Desks

A lesson that should be taught in all schools and remembered in life.

Back in September, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.

When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

'Ms.. Cothren, where're our desks?'

She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'

They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.'

'No,' she said.

'Maybe it's our behavior.'

She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.

By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms.Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.

Twenty-seven (27) War Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall... By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned..

Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'

By the way, this is a true story.

Never forget.

peace.

Memorial Day

To all the men and women who have served to protect our country and our freedom, thank you. We remember.

peace.

Wow, What a Week

This week has been a bad country and western song.

The storms hit Joplin and nothing remains,
The storms hit Oklahoma and lots got hurt,
Friends are divorcing and cheating and dying,
a baby was born and the dog died.

I don't think anyone would actually record this, but it keeps playing in my head.

It's been a heart heavy week. I'm thankful for a 3 day weekend to rest, renew, pray and see the sunshine.
Thanking God his mercies are new every morning, we've needed them now especially.

Help if you can, pray regardless and remember, this week some lives changed forever.

peace.

Creative Time

I love doing art in a communal setting. I'm a hippie at heart. The energy and encouragement is awesome but the learning and stretching is my favorite. Seeing what ideas others have, how they implement them, and what we can discover together is just the best.

I was a guinea pig last night for a test class for a friend. She's a talented artist and last night I discovered, a great teacher as well. I'll be a guinea pig for her anytime.

We worked in wax collage. Check it out and take her class, you'll have a blast!!

Thanks Sherry!!

peace.

Help a Non-Profit Out

I've worked for non-profits for years and the one thing they all have in common is needing funds. Whether that be through an individual donor, a corporation or through a fund-raising activity, the work is to ask...plead....beg...whatever.

I once heard a story about an Executive Director who would go to the house of a large donor each year for tea and a donation. At the end of the tea, the donor would throw the check on the floor and watch as the ED bent over to pick it up. He did it every year because he knew what was at stake.

I've been working with Easter Seals of Oklahoma on an event they are having in June. You can learn more about it here. (buy some tickets while you're there :-)

But we need help. We need YOUR help. We need auction items, gift cards, and honestly, butts in seats.
It will be a great party, lots of fun, and for an amazing cause.

Would you consider grabbing some of your friends and spending a night on the town to benefit others?

I thought you would.

Thanks!!!

peace.

P.S. If you would like to donate something, please let me know by leaving a comment. I'll even pick it up!

Blogs I like

Just because I thought you might enjoy them, too!

Design Crush

Good Grief Girdie

Recyclart

Not Martha

Design for Mankind

So inspiring in different ways...and sometimes, they even give away great stuff!! Check them out.

peace.

Bucket List

I've been hearing a lot about bucket lists recently. So I think I'm going to start one.

My Bucket List
Go to Nepal and help Rinzi & Nanni Bette (my daughter's in-laws)
Go to Australia.
Go to Hawaii.
Take a cross-country road trip.
Ride with a storm chaser.
Go to NYC and see a Broadway show I love.
Go to Scotland with my husband and buy him a kilt in his family's tartan.
Take my kids and grandkids (someday) to Disney World as a family.
Perform in a musical.
Write a book.
Ride the train to Ft. Worth.


to be continued...

I'm noticing there is a lot of going on my list. I LIKE it!! It's even better when you include friends. :-)

peace.

Flowers!

I love these! I will be making some soon. 

Thanks not martha for the inspiration.

peace.

Some Days....

Rain by Shel Silverstein

I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

peace. :-)

my thoughts today

I was initially excited to hear the news that Osama bin Laden was dead. He could no longer reign in terror on this earth. He could no longer kill in the name of his god. He could no longer put our service men and women in harm's way.

But on the tail of that thought also came the thought of God's grief for him. Osama lived pursuing a god that would reward him in death if he did all the right things. He did not know God who had already given his Son as a sacrifice for Osama's life. He did not know God who loves us so much that while we were yet sinners, He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Osama followed all of his god's rules and yet, he is now with his god separated for eternity from the one, true God and his great love.

My heart is glad and my heart is sad.

peace.