my most favourite apology and compliment ever

26 days ago.
my last blog post.
heavy stuff-not mine, but friends' heavy stuff- is swirling around in my head waiting to be words on this page.
as i wait patiently for the story to gestate, i encountered something today at school which deserves a blog post.

i am thinking a full moon will soon bring life to the dark, winter sky because our students have been "wanky" all week.
i am exhausted especially by the verbal banter of our intermediate students ( ages 11-13), which borders on rudeness and disrespect, to both their peers and staff. actually, it is rude and disrespectful.
today i had an encounter with a student in grade 6 who was disrespectful to me while i was trying to help him. i admit i may have been over sensitive because of the cumulation of attitude around the school all week. however he did what he did and it was wrong. i am also frustrated because i work hard to help these students-yes it is my job- but i do go the extra mile. i don't expect thank yous but do expect to be given respect. i am fair to these students and they know that. i also realize we have bad days and i do think i would have handled things differently had it not been a week from hell!
so later on in the day before lunch this boy came to the class i was in to give me a written apology. it was thick and stapled. in my mind i'm thinking, "wow, this kid has written a novel to me!"
as i was reading it, tears filled my eyes. in my mind i'm thinking, " oh K. what are you doing. do NOT cry in front of this boy. yikes. why are you reacting like this?"
here is the 5-page, large font, bold print, stapled "novel" that made tears form in my eyes:








i LOVED it! i laughed. i thought it was the sweetest thing because this boy really did mean it. he is a "bugger" in class and on the playground, but i do really like him and do see his potential. he has had a bit of a rough life in the 11 years he has lived thus far, but he will be okay. i wish i could post a pic of him because he is such a cute young man with gorgeous big brown eyes and long dark eyelashes ( no he didn't charm me into an apology !!)
i gave this boy a hug ( side hug in the public hallway!) and told him i appreciated this apology and accepted it.
i explained to him why i reacted the way i did too.
all was good and ended well.

so the rest of the day continued to be crazy until last period.
immediately as i entered the grade 8 class, my sweet "D" ( the same girl who wonders why they put letters in math equations...) said to me in an excited tone,

"O-M-G ( yes she spelled out the letters instead of using the complete words) Miss W, I LOOOVVVEEE your pearls!"

i looked at her inquisitively, paused for a moment and then the light went on!
i am still not used to this "text language" talk!
her innocent, naive comments made me laugh yet again which i was grateful for after the day i had!

Happy New Year Ramblings

Genuine, pure, warm hospitality- a rare gift so aptly modelled by my parents...

(Dec.25, 2009, Whitby, ON)

...inviting newcomers to Canada ( who happen to be friends of mine but strangers to my folks) over to enjoy Christmas dinner with our family. We spared no expense with immersing them into our favourite Canadian ( via our British ancestors) traditions of Christmas Crackers ( see photo above), Plum Pudding with my delicious secret sauce, salt fish (well this is a Newfie tradition), Christmas cake and crokinole (I don't know if they play this game in the UK or not)! A wonderful time was had by all!

Refuge

shelter or protection from danger or trouble, to take refuge from a storm.
a place of shelter, protection, or safety.
anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.
retreat, sanctuary, haven.

(Shave and I on Dec. 28, 2009, Kingston, ON.
Yes, I am drinking my first beer ever, well it is actually Strongbow Cider! I LOVED it!)

How can I ever express my inmost gratitude for the time spent with my precious friend over the holidays? She created a refuge for my soul. A shelter, a sanctuary, a haven, an auspicious occasion, a refuge.

refuge
safe
understood
loved unconditionally
healing deep wounds
release without judgement
grace
tears
laughter
prayer
compassion
forgiveness
kindred spirits
defenders of friendship
silence
family
strength
fearless
blessed
refuge like our Father

How can I ever express my inmost gratitude to my Father for allowing our paths to cross when we were but innocent teenagers? It is a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime friendship that has endured the test of time? I am blessed. Thank you my sweet Shave! Thank you my sweet Father! Both of you are a refuge like no other!

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2Cor. 5:17)

(Dressed and ready to ring in the new year with my friends at The H.'s house on Dec. 31, 2009, Oshawa, ON)

I started a new tradition, well new to me, for New Year's Eve. I was visiting my sweet Brasilian friend over the holidays and she told me in Brasil everyone wears white on New Year's Eve. It symbolizes starting anew. Wiping the slate clean so to speak. Jesus wiped our slate clean- "washed our sins white as snow."

"We tend to rehash the past and rehearse the future. You can fret as much as you want, and it's not going to change anything. Why not get through with grace and ease?"
Julianna Margulies, actress

Also, white is made of seven colors, so the wearing of white can also symbolize bringing "colour," vibrancy, life into the new year. At midnight, you are to make a wish. If your wish involves finding love then you wear a touch of red :)

My prayer for 2010 (from Hal Helms, Echoes of Eternity, Volume 2):

"What do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in His presence in holy reverence, follow the road He sets out for you, love Him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I'm commanding you today-live a good life."
(Deut. 10:12-13, The Message)

"Continue on in the path, My son and My daughter. It is a good path, and leads onward toward our mutual goal. Calm your fears, child. I am here and will be here always and all the way. Deo Gratias "