a note goodbye

deep blue evening above the clouds
and in the graveyard
one more quiet grave beneath the elm tree.


i could only feel glad, today,
that your eyes were closed.
you, who could barely say goodbye
after a weekend visit,
would have found this parting unbearable.


tears coming now, grandpa,
but i wanted to thank you.

thank you for the memories...
they are worthy of keeping.

Faithbuilders

Well, on my way back to the East Coast I made several wonderful stops...

thank you for the royal treatment, Reba and Juanita!

I attended Faithbuilders on my way,

spending 3 1/2 days with 250 other teachers,

soaking up sessions, workshops, discussions, and encouragement.

What a lift for the week of preparation ahead!

Sovina and I (above) took the chance to renew an old friendship,

and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay with a young family in the area.

Their boys took me spotting! =)

During which escapade we 'spotted' one kill deer, one skunk,

one turkey buzzard (was it large enough to be a buzzard?),

and one deer on our last lap around the field.

A blessing to see such a passion for teaching in others

with similar challenges and situations...

and to see that passion worked out with enthusiasm.