Lesson #3

Sometimes a "wrong" turn happens for a right reason. 


We may not know the reason for why things happen but eventually we see how the "wrong" thing led to the "right" thing. 

Lesson #2

Tuesday June 20


Lesson of the day: Growing up is hard. 




It used to be that the hardest thing was deciding what game to play at recess, what color dress to wear to homecoming, which table to eat lunch at, which pair of shoes to wear with my school uniform. 
They seemed like hard decisions at the time, but little did I know. 


Growing up is hard to do. 

Letter #8: To an Internet Friend

Here is the 8^th letter in my 30-letter challenge. It is to an Internet friend. 

Dear Internet friend,

I met you first at school, but now we live so far apart.  Our relationship has changed dramatically since we no longer live so close.  Now, the best way to describe us is “internet friends.”

Despite the difference, I hope we can still be friends for a long time.

I don’t know what else to say.  So much has changed between us.  Just know that we may be far, but it only takes a click of a button to send an email.  Please don’t lose touch. 

Letter #7: To an Ex-Crush

Here is the 7^th letter in my 30-letter challenge. This one is supposed to be to an ex-boyfriend or ex-crush.  Kind of an interesting letter.  This is one of those letters that you are supposed to write and then burn or shred without ever sending. 

Dear Former Crush,

You know who you are but most people reading this might assume I’m talking about someone else.  Well, I’m writing to you.

We never dated but I liked you for over a year.  You liked me too.  In a lot of ways, I owe you a thank you.  I met you when I was going through a rough patch in my life.  Through our friendship, parts of me could be healed. But, I never could figure out why you refused to date me even though you liked me.  Well, I finally know now.  I was waiting for my husband to come.  Had I been dating you, I would not have been free to date my husband when I first met him. 

It hurt my feelings that you couldn’t take the risk by dating me.  But the pain you caused me only made me appreciate my husband more. The pain is long since gone and I have no embittered feelings toward you.  I have a genuine gratitude to you. 

Everything happens for a reason.  You were there as a friend for me for so long.  I enjoyed our friendship. I learned a lot and grew as a person. 

You have a girlfriend now and I’m happy that you found someone that you can commit to. 

In a bizarre way, I needed to know you before I could meet my husband.  I hope that you have found that same happiness with your girlfriend. 

Friday Morning Inspiration

To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides. 

       - David Viscott

Letter #6: To a Stranger

Here is the sixth letter in my 30-day letter challenge. 

Dear Sir,

I saw you when we went out to eat dinner at the Warsaw Inn.  We were sitting at a table for four near the middle.  You were sitting alone by the wall.  You had a glass of red wine pour neatly to the right of your plate.  I don’t know why I remember the part about the red wine.  I guess it made me think that you were enjoying your dinner.  You don’t have red wine if you plan on scarfing down your meal. 

But the thing I remember most about you was not your wine.  No, it was your sadness that I remember most.  There was such genuine sorrow written on the wrinkles of your face.  We thought maybe you used to come here regularly with your wife, that maybe the Warsaw Inn was “your spot” with her.  We thought maybe that she died and you continue to frequent your favorite spots to keep your wife’s spirit alive. 

Of course, I don’t know if you were married, or ever were for that matter.  All I know is that the sadness was there.  I hope that your sadness will fade.  I hope that you can be happy again.

I’ll probably never see you again but in the brief time that I saw you eating dinner with your red wine, you taught me a lesson.  Cherish the time you’ve got.  Cherish your loved ones.  Love your spouse.  Never take anyone for granted.  I hope you find peace from whatever was troubling you.

May God bless you and keep you. 

Letter #5: To My Dreams

Here is the fifth letter in the 30-day letter challenge. This one is supposed to be to “my dreams.”  How do you write a letter to your dreams?  Does it mean dreams as in aspirations or dreams as in nightly REM cycle dreams?  I don’t know.  Well, I’ll guess I start by saying that I have very unusual yet vivid REM-type dreams.  I try to analyze them.  In the summer after seventh grade, I had intense dreams all summer long. I dub it “the summer of the dreams.”  Here are a few examples.

1.    I lost a really cool bracelet that my mom gave me, and I was pretty sad about it.  One night, I had a dream that I found my bracelet.  Seemed like a normal dream…. But here’s the kicker: when I woke up, the bracelet was in my bed.

2.  In 4^th grade, I had a dream that St. Nicholas saved my life.  He told me to wake up so I didn’t die.  So, I woke up.  One of my loose teeth had fallen out in the night and was loose in my mouth.  Later, that day, I realized it was the feast of St. Nicholas.  So… my theory?  I had a dream that told me to wake up so I didn’t choke on my tooth??? Sounds crazy. Maybe it is. But that’s how it happened so judge the facts for yourself.

