Category: Reflections

Truth, Love and Despair

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe

“When I despair, I remember all that through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it – always.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Truth and love. How do those ideas manifest themselves on a daily basis? Do they frame our days, or are they simply reminders that hang out there somewhere, waiting to be knocked about when things get rough?

LOVE

Truth and love. Do they cram themselves into our every movement, our every thought, our every action? Do we wear them on our sleeve, or bury them deep in our chest?

Truth and love. What about when deceit and hate smack us in the face and knock us down without offering a hand up? What then? Does the tyrant smirk and turn their back, not worried about us finding the strength to attack back?

Truth and love. Do the emails, the rejection letters, the pink slips, show us? They think they’re doing the right thing, following the protocol, but they are neglecting to see the human inside, the person that feels the sting and disappointment.

They forget about my fire.

Truth and love. When I despair, truth and love have shown me what to do. To think of our children and what is best for them. To do the right thing, even when nobody is looking. Assume positive intention. To look into another’s eyes and see how we are all more similar than we are different.

When I despair, I remember they may seem invincible. They may seem to have won.

But when I despair, I think of the power of truth and love and know they are wrong.

I have won.

I am the one who is invincible.

Always.

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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Spring is Sure to Follow

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe

from http://7onashoestring.com/2012/02/spring-has-sprung-quotes.html

Winter keeps stopping and starting, the calendar keeps turning, and the snow and rain keep falling. Looking out my window, I see the rosebushes budding and the weeds catching up with them. Too overworked to find time for passions right now, the garden groans in sad neglect.

Daylight saving time meant we begin to wake in the dark and fumble for direction. Three days will bring the vernal equinox, reminding us to center and celebrate the rebirth of ourselves and our surroundings.

http://pinterest.com/source/amusedgrace.blogspot.com/

My tomato plants huddle on the porch, waiting to be released into the soil with room to stretch out and smile. Twenty plus calendar boxes await before we break out the Easter baskets of candy and treats and formally welcome our vacation. This year, we will search in the snow for our golden eggs and hope for the sun to warm our souls.

The zucchini, the peppers and sunflowers must wait for now. Work will need to be done to prepare for you. For now, the rain mists down and fills us in preparation for what is sure to come.

Jennifer Wolfe

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No Shoes In Nicaragua

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe

One of the hardest parts of our trip to Nicaragua was leaving the children behind. Victor was a very special little boy who exemplified the happiness and heartbreaks we experienced during our stay:

“His dark brown head appeared from out of nowhere as the small pickup truck slowly lumbered up the rocky Nicaraguan road. Clad in bright yellow athletic shorts and a royal blue soccer jersey, he looked like many 9-year-old boys at my son’s Californian elementary school.

He shyly called “hola” as he hopped into the back of the truck. It was then I noticed his feet – bare, broad, and dirty. While he climbed aboard, I glanced at the muddy, rocky trail he had appeared out of and wondered where he had awakened that morning. ..”

Please follow this link to read the rest of the story about Victor and Nicaragua and how he stole our hearts.

Jennifer Wolfe

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Friday Photo: Schizophrenic Spring

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe

I woke up and realized it was actually spring. Well, sort of. According to the calendar, according to the blooms, according to the upcoming switch to Daylight Savings Time, that is. According to me, it feels like I’m still stuck in the darkness of winter. It has my brain and body scrambled and in a state of constant confusion.

At my day job, I’m teaching kids what they need to know now and telling them how to prepare for the future. I’m scrambling to complete all my school year expectations while planning for the next crop of students to arrive in late August.

My weekday central California mornings are just above freezing, but steadily warm during the day. My Sierra weekend mornings are far below freezing, but eventually warm and turn the snow to slush.

In the morning I want to turn on the heat, but know in the afternoon I will want to throw open the windows. I wear a wool coat to work, but strip down to a single layer by noon.

I’m washing woolen ski socks, fleece long underwear and baseball uniforms in the same load. I have a baseball bag on one seat of the car, and a ski bag on the other.

Hot, steaming coffee brings me into the day, and cool diet Pepsi keeps me going into the dark.

The weather report calls for sunny days this weekend and rainy days next week. The trees are blooming, partway.

At home, my son is growing out of sixth grade and growing excited about moving to the junior high school. My daughter is planning for junior year classes to prepare her for college admissions.

I feel like I’m half way there, too. Balancing between two jobs, two lives, two of everything and never quite whole of either. Sometimes blooming, sometimes dormant.

And I’m all mixed up. Some days it feels like the best I can do is just make it to bedtime in one piece. On others, I have the energy to take on the world and then some.

Do you feel it, too? Is it a schizophrenic spring in your world, or am I the only crazy one?

Jennifer Wolfe

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Flying Alone

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe

Last week I did something new. It wasn’t as delicious as trying a new flavor of ice cream, or as adventurous as flying down a zip line. It wasn’t as bold as a new hair color, or as daring as quitting my job.

Last week I flew alone. Solo. No friends, no kids, no spouse, no colleagues. Just me, my overstuffed suitcase and a carry-on bag full of papers to grade, books to read, and stories to write.

Flying alone meant trying something new. I could get myself out of the house quickly because all I had to worry about was me. It meant that for the first time in a very long time I didn’t forget a thing.

Flying alone meant it didn’t matter where I stood in the boarding line because it was just me. I wasn’t concerned about entertaining anyone, or making sure I was close to the window or the bathroom. It meant I could be the very last person aboard because I had a confirmed seat and I didn’t need overhead luggage space.

Flying alone meant I wasn’t worried about sitting next to a chatterbox or a screaming baby-I had my earphones, my iPod, and a book to bury my face in. I didn’t even have to check who was sitting in front or behind me, just in case they received an accidental kick in the seatback or a quick seat recline in the face.

Flying alone meant I could actually watch the entire movie from beginning to end without interruption. My tray table only had my drink on it, and I didn’t worry about elbows flying over to spill it. It meant could read my book, write an article and listen to music for five glorious hours. I only had to pack the snacks that I liked, and didn’t have to ration them. And if it wasn’t 7:00 a.m. I could have even indulged in a cocktail without guilt.

Flying alone meant that in Dulles airport I didn’t have to take small companions straight to the bathroom, or wait for anyone to catch up with me. It meant that I actually had one hand free to maneuver through the shuttle, and arrived first to the baggage claim area. And when my luggage came off the carousel, I was completely free.

Flying alone meant that the next moves were all mine. I got to choose what I ate, where I went, and how I got there. It meant I could browse the gift shop and the bookstore for as long as I wanted.

Flying alone also meant that I didn’t have a hand to hold on take-off and landing, or anyone to watch my bags while I went to the newsstand. It meant that I had to eat lunch alone, and keep my thoughts to myself.

Flying alone also meant that I didn’t have anyone to ask for advice or opinions. I had to decide which shuttle to use, and how much to tip the driver. It meant that I didn’t have anyone to exclaim to as I spied the Pentagon or crossed the Potomacfor the first time.

Flying alone meant that I had a lot of time to myself to think. I had to wonder what my family was doing, and if they got to school on time. It meant that I couldn’t see their faces as they raced down the ski course or before they fell asleep.

Flying alone made me realize how much I wished I wasn’t flying alone. It meant that I missed my family.

Next time, I’ll take a kid or two with me.

Jennifer Wolfe

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