Léna is also a Regional Manager for Writopia Lab whose mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in kids and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing.

"Well, the question is, what do you want to believe? Do you want to live in a world where things are possible, or in one where they aren't?" Cin, Edges.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

You Say it's Your Birthday????



'What day is it?' asked Pooh.




'It's today,' squeaked Piglet. 




'My favorite day,' said Pooh.


45, 45, 45, 45.

I am 45.

4 plus 5 = 9.

I am 9

I am 10, I am 11, and so on . . .

I am every age I've ever been.

The gift of Memory.

But today. Today I went to Finn's graduation from 5th grade (sniff) and took him out to lunch at the diner, where we knew half of the patrons.

The gift of Community.

But today. Today I went to see the doctor to get the results from my physical. (Blood tests, etcetera.) I am relieved that I only have some vitamin deficiency: B12 and D3. I have lost 23 pounds since mid-March and am committed to living gluten, dairy and sugar free.

The gift of Willingness.

But today. Today I worked with an amazing kid on her novel.

The gift of Passion for Work. For knowing that I am in the Right Place.

But today. Friends called and sent me texts and messages. One took me for an iced tea whilst my kids were all at their evening swim practice.

The Gift of Friendship.

I mess up, we all do.

The Gift of Giving up on Perfection. (This is a very late night, very quick blog post.)

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” 

And the Gift of Gratitude.

xoxoxox Thank you to everyone in my life, whether we can hug in person, or just virtually - you all help my heart to grow bigger and stronger!



Sunday, June 9, 2013

Missing pictures

The only thing missing is the pictures.

But here's the thing: I can't be present and take pictures at the same time. I know that other people can - in fact, the camera helps them to focus even more.

But not me.
              (My hands shake.)

The only thing missing is the pictures - I can't  PROVE to you how wonderful, how inspiring, how empowering the end-of-the-year stuff with students can be.

Thursday night: Writopia Lab workshop and Open Mic at the Mt. Kisco Library. These kids show me every day what it means to take risks, and how important writing is. They shone so bright and proved what community can do. I was so proud!

But, I didn't take any pictures, I was watching and listening too intently. Bearing witness.

Then straight to see my fabulous intern's senior presentation at her high school. She is off to college y'all. Done. (No pictures.)

Friday: my daughter Scarlett's dance "recital" with Dance Naiad. Now I know that you know that I love kids and I love their recitals no matter what, but this one blew me away  - it was so professional. I had no idea. The older dancers - the teens - were not just excellent in their technique, they were true artists. They embodied the dance with passion and intensity that seemed beyond their years. They took my breath away.

But guess what? No pictures.

And no pictures this afternoon when I hosted another Writopia Lab Open Mic at a completely packed, standing room only Voracious Reader in Larchmont. Man.

Missing pictures. (Is that a metaphor for something else?)

No.

Life is awesomely beautiful and full of meaning.

The only thing missing is the (darn) pictures!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Playfully Human

She has always felt a bit alien.
Other.

A child isolating herself,  feeling like an outsider.
Not knowing
Where she ends and the other begins
Not knowing.

Still: pockets of presence
Feel like a present
(A cliché is nothing but a repeated truth.)

The tender beauty of humanity.

How do they do it?

Words, sentences, paragraphs
Pen to paper.

Write me.
Write ME.

Our souls inhabit these houses

The house the child struggles to care for,

Then growing into knowing she is more than that
Place she calls home.

Alien, but not alone,
Playfully human.