As a teacher, one always hopes to influence or help a student reach his/her own potential.
Yesterday I was able to see a student reach this and soar beyond.
Mary Rose is a little girl I have known for most of her life. She took Kindermusik classes when I owned the music studio in Plymouth. She has taken piano lessons from me - on and off - for the last 6 years. She is a very musical little girl. She plays multiple instruments, and has a great voice.
Last year Mary Rose was diagnosed with PANDAS. She could no longer focus for her lessons. But it did not stop there. Her personality changed - she became a different child. None of this stopped her family from providing the best care possible. With the guidance of a few wonderful people, Mary Rose received a procedure called IVIG.
Before Mary Rose was diagnosed with PANDAS, we had been working diligently for a couple years on music for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She wanted to be completely prepared for the piano instruction. After her IVIG, Mary Rose insisted that she would continue to attend Blue Lake. I was so scared that she would not be able to handle it. But she did! She succeeded!
Then a month or so ago, Mary Rose wanted to start lessons again to prepare for the Instrumental Solo & Ensemble. She was going to play the last Sonatina we were working on when I last taught her. I also agreed to accompany her while playing the french horn. As a 7th grader, she has five years left that she could enter the festival. However, Mary Rose was determined to play both instruments this year.
Upon reaching Franklin High School, I was in a bad mood. A vocal student of mine was not prepared for the Vocal Solo & Ensemble which takes place in two weeks. I could not believe her notes and words were not memorized by this point. I walked into the warm-up room and like a little star in the night, Mary Rose was smiling. She had received a 2 rating on her piano song. Which I was thrilled at. A year ago she could not even play hands together.
Then it was time for Mary Rose to play her french horn. I was nervous. But she played with such confidence. When she finished I had tears in my eyes. Was this the same little girl that was diagnosed with PANDAS? The judge was so impressed at her confidence. I think he was rather shocked that she was so accomplished without a french horn private instructor. Frankly so was I. You would have NEVER known this child was the same one from last spring. Never.
No surprise to me, she received a 1 rating. I have never been so proud of a student. She is definitely the most courageous little girl I have ever known, and I am so excited to see what the future brings for her; musically and non-musically.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Essay on Abortion
The following is an essay I sent to the producers of Being. Being is a show on NPR, and I very rarely (if ever) get to hear it. However, it just so happened I was listening on Friday. The rest is below:
It was a sunny Friday the 13th of May, 1994. I was 19 and pregnant. My boyfriend had reluctantly driven me to the nearest abortion clinic earlier that morning, after an awkward series of events. With the help of my best friend at the time, a location was found and an appointment scheduled a week prior. It was the first time I was having a medical procedure without my mom nearby.
I finished the pregnancy test and paperwork, and handed over my personal credit card for the $300 charge. Then I was told at five weeks pregnant, they could not guarantee the results of the procedure, but that was not a worry of mine. I had to pretend this pregnancy did not occur, after all I had my whole life ahead. My boyfriend did NOT want the baby, and a few weeks prior my mother had voiced her very strong opinions about having a racially mixed grand baby. Yes, I was dating a man of African American descent and I was about as White as they come. The truth is: I really had no desire to have the baby. I was way too egocentric at the time. So even when the health care worker described the alternatives, I effortlessly said, “no thank you.”
My boyfriend was as supportive as was possible for a 19 year-old artiste/womanizer. He said he would pay for half of the procedure, but that was as solid as the rest of his promises. I knew in my heart he was a loser, and the pregnancy was a product of a huge mistake. However, at the time I was too selfish to even worry about regret or restitution. I only wanted to be done with the mistake; to move on.
I left the clinic that afternoon feeling very ill and bleeding heavily. However, luck seemed to be on my side: the abortion was successful. It was a chapter of my life that I closed and gratefully locked away for safe keeping.
Almost 17 years have passed since the abortion. In that time, I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters and a loving husband. Both our girls attend a private Christian school, and we are active members at a neighborhood Christian church. I had not even thought about that “May day” in a very long time. However, this past Friday (January 20th, 2011) I listened to Krista Tippett’s interview with Frances Kissling on Being, while driving to my daughter’s piano lesson. Krista ended the show asking for reflections and stories from the audience about abortion. It was at that moment, with my two girls sleeping peacefully in the backseat, I made the decision to share my story.
