new sketches

two years later and ever the optimist, i'm beginning again. a single blog entry in 2006 just before leaving japan remained alone until today. the words of friends motivated me to enter this world of blogging. so thanks to you, here i am again in 2008. like a new year, or new day perhaps, turning a page in the age calendar renewed that feeling that the slate awaits. and what does it await? erasing and new sketches. perhaps this metaphor seems obvious to me because i employ it daily. my students often clamor, "can i erase the board?" and then, "can i write (insert subject of your choice) on the board?" so everyday there is an abudance of erasing and new sketches, and every friday i delight in cleaning it so that the white looks new, and pens of all colors line the tray....the whiteboard is now fresh for the marking.

sakura

Cherry blossoms in full bloom covered the castle walls by the sea. A pink so pale, almost white, covered the ancient branches. Near the water's edge friends gathered, celebrating new life older than spring. Admiring the radiant faces of two women dressed in yukata speaking words of being found by Love, faces radiant and wet with tears, the flowers paled in comparison. Wanting to follow the Man who walked in compassion and on the water, each woman waded into the waves, and received the washing. Dying to the old ways of winter, and rising in newness of life, they chose spring. Salt water may only clean the skin, but forgiveness cleans the soul. baptism trees white with blossoms winter to spring, new life blooms sea and tears washing.