It's all in the sound

Yes, I'm giving my services freely again this year at school. Still in the library, computer lab, heading up the yearbook and for any teacher or team in need. Only this year, I've started a little reading program for my Resource friends. These students are ones that have a slight learning disability and all of them are well below their grade level in reading. Soooo, I decided, with the approval of our Media Specialist and the Resource teacher I would start my own little reading lab for these students. On three days a week, two hours each day, I get the pleasure of being in their company. We read together, they read to me and they test on what they've read. I just love these kids. They are all so eager to please, willing to learn, and appreciative. it makes me wonder if it isn't the rest of the student body that has a probelm.

Today my fourth grade buddy Walter was with me. He was reading a book to me and quite naturally needed help with some of the words. I rarely just give any of them the word, I make them work for it. I ask them to sound it out the best they can before I chime in.

Snow fort, that's what Walter was trying to get out. Well, snow made it out perfectly, it was the fort that was giving him problems. I tell him, "Come on baby you can do it, sound it out." He does..."f-f-f-a-ar-t, FART!" He looks at me with huge eyes, like he can't believe that word is in the book, I'm looking at him and we both laugh hysterically. I say, "No Honey, what sound does "o r" make together?" He gives me the correct sound of "or" and suddenly realizes the word is fort not fart. He laughed again at his mistake and continued on to finish the book.

I must say, the situation some of the kids are in is extremely sad and I would change it for everyone of them if I could. But just having the opportunity to be a small part of their lives for me is a true blessing.

Walter aced his test!

Sunday Funnies

Sister Mary Katherine entered the Monastery of Silence.

The Priest said, "Sister, this is a silent Monastery. You are welcome hereas long as you like, but you may not speak until I direct you to do so."

Sister Mary Katherine lived in the monastery for 5 years before the Priestsaid to her, "Sister Mary Katherine, you have been here for 5 years. You mayspeak two words."

Sister Mary Katherine said, "Hard bed.""I'm sorry to hear that," the Priest said, "we will get you a better bed."

After another 5 years, the Priest called Sister Mary Katherine. "You may sayanother two words, Sister Mary Katherine."

"Cold food," said Sister Mary Katherine, and the Priest assured her that thefood would be better in the future.

On her fifteenth anniversary at the monastery, the Priest again calledSister Mary Katherine into his office. "You may say two words today."

"I quit," said Sister Mary Katherine.

"It's probably best," said the Priest. "You've done nothing but bitch sinceyou got here."

The weight of money

Why? Why is what we do measured by money for it's worth? Why in ordered for what we do to be considered important, we must be paid handsomely for it? Certainly, it 's nice to be compensated for our efforts in the form of money, I'm just not sure why it has to be the primary driving force behind what we do. What happen to passion, compassion, love of what we do and truly understanding why we do it?

Inquiring minds want to know, what is wrong with these people that are in professions and positions to make ridiculous sums of money, such as doctors, lawyers athlete's etc and don't. Why does the doctor open a free clinic for women's health care or does the lawyer pass up a pestigious well paying position to work on behalf of children or why would a pro ball player give up his career to coach peewee football for inner city kids.

The answer to my first question is, absolutely nothing and the second, is because there is true passion for what they are doing. They see right past the money, to the need......Wow, how refreshing. The saddest thing is that most of society actually frowns on this type of behavior, like, "How could you? You have the ability to make big money, yet you choose not to! MY GOSH!!"

Personally, I believe there is so much more to life than seeing just how much money one can put in the bank. I also believe that money is not at all our greatest reward. A very smart and insightful person told me not to long ago....."I think in some ways it takes a stronger person to fight the pressure and stay true to yourself." And there, I believe is where we will find our richest reward.