I stick out my tongue
and let the snow flake fall
Its cold sensation awaken my senses
For just like you and I
Each is unique
for a moment my mind is quiet
I am spellbound
For as unique as we are
Our destiny is the same
Our time purposefully fleeting
And yet wonderful

FINGERPRINTS

The fingerprints of time upon my face

Each telling a story at its own paste

Some delivered in haste

Some are told without a trace

All intertwined and laced

Together into a cobweb

Of untold mystics and legend

Tails of long ago, today, and tomorrow

Some rather be left hidden

Some wanting to be told

And share with a listening ear

Some that filled the eyes with tears

Some made to bring laughter

Some made by a lover’s kiss

Some made by the raising of the voice and fist

The fingerprint of time upon your face

What stories does it hold

DEAR MR. SLEEP,

Where have you gone, Mr. Sleep

In my youth we were married

Ten or 15 hours of your time

Was nothing to spend with me

Now our relationship is very strain

And this is causing me some fatigue and pain

Is it because in college I was unfaithful at times

You heard that near final exams

I had an affair with Mr. Coffee

This is no reason for near divorce Mr. Sleep

Mr. Coffee meant nothing to me

I have never left you

I have known you since my mother’s womb

And when I go to my tomb

Is it not your name that will be heard

So even in death we cannot part

Are you not my final curtain call

So Mr. Sleep, where are you?

These one or three hours of quantity time

Is not good quality time for us two

Don’t worry about Ms. T.V

She is very devious sometimes in keeping you away

With her movies and political reviews

With her informative talks and entertainment news

But don’t mind her

She is always just one click away from being taking down

So Mr. Sleep

Let us take back our relationship

Did you hear that the average married couple

Spend only twelve minutes per day talking

I don’t want us to end up on that path

I’m going to need more of your time

But, just skip the talking part

Let’s just get right down to it

Come back husband of my youth

You know where to find me

My bed is made and my pillow is ready

Kiss me once more and take me to dreamland

Out Laughter Inside pain Earthly issues Bound at the foot Ah, heavenly joy Inside the soul Meaning, meaning, meaning

Carline 

lOh procrastination! U R my enemy U use & abuse me U keep me stationary Always giving a reason Not to start or end How do I get rid of U

Signing Girls Up for STEM

Should we signed our children up for afterschool programs where the focus is more academics?  I mean they are just leaving school and probably just want to go home.  The answer to that question is yes.  When do we pushed our children to join afterschool programs that they don't want to partake in, especially if it's "more learning"?   When we have taken the time to hear their reasons and still can see the future benefits of the program.  Sometimes it’s not about the now but about the future returns on the current investment.
It is important to expose our children to programs that will help them grow intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually which according to Luke 2:52 in the Bible, is how Christ grew.  That Biblical verse seems to cover all aspects of growth which is how I would want my child to grow.  Not all programs will do all but, if the opportunity offers itself to do one or the other, we must guide our children to pursue it.  Do we have a crystal ball for that growth?  Of course not.  But I believe that most of us have great parental instincts and have travelled that "learned" from road that we must not dismiss."  
When your child say that he/she do not want to join something, first you need to ask why.  For example, my child’s initial fear for not wanting to join a great afterschool STEM program was that she was going to be the only girl there. However, I saw the benefits of her going to a STEM program.  I advised her to try it and to give it a sufficient amount of time (her time frame was at least 3 visits) and if she did not like it than it was not for her but don't just not go because of fear. What was interesting was that by going she found out that she was not the only girl in the program; as she shared with the other girls her concerns, it turned out most of the girls had worried about the same thing.
My child ended up enjoying the program and learning about and how to do different science projects/experiments.  Now if as a parent, I did not pushed her to go, although her young mind blinded her to the benefits, she would have missed out on a great educational, social and fun experience. 
However, before anything make sure you know your child.  Make sure you know some of their interest and how long they can endure anything new as you open their minds to different experiences that they might not have thought about for themselves. 
This STEM program was a great idea for the students.  It was awesome for the leadership to see its purpose and to bring it to that school. That's forward thinking and that is the beauty of Maplewood and its schools. greatschools.org

Ruby Found in Maplewood

No Ruby Slippers for Ruby Bridges in 1960 America

Ruby Bridges came to the school district of Maplewood-South Orange (Thursday, January 21, 2016), to share her thoughts with students and parents on her memorable first day at school in 1960. So many families came to hear her speak that many were turned away.  When I arrived there with my family before 7 pm (which was the start time), I saw so many people outside, that I thought people were not being let inside as of yet.  As my family and I approached the awaiting crowd, we discovered that it was the overflow; the auditorium was already over packed with people.  I was glad that we got to see her, especially after the family saw the movie about that ordeal not too long ago.  However, I was even happier to see the number of parents along with their children who came out in the cold to hear and see her. That was awesome!! There may not have been any ruby slippers for her in 1960 America but, there were plenty in 2016 Maplewood!!!

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