My B Flea

Granny B, Bettie Belle, B...all of these are names for my precious grandmother who went to be with the Lord this past Monday, September 22nd. ust a few months ago, she mentioned to me that she was scared about the whole dying thing, but just last week, she shared with my mom and my aunt that she was tired and ready. So...while her death was sudden for us (she went into the hospital late Saturday night), I feel comfort in knowing that she was ready to be done with this life and move onto the next. Ellen, John, Dave, and I traveled home Thursday evening, honored B on Friday in a beautiful service, and returned this morning.

When I think back on my almost-30 years with her, I remember so many things for which I will be eternally grateful. I am most thankful to have known this special woman and to have been in relationship with her for so many years. This morning, I decided I wanted to post about the things I'll miss most about my B Flea..

Her stories (man, she had some adventures)
Her conversations (real, patient conversations!) with Robert
Her perseverance
Her hope
Her love of reading
The way she treasured her family
Her stone cat
Her wisdom
Her faith
Her love
Her

I love you, B.

Raptors in the House

This year our grade level is thinking about the essential question, "Who are survivors?" and focusing on (shocker) raptors for the first trimester. In support of this endeavor, on Tuesday, we had an educator come out and do a "What's the Danger with Endangered?" program with our kids. There were, count 'em, FIVE raptors in my classroom. The kids were pumped. I learned a new word (extirpated) and got to see a barn owl close up and personal. Way cool. How hilarious is this picture Linda got of a Great Horned Owl pondering multiplication?

Blessing for a Teacher

As I begin my eighth year in teaching (yikes), I find myself feeling blessed. I feel blessed to get up each morning and be with children who make me smile, give me energy, and help me realize how precious life is. I mean, where else can you have a "farting song time" with 5th grade boys during carpool? But that's a story for another post.

I also feel blessed to share in the lives of 24 kiddos and live a piece of their story from August to June each year. One of those lives belongs to Mr. Solopino Bridges.

Solopino came to America from Liberia six months ago. He is a child who made it out of the crazy poverty and violence in that nation and who has found an amazing home here in Charlotte with Elizabeth and Bob Bridges and their three biological children. The Bridges also adopted a younger son named Stewart who came from a different part of Liberia.

The whole story is amazing and you should read it from the beginning on their blog: morebridges.blogspot.com. I have laughed out loud, cried, and praised God as I've been reading my way up to present time. I hope you will check it out.

From my point of view, it is incredible to be able to walk with Solopino, as I feel it is with all of my babies, through the craziness of fifth grade. So many body and brain changes make for good fun over the course of a year!

But I count it a specific privilege to be able to walk through his learning what it means to live in America and to hear what it means to have lived in Liberia. As him mom gently reminded me last week, Solopino is still in survival mode - wondering about how his basic needs will be met - his math facts aren't a huge priority. Right. That said, he is a diligent student who is full to the brim with joy. He is an incredibly talented athlete, delightfully sneaky, and loves to please. He is also our class chaplain (kids in our room apply for jobs each trimester) and I love hearing him pray in his accent.

I will post Solopino stories as it is appropriate throughout the year, but I wanted to share one quick one with you tonight:

Today Solopino made me smile. Before I tell you why I smiled, you'll need a little 5th grade background. In our class, we challenge our students to use a pencil down to the nub and then get a new one to be "green." Last week, after reading a poem entitled "Pencil Cemetery," our classroom "Pencil Police" decided to create a graveyard where our old pencils can retire in all their nubby glory. I'll have to take a picture of it - it's pretty cute. You should no that Liberians are ultra-literal! Here is an exchange I overheard this morning:

Henry: Hey, Solopino...you should say a blessing over each dead pencil.

Solopino: NO.

Henry: Why not?

Solopino: I men, a pencil is not a living theng, Henry!

Right you are, Solopino. Right you are. But you are living, right here in Charlotte...and I am blessed to be your teacher.

ENGAGED!

OMG - my sister just got engaged! Mr. John Suits proposed overlooking the ocean outside of Malibu. Smells was completely surprised and she sounded just ecstatic on the phone. I am SO happy for you, sweet ellen. I love you.

What a game...

The title of this post were David's final words as we left the new Wake Forest Deacon Tower and the crazy Deacon victory over Ole Miss last Saturday. As season ticket holders, we are crazy for those Deacons, but for those of you who missed it, here's a quick recap from the home opener: after a rather messy game and a freak-show last minute Ole Miss touchdown, the Deacs were down by 1. We got the ball back with 1:01 remaining in the game, Riley Skinner drove us down the field, leaving Sam Swank (Swank Forest to those who know and love him well) to attempt a 41-yard field goal with 3 seconds to play. Straight down the middle, baby, and the rest is history.

Needless to say, there was much jumping about and we were exhausted when it was all said and done. We also ran into Forest Stewart, Byron and Jenny, and even one of my students on this inaugural trip of the season. Enjoy the pics and thanks for your patience with my ebullient post about the Deacons...


the new stadium facade - isn't it beautiful?




nervous dave and happy Forest at half time

Big Sister Palin

No...this post is not referring to Governor Sarah Palin - though I thoroughly enjoyed her speech last night at the RNC. She really is quite remarkable. Anyhoo, this post shows all the glory and beauty of being an older sister. It shows Palin's youngest daughter, Piper, taking care of her baby brother. It is truly priceless and had to post it for those who missed it last night.

ZINGO

SO...i've been meaning to blog about this for a while and keep forgetting. There is a new DD service out there for those that have had a few too many. The concept is simple - you call ZINGO and a driver comes to a bar on a fold-up motor bike, stores the bike in your trunk, takes you home in your car, and then bikes home. Though I've never used it, I think it is a hilarious (and safe!) concept.

I have to admit I didn't think that a person would/could actually ride such a tiny vehicle on a city street, but I saw it with my own eyes. Cruising down Queens Road, I heard a low buzz (think motorized scooter) on my right quickly followed by the blur of a fluorescent orange Z. Turns out it was a ZINGO driver, bike fired up with the flaming Z on his backpack. I happened to be with mom at the time and we busted out laughing. It really is quite amusing (we were sober, for the record). We tried to get a picture, but he was too speedy. hehe. Check out the charlotte ZINGO website at http://www.charlottezingo.com if you are curious or want a good chuckle.