I vote for...

Today, as I was taking the kids downstairs to dismissal we walked by a sign that the youth program had put up for a t-shirt design competition they were having and the sign said something like "Vote or Dye" (my second graders couldn't understand the pun) so, first they were kind of freaking out about that. 

Then, one of my students called out, "I vote for Miss Hannah" and another chimed in, "Me too, I vote for Miss Hannah" and I looked at them curiously and said, "Why would you vote for me?" and they replied with a shrug, "I don't know...it said vote or die."  And I thought I was going to get some great compliment.  Nevertheless, I kind of liked being "voted for" even if it was to spare them from death. 

friends far away

I got to talk to lovely Liana tonight!  I'm so happy.

sad and happy

Spending a great day with my brother made me realize just how lonely I've been in the past few months.  I have missed just having someone to be a friend and do random stuff like go drink tea, read, talk, wait around, etc.  I have a mixture of sad and happy tears right now.

rejection

Almost 5 hours waiting to get my car inspected. Fail.

brother in town

Andrew made it safely to DC tonight!

saturday hike

highlight

A highlight of this month was when I got to go see Josh Ritter in concert.  If you have ever seen him play live you know what a great experience it is.  You get this feeling when you see him play that you'd really like to be his friend.  You want him to be your new best friend.  He seems to LOVE what he does and he plays with so much energy and is so happy to be up front singing his well crafted song-stories to everyone. I love it.  After going to a Josh Ritter concert I always wish that I could have dinner with Ritter and his friends to get to enjoy some interesting conversation and more great music.

weekend

This weekend was LOVELY.  I was exhausted at the end of Friday but, I still went to an Engagement party, a Photography event, and a Cheesecake tasting all in one night!  It was the busiest Friday that I've had in a while. I went on a hike on Saturday.  It was the first hike I'd been on in a long time.  Then, Sunday was spent with some friends tasting some delicious food.  I ended it all going to Church, then coming home to mentally prepare for a couple days of lead teaching.  The truth is that life is beautiful...

excuses, excuses

I could come up with hundreds of excuses for why I haven't written very much recently.  I have so many things going on, I'm getting married, it's the end of the school year, I'm moving back to Panama, it's spring time in DC, etc. etc. etc. but, to be honest, all of that is bogus.  The truth is I have MORE to write about than I have in a long time and I've just felt overwhelmed by it all and haven't come around here to let my feelings out on the screen.

I know I have no obligation to anyone else to write but, I do disappoint myself when I don't write.  What a strange thing.  So, I'm going to start by talking about my weekend.  I have a theory about "catching up" with friends or anyone, you really have to start by asking what they did that day or that week before you can go back however many months or years you're behind.  So, I'm going to do that...in the next post.

Communité

The word "community" is derived from the Old French communité which is derived from the Latin communitas (cum, "with/together" + munus, "gift"), a broad term for fellowship or organized society.

Once again I am plagued with the fear that I have failed to live up to these things which I claim to believe.  Principally, that "community" is something deeply, deeply important. I know I believe this but, I am afraid that I feel at a loss as to what my place ought to be in community.

I'm thinking that I like the origin of the word because I think that community really is a gift.  A gift that ought not be taken without deep gratitude.  Nevertheless, I still wonder.  Am I living generously and gratefully towards and for my community?  Or am I holding back?

I wonder sometimes how deep the community bonds are.  I'm afraid of not being missed because somehow I didn't live grateful for what I was given.  It is so selfish to want to be missed so, perhaps that ought to be the lesson I learn.

However, I do wonder if I have given what I could and if I have invited people into welcoming hospitality as often as I should.  I'm afraid of failing to be a good friend.  I think that is one of my biggest fears.