Katie held up her portfolio of drawings, pleased that I had asked to see them. I had been invited to an evening of “Stories of Ourselves.” I wanted to learn how those with language disabilities shared their stories. Katie, born with cerebral palsy, became my joy-filled teacher. She tapped out her message for me. “This […]
When I packed, I rediscovered a simple silver dragonfly. I bought it for my mom shortly before she died. When I tried to give it to her last February, she insisted I keep it. She knew we were both facing transitions. Changes. I knew she was preparing to die, and I was struggling to accept […]
Max came to class today. Uninvited. Unwanted. I always think he looks like he is caked in dirt from four-wheeling in the desert. He sank into a chair in the back and crossed his long, lanky legs. Right at home, he hunkered down in the back of the room where my students, an energetic mix […]
