We were worried about the storm. It was Florida, and it was vacation, so rightfully so we were complaining because instead of being able to lay on the beach in the sun, we were stuck in the garage of the high rise our condo was in due to the F5 tornado traveling from Mobil, Alabama.
We were scared. It was destruction headed our way. But we had warning.
The train whistle blew by, and it was over. Our destruction still carried safety with it.
Gathering our "cool" from the safe indoors, the TV without fault became our entertainment.
As we watched the clips play over and over again of Japan being washed away, we also watched from our window the penny sized waves of our paradise. We imagined from a distance what destruction would be like should it be the water we were watching affected by a tsunami.
Putting aside the concern that was felt for those experiencing the unimaginable, it instantly became an issue of my well being. Texts and phone calls from family and friends wondering if I, of all people were okay. Because to the majority, concern is best when it is applicable and has a connection. To my friends and family, I was the tangible concern being the one that lives on the coast of California that could possibly be affected by a predicted tsunami.
Instead of "what can we do to help Japan", it became a matter of "Hannah, you probably shouldn't go back to California." Guilt hits. In the midst of one world being completely depleted while watching the TV turned to "entertainment", which also became our own warning system.
Events, such as Japan's disaster, which happen from a distance make our sub-conscience think with the voice of "I" when really it's the most important time for it to be speaking with the voice of "we".
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
an attempt at relearning innocence
It seems like it would be predictable by now. Every Wednesday at 3:15. Same school, same time, same staff, same classroom, but never the same kids. Sure, there are the regulars. The ones that show up from week to week that sit in the same desk, with their same sidekick troublemaking friend, but there is at least one to two new faces every week that decide to join Care House Christian Club at Monarch school downtown San Diego.
Being a leader of this "bible study" for the inner city kids always has its adventures. Between the sharp tongues, the snappy attitudes, and the heir of coolness each youngster tries to achieve makes it hard to teach. Today's christian club was different though. Instead of having a prepared lesson, we had a Q & A session for the little ones, an opportunity for them to ask any questions they had related to the bible. The questions they asked varied from "How old is Jesus?", "When is Jesus' birthday?", "When is Barack Obama's birthday?", "Did you know Justin Bieber just turned 17 yesterday?. They surprisingly seemed to really know how to stay on topic. So to encourage the focused theme, I threw questions at them (followed by candy). I won't bore you with examples of the number of questions I asked, but one question in particular every kid seemed to have an answer to. (Going along with one of our themes from a few weeks prior, "Unlocking Love")
Q- "What is one way of showing love and affection to your family and friends?"
A's- "Doing nice things like not saying bad words."
"Showing reSPECT!"
"Sometimes being nice to your mommy."
"Giving a present, or not hitting someone."
"AHhh you know what it is!"(this one included a dance)
"Listening to Hannah Montana."(fortunately what I am referred to as)
As I was listening to their answers and imagining how little I know of most of the kids and their family life. It made me envy them and their innocence. To them, love was a word that they have been told about and what they know only as an action verb.
Being a leader of this "bible study" for the inner city kids always has its adventures. Between the sharp tongues, the snappy attitudes, and the heir of coolness each youngster tries to achieve makes it hard to teach. Today's christian club was different though. Instead of having a prepared lesson, we had a Q & A session for the little ones, an opportunity for them to ask any questions they had related to the bible. The questions they asked varied from "How old is Jesus?", "When is Jesus' birthday?", "When is Barack Obama's birthday?", "Did you know Justin Bieber just turned 17 yesterday?. They surprisingly seemed to really know how to stay on topic. So to encourage the focused theme, I threw questions at them (followed by candy). I won't bore you with examples of the number of questions I asked, but one question in particular every kid seemed to have an answer to. (Going along with one of our themes from a few weeks prior, "Unlocking Love")
Q- "What is one way of showing love and affection to your family and friends?"
A's- "Doing nice things like not saying bad words."
"Showing reSPECT!"
"Sometimes being nice to your mommy."
"Giving a present, or not hitting someone."
"AHhh you know what it is!"(this one included a dance)
"Listening to Hannah Montana."(fortunately what I am referred to as)
As I was listening to their answers and imagining how little I know of most of the kids and their family life. It made me envy them and their innocence. To them, love was a word that they have been told about and what they know only as an action verb.
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