A Snowy Day

With more snow in the winter forecast, it is time to pull out the dog eared copy of The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and make some hot chocolate.  Everyone enjoys following Peter into the deep snow.  At this time of year, reading The Snowy Day, one of our favorite books has become a tradition.    Written in 1963, today this is a classic now enjoyed by several generations.  With so many little hands grabbing the book, we have gone through a few copies.  I think our next copy should be the board book.

Share the Dream Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

          Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

                                                                                   Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Collecting Family Stories Part I

I wonder if anyone else watched Henry Gates‘s show Faces of America on PBS and Lisa Kudrow’s Who Do You Think You Are? on NBC.  Both shows were based on the same premise.  They follow celebrities like Brooke Shields, Meryl Streep and Yo Yo Ma, and delve into their family history.  Of course, they find out all kinds of secrets and a few surprises. I was especially moved by Emmet Smith’s journey back to the south during slavery and Lisa Kudrow's journey to Poland and Eastern Europe during the Nazi occupation.  I thought I knew where both stories were going yet each story ended with hope and survival against great odds.  These stories were moving and something that can be watched as a family.  The second season of Lisa Kudrow’s Who Do You Think You Are? will be shown on NBC in February.  Henry Gates‘s Faces of America is now on DVD on PBS.

I have tried collecting family stories but until last year when I met Louise Bobrow I didn’t know that collecting stories could be a professional occupation.  Bobrow is a personal historian, she ask the questions and records the story for families who want to keep a record of their family history.  She interviews family members especially elders before their story is gone.  She was offering classes at the libraries in “Recording and Preserving your Family History.”  She has interviewed families about their immigrant experience and celebrities about their success in America.  She gave great tips for those who want to work on their family story:  

• Do your research

• Prepare your Questions – ask opened question, ask who, what, where and when

• Listen, listen listen – do not interrupt while interviewee is talking

Hopefully, she will be offering more classes this year.  You can contact her at louisebobrow@gmail.com.

The Grinch That Almost Stole Christmas

 When I look back on Christmas 2010, I will be grateful for the season for many reasons but  one incident stands out above the rest.  This is a story of how the Grinch almost stole my Christmas spirit.  It was the week of Christmas and I was heading to my nephews' Christmas pageant by bus.  We were suppose to meet at my mother's house first but when I realized that I was going to be too late, I decided to jump on a train and head to their school.  I needed to call my mother and let her know I would meet them at the school but  I didn't have a cell phone on me.  I don't need to tell you I was a little stressed but fortunately, ( I thought) there were two phones in the train station.  So I tried to call her on the first phone but a man who I had not noticed before started, "Miss, can I have some change, can you spare something...blah blah blah" I was very annoyed with the interruption and not in a good mood so I snapped back sharply, " I don't have any more change" ( which was the truth) and preceded to ignore his conversation.

I continued placing my call only to find out that the phone did not work.  I could hear my sister on the other end of the phone but she could not hear me.   After a lot of shouting on my part the telephone just swallowed my money and I realized with dismay that  I had no more change.  So I headed to the token booth to ask the clerk to change a dollar bill for me.  She was sitting there with a small mound of change but looked at me and started screaming, "No, I am not giving you any of my change."  She continued with her loud outburst and shouting for a few minutes.  I was surprised by the scene she was making and was about to say something nasty when the same man who I had just brushed off came to my rescue.  "Don't get upset miss, you need quarters for the phone?" and handed me four quarters.  At that moment I realized that Christmas was much more than the stress I was feeling and it was also a good time to receive as well as give.  So I humbly thanked him and made my call.   Sometimes the lessons I learn come from left field.

Christmas at the White House

Baby Blankets

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Summer Reminiscences with Mark Blackshear Part II

My mother has wanted to have a family picture taken for awhile.  So this summer photographer, Mark Blackshear granted her wish.  I decided that the park was a great place to take pictures of her and her great-grand children.  So we headed to the park on a beautiful day with four little people.  As soon as we passed the playground two little people (Jamal and Isaiah) disappeared.  When we finally found the right spot to take pictures one little person (Yonina) decided she would rather not.  It's was more fun to try and direct the photographer.  But one little person (Shakina) decided that she had gotten her hair done and was wearing her favorite dress so this was an important occasion and she was ready to have her picture taken with Nana.

Mark Blackshear

As I ran around the park begging, pleading and threatening, I began to wonder if this was really a good idea. But after serious negotiating, Mark was able to get some great shots for Mom.  She loved the pictures.

Mark Blackshear

The only problem was that two little people (Emmanuel and Joshua) were missing, we waited and waited but Manny had gotten sick on the way over.

Kenge Henry

Then last month, two new great grand babies (Angel and Mikka Rose) arrived. So now we have to plan the next photo adventure with eight little people.

To be continued...

Mark Blackshear was calm and able to work through the mishaps, maybe because he has a little one of his own and enjoys family projects. Visit his website at www.markblackshear.com.