As I reflect on the abortion issue, I believe it is very easy for some to sit and judge the actions of others, especially when they are not in the situation. If presented with a pregnancy today, I would not even consider having an abortion. No, not just because I am married. And no, not because I am a Christian. The reason is because the confident woman I am today is a far cry from the frightened and misguided 19 year-old girl of yesteryear. But at the time, I was confident my decision to have an abortion was the right one. Without realizing what I had done all those years ago, I practically locked away a very painful memory.
Few people know I had an abortion. It is not a case of secrecy, because if someone asked if I had one I would not lie. No, it is more of a private issue. I know abortion is a topic that causes such high emotions, and I am sure I would hurt many around me if they knew. However, I am grateful I had the opportunity to chose what to do with my body. As much as I may disagree with my younger self, I would NEVER consider not letting my girls have those same choices. Choices are what defines us as people, and choices are what are essential to understand responsibility. Regardless of what I believe is the RIGHT decision, I believe each woman should have the opportunity to find that out for herself.
It was a sunny Friday the 13th of May, 1994. I was 19 and pregnant. My boyfriend had reluctantly driven me to the nearest abortion clinic earlier that morning, after an awkward series of events. With the help of my best friend at the time, a location was found and an appointment scheduled a week prior. It was the first time I was having a medical procedure without my mom nearby.
I finished the pregnancy test and paperwork, and handed over my personal credit card for the $300 charge. Then I was told at five weeks pregnant, they could not guarantee the results of the procedure, but that was not a worry of mine. I had to pretend this pregnancy did not occur, after all I had my whole life ahead. My boyfriend did NOT want the baby, and a few weeks prior my mother had voiced her very strong opinions about having a racially mixed grand baby. Yes, I was dating a man of African American descent and I was about as White as they come. The truth is: I really had no desire to have the baby. I was way too egocentric at the time. So even when the health care worker described the alternatives, I effortlessly said, “no thank you.”
My boyfriend was as supportive as was possible for a 19 year-old artiste/womanizer. He said he would pay for half of the procedure, but that was as solid as the rest of his promises. I knew in my heart he was a loser, and the pregnancy was a product of a huge mistake. However, at the time I was too selfish to even worry about regret or restitution. I only wanted to be done with the mistake; to move on.
I left the clinic that afternoon feeling very ill and bleeding heavily. However, luck seemed to be on my side: the abortion was successful. It was a chapter of my life that I closed and gratefully locked away for safe keeping.
Almost 17 years have passed since the abortion. In that time, I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters and a loving husband. Both our girls attend a private Christian school, and we are active members at a neighborhood Christian church. I had not even thought about that “May day” in a very long time. However, this past Friday (January 20th, 2011) I listened to Krista Tippett’s interview with Frances Kissling on Being, while driving to my daughter’s piano lesson. Krista ended the show asking for reflections and stories from the audience about abortion. It was at that moment, with my two girls sleeping peacefully in the backseat, I made the decision to share my story.
As I reflect on the abortion issue, I believe it is very easy for some to sit and judge the actions of others, especially when they are not in the situation. If presented with a pregnancy today, I would not even consider having an abortion. No, not just because I am married. And no, not because I am a Christian. The reason is because the confident woman I am today is a far cry from the frightened and misguided 19 year-old girl of yesteryear. But at the time, I was confident my decision to have an abortion was the right one. Without realizing what I had done all those years ago, I practically locked away a very painful memory.
Few people know I had an abortion. It is not a case of secrecy, because if someone asked if I had one I would not lie. No, it is more of a private issue. I know abortion is a topic that causes such high emotions, and I am sure I would hurt many around me if they knew. However, I am grateful I had the opportunity to chose what to do with my body. As much as I may disagree with my younger self, I would NEVER consider not letting my girls have those same choices. Choices are what defines us as people, and choices are what are essential to understand responsibility. Regardless of what I believe is the RIGHT decision, I believe each woman should have the opportunity to find that out for herself.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
An Inspiring Young Woman
I just completed what I think is the best works of Anne Frank.
