Wamba Peace?

I keep looking for the peace that Judy found in Wamba but so far it hasn’t come along here for me. I was reminded of this just last week when I met a Sudanese family who had arrived here within the past two years through the First Presbyterian refugee program. Two of us conducted a home interview to determine their need for a new home. Part of the criteria for a home through Habitat is present substandard housing. It was most difficult to get the family to criticize or complain about the apartment they have now even though it was very small for a family of six and extremely hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

Though both parents work and make more money that they could ever imagine the largest problem is their assimilation into the culture here. The children have never had school and yet here they are thrust into our public school system at their age level with no English language skills and no common past experiences. The younger children can make the change more readily than the teenagers. Often the transition is never made successfully and the teens succumb to gang type groups that will accept them. Anyway my visit made a special impression that reminded me to be grateful.

My mom reminds me of things these days also. I’ve learned many things from her during the past 65 years and even now she continues to spread her wisdom. She is very conscious of wasting anything and when I used a napkin to wipe a coffee spill from the counter she scolded me for being so extravagant. I suddenly realized she was right so I’m trying to do better. I’ve always hated the fact that she cuts note paper from sections of bigger sheets and saves those to write on. Then I read where this CEO of IKEA who is worth 30 billion insists on writing on both sides of a sheet of paper before throwing it away. I want to simplify my life and help the environment so I may have to give this some thought.

My student teacher guys are also keeping me on my toes and teaching me many new things. I’ve been big on lots of positive reinforcement especially for special education students and there is a long list of these words such as good job, star work, good answer, and wonderful. Now the guys use these words when they see a correct paper-you’re the man, two thumbs up, party time, awesome. These words would only work coming from a 23 year old college student and not from an ancient lady teacher but the negative “chill” might work when students need to quiet down.

Taylor is visiting me today and tomorrow. He’s a busy guy but a good napper so I can play on the computer. His Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Taylor will be among the invitees to his Second Birthday Party on Saturday where Taylor will be the man.