Ruth Ayres invites us the celebrate each week. Click over to her site Discover. Play. Build. to read more celebrations.
Swinging for Addyson
1. When I heard the news that one of our students had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, I pulled out my crochet needle and created a prayer blanket for her. Saturday I gave her the blanket at a ragball fundraising event for her medical bills. Her smile says it all. Keep Addy and her family in your prayers as they continue to fight this battle.
Make yourself a park ranger.
2. Celebrating #clmooc and collaborative learning: This week marked the sixth and final make cycle of #clmooc. NWP joined the National Parks Service to encourage getting outside and exploring your national, state, and heritage parks. Kevin Hodgson invited me to join in the Google hang out on Tuesday evening. I love collaborating and learning from others. The archive of the hang out is here.
I had every intention of visiting a state park but the heat and the fact that my daughter was home kept me from participating further in this project.
Cheers to my daughter Martha.
3. Martha is home! My youngest flew in from Chicago for my last week of summer break. I’ve enjoyed spending time with her and just knowing she’s home.
4. My classrooms (I teach at two schools) are clean, organized, and decorated, ready for students to arrive all too soon.
photo by Jan Risher
5. Jan Risher, a writer for The Advertiser, the Lafayette regional newspaper, put out a call on Facebook for people to make paper cranes to honor the two victims of last week’s Grand 16 shooting. She gathered enough cranes to make two senbazuru. I made a few cranes and just doing this small gesture comforted me and helped me to feel a part of this community. I am very proud of the way the Acadiana community has responded with an outpouring of support and love. To me, it’s the only way to respond to violence…complete and utter kindness.
6. Speaking of responding with kindness and love, I celebrate James Taylor. In 1979 after our home had been totally flooded, the first album we purchased was James Taylor’s Flag. I listened to Up on the Roof so many times I memorized all the words. His music is still lifting up spirits and sharing love. Here is a recent performance in which the Charleston Low Country Voices joined him on stage. JT makes everything all right.
Reflections on the Teche 
I’m glad that you were able to join the community in creating the senbazuru and that it helped a little. You’re right, only way to beat it is to spread kindness, and it’s what you did today in your post, too, Margaret, and Addy will be in my prayers too. Happy to hear your daughter is visiting, and best wishes for a lovely school start. Your room looks great.
Your prayer blanket touches my heart and I’ve added Addy to my prayer chain. Your classroom looks inviting and I’m positive I could find a perfect book. Happy celebrating!!
I connected with the idea of the cranes-such a beautiful way to respond. All of your celebrations this week are so personal and really show your beautiful spirit.
I celebrate with you for visits with daughters and prayer shawls, and music and classroom prep…time to do it all!
So much in this post to hold up and be grateful for. Each celebration is a journey of triumph. Glad your classrooms are ready and Martha is home. Your community is so resilient and loving. Prayers to Addy.
Margaret, Your week was rich in blessings. Thank you for sharing the senbarzu. It is something new to me. Enjoy the remainder of your daughter’s visit and I will keep beautiful Addy in my thoughts and prayers.
So much sorrow in our world. Glad you were able to participate in the call for cranes. Our world needs more people like you responding in kindness. Happy for you that Martha was home. Gorgeous prayer blanket, adding her to my prayer list. And your classroom pic – such an inviting spot. Wish I could drop in.
That prayer blanket sums up so much about the Margaret I have grown to so admire and be inspired by. There’s no celebration quite like celebrating the homecoming of a child. I know you treasured and made great use of your time together.
Margaret, your prayer blanket is such a wonderful service project for those who need love and support. I was touched by the story of Addyson and know that it is a difficult time for her family. Your prayers were lovingly crocheted into each piece of yarn. Be filled with the spirit of service as you start your new year.