Welcome back to “7 Quick Takes Friday,” an occasional feature that offers a glimpse of where my thoughts have been lately.
-1-
STARTING THE DAY 7-year-old style:
A recent peek into my 7-year-old’s backpack turned up a prayer that the class recites every morning. Sometimes, simple words say everything that is needed to be said.
My God, I give to You today
All that I think and do and say.
I’ll work and laugh, have fun and play
Jesus be with me all through this day.
Help me to shine like the sun.
Let me be good to everyone.
I believe in You.
I hope in You.
I love You.
Amen.
-2-
APPLE CRISP DAY: This morning, I helped out at school. Mostly, I took pictures while my 5-year-old and his classmates turned the handles of the apple presses…
-3-
Resulting in finely skinned apples…
-4-
Which were later chopped and mixed with the rest of the ingredients…
Then turned into a tasty dessert…
-5-
SHARING HISTORY: A while after leaving the kindergarten room, I headed to my daughter’s fifth-grade class to give a presentation on my experiences growing up with and being connected to Native American peoples, in conjunction with what the class is studying. I shared some of my treasures with them, as well as some photos and videos from the powwow I attended with the same daughter in South Dakota this past summer.
-6-
R.I.P., LITTLE DUDE. A few nights back our cats got loose and somehow got hold of a fluffy little bird from the great outdoors. I was up late, working, and heard what sounded like a squeak toy. The cats, playing with something in the hallway, I thought. A few minutes later, they brought it into the room where I was working, offering their treasure to me. I thought it was a mouse at first, judging by the color, but soon realized in horror it was a small bird, now lame. I tried coaxing it from them, but one of the cats ran wildly around the house with it in its mouth, finally dropping it. By the time I was able to see it up close, its beak was moving open and shut as if it was gasping for air, no sound was coming forth; its legs appeared broken. I knew that it was dying. Frantic, I laid it in a container with a soft towel and put it outside. I knew it would die but at least it could have a dignified death, dying in nature under a tree and not in the mouth of the enemy! Sure enough, by morning its eyes had glazed over and its breathing had halted. My oldest daughter, who is very compassionate toward animals, helped prepare its final resting place. I thought this was so sweet of her. I don’t like seeing things die. And of course, the cats were only acting on instinct. But it was horrible to witness. My daughter’s act of finality was the only bright spot in the tragedy.
-7-MISSING YOU ALREADY, PARK… Our family enjoyed a sub-sandwich picnic recently at one of our favorite parks. I sensed, while there, that it might have been our last visit before fall fades into early winter.
All good things must come to an end, but the sun is always shining somewhere!
For more “quick takes,” visit Jennifer @ Conversion Diary!
Q4U: Where did the sun shine in your life this week?
I love that poem! I already copied it down for my kids. That poor little bird is so beautiful – and your daughter is equally beautiful, Roxane.
The sun shines outward from my family this week – especially my sister who lives in Washington. I’ve been missing her, and I got to see her last weekend.
I enjoyed your classroom visits. I think your childhood experience is so unique. I would love to hear your collection of insights! Have a beautiful day my friend.
Oh, and the sun was shining when the kids and I did art together. I love seeing their creativity!
Beautiful playground pic!
That is a beautiful moment of caring for God’s creatures with the dead bird. Sorry you had to witness the death, though.
And, now I’m hungry for apple crisp.
The university my husband and I graduated from (and is in our town) hosts a couple of annual pow-wows. Last year my husband attended to get guest speakers for the class he was student teaching and was moved by the experience. My father’s family is intermarried with the Mohawk nation, so it is extremely important to me to teach our children about this part of our heritage. We have visited the Smithsonian Museum of the Native American and loved it. And my husband is dying for another little girl to try and name Kateri!
Lets see..it shone through the rain clouds today!
I love your takes on Friday..it shows your weekly highlights..poor little bird..but the apple crisp looked yummy:)
Shannon, what a treasure is a sister who is also a friend, huh? You are blessed!
JeMA, what a treasure it would be to have a mom who is a visual artist. Lucky kids! And fun for you to see it develop.
By the way, my daughter’s class presented me with a “thank you” book today, telling me why they enjoyed my visit. It’s precious!
Mary, I liked that shot too – thanks for noticing. Maybe we’ll have apple crisp in PA. 🙂
Kristen, that is really cool! My godson took the name Kateri at Confirmation. 🙂 It would be a pretty and meaningful name. And how wonderful that you’re encouraging your children to know of that part of their history. It’s so important we don’t keep our First Nations people and our connections to them hidden, as they have been for so long.
Far Side, thanks for your commiseration regarding the bird. It was horrifying! I was almost in tears — just caught me off guard at midnight.
Love the poem. Thanks for sharing.
Love the poem. Thanks for sharing.