Cultivation

I've always been a big reader. As a young girl I remember spending long summer days by the pool with my best friend, reading books. Occasionally we would take a break from the hot sun by acting out some silly story that we made up, which always ended with all the characters falling into the pool. I think that officially qualifies me as a big dork, which is probably why I didn't continue this past elementary school. By the time high school came along I didn't do a whole lot of reading beyond what was required for school. I was much more interested in having a social life. When I decided to become an English teacher in college I was reintroduced to the literary world and once again hooked. I just love how much of life is opened up by reading. I love how stories teach us more about the world we live in. I love connecting with a book emotionally and knowing that I'm not alone. I love when someone else is able to articulate something that I could not put words to. I love how a book has the power change people and in doing that, change the world.
A few days ago I was in a study with some women where we were discussing how much we take for granted the fact that most of us were just expected to get a college degree. It was never a question of whether I would go to college, just where I would go. I have the same expectation for my daughter. At the same time, I can't help but think of all the women in our world that don't have those same opportunities. Many haven't had the luxury of even a basic education because of poverty or cultural barriers. I'm sure that so many of these ladies have incredible stories to tell but no means in which to do it.
I want to tell their stories.
Everywhere I look I'm hit with the idea that we are blessed in order to bless others. I want to bless women by giving them the opportunity to be heard.
How the heck do I do this??

I don't know who and I don't know how. All I know is that this little seed has been planted for years, and it keeps cultivating...and sitting....and cultivating and sitting.  Maybe it's time to figure out how to increase my cultivating to sitting ratio.

This Ain't No Neverland

Yesterday as I was putting away groceries, Emma picked up a few rolls of toilet paper, threw a piece of construction paper across them, grabbed a bear-friend and a couple of spoons, and had a big slice of birthday cake, Peter Pan style.  She doesn't have to sit around brainstorming to come up with ideas to create something; she just does it effortlessly and often. It's so strange because I know that her mind comprehends new ideas in concrete terms. She doesn't have much ability to think through concepts abstractly, but she can take concrete images and view them in abstract terms. Weird. I wish I tackled life as creatively as my two-year old.