How I spent my Thanksgiving

November 27, 2008, Thanksgiving

“I had to repeat 8th grade and found out that I will not be able to afford high school so I have not been confident. Then I came to drama class and now I know I can have confidence.” This is what Idris, one of my students said to me today. We had a normal day with amazing kids. We continue to practice for tomorrow and I am excited to see how the kids do. I have seen such an improvement in their attitudes and confidence since the beginning of the week.
One girl, Sofi, told me that he mother used to sell drugs and was put in prison for 6 years. Now her mother is out of prison, but is very sick and cannot work.

I wish I could help these kids go to school. It doesn’t seem right that there are kids in America who take school for granted, and kids here who aren’t even given school as an option.

Today, Brenda told her story to the kids about how she was homeless and took care of her 6 siblings. It is amazing what people do to survive. She also said that we must not only plant the seed but provide the sun and the soil and the air to help it grow. I gave her money to buy Juliet and her family food. I hope to sponsor her or one of the other children.

Today, over 119 people were killed in Mumbai. There are also rebels in Bangkok. More people are still in hostage. I like watching Al Jazeera. I am not sure I would know this much about what was going on in the world if I was home. The news here cares about the whole world. I think that we are missing something by being so self-focused in the US. I love being an American. There is so much freedom and opportunity that comes from growing up in the US, and I have so much pride in our history. We have an incredible story to tell and a gift to share with the world because we are blessed. My problem is that we are so self-centered and self-focused that we are missing out on what may be a much greater opportunity than we could ever imagine.

welcome home

“Welcome Home”

This is what the priest said to me as I left the church tonight with ashes on my head and bitter wine on my tongue. I haven’t been to that church or any other in several weeks. More importantly, I can’t remember how many times people have said those words to me. Home has always been a strange concept for me…something I have struggled to understand. I have never lived anywhere more than six years. I am constantly moving. I am constantly leaving. I am not always coming back. A friend of mine said home is where ever his parents are. I suppose that is true for me as well, but it is hard to truly say that when my parents live in a house I have never lived in and a town I barely know.

Often I go to the various places where the people I love now live and I hope to find home. Chicago, Alaska, New York, Philadelphia, Florida, and Mississippi, all hold pieces of my home. All are easy to go to, but difficult to leave. Recently, I drove away from one of these places and my heart began to physically and literally hurt. That has never happened to me before and it scared me, but something about it was incredible and good.

In my house, my bedroom walls are bare. There are still boxes I haven’t opened. There is always a suitcase ready to leave or ready to be unpacked. Something about it is comforting, but I am not yet ready to call it home. It is only a part of the journey towards the place I really belong. I just haven’t been able to figure out where I am headed.

But tonight, when the Priest looked at me, held my hand and said, “welcome home,” everything about it felt right. Peace came over me and I thought perhaps, I have finally arrived.

Random

1. I hate doing these things online, but have gotten so many of this one that I couldn't help myself.
2. I was in four episodes of "Early Edition" a show starring Kyle Chandler who is now on Friday Night Lights and I sometimes wonder if he remembers me.
3. I spend hours each day wondering how I can raise money to end poverty. I usually get a headache.
4. There is something about me that I have only ever told one person and he was practically a stranger.
5. I am writing a book. I am almost done. No one has seen it.
6. I love Harrisburg, think it's an amazing city, and don't care what other people think about it.
7. I try to be liberal but would secretly love cooking, cleaning, and raising children.
8. My house may be a little cluttered, but I will always have a clean toilet and shower.
9. I was going to cook steak for someone on a Friday once and made steak every night that week to practice, so it would be perfect. By the time he came for dinner, I didn't even want to look at steak and had to force myself to eat it.
10. I think UGGS are the ugliest thing a girl could wear.
11. I bake pies when I am upset. It is cheaper than therapy. I baked 12 during December.
12. I miss someone a lot.
13. My idol is Tina Fey. I believe she is a genius.
14. I read an entire book in French when I was 13. I have no idea how to speak it now.
15. If I could do anything, I would be a comedian.
16. Sometimes I think getting a dog was a mistake.
17. Since I was a child my favorite colors have been pink and purple. I thought that would change, but they still are:-)
18. The sight of Calla Lillie's makes me cry.
19. I think my cousin, Steve, is incredible.
20. I had to learn to walk with a full cast on my leg.
21. Wesley Forest is my oasis from life.
22. The more parents I meet the more I realize mine really are the world's greatest:-)
23. I used to want 7 kids so I could have more than the Brady Bunch. Now, I think 3 or 4 would be good.
24. banana pancakes are my favorite.

25. I want to learn how to surf before I die.