On the outside, most of the people I see appear to be doing all right. Most seem to keep busy and are generally pleasant as they go about their daily lives. The truth is, challenges confront all of us. I think I was always aware of that, but only vaguely so. It took a dog to help me better understand the difficulties so many people face. Three years ago I became the owner of a dog I initially didn’t want….
Every December 31 for as long as I can remember, I’ve made New Year’s resolutions. And for as long as I can remember, those resolutions—often the same ones year after year—quickly fell by the wayside. Each time I failed to follow through, I ended up feeling disappointed. I berated myself for my lack of discipline and added a layer or two of guilt I felt I deserved. Several years ago I transitioned from the impossible resolution lists to creating vision boards. I…
Holiday music programs became pretty standard at JDC while I was there. After that first year, the audience grew to include many adults working with the students. There were probation officers, attorneys, social workers, detention volunteers, and even a judge along the way. The eventual move into a new building improved the ambiance—as much as any jail-like facility can claim such atmosphere. Cookies and punch after the programs seemed to help a lot, too. Unlike most performances, at JDC we…
As I wrote in my last post, that first Christmas program at the detention center was truly remarkable. The following Monday the students were still immersed in the afterglow of their wonderful performance. Our school morning began by rehashing the great event. I, too, was still feeling the euphoria, and I was eager to let them know how proud I was of them. “I thought the whole program was perfect!” I told them. “At first I thought maybe I was…
When I think back on the years I taught at detention, I’m always a bit surprised to realize how big a role music played. I never really planned it that way—it just sort of happened. In the later years, we relied on CDs, a keyboard, YouTube and the whole internet to accompany us. During my first Christmas season at detention, however, we had only cassettes, vinyl records, and good old “a cappella.” Despite the limited technology available, we started singing…
Because it’s November, the month of Thanksgiving, we’re all a bit more tuned in to gratitude. Important reminders of keeping gratitude journals resurface. Some people send Thanksgiving cards to let others know how dear they are. At holiday dinners, everyone at the table names one thing they’re grateful for. Churches come together for community Thanksgiving celebrations. And it’s the kick-off for generous charitable giving opportunities. All these things are very good! But I just can’t leave it at that. Because…
In celebration of a milestone birthday this week, I’ve spent a little time reflecting on the experiences I’ve had throughout my life. What stands out most in my mind is how much I’ve evolved from the incredibly shy little girl who began this journey. This became more apparent following a recent experience on the road. My 91-year-old father has dementia. Although he thinks he never has visitors, my siblings and I take turns visiting him every weekend. A couple weekends…
I learned over and over again that I didn’t have to have all the answers to teach detention center kids. I learned I wasn’t there to fix a single one of them. And I learned sometimes what seemed like my most meager efforts uplifted these kids’ souls. Our states and capital lessons started this way. At detention, I looked for activities appropriate for the varying ages and academic levels of my students. I wanted lessons to draw them together despite…
Wisdom—I like to believe I’ve gained a lot of it over the course of my life. I can certainly talk the talk, confident about how I should respond to the challenges I’m bound to face from time to time. “Remember to stay in the moment.” “Focus on breathing deeply.” “Say a prayer and then release it to God.” “Relax!” “Don’t waste your energy on worrying.” “Just walk through the experience.” Oh yes, I know all the right things to tell…
Because of the constant turnover at juvenile detention, new students arrived often. One morning it was a tall, slender 16-year-old named Anthony. He swaggered into the classroom with a “don’t-you-dare-mess-with-me” arrogance. When I’d meet students like Anthony, I would try to cajole them into a better mood. I wanted them to let go of their defensive facades and to become one with the group. My efforts, however, weren’t always successful. I certainly made no progress that day with Anthony. Maybe…