Tales From the Secret Annex had some of the best short stories I have read in a long time. My favorite, "Eva's Dream," was the subject and content of my last blog post. Such a beautiful tale and a moral as well.
I posted a status on Facebook last week:
Anne Frank: Amazing child writer, or overrated subjugated child. Discuss.
The reason I posted this topic of discussion, was because I was curious what others thought of Anne. She wasn't the only Jewish child that has hidden away during the war, nor was she the only one that wrote a diary. Here are some of the responses. Names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Libby: I will be interested in your responses for this topic as I don't know Anne Frank well (this now inspires me to read Diary of a Young Girl, I've wanted to read that book for some time)
Shawn: I don't think she was an amazing child writer...I think it was the content, realistic descriptions, and horror of what she wrote that makes it so intriguing. I read diary of anne frank at a young age...easy read...therefore not exactly amazing
Manda: For me it's subject matter and reading the point of view of a child during that period in history. I've read quite a few books (fiction, non-fiction, and fiction based on facts) on various aspects of the Holocaust and Anne Frank doesn't stand out as an "amazing writer" to me, perhaps more of an amazing person.
Sassa: Neither. She just kept a diary and it happened to be the one to get published. Fate.
Mi: I understood the value of her book to be the unique 1st hand perspective of an existence/experience that the regime denied happened, not the actual writing style. Accoladed for content not style. I read but didn't particularly enjoy the book when I was young, whereas I've read many essays/reports/other 1st hand summaries of similar situations that did intrigue me. Also part of the 'ooh' factor that gets people is she died. [or did i just make that last part up because i didn't like the book so much?]
Amanda: Historian's point of view: this is what primary sources look like. No different from reading through tax records in terms of style; context makes it poignant but that probably wasn't her intent in writing it! Important to discuss because these days so many people can't deal with 'boring' factual information that hasn't been pre-digested and 'spun' for a good story, hence horrible media literacy in students.
Che (me): I read Anne Frank's diary for the first time this summer, and was instantly captivated at her sincerity and honesty. However, if an adult had written the same diary I do not think we would know her name. Sessa- Her father actually published her diary. It wasn't really fate per say, but a very saddened father (who had money) who lost his daughter. Yes, Mi, she did die in concentration camp. It was a horrible tale, and I read a bit more about that in another book I checked out from the library: http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Frank-words-pictures-archives/dp/159643547X/ref=pd_sim_b_2 During the war people were told to keep diaries. It was assumed that people would want to read these diaries post war, and therefore they would be very popular. Anne loved to write, and actually rewrote her diary to be in book form. I am currently reading her other writings in a book called, "Tales From The Secret Annex." That being said. I think THE best book (graphic novel albeit) about WWII is: Maus.
Lisa: Che, if you are interested in that era. I have about 50 books on the topic, many containing personal diaries and recollections.
Kate: My retired boss had most of his family killed in the camps, he was/is a great mentor. The stories he told about how his parents and 4 uncles lived though the War and then the struggle afterward were always amazing and heart wrenching.
*****************************
To me, the above only verifies that we should know more personal stories about life. Not just WWII, but all aspects of life. Understanding where we have been is crucial to know where we are going.
I posted a status on Facebook last week:
Anne Frank: Amazing child writer, or overrated subjugated child. Discuss.
The reason I posted this topic of discussion, was because I was curious what others thought of Anne. She wasn't the only Jewish child that has hidden away during the war, nor was she the only one that wrote a diary. Here are some of the responses. Names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Libby: I will be interested in your responses for this topic as I don't know Anne Frank well (this now inspires me to read Diary of a Young Girl, I've wanted to read that book for some time)
Shawn: I don't think she was an amazing child writer...I think it was the content, realistic descriptions, and horror of what she wrote that makes it so intriguing. I read diary of anne frank at a young age...easy read...therefore not exactly amazing
Manda: For me it's subject matter and reading the point of view of a child during that period in history. I've read quite a few books (fiction, non-fiction, and fiction based on facts) on various aspects of the Holocaust and Anne Frank doesn't stand out as an "amazing writer" to me, perhaps more of an amazing person.
