fields of poppies

October 3, 2022 – winding down the year.

Today’s 3 things: the written word; the gift of memories; hot coffee.

This morning is Pj day at school for spirit week. This means I have found myself with a few extra minutes this morning. I have spent this time reading through some of my drafts from as far back as 2016. Some unfinished, some just unpublished, and some, ultimately, too painful to share at the time. As I look back at some of my words – published or unpublished – I see a rushed life trying to slow down, caught in the vicious cycle of daily living and the struggle to make sense of the world. My coffee warms me as I read. And the reading makes me realize that no matter we’re I’ve been, I am right where I am supposed to be today. Of this I have no doubt and that brings me great peace. #gratitude #3things #choosejoy

September 16 – 3 things

Well, I guess it’s obvious that school has started back since it’s been over a month since I posted. Physical therapy after my ACL surgery and trying to buy a house…all the things that I am grateful for certainly keep me busy these days!

I am grateful for the sunshine and warm air.

I am grateful for my mobility as it returns. Oh how I have missed you!

I am grateful for a job that provides all I need.

#choosejoy #gratitude #3things

3 things – simple

August 8, 2022

I am grateful for late night, left over pizza and garlic butter;

I am very grateful for this streaming ice machine thingy that goes through my current brace- it is very soothing (as is the pizza, if I’m being honest);

I am grateful for my amazing friend and her timely, post-it note worthy words “we can hold space for many feelings at once”.

Hoping I have all that I need to fill the cups of those who cross my path during this school year.

#choosejoy #gratitude #3things

Summer 2022 is almost gone but my to do list isn’t finished.

August 7, 2022

I am grateful that when I tore my ACL abroad that I did not break anything else the multiple times I fell as I continued to walk 5-7 miles a day. I tore it on the plane ride over, but when school starts it will be because… I tore my ACL in the Alps. Seriously – sidestepping my way to the window seat is just too… sad.

I am grateful for the support I had during that trip and here at home during surgery and this past week of recovery. A positive environment helps the healing and so far my healing has been awesome. Thank you.

I am grateful for grace and forgiveness. I will be even more grateful when I learn to give both to myself consistently, but I’m afraid I am still a work in progress in this area. So wonderful that others have mastered it and can teach me. I practice, but it’s very hard. It’s so easy to give to others but not to myself. I know I am not alone in this particular battle and struggle for growth as so many of us are so hard on ourselves. Still, I go to bed tonight with a grateful heart knowing that today I tried to be the best person I know how to be, that God loves me, and that my light still shines bright.

So, my to do list for summer 2022 remains with many items yet to be done. I shall use this as a challenge to myself to try to maintain some balance in my life as a teacher. You see my to do list was not filled with chores, but with adventures and new things to try. I don’t have to wait until summer 2023 – and for that I am grateful.

#choosejoy #3things #gratitude #aclsurgery #grace #forgiveness #travel

July ? 3 things – it is summer and I’m a teacher…

I am grateful that my trip abroad with students and parents finally happened and we had a successful educational experience.

A hilltop in Belgium where the American Memorial stands to honor the soldiers that liberated Belgium in WWII.

The precision of the American cemetery. Chilling.

I am grateful for the roof over my head and the home I have built for myself, but I have really been missing my house and my outdoor space. I pray real estate prices come down so this teacher can afford to buy a house. I am grateful I have enough – because I do…I have enough. I don’t need a house – I want a house, and I am grateful to know the difference.

I am grateful for the two little angels I spent the weekend with. They surely have my heart…just when I didn’t think I’d give it away ever again – God tricked me and sent me grandchildren. The sweetness, the innocence, the joy and laughter are all so uplifting and life-affirming.