Anyway, I’ll start my letter.  I’ll go with the aspiration type dreams.

Dear Dreams,

I’ve always been a dreamer.  For as long as I can remember. Daydreamer fits me perfectly.  I think one of the reasons why I’m never bored is that I’m such a good day dreamer. 

You’ve always given me great aspirations to work towards so thanks! Sometimes I think my dreams are too unattainable, but the challenge is kind of fun…. Sometimes its not fun, but for the most part it is. 

One of my favorite poems has to do with dreams so I’ll share:

what if you slept?

and what if

in your sleep you dreamed?

and what if

in your dream you went to heaven

and there plucked a strange and beautiful flower?

and what if when you woke up

you had that flower in your hand?

ah, what then?

-coleridge

Love,

The Dreamer

Letter #4: To My Sister

Here is the fourth letter in the 30-day letter challenge. This one is dedicated to my sibling.

Dear Sisterino,

When we were little, we would fight everyday. Usually over the “rules” of some game we invented.  Yet, even though we would fight, we were still best friends at the end of the day.  After all, in a world of grown-ups, we were the only ones who could still fit under the dining room table.  But, one day at Grandma’s we had an especially big fight.  Probably over the rules of some game.  I was five and said the worst thing I ever said to you.  I said, “I wish we weren’t sisters.”  Looking back, it was the worst thing I ever said…. I regret that I said it.

My life would be so boring (but probably less mischievous… well…. maybe not haha) without you!  I’m sorry I said those words so long ago, but the truth is that I’m so glad you’re my sister!

Whenever we hang out and have “brother day” I always have so much fun.  You get me.  Our twin-ness is just awesome… remember the twin letter from Vienna? Haha.  We’re so different and so exactly the same.  It’s pretty much awesome. 

Right now, you’re making French press coffee. I’m laughing at you because you’re using the nasty sponge to wipe your shirt….you probably made it more germy than it was worth.  See, it’s things like that that make me laugh. 

I like so many things about the “real” you…. You’re just as crazy as me.  You like dancing to “It Makes Me Ill.”  You like crazy harebrained ideas. 

Basically, I know the real you.  And I love the real you. 

Love,

Your twin 

Letter #3: To My Parents

Here is another letter in the 30-day letter challenge. This one is to my parents.

I don’t know where to begin so I’m just starting here: I’d be on the street if it wasn’t for you.  You both are so generous.  You have given me so much… I don’t mean material things either.  Through your generosity, you’ve given me lessons.  How to be.  How to love.  How to be selfless.  How to do the right thing, even when it hurts.

Mama, you’ve taught me that a mother eats the burnt half of the bagel and shares the good half with her daughter.  You’ve taught me that a mother selflessly gives her time and efforts for others.  I learned that a mother better have her act together and know where everything is.  You’ve walked countless miles holding my stuff.  It’s my turn now to cart stuff around the city, the zoo, the museum, Europe.  I know how to be a woman because of you. I hope that one day I can be just as good a mother as you.

Daddy, you’ve taught me to be proud of your roots.  You taught that you stand behind family no matter what.  You’ve taught me that it’s okay to take “short cuts” if it means you really get to take the long, scenic root.  You showed me that it’s okay to leave the bed unmade for the day… as long as you make it sometimes.  I double and triple check things because of you – and it’s saved me many, many times!!

I guess what I’m saying is that I’m proud to be your daughter.  I am who I am because of you. 

Thank you for everything you do.  You’ve given me so much, but again, the lessons you’ve taught are priceless. 

I love you.

Doodles

Cata

Captain

Student

Katie 

Thursday Morning Inspiration

Philosophy & a Latte in the morning:

Do you want me to tell you something really subversive? Love is everything it's cracked up to be. That's why people are so cynical about it. . . . It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more.


-- Erica Jong

Letter #2: To my crush

Dear Crush aka My Husband, 


I love the way you make me coffee each morning. 
I love the way you laugh. 
I love how you always win when we wrestle. 
I love your ocean eyes. 
I love your generous spirit, your loving soul. 
I love the way you always strive to be the best person you can be. 
I love your gentleness, your goofiness, your creativeness.  
I love your sleepy eyes when you first wake up. 
I love how you comfort me when I'm sad, how you cheer me up when I need to laugh. 
I love how you like to make concoctions in the kitchen. 
I love your sense of adventure, your sense of gratitude, your appreciation for nature. 
I love the way you "go green." 
I love dancing in the living room with you. 
I love our dates and our field trips. 
I love gazing into your eyes. 
I love when you hold me, kiss me. 
I love the way you looked at me as you recited your vows.
I love your smiley eyes. 
I love how you love me. 
I love everything about you. 


