Progress

Posted on May 13, 2013 by administrator

Today was a big day in MN.

Today our state senate approved a bill allowing for same-sex marriage. Our house voted in favor of the bill last Thursday. And tomorrow evening, I will stand on the Capitol lawn with my 4 fellas and watch our governor sign the bill on the front steps.

Love rules the day in MN.

I am thrilled.

Today at our staff meeting I finally, officially, let the cat out of the bag that I will be completing the year in my post and not returning in the fall. Instead, I will pursue a master’s degree program full-time starting in September, with the goal of becoming a parent educator in a program such as ECFE when my degree is complete. Going back to living close to the bone, really close when you factor in my university expenses…but I’ve never felt so sure about something in my life.

Well, except perhaps about Joe. That man is a gem. A gem who is somehow even more excited about my new career path than I am.

I am thrilled.

It all feels like a new world is opening up for me and my family; a world in which I am able to get back to teaching. A world in which I do the thing I swore I’d never do: get a master’s degree in education. A world in which my family is able to maintain a place of priority, even if it means I go back to cleaning my own house (I know, first-world problems) and making bread instead of buying it. Wait…that’s not such a sacrifice, is it?

And, in the end, a world in which my children know that no matter who they are, their feelings are valued as anyone else’s would be. They are free to love whom they will, be who they are. And I can’t wait to support parents and families from a place where love is the simple origin of all that we do together in this community.

An advocate. A mother. A progressive. A lover.

Just what I always wanted to be.

St. Paul, earlier today.

Categories: Mostly Me, Over My Head | 4 Comments

Guest Post: “Inspiration From My 5K”

Posted on April 19, 2013 by administrator

Most of you know or have read about my lovely sister-in-law, Angie. I kind of hate calling her “sister-in-law” because to me, she’s just my sister. So blessed, I am, that my brother made such a wise choice. I have her permission to share some writing she did recently; Angie has become something of a runner in the last couple of years and, like many in the running community, was deeply saddened by the bombing of the Boston Marathon. I’m going to shut up now and give way to what she’s written, which was brilliant and heartfelt. 

run, angie, run.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I don’t have any words for yesterday’s events in Boston. My heart is heavy and my prayers are with those affected by this & with our world as a whole.

I had intended to share this post today, and now it seems more appropriate than ever. As my friend Melissa touched on in her blog today, sometimes running is just running, and sometimes it serves a purpose, and for me this has often been to be grateful that I CAN run, and I work to remind myself of that when I struggle.

Saturday, in my 5k, I had the ultimate reminder to be grateful for my strong legs, healthy heart & my able body. The timing was good, because I’ve had some pity parties over my minor injuries this year, and perspective is a welcome friend.

To the point. Saturday morning we lined up at the starting line, all bundled up & fidgeting to stay warm together. I noticed a man in a wheel chair, but didn’t pay too much attention – I was too focused on warming up my frozen fingers & setting my music / gps app to go to really be aware. They announced the start & we all took off. I keep my first mile slow, very slow, so I allowed everyone to pass me at the start & just stuck with my pace. I don’t look behind, because I don’t want to know how few people there are left at the back of the pack with me.

Coming up to mile 1 I hear 3 guys talking, laughing & having a good time. I am feeling strong & not struggling, but I am nowhere near laughing! So curious, I still don’t turn around because running is all about looking, and moving forward for me (literally, and figuratively). Next thing I know the voices are getting louder; they are passing me. It’s the man in the wheel chair and his two running partners (possibly a son & a friend?). They pass me and for the first time I notice. This man, in the wheelchair, is propelling himself on his one good leg. He has no arms, his long sleeve shirt is tied in the back using the empty sleeves. His right leg is shorter & doesn’t reach the ground and his left leg is pulling him along while his friends run along side of him. He is clearly a survivor with good spirit, as they continue to laugh and enjoy the cold morning out. I am humbled.

I catch up to the woman in front of me & we both vocalize how amazing / inspiring what we are witnessing is. And I pick up my pace to keep up with this group of guys. When the man in the wheel chair tires, the younger man pushes him until he’s ready to go again. What love. I keep pace with them until the 2nd mile, when they stop for water & I keep going. I keep them in my heart the rest of the race, and they have been there since. I have seen strength of spirit, and I have been reminded that being able to run is not a chore, or torture but a blessing.

I didn’t see the guys again before I left, and I wish I had been able to tell them how much it meant to me to see them racing, but the truth is I couldn’t have articulated it because I was still processing. The sight brought tears to my eyes & lent a little of their strength to me.

This all before yesterday. Now we live in a world post-yesterday. I pray that those hurt by the events can gain the same strength as my co-racer from Saturday. I pray that they have good friends to help them cross the finish line, laugh along the way & push them when it gets too hard. In fact, I pray that for all of us.

*the 5k results came out today, I finished 38:36. Looking at the list for 3 guys that finished after me, I found them all with the same last name & googled. Story is this inspiring man was born without arms, and one severely short leg, one normal leg. His wife, also disabled is a musician & you can see them here & hear a little of their story. Amazing.

 

Categories: Guest Post | 2 Comments