Happy November, dear reader. What are you grateful for today?
I’ve been on a visit to my hometown in Wisconsin, where I had the pleasure of visiting two parochial elementary schools, including the one I attended for grades one through eight. Here we are in the library, learning the ASL signs for the birthday song.
These young learners were working SO diligently to sign the lyrics with me.
As a special surprise, the Kindergarten kiddos gifted me with their beautiful coloring.
I was astounded at how much self-control they have, staying in the lines and switching colors for the bubble lettering.
Turns out their teacher was in my brother Mark’s class way back when, so I was able to sign a copy of Birdie & Mipps and leave it with her for their classroom.
I wrote a little ditty to encourage the budding authors to do what my 8th grade teacher encouraged me to do, to “hoard words like a coin collector” and tell their stories. Use it with the Hand Jive Motions:
I’m a storyteller, I collect words! And I have a voice, that needs to be heard.
What a beautiful blessing to spend our time connecting, chanting, reading, and signing together. I do so enjoy talking with young people about empathy, compassion, kindness, and love.
As I was leaving both schools, students asked when I was coming back to read to them again.
Be still my soul.
Then on Tuesday, my Dad had carpal tunnel surgery and I saw these Emplify signs all over.
True story: Just a smidge of empathy can change everything.