But most of all, I love YOU. 


Love, 
Your wife 

Letter #1: To My Best Friend

To My Best Friend,

I heard a quote once that "A best friend is like a four leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have." How true that is!  Hard to find?  Yep, you were hard to find.  It took me twenty years and a trip to Austria to find you.  Lucky to have?  Beyond belief! You've saved my life in countless ways - literally and metaphorically.  You've saved me numerous times on a mountain, dug me out of snow-filled hole when my foot got stuck, but you've always saved me metaphorically.  You've comforted me, wiped away my tears.  You've brought more smiles to my lips than anyone. You've brought more peace to mind than anyone else could.  You've guided me, taught me valuable lessons, and shown me true love. You've allowed me to be who I really am.  You brought the "real me" back to life.

You are simply amazing.  Without you, my path would surely be lost. Without you, I would not be this person who I am today.

I owe you gratitude.  I am indebted to you for your friendship.  You have always been generous and giving.  The first time we met, you were helping others.  The first time we traveled about Munich together, you bought me a coffee simply "just because."

The best way to thank you is to show you the kindness and love and friendship that you have shown me.  I am always here for you. 

Thank you, my friend.

Letters - Something New to Try

Letters

Saw this on another blog and it looked like a fun thing
to do, so here goes...

On this day you write a letter to:
Day 1) Your best friend
Day 2) Your crush
Day 3) Your parents
Day 4) Your siblings
Day 5) Your dreams
Day 6) A stranger
Day 7) Your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush
Day 8) Your favorite internet friend
Day 9) Someone you wish you could meet
Day 10) Someone you don't talk to as much as you'd like
Day 11) A deceased person you wish you could talk to
Day 12) The person you hate most/has caused 
you a lot of pain
Day 13) Someone you wish could forgive you
Day 14) Someone you've drifted away from
Day 15) The person you miss the most
Day 16) Someone that's not in your state/country
Day 17) Someone from your childhood
Day 18) The person that you wish you could be
Day 19) Someone that pesters your mind - good or bad
Day 20) The one that broke your heart the hardest
Day 21) Someone you judged by their first impression
Day 22) Someone you want to give a second chance to
Day 23) The last person you kissed
Day 24) The person that gave you your favorite memory
Day 25) The person that you know who is going 
through the worst of times
Day 26) The last person you made a pinky promise to
Day 27) The friendliest person you knew for only one day
Day 28) Someone that changed your life
Day 29) The person that you want to tell everything to, 
but are to afraid to
Day 30) Your reflection in the mirror

Lesson #1

lesson of the day: always finish your coffee before embarking on a long day of two-year-olds, background checks, and shady dr offices....otherwise you will regret the insufficient caffeine supply.




second lesson of the day: garmin and an iced coffee make things much better :) 

A New Blog, A New Day

Well, here I am again. 


I'm going to start a new blog. This one is about my life - my experiences as a newlywed, a student, a preschool teaching assistant.  I'm at a crossroads in life...  things are changing a lot.  I don't mean that in a bad way either.  I just got married, just started a new job, and am trying to finish my last semester of my undergraduate degree.  So I figured, I would share my life experiences because I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world who is trying to get her life going in the right direction.  


I guess I'll start with my reason for the name of the blog.  "A Time For Daffodils" is my favorite poem... there's a time for everything.  Everything has a reason.  This relates perfectly to my life.  There is a time for everything.  It's time for me to be part of the "real world."  There was a time when I could carelessly waste my summer days and chase down the ice cream man, but my time for that is over... until I'm chasing my kids who are chasing down the ice cream man. Haha.  


Anyway, there's a time for everything.  I hope that this blog can give guidance to others who are learning the challenges of "growing up."  We all have to do it, but it's nice when you know someone else is going through the same thing. 


 i think it is a very profound poem... it has a slightly different structure than what we normally see with poems -because of the parentheses... but read it...its deep :-) i had to read it a few times before i got it, but its quite enlightening.... i know im a geeky english major but i just got really excited when i figured it out so i wanted to share it with you. 

a time for daffodils

ee cummings

in time of daffodils(who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so(forgetting seem)

in time of roses(who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if,remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek(forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be (when time
from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,remember me