, or just plain stupid? What if Kim didn't get the meaning of all of it? But, I was in too deep at this point and one of the reasons that Kim and I are such good friends is that she "gets" me. I felt certain she would recognize that I planned this goofy party out of love and genuine happiness for her impending wedding.
As we approached the front door, I purposely started to talk just a bit louder than normal and faked fumbling at the door lock. I could tell Kim recognized the awkwardness of the moment. But I just opened the door and motioned her inside. As she stepped in, I shouted "surprise" with all the enthusiasm of a hostess with fifty waiting guests. Then I stood there, frozen, in anticipation of her reaction. I'm sure Kim was confused for a moment before it all made sense. I don't remember exactly how it all happened but the next thing I knew we were both laughing and I was retelling the whole planning of the evening. Kim was working her way around to all of the guests as I snapped photos. We laughed and talked and reminisced about all of the crazy things we had done over the years.
Catching up on old times.
Bunny ears for Dave.
Kim and the guys.
Dan and me
Kim and her prince.
When the evening was over, we loaded all of the men into her car, waved good-bye and they drove away. The image of her Jeep Cherokee packed with six paper-stuffed men is etched in my mind forever. Why I didn't take a picture of that...I'll never know.
Kim's Bachelorette Party was over. We had celebrated our friendship and where it had been and we had celebrated Kim's life and where it was going. Life goes by so quickly and friendships are so valuable. We had taken a small moment in time and made it into an event - a celebration. For me...that's always the appropriate thing to do.
Celebrations naturally accompany friendships so I guess you might say that Kim and I have experienced over 30 years of shared celebrations. We became buddies in the earliest years of our teaching careers and recently joined the ranks of the retired. Still friends - but after all those years - more like sisters than buddies. This story is over 20 years old but it still makes me smile to retell it.
Kim had announced that she was getting married and I wanted to give her a Bachelorette Party. I wanted it to be an evening with lots of time for sharing but I also wanted a bit of tradition. Somehow, guys had to be a part of the equation even though the classic evening with a gang of girl-friends and a male-stripper just wasn't the right fit.
Trying to think of an idea to compliment an occasion is always fun for me. It's a bit like putting puzzle pieces together. I decided the first part of the evening, and the most lengthy, should be with just the two of us. Somehow, I would add the "man" touch at the end of the night. The pieces of the puzzle finally come together. I needed something like those life sized cut-outs of movie stars you used to see in a video store advertising the newest movie releases. But, I didn't really want movie stars. I wanted guys that had been a part of our lives. I would just have to make them myself!
The men needed to be life-sized and dimensional. I ended up creating something like large puffy paper dolls. Discarded old sheets of butcher paper, previously used to cover classroom bulletin boards, are easy to come by in a school setting. I knew my choice of colors would be limited to the primary colors typically found in a classroom but they could serve as bodies and clothing. I'd have to make faces out of something closer to skin color. I needed a body template so I asked a friend, who was sworn to secrecy, to take home one large sheet and trace her husband. From that template, I traced twelve bodies to be the fronts and backs of the six men. For several nights, I spent my evenings stapling the sides of the paper bodies, adding the torn newspaper as stuffing, then stapling the opposite side to seal the paper doll body. As I stapled and stuffed, I ran through years of memories to determine just who would be in attendance that night. I wanted the men, in attendance, to be somewhat representative of the experiences of our friendship, as single women.
Our first principal, Dave, needed to be there. I remembered him with a big smile and a genuine concern for children. He had a dream of owning a pet store specializing in birds. I wished I'd had a parrot for his shoulder but I settled on a t-shirt from the school where we had first taught together.
Steven and Joe represented our twenty-something years. The dating scene needed to receive some recognition. The four of us had gone on a skiing date. I knew I could dig up my old skis and poles. The guys provided memories. The ski gear served as decoration.
Ramon, her fiance, had to be in attendance. I gave him a little crown. He isn't really the crown type but it added to the ridiculousness of the whole evening.
