I grew up in Virginia with a slew of uncles, cousins, and mother who chanted “Hail to the Redskins!” before I even knew my alphabet. I remember family gatherings, Thanksgiving specifically and my Nannie’s birthday parties where we would heap mounds of homemade southern food onto doubled-up paper plates at 11a.m. Gather round multiple dining…
I listen. I am calmed. There is a tightly curled brown dog sleeping deep sighs beside me while little bird songs float down the hallway from my daughter’s room. My daughter. I have a tall, beautiful daughter who emanates joy and enthusiasm for life. I listen. I am calmed. The songs continue.
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” -Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Growing up is not easy. I remember adults saying, “Oh, don’t wish you were older than you are, childhood is…
I have had this picture in my mind for years and years. I am sitting on a hardwood floor, one leg bent up to my chest while the other leg extends in front. I am lacing on a pair of shoes with great determination; tying them tighter than tight, because it’s as if they come…