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Detention kids gain lasting wings with ‘Birdie Song’ surprise

Detention kids gain lasting wings with ‘Birdie Song’ surprise

BY NANCY KIDD What do you do …  when you’ve been hired to teach 10- to 16-year-olds with a wide range of backgrounds and abilities at a juvenile detention center? When you don’t know until you walk in how many students you’ll have based on who was arrested or brought from court since the day before? When none of them are happy to be where they are? When they appear lethargic and unmotivated—likely focused on their own personal, serious situations?…

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This dog’s days with us would be few, we firmly agreed

This dog’s days with us would be few, we firmly agreed

BY NANCY KIDD Shortly after my parents lost their beloved dog, Molly, Dad announced his plan to get a new dog. Although we were all sad and missed Molly terribly, none of us six kids—or our spouses—or even the grandkids thought Dad’s decision seemed like a good idea. My parents were, after all, in their 80s. My mom had dementia, and we were all working to keep them at home on the family farm. It was not ideal, and we…

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Heartfulness on the road (courtesy of my mother)

Heartfulness on the road (courtesy of my mother)

BY NANCY KIDD No need to judge others or to compare myself to anyone else. All I need to do is walk my own path and be ready to take the hand of those I encounter and to walk a bit with them. Sometimes that togetherness happens because I need a little support, so I work on asking for help and continue learning to accept it more graciously. Other times we walk together because I am there to assist someone…

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Finding joy in life’s daily gifts

Finding joy in life’s daily gifts

BY NANCY KIDD One of the lessons I’ve learned with age and experience is we are given spiritual gifts on a regular basis. Just as I became open to witnessing miracles regularly—and then I actually began to experience them—I believe that if I can open my eyes a little wider, I will be able to see more of the wonderful gifts that have been offered to me. After I retired from teaching at the Juvenile Detention Center, I began volunteering…

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I believe in miracles

I believe in miracles

BY NANCY KIDD A miracle, to me, is something awesome that happens, something with a connection to divine power. It can be when someone who was expected to die is healed, or when unforgiving family members offer forgiveness. It might be a personal achievement for one with significantly limited abilities, or maybe it is love being shown by the most unlikely person you could imagine.  I strongly believe that whatever we choose to focus on will grow. If my attention…

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