I decided to put this photo of me as a child on my phone to remind myself who I really am. I, too, am a precious gift from God. This photo was kept in my daddy’s wallet until the day he died. ❤️

#3things #gratitude #choosejoy #bertramtravels

July 7, 2022 Salzburg

As we load the bus in the last day of this 14 day WWII Tour across Europe our perspective can’t help but be modified. The devastation and cruelty of war, of that war – how does our world not learn? I hope my students have been positively affected by this experience and knowledge and their empathy for others has grown.

View from the bus window as I write this post.

We are headed to Austria for the day and will visit the Eagle’s Nest. The view should be spectacular. The building of it was impressive. It’s owner…evil embodied.

My gratitude today? I am dealing with a lot of big emotions, thoughts, and ideologies so I am going to keep my list simple.

I am grateful that the education these students receive on these trips is quite personal and goes way beyond learning history; I am grateful that we have all remained safe; I am grateful for my earbuds that help me shut the world out when I am on stimulus overload. #gratitude #3things #Neverforget

My Three Things from Berlin on July 4th, 2022

Berlin, Germany

I am grateful for all that I have and for all that this life has to offer me in 2022; I am grateful for this WWII History tour and all that I have learned and experienced so far – so sad, yet so proud to be American; I am grateful that my student found her passport back at the restaurant 3 hours after she unknowingly dropped her wallet under the table. #choosejoy #3things #gratitude

Bastogne, Belgium and my 3 things

July 2, 2022

Today I am grateful to be an American – and so proud. I know we are not a perfect nation, and I know our nation doesn’t always do the right thing. But the soldiers that liberated this city in WWII, and the soldiers that died trying to do so are incredibly celebrated here. The memorials and dedications to them abound. Even the church bells – every day – on every half hour – begins ringing with the first five notes of the American National anthem. This town could teach some Americans a thing or two about patriotism and gratitude toward our veterans; I am grateful to have met Henry. He was a small boy when the Germans occupied his town and his home. He shared his experiences with us today and he led us from one memorial to the next. Thank you Henry; I am grateful for the opportunity to travel and have these experiences- and those soldiers made it possible. I am humbled.

This is Henry. This is the Sherman tank that stands in the center of Bastogne. That is one of two bullet holes that “knocked it out in December 44. It recalls the sacrifices of all the fighters for the liberation of Bastogne and Belgium”. (Plaque) 🇺🇸

I was especially moved today by the German cemetery. 6 men buried together under one cross. We were told this was German military tradition as in – leave no soldier alone. So many were just boys. So many unknown. So much death. I wondered why they were still here. 7000 in just that cemetery. The Germans just left the bodies. The Geneva Convention requires they be buried, handled with respect. They never went home because families could not afford to have them brought home. And again – so many unknown soldiers. So. Many. “Now, they’ll just be here forever” Henry said.

Freedom certainly is not free.

#choosejoy #gratitude #3things #usa #letfreedomring

Paris in July-3things

July 1, 2022

The weather has been so mild for us on this trip, and the people of Paris have been very kind. I am grateful for cabs when I am tired of walking – 7 miles today on a broken right foot and and left busted knee – I am so grateful I did not fall again; I am grateful for the river cruise tonight and for having been given the opportunity to see Notre Dame before it burned down. I hope to come again once it is rebuilt; I am grateful to be traveling with such kind and wonderful people. Tomorrow we head to Belgium – birthplace of my grandmother. #gratitude #3 things #choosejoy

Another day, another City – Paris here we come!

June 30, 2022

After missing the Normandy experience I am grateful that the swelling in my knee is down and I am able to proceed with the group with ease; I am grateful for the rest I was able to get and the for the healing power it brings; I am grateful for my tour mates and how they continued to take care of me in my absence / bringing me meds, ace bandages, dinner, and sand from Omaha Beach. Then…when I got on the bus this morning for our journey to Rouen, another dear traveler gave me the canvas bag pictured below because of the poppies! So thoughtful.

Now in England the Poppies represent the blood loss of all of the fallen soldiers. If you read my about page / you will see that for me and the purpose of this blog that they represent perspective.

Have a wonderful day!