All the way down 38th, Nora pleads for me to drop her off first. I patiently explain that it simply will not work--Spence needs to be at school by 7:30, I need to get to work and the environment needs us to conserve gas. She just wants to show off her big brother to all of her friends at school.

This happens every day.

 I pull up outside of Bancroft, where the other parents line up to drop off their kids. I jump out of the car to open his door and to guide him to the sidewalk. I kiss the top of his head and marvel at who he is becoming.

Every day.

He stops outside the car and presses his hand to his lips to blow kisses. I return them, trying to meet the quickness of his hands and the intense look in his eyes. He starts to climb the steps and pauses at the first landing. He turns quickly and beats at his chest and points at me. I'm never sure where that gesture came from, but I am so thankful for it. He waits until I repeat it.

Every day.

He continues to climb the steps until he is at the top. Nora begs for me to roll down the window, if it is not down already. She yells out, "When we get home, we can play puppies!" He nods and smiles. She continues, "Or something you like to do. Like spies." He hollers down, "Yes! Or something we both like...puppy spies!"

This happens every day.

Reports from Kindergarten

On the road... Pipestone

Maker of Medicines

Every once in a blue moon, there are these moments where I think I can glimpse his future.  He'll turn a particular direction, the light will illuminate his profile and I see a 30 year old in front of me.  Or he'll speak about something and the air switches, it tingles, my arms turn into goose bumps.  Something about it speaks about something beyond.

Spence has been obsessed with making medicines as of late.  His wise and wonderful teacher, Ms. Niky, taught him to make a simple tincture of plantain leaves and oil.  To him, it was magic.  His mouth dropped open and he said, "This is the most wonderful thing I can ever imagine."  She was moved.  He came home and proceeded to practice making medicines for all that needs soothing.

Weeks later, he still talks about the magic of healing.  At the preschool picnic, Ms. Niky pulled me aside to recount the event again.  "I think he might have a gift for herbology."  I told him what she had said.  "Mom, could there be something as wonderful as a job that makes medicines for all sorts of doctors?"  When I remarked yes, his brain started turning.  I could see it through his wide eyes.

The air changed.  Could be nothing, but it certainly was a magnetic moment.

Goodbye Art Guilt!

I am sure you are already doing this.  I am always just a bit late to the party.

I have started to photograph and keep blogs of my kids art projects.  So easy to do with a smartphone (just download Blogger and sync it with your phone).  I no longer have the art guilt of tossing art.  If you are not doing it, I suggest you start. 

Spencer's Art

Nora's Art

Animal Babies...Nor Time

Resistance

Neomarxist ignoranus when someone breaks your nose and bashes your head against the pavement is that great bodily harm? Does one have the right to defend themselves or if a "black" person is attacking then that is just what you get for being perceived as "white"?
Does "black" privelege include the right to assault "white" people for looking at them wrong? Does "black" privelege include the right to call RACISM on every event and instance of life?
You are an idiot racialist and if you taught in my school district I would be doing everything in my power to have you fired.

This was a comment I received on my lesson on antioppressive education and Trayvon Martin.

After crying, I saw that this was another great opportunity to discuss resistance in our world.  I don't know this person (or at least I don't think I do), but I can hear how threatened s/he is to transformation of the world.  I know that s/he has yet to read or hear about Freire and the "Pedagogy of the Oppressed."  It is only when the oppressed work with the oppressor that humanity can be assured for us all.

I brought these words into my class so that these future teachers can think through resistance.  How do we respond?  How can we break through the fear?  It was a great conversation, even if every single one of them probably believed that they would not face such resistance where they want to teach. 

It is a call for us all to continue to work with people that resist.  People that feel backed into corners and resist true opportunities for healing transformation.