When I was done, there were six guests in all. A little crepe paper and a few balloons and we were ready to party.
The night of the party, Kim came to pick me up. I purposely told her that I would just walk out to the car so we'd have as much time at dinner as possible. Combine friends and food and time always goes by quickly. We never seem to have enough time to just talk, anyway. I was excited about going back to the condo for the surprise but as we got closer I began to suffer the pangs of self-doubt. Was this idea a little creative, albeit silly, or just plain stupid? What if Kim didn't get the meaning of all of it? But, I was in too deep at this point and one of the reasons that Kim and I are such good friends is that she "gets" me. I felt certain she would recognize that I planned this goofy party out of love and genuine happiness for her impending wedding.
As we approached the front door, I purposely started to talk just a bit louder than normal and faked fumbling at the door lock. I could tell Kim recognized the awkwardness of the moment. But I just opened the door and motioned her inside. As she stepped in, I shouted "surprise" with all the enthusiasm of a hostess with fifty waiting guests. Then I stood there, frozen, in anticipation of her reaction. I'm sure Kim was confused for a moment before it all made sense. I don't remember exactly how it all happened but the next thing I knew we were both laughing and I was retelling the whole planning of the evening. Kim was working her way around to all of the guests as I snapped photos. We laughed and talked and reminisced about all of the crazy things we had done over the years.
When the evening was over, we loaded all of the men into her car, waved good-bye and they drove away. The image of her Jeep Cherokee packed with six paper-stuffed men is etched in my mind forever. Why I didn't take a picture of that...I'll never know.
Kim's Bachelorette Party was over. We had celebrated our friendship and where it had been and we had celebrated Kim's life and where it was going. Life goes by so quickly and friendships are so valuable. We had taken a small moment in time and made it into an event - a celebration. For me...that's always the appropriate thing to do.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Mrs. S
This week's writing included three letters sent to former students. Remaining in touch with some of my students and their families has been one of the unexpected joys of my teaching career. Today, I am re posting an article I originally wrote in September 2011.
Every year at this time, as the kids go back to school, I can’t help but reflect on my own years as a student and then as an elementary classroom teacher. This year, my third grade teacher, Mrs. S, has been in my thoughts not only for who she was but for the part she played in developing my beliefs about the role of a teacher.
Third grade could have been a difficult year for me. We were an Air Force family and we had recently moved from Ramstein, Germany back to the states. I had been in an elementary school, on the base in Europe, where a new student was somewhat of a regular occurrence. That was not the case in the public school in Forestville, Maryland. I was a bit shy and Mrs. S. made sure that the transition was as painless as possible. It’s ironic I actually don’t remember much about her except that she had grayish blond hair, was pregnant, and put her arm around my shoulders…often.
Many years later, during one of those reflecting back discussions with my mom, the topic of school and my third grade year came up. I was shocked to find out that my mom and dad initially had reservations about Mrs. S. I can’t remember exactly what my parents’ concerns were but it had something to do with her academic goals for the year or her professionalism. But my mother was very clear about the reason that they kept me in the class. “You needed a safe, loving environment. We had just upset your little world with a big move and it was most important to us that you went to school each day feeling happy and secure. Mrs. S did that for you.”
My college days, that were spent preparing for a teaching career, were filled with courses and lessons on learning theories, best teaching practices, and the gentle nature of the young child’s psyche. Those topics were repeatedly addressed over the course of my time in the classroom. But as the years progressed, we talked more and more about test scores and the importance of students being able to compete in a global economy. Ahhh…that global economy. I have read several articles, over the years, that state there is a characteristic among American entrepreneurs that makes them unique. That characteristic is their willingness to fail and then try again. Our culture does not really view failure as failing unless one gives up trying.