Sassa: Neither. She just kept a diary and it happened to be the one to get published. Fate.
Mi: I understood the value of her book to be the unique 1st hand perspective of an existence/experience that the regime denied happened, not the actual writing style. Accoladed for content not style. I read but didn't particularly enjoy the book when I was young, whereas I've read many essays/reports/other 1st hand summaries of similar situations that did intrigue me. Also part of the 'ooh' factor that gets people is she died. [or did i just make that last part up because i didn't like the book so much?]
Amanda: Historian's point of view: this is what primary sources look like. No different from reading through tax records in terms of style; context makes it poignant but that probably wasn't her intent in writing it! Important to discuss because these days so many people can't deal with 'boring' factual information that hasn't been pre-digested and 'spun' for a good story, hence horrible media literacy in students.
Che (me): I read Anne Frank's diary for the first time this summer, and was instantly captivated at her sincerity and honesty. However, if an adult had written the same diary I do not think we would know her name. Sessa- Her father actually published her diary. It wasn't really fate per say, but a very saddened father (who had money) who lost his daughter. Yes, Mi, she did die in concentration camp. It was a horrible tale, and I read a bit more about that in another book I checked out from the library: http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Frank-words-pictures-archives/dp/159643547X/ref=pd_sim_b_2 During the war people were told to keep diaries. It was assumed that people would want to read these diaries post war, and therefore they would be very popular. Anne loved to write, and actually rewrote her diary to be in book form. I am currently reading her other writings in a book called, "Tales From The Secret Annex." That being said. I think THE best book (graphic novel albeit) about WWII is: Maus.
Lisa: Che, if you are interested in that era. I have about 50 books on the topic, many containing personal diaries and recollections.
Kate: My retired boss had most of his family killed in the camps, he was/is a great mentor. The stories he told about how his parents and 4 uncles lived though the War and then the struggle afterward were always amazing and heart wrenching.
*****************************
To me, the above only verifies that we should know more personal stories about life. Not just WWII, but all aspects of life. Understanding where we have been is crucial to know where we are going.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Witnesses Don't Like the Catholics
The above image (I had to take a picture of it with my smart phone) is a priest with a Bible (in color) and a gun (in black and white). The image is from an article titled, "Is Religion a Force for Peace?" in the January 2011 publication of Awake! This publication, for those of you who do not know, is the sister magazine of The Watchtower. Both are monthly publications, and my dear friend, Bonnie, brought the two by my house last week.
I no longer have a weekly study with her, as I feel I no longer could continue a study of something I could never become. However, I still let her drop off the magazines, and I do find myself compelled to see what new fear, or angle they present.
I do have strong opinions of organized religion, which I will discuss at a later date. However, even though the Catholic religion added a lot of traditions not Biblically based, does not me Catholic people (including clergy) are murderers.
If asked, I'm sure the Jehovah Witness organization would say the image was for shock value, but with the shootings in Arizona only days ago my first impression of the image was very negative and NOT pro-religion (which includes Jehovah's Witnesses) in any form.
Praying together
I finally finished my Advent Bible study, albeit 4 days late, but at least I finished it.
The final study was about praying at home to prepare for Sunday worship. A lovely analogy was made that caught my attention.
"...it would be like musicians who played the violin in an orchestra. They can't show up at the concert and expect to play well if they haven't been playing their violin at home. That is where they develop their skills and their appreciation of music."
I find the above statement to be very true, and close to my heart. My appreciation for music did come from my home. I was lucky enough to have a father that was in a professional wedding band. He played every Saturday night and most Friday nights too. When he wasn't at gigs (or teaching history or going to school for his masters), he would practice new material. If he wasn't playing there was always a record on the hifi. Bet everyone under 30 has NO clue what that is.
Praying is something I need to practice. At our church, the pastor prayers are followed by a moment of silent prayer. I find it interesting to see and hear a rustle of bodies not knowing what to do with the silence. It's as if we don't know what to do with ourselves when given time alone with the Lord. It is so much easier to recite the Lord's Prayer or other verses of praise. But to have to be alone with God, and in front of others? What if I don't pray long enough? What if I lift my head to see who is still praying? What if the pastor is watching me?
