Asking Not Telling

There exists, apocryphally (does apocryphal existence count as existence?) a Suzuki teacher in Portland who uses a squirt gun on parents who cannot keep their traps shut during the lesson. I don’t know how such a teacher would have any students come back, but, I am grateful the lessons my kids get are with teachers who recognize that we are all learning in the room. Because three of the boys get lessons with the same teacher, it’s interesting to watch themes emerge in the lessons, different for each child, for the level each child is at, and still, the same truths. This week was a lot about attention. Of course, it’s always about attention, but when Soren, tired, clearly wants to please, wants to do what’s asked of him, and telling him to...

Read More
Posted by Mara Collins on Apr 9, 2010 | Comments Off

Knowing Not

“Forgive them Father, they know not…” Lord forgive me, I have carried this around as the model for forgiveness for, well forever. Somebody hurts you and you see beneficently into their limits and let go of your frustration with their failings. Friend late to lunch, husband says something insensitive, stranger on the street scowls when you walk by, you’re disappointed in any way? Well, you understand don’t you? You don’t even need to bring it up, because, after all they are doing their best. Plus, aren’t you the generous one, to overlook shortcomings like that? I have an ancient list of the pitfalls of reading too much. It includes, for example, an alertness to situational irony that gives rise to superstitious behavior. In...

Read More
Posted by Mara Collins on Apr 4, 2010 | 0 comments