Claggett Senses

You are here.
I can hear you in the birds and rain and thunder.

You are here.
I can smell you in the wet grass and the time-weathered wood.

You are here.
I can feel you in the breeze.

You are here.
I can see you in the misty mountaintop and smiles of people.

You are here.
I can taste you in the nourishment created by your loving servants.

You are here.
and for a brief piece of time,
I have peace.

winding down.

The school year is near its completion. The children and teachers are weary so we fill the days with field days, games, movies, and ceremonies to pass the time. The grades are in, the conferences are being held and we all long for that last bell that indicates that freedom has arrived. I don't think it would be different if school lasted longer or ended before Memorial Day, we will all still have this anticipation of the lazy days of summer.

I am excited for what this summer holds. I am looking forward to learning and growing in my program through the Klingenstein Center. Two weeks sequestered on a beautiful campus with 75 other young teachers who will challenge and support each other to be our best. I am excited to stretch myself and be a drama/reading coach in the late summer as kids prepare for their new year of learning. I am scared at the prospect of writing the entire schedule for the entire school where I will please no one but serve the kids well.

But I too, long for those lazy days. Swim meets and sunscreen. Walks in the park. Sandy toes and ice cream kisses. Walking through the National Mall and getting annoyed at tourists who don't know how to use the Metro. Crabs and beer. The Orioles. Afternoon naps. Really early morning track workouts before it gets really hot. Reading lots of books. Watching the summer blockbuster film. Indigo Girls at Wolf Trap (turning 30)...Ah how I am a true cancer-love my summer.

Six Days....

runs in the family

Yesterday I had the pleasure of enjoying the beautiful weather by starting the day with a 5k. After two days of watching runners pick up their packets while I was working, I decided to throw my hat into the ring. I also convinced my lovely mother to join me to "kick-off" her training for the Baltimore Half-Marathon.

I knew it would be a hilly course, knew the two fastest women in my age group were signed up, but thought it would be ok just the same. It was a good race. I didn't do the best time ever, almost a minute off my time two weeks ago, but I was happy with it.

What really struck me was the families at the race. As awards called out after the race, no fewer than four families had multiple award winners from their family. One family took five total awards! This made me so incredibly happy. I love that there were families running together. Families who chose to get up early on a holiday morning, do a nice 5k, support and cheer for each other. I was so blessed to have my great Mom with me on this day, so I felt supported too.

I don't really think that having a family of my own is in my future. I kind of think I will be the "crazy old aunt" for my sister's children. But I am grateful to have been amongst these families yesterday; it gave me a wistful desire for that kind of experience in my own life. These families are models. Just as my family has given me a model for humor, forgiveness, and love. These families have reminded me of the simple purity of doing "stuff" together. All the better if that "stuff" is running.

Peace.

excitement.

My fifth graders have an assignment where they will choose a song to match one of our school success traits such as responsibility, courage, or faith. I told them they would have to do work at home (for the first time ever in my class....) checking either their music collection or youtube. They are not allowed to use youtube at school, but I told them I would help them if the videos they found were appropriate. I came home this evening and had an email from a student with two absolutely perfect video choices for her project. Perhaps this is benign to most teachers, but given the fact that I have never assigned homework (as an elementary music teacher) and this is kind of an large project in the last two weeks of school, I am thrilled. This student totally made my day.

morning

Yesterday Centennial Park and its surrounding areas were bustling with activity as the annual Columbia Triathlon took place. It began with the early am swim starts in the lake, continued through the back roads of Howard County on the bike, and finished with a long loop through the park and the neighborhood for the 10k run. Lots of friends finished this race yesterday despite intermittent rain, injuries, and one smelly lake.

This morning however the lake was calm, cool, and the entire park quiet, as if the traveling circus had come in and quickly vanished. As I took my run with my furry love-bug this morning it was a refreshing start to a new day. The steam rising off the lake in stark contrast with the chill in the air. The park was practically empty and there were long stretches where it was just us, the woods, and the woodland creatures. Alas, our meditative state was interrupted by a small chorus of geese who I'm sure perceived me as a giant and love-bug as my trusty spotted companion, but once they made their displeasure known they softened their cackling.