If one of our strengths, as a nation, comes from our people who are not afraid of failure, then we need to start when students are young, encouraging them to be all that they can be, to take risks knowing they have the safety net of caring teachers for support. It goes without saying that we need to have classrooms that provide students with academic opportunities but we also need to provide some emotional support as well. Adults, in our schools, need to “put their arms around the shoulders” of their students whether it’s in protecting them from bullies, encouraging them to believe in themselves, or just giving support during life’s scary times.
I sincerely hope that as our nation struggles to improve an educational system, that seems to be failing so many, we don’t underestimate the value of demonstrating tenderness. I had a teacher who exhibited compassion towards me, over 40 years ago, and I never forgot it. It made a difference then. It can make a difference now.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Every year at this time, as the kids go back to school, I can’t help but reflect on my own years as a student and then as an elementary classroom teacher. This year, my third grade teacher, Mrs. S, has been in my thoughts not only for who she was but for the part she played in developing my beliefs about the role of a teacher.
Third grade could have been a difficult year for me. We were an Air Force family and we had recently moved from Ramstein, Germany back to the states. I had been in an elementary school, on the base in Europe, where a new student was somewhat of a regular occurrence. That was not the case in the public school in Forestville, Maryland. I was a bit shy and Mrs. S. made sure that the transition was as painless as possible. It’s ironic I actually don’t remember much about her except that she had grayish blond hair, was pregnant, and put her arm around my shoulders…often.
Many years later, during one of those reflecting back discussions with my mom, the topic of school and my third grade year came up. I was shocked to find out that my mom and dad initially had reservations about Mrs. S. I can’t remember exactly what my parents’ concerns were but it had something to do with her academic goals for the year or her professionalism. But my mother was very clear about the reason that they kept me in the class. “You needed a safe, loving environment. We had just upset your little world with a big move and it was most important to us that you went to school each day feeling happy and secure. Mrs. S did that for you.”
My college days, that were spent preparing for a teaching career, were filled with courses and lessons on learning theories, best teaching practices, and the gentle nature of the young child’s psyche. Those topics were repeatedly addressed over the course of my time in the classroom. But as the years progressed, we talked more and more about test scores and the importance of students being able to compete in a global economy. Ahhh…that global economy. I have read several articles, over the years, that state there is a characteristic among American entrepreneurs that makes them unique. That characteristic is their willingness to fail and then try again. Our culture does not really view failure as failing unless one gives up trying.
If one of our strengths, as a nation, comes from our people who are not afraid of failure, then we need to start when students are young, encouraging them to be all that they can be, to take risks knowing they have the safety net of caring teachers for support. It goes without saying that we need to have classrooms that provide students with academic opportunities but we also need to provide some emotional support as well. Adults, in our schools, need to “put their arms around the shoulders” of their students whether it’s in protecting them from bullies, encouraging them to believe in themselves, or just giving support during life’s scary times.
I sincerely hope that as our nation struggles to improve an educational system, that seems to be failing so many, we don’t underestimate the value of demonstrating tenderness. I had a teacher who exhibited compassion towards me, over 40 years ago, and I never forgot it. It made a difference then. It can make a difference now.
Monday, January 14, 2013
The Details that Define Us
My mother did her letter writing first thing in the morning, before my father or I stirred. It was during those peaceful, unhurried moments, that she put her loving thoughts into countless notes and letters. Surrounded by her writing paraphernalia and her cup of coffee, it was her way of visiting with those friends, who meant so much to her.
Her writing paraphernalia? Along with the predictable stationery and note cards, there were address books, books for recording special occasions, a datebook for recording the letters written each day and a no-nonsense pen.
The rest of the paraphernalia had to do with adorning the envelope and didn't become a regular part of her letter writing until much later in her life. She purchased return address labels to coordinate with the months and began ordering stamps by mail... delighting in the fact that she now had more variety even in her stamp options.
Now that I am a follower of letter-writing blogs, I receive all kinds of updates about the USPS. I braved the lines at the post office, on Saturday, so I could own a sheet of the newest limited edition forever stamp.
