Putting It Out There

I don’t get writer’s block. It’s an incredible blessing. I have so many projects I’m working on I always have a rotation that keeps things fresh and flowing.

This column I have been stuck on for two weeks or more. Why? … It’s my learning curve. ( By the way I’ve been reading articles about how my use of ‘three dots’ and parenthesis is becoming passé. I’m going to keep using them. They approximate my speech delivery the best).

This is a column where I announce the official launch of my freelance teaching career. Why is that hard? Let’s back it up a bit.

The social worker for our adoptions once asked me how I was doing. I rattled off about kids and husband and pets. "No" she said. "How are YOU doing?" I just couldn’t connect. For about twenty-five years I just didn’t quite get to me except in bits and pieces.

But for the last six years I have. After Isaac and Caity both left for the East Coast the same year, I started to really focus on that which I’m called to do, that which I’ve studied for, that which I love, and that which I’m gifted for began to converge. I explored it in the context of my work history in early childhood education, theology and theatre and , to quote a speaker from a recent breakfast I attended, ask ‘What do I have to bring to the party?"

Fortunately I have remained on this little floating Armada of gifted talented people who have no trouble tooting their horns, joining in with others who are like minded, and flagrantly and passionately sharing their gifts, talents, skills, and stories. So as much as I dislike NOT being part of a team or a group working in the same direction I’m launching out on my own.

Here’s what I developed.

One of my passions has been to provide opportunities for families to watch movies together on the big screen and then talk about them around the dinner table.

This Sunday 16 October 2011 at 1:30 PM you are invited to a FREE FAMILY FILM. It’s called ‘Batteries Not Included’. There are no baskets inside the theatre to collect donations. If you need some help buying treats for your kids please contact someone in PTSA or VYFS.

The movie is a delightful tale of a group of tenants in an old brownstone trying to stand up to developers who want to tear the place down for retail and office space. If you’ve seen the posters around town you know that one fateful night cute little flying saucers arrive. Yes it’s heartwarming. Yes, it has a little bit of violence as the bad guys try to get rid of the good guys. Depending on your screen experience, I’d recommend it for second grade and up. Come and enjoy!

Tuesday 18th and 25 October you can find me at the Blue Heron teaching "Improv for Parents" . If you are looking for fun, creative new ways to say, ‘Because I said so.’ Or "Let’s Talk About It Later" or developing a greater degree of compassion for your children or just plain put some fun in the constant hard work of parenting, then come try this class out. The first week we will do some theatre games to get you acquainted and the second week we’ll tie them in directly to your parenting situations. Call the Blue Heron for registration and remember there are scholarships if you can’t afford the quite reasonable fees. We’re in a recession dontchaknow.

For those who are raising Faith based children, Saturday 25th October I am offering two workshops at the Presbyterian Church uptown. Feel free to take one or both. If you take both, I’ll provide lunch. The topics? Raising the Contemplative Child is the morning workshop from 9:00-12:30 and Teaching Children to Bless is the afternoon workshop from 1:30 – 5:00. I speak many denominational languages so whatever your affiliation I can translate the concepts for particular family.

Saturday November 5th from 1:30- 5:00 I’ll be back at the church teaching "Facing the Unimaginable. Come join with others in finding ways to move through the unexpected with strength, balance, a few laughs and, of course, the health of a good cry.

I’m still gathering people together for my new parenting series "Think Like a Parent and Other Useful Metaphors for Raising Children". Give me a call at 206.853.2388 or email me at dha@lgcmin.com for questions or registration info.

Still to come this year is ‘One Ball In the Air" a workshop for working parents about how to face the challenges of work and children.

"Like A Child: How to Have a Heartfelt Christmas" will be held at the Presbyterian Church from 1:30-5:00 PM on the 10th of December. It’s not too early to sign up for that.

I look forward to meeting you all face to face and sharing some meaningful events and topics. Yes, I’m finally putting it out there.

Love,
Deborah