As the sun rose over the lake and the image of the sky reflected in the lake's face I felt a great sense of joy. It is in this early morning trek that I was reminded of the blessing of each day made new. As Marilla Cuthbert says in Anne of Green Gables, "every day is fresh, with no mistakes." As I stumble through this difficult time of life, I am leaning on the grace of God and grateful for his natural reminders that every day is fresh, with no mistakes.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

I am going to serve as a drama/reading coach this summer at our school's academic camp. We started planning our curriculum last week and it was suggested that we might use the Kate DiCamillo book The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane as our read-aloud book selection. So last night I settled onto the couch to read this youth fiction book. The text size was large but I still thought the 150+ page book would take a while.

Immediately upon opening the pages I was encompassed in the story of the china rabbit and his journey from selfishness to caring, from despair to hope, and his understanding of love. The pages turned very quickly as I took Edwards multiple-year journey in the matter of an hour. I found myself weeping as the rabbit learned to love and his journey of many years was safely ended in the arms of a loving child.

Upon finishing the book, I felt a deep awareness of my sadness. I found myself missing my favorite terrier more than I had in a long time. I desperately longed to pet him as we cuddled on the couch. I felt like there was a giant hole in my heart in a way that Edward Tulane may have felt, but didn't realize until he sat in wait as part of his journey. I can only hope that in time, like Edward, that all of the sadness and pain of the journey will come to pass and hope and love will be on the other side.

A fantastic read for all ages. A wonderful read-aloud for young children, particularly those experiencing change or loss. A good private read for adults who are in need of a reminder of a the redeeming power of love.

Peace.

speed racer.

I felt like a speed racer this morning. Mind you all is relative in the arena of my being a "speed racer" as it compares to others, but for me, it was a good race. I ran the fastest 5k of my life despite nasty weather conditions and a really tough hill at mile 2.5. I offer my thanks to the slightly frustrating dude behind me from the turn around to mile 2.5 who slapped his feet in the rain just enough behind me to make me try to run from him....I probably would have slowed down more if he hadn't been using me as his personal pacer. I also offer my thanks to the really fast ladies ahead of me (there were five of them) who made me feel like I belonged in the fast ladies club for the day. They are an inspiration to me in more ways than I can explain.

It has been a tough few months and running has had its ups and downs. I don't run races to win, but every once in a while it can't hurt.

For the record: Musical Madness 5k, Maple Lawn, MD. 22:01 (PR and course improvement of 47 seconds) Sixth overall woman, 1st in 20-29 (for the second year!)

This is a great run and it supports the music department at Reservoir High School in Fulton. The student musicians were absolutely fantastic and brought me back to a time of making music with my friends. The brass double quintet made standing in the rain completely worthwhile.

Have a nice day, dear reader.

"let's stay friends"

if you have to be divorced....not something i wish on anyone.....this ain't a bad example.



Peace.

all things new.

out the window it is green.
luscious thick green trees and leaves.
deep brown earth and long branches.
it is a lingering reminder that God makes all things new in his own time.

my heart is still stuck in winter's cold.
it is rough as pumice, broken glass
but spring will come.
for God makes all things new in his own time.

slow and steady

I had a tremendous time on Sunday running with my little sister in the Broad Street Run. She is not a big time runner, but she ran so well, so steady for ten straight miles. We had a delightful time, talking, laughing, quoting movies, and singing songs. We kept running and even ran faster in the last few miles because we had run so smart. Afterwards, we enjoyed a lovely afternoon of sister time and good Belgian beer.

I spend a lot of time lamenting that I'm not fast enough or strong enough or consistent enough when it comes to most of my life, but particularly running. It was so great to slow down, run steady, and be engaged in someone else's success and joy. I love watching others have success in running. I love seeing the happiness on the face of someone who has just attained their goal. If I can do anything to help anyone feel that kind of joy, I am so pleased.

I am really proud of my sister. She never ceases to amaze me.

a small happiness

This artist has given me great joy this week and I'm so glad I found him. As a lover of all things related to pigs, the pig of happiness is just what I needed. I hope you may enjoy him too.

http://www.edwardmonkton.com/

Happy Friday dear Reader. May you find a small happiness today among any turmoil you may have.

Peace.