I do believe in the power of prayer. I don't believe we necessarily get what we pray for. However, I do believe that praying for guidance or peace of mind and spirit can be quite beneficial. Recently my little family went through a lot of medical stuff before Christmas. I asked my Facebook friends to pray for peace for my family during the holidays. By New Years Eve (even though the medical issues were not a thing of the past), I felt lifted. Prayer definitely is an essential part of our connection as humans.
I believe we are all connected. I also believe prayer is a way to connect our energies together. It is at that collective moment we are placing our energies in another individual or thought. I definitely appreciate all the prayers sent our way over the holidays. Thank you.
The final study was about praying at home to prepare for Sunday worship. A lovely analogy was made that caught my attention.
"...it would be like musicians who played the violin in an orchestra. They can't show up at the concert and expect to play well if they haven't been playing their violin at home. That is where they develop their skills and their appreciation of music."
I find the above statement to be very true, and close to my heart. My appreciation for music did come from my home. I was lucky enough to have a father that was in a professional wedding band. He played every Saturday night and most Friday nights too. When he wasn't at gigs (or teaching history or going to school for his masters), he would practice new material. If he wasn't playing there was always a record on the hifi. Bet everyone under 30 has NO clue what that is.
Praying is something I need to practice. At our church, the pastor prayers are followed by a moment of silent prayer. I find it interesting to see and hear a rustle of bodies not knowing what to do with the silence. It's as if we don't know what to do with ourselves when given time alone with the Lord. It is so much easier to recite the Lord's Prayer or other verses of praise. But to have to be alone with God, and in front of others? What if I don't pray long enough? What if I lift my head to see who is still praying? What if the pastor is watching me?
I do believe in the power of prayer. I don't believe we necessarily get what we pray for. However, I do believe that praying for guidance or peace of mind and spirit can be quite beneficial. Recently my little family went through a lot of medical stuff before Christmas. I asked my Facebook friends to pray for peace for my family during the holidays. By New Years Eve (even though the medical issues were not a thing of the past), I felt lifted. Prayer definitely is an essential part of our connection as humans.
I believe we are all connected. I also believe prayer is a way to connect our energies together. It is at that collective moment we are placing our energies in another individual or thought. I definitely appreciate all the prayers sent our way over the holidays. Thank you.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Killing for God
I am currently reading a fascinating book:
I will write more later on this book, and topic. This notion of "killing for Jesus" is nothing new. People have been killing in the name of our Lord for thousands of year. Out of curiosity I Googled "Killing for Jesus" and got this great set of lyrics from the Circle Jerks.
A story about Mormon extremists that murder in the name of God. What is so hard to understand is why a voice in your head is immediately attributed to God/Jesus/or some prophetic informative. Can people no longer be crazy?
KILLING FOR JESUS
All across the world
The holy armies on a tear
Ripping through the planet's faiths
Population's running scared
Christianity's all around
Zealots they abound
I wanna blow them to pieces
Cause I...I'm
[Chorus:]
Killing For Jesus
Killing For Jesus
With god on my side
The holy armies gonna ride
Go on a rampage
To rape, plunder and pillage
Insanity's everywhere
Must be something in the air
I wanna blow them to pieces
cause I...I'm
[Chorus]
I'm never bored
When I'm killing for the lord
Now I've seen the light
Hail Mary! I've got Jesus on my side!
Insanity's everywhere
Must be something in the air
I wanna blow them to pieces
cause I...I'm
[Chorus]
The holy armies on a tear
Ripping through the planet's faiths
Population's running scared
Christianity's all around
Zealots they abound
I wanna blow them to pieces
Cause I...I'm
[Chorus:]
Killing For Jesus
Killing For Jesus
With god on my side
The holy armies gonna ride
Go on a rampage
To rape, plunder and pillage
Insanity's everywhere
Must be something in the air
I wanna blow them to pieces
cause I...I'm
[Chorus]
I'm never bored
When I'm killing for the lord
Now I've seen the light
Hail Mary! I've got Jesus on my side!
Insanity's everywhere
Must be something in the air
I wanna blow them to pieces
cause I...I'm
[Chorus]
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