LangBabies Per. 5

My Dear Children: There are no words I can say that will make any of this better, make sense of it, or make you forget what has happened.  My heart aches for you in ways I hope you never have to feel for people you love.  But, I know you do.  And in times like these, I tend to seek out words from others that may help me cope with whatever I feel.  These are a few of my favorites.  Perhaps, this week, if you are feeling up to it, you can post some of your favorites, or even some of your own. This space is for whatever you need.  I am always around, never far that I won't hear if you call.  For now, though, read on and I hope you find some small measure of comfort, at least for a few minutes. Love always, Bunj Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am in a thousand winds that blow, I am the softly falling snow. I am the gentle showers of rain, I am the fields of ripening grain. I am in the morning hush, ...

Every once in a while, I like to "take stock" of who I am, and whether or not my actions and ambitions are remaining true to whoever that is. I have many days where I just feel "off" and reflecting on what I am doing helps.  And when this happens, in order to get myself  back on track, I make a list.  The "lists" always have a title--"10 things I've always wanted to do but couldn't afford," or "10 things I love about Oak," etc. It helps.  Every time, it always helps. So, in the spirit of that, let's give it a try. Your 10 things category is: Ten Things I (meaning you, not me) Know to Be True.  (yes, this is a pre-write of sorts for your THIS I BELIEVE essay)

This is the second part of a blog that you either love or hate at this point.  This part will be due on SUNDAY, March 24th, 2019. Go back and read some of the posts from Part 1.  Pick 2-3--you agree AND disagree with to begin a conversation.  Copy and paste the part of the comment you want to respond to, set it off with italics, and respond respectfully.

A long time ago, before you guys were born, people would watch or listen to broadcast news to get information about the world, the country, their hometowns, etc. Each night, around 6ish, families would gather around whatever medium--tv or radio depending on wealth--and listen to folks tell them exactly what was happening that day, that week, etc. They would talk about it, form opinions, maybe argue, and then, when it was over, go back to their lives.  But, they were informed.  For about an hour a day, without any thought to politics or sides or personal interests (which was only possible because there were no paying commercials back then to influence what anyone heard), people just listened to the facts as they happened, and somehow, some way, they were intelligent enough all on their own to make decisions about what they heard, and act accordingly. What a time to be alive. Alas, this is not the case any longer (unless you listen exclusively to NPR which can get tedio...

So, I'm at BAM this weekend, and as usual, I become spellbound by all of the collective knowledge that is, literally, at my fingertips as I walk up and down the aisles.  I find it absolutely mind-boggling that you can be in a single edifice, and hold the keys to the entire known universe- ( I was, coincidentally, in the space-exploration aisle). I suppose the same could be said if you are standing in a library, but there is something about those clear plastic wrappings they put on library books that makes what is contained within seem less accessible. But, as usual, I digress. So, there I am, walking among the aisles of knowledge and I find myself in the self-help section looking at all the titles:  The Success Book ,  How to Succeed in Business, Politics and Love  (seems a bit broad to me),  7 Secrets of Successful Teens  (almost picked that one up for our 204 library but I figure--one day one of you will write a way better one. PS--my money's on Vivek)...

I was thinking about names the other day, because it is something I tend to think about every so often.   I went to school with twin girls named Misty and Summer. Their last name? Weathers. True Story.  Names are fun. Shakespeare, through the voice of Juliet, asked us to consider: "What's in a name?" Well, what is? How many of you were named for other people, specifically, family members? Does being named after a beloved relative heap unfair pressure on you to be a certain way--act a certain way--love certain things--just because the person you're named after did? What about those of you who were named for favorite actors or actresses, literary characters or anything that your parents thought was cool at the time? Do you love your name? Does it suit you? Would you change it if you could? To what? Do you ever think you might be a different person if you were named something else? Do you know the origin of your name? How did you come to be a Gabe or a Mason...