Her writing paraphernalia? Along with the predictable stationery and note cards, there were address books, books for recording special occasions, a datebook for recording the letters written each day and a no-nonsense pen.
 |
| My mom recorded the dates of many special occasions in The Booklover's Birthday Book. |
 |
| She kept track of written letters in a small calendar. |
The rest of the paraphernalia had to do with adorning the envelope and didn't become a regular part of her letter writing until much later in her life. She purchased return address labels to coordinate with the months and began ordering stamps by mail... delighting in the fact that she now had more variety even in her stamp options.
Now that I am a follower of letter-writing blogs, I receive all kinds of updates about the USPS. I braved the lines at the post office, on Saturday, so I could own a sheet of the newest limited edition forever stamp.
 |
| Image courtesy of the USPS |
As I was driving home, I couldn't help but think of my mom. I knew that if she was still alive, I would have gone for a visit, just to share my stamps. Would she have chosen to use them, this month, to align with the writing of the Emancipation Proclamation, or have tucked them away until Abraham Lincoln's birthday, in February? It's hard to tell.
My mother always said that each day had the potential of being a special occasion. To save the fine china and the newly blossomed flowers, for something more, was a mistake. Today is here and today is an occasion worth celebrating.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End of Week 2 and still writing.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Personalize Your Pumpkin!
How will your pumpkin be dressed, this year?
Life used to be a whole lot simpler when the biggest pumpkin carving decision was how many teeth your smiling pumpkin's mouth was going to display. One year, my creative father carved an oval mouth with surprised eyes. That was way below his creative threshold and yet it was the most imaginative jack o' lantern in the neighborhood. That was eons ago. Now, we carve, paint, and bedazzle this beloved symbol of Halloween. The choices are plentiful. Let me add just another idea to your list of options.
I'd like to suggest that you turn that orange gourd into something that is uniquely personal to you, your family members, friends, or co-workers.
One year, I personalized a pumpkin for Greg when he was still just my long-distance fiance. In honor of the 757 that brought him to California to see me every other week-end, I worked at turning a pumpkin into the American Airlines mid-size narrow-body twin engine jet.
Life used to be a whole lot simpler when the biggest pumpkin carving decision was how many teeth your smiling pumpkin's mouth was going to display. One year, my creative father carved an oval mouth with surprised eyes. That was way below his creative threshold and yet it was the most imaginative jack o' lantern in the neighborhood. That was eons ago. Now, we carve, paint, and bedazzle this beloved symbol of Halloween. The choices are plentiful. Let me add just another idea to your list of options.
I'd like to suggest that you turn that orange gourd into something that is uniquely personal to you, your family members, friends, or co-workers.
One year, I personalized a pumpkin for Greg when he was still just my long-distance fiance. In honor of the 757 that brought him to California to see me every other week-end, I worked at turning a pumpkin into the American Airlines mid-size narrow-body twin engine jet.
So much for the narrow-body... let's just say I created a JUMBO jet!
I simply printed a picture of an American 757 from the Internet and then proceeded to create the pumpkin. I painted the body, cut and sanded the wings from balsa wood, and fashioned landing gear using doweling and small wooden wheels.
Greg was seriously impressed...not so much with the made-to-scale accuracy... but with the time and loving thought that went into my creation. He can be quite sentimental and I have always been glad that I created the plane from a real pumpkin. Otherwise, I have a hunch it would still be packed in our Halloween boxes, with the rest of the decorations, to this day. But it served its purpose of being a part of our Halloween festivities and reminding Greg of just how special he was to me.
So, think of a person in your life that you'd like to gift with a personalized pumpkin. Know a football fanatic? Turn a pumpkin into a replica of their favorite team's helmet. How about a new driver in the family? The pumpkin shape may make you think Volkswagen Bug, but there are no rules with this game. Because it's a project created from the heart, your creation will always be Halloween magic at its best!
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