I took a batch of chocolate chip cookies my friend Jane baked for Sophie up to her yesterday at Muskingum. I needed to take Sophie to the orthodontist and return her learner's permit to her. (We're hoping Sophie will get her driver's license soon!) Sophie was upstairs chatting with her housemates and quickly brought the plate of cookies up to share. So Sophie is doing fine. Her year boarding at Olney has left her adept at dorm life. She also has a network of friends outside of the school to lean into. Plus, she is a savvy and resourceful person.
I appreciate Jane's friendship and her gesture in baking the cookies and sending up a pretty card and a small soapstone carving from Kenya. Sophie was delighted. Jane has also baked a peach pie for us, which we found in the frig after returning from a trip and turkey cacciatore which was awaiting us when he came back from the beach. All were wonderful and most welcome. It is the little things in life ...
As for the continuing saga of school days, I too have my own story, which is a faculty meeting this evening at Ohio University Eastern. We we all be back to school soon! Is anyone else gearing up for fall?
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
School Days
Sorry for not blogging for so long and for being slow to respond to people who responded to the last blog.
I have times when I just can't bring myself to write anything. I think this is Quaker silence. Of course, I did work for a daily paper, so I am capable of churning out a lot of copy ... but it's nice to have a choice.
Recently much has been happening on the "back to school" front. First, the boys are getting ready to be sophomores at Olney and had the unexpected and welcome surprise of their good friend from home, Elvin Danos, joining them at the school. Way opened at the last minute and money flowed through that enabled Elvin's parents --our friends Johanna and Bill--to send Elvin to Olney. Our Quaker meeting back home was remarkably generous. For a long time, I had prayed that Elvin could come to the school, but also knew I had to let it go, which I did. And it happened. We know it's not through our power.
Second, Sophie went off to Muskingum University on Friday, so she is now officially a Muskie. Problem is, she's completely isolated. Her roommate, who seems nice enough, has friends at the college from high school, so she is gone most of the time. While there has been an ice breaker at a nearby dorm --Sophie is in a small, charming house with seven other girls and has lovely room with a French door -- and several large social events, such as a pool party, a carnival, and a movie, Sophie has not yet hooked up with anyone to pal around with. She is all by herself amongst 1,599 other students. This is not good. Sophie is a remarkable person , a trooper, social, friendly and kind , so we are trusting this unsettling situation will pass. I will be calling the school tomorrow to see what can be done. In the meantime, we are trusting that there is an ocean of light over the ocean of darkness in the world, and that as the story of Elvin attests, a way that God works things. I'm just hoping that if Sophie is in the wrong place and this is God's way of nudging her into the right place, it is not too painful a process. I am also praying that this if this is the right place, she will quickly find her way. In any case, prayers or holding her in the light would be helpful. Nobody wants to be all alone. Especially in a strange place.
I have times when I just can't bring myself to write anything. I think this is Quaker silence. Of course, I did work for a daily paper, so I am capable of churning out a lot of copy ... but it's nice to have a choice.
Recently much has been happening on the "back to school" front. First, the boys are getting ready to be sophomores at Olney and had the unexpected and welcome surprise of their good friend from home, Elvin Danos, joining them at the school. Way opened at the last minute and money flowed through that enabled Elvin's parents --our friends Johanna and Bill--to send Elvin to Olney. Our Quaker meeting back home was remarkably generous. For a long time, I had prayed that Elvin could come to the school, but also knew I had to let it go, which I did. And it happened. We know it's not through our power.
Second, Sophie went off to Muskingum University on Friday, so she is now officially a Muskie. Problem is, she's completely isolated. Her roommate, who seems nice enough, has friends at the college from high school, so she is gone most of the time. While there has been an ice breaker at a nearby dorm --Sophie is in a small, charming house with seven other girls and has lovely room with a French door -- and several large social events, such as a pool party, a carnival, and a movie, Sophie has not yet hooked up with anyone to pal around with. She is all by herself amongst 1,599 other students. This is not good. Sophie is a remarkable person , a trooper, social, friendly and kind , so we are trusting this unsettling situation will pass. I will be calling the school tomorrow to see what can be done. In the meantime, we are trusting that there is an ocean of light over the ocean of darkness in the world, and that as the story of Elvin attests, a way that God works things. I'm just hoping that if Sophie is in the wrong place and this is God's way of nudging her into the right place, it is not too painful a process. I am also praying that this if this is the right place, she will quickly find her way. In any case, prayers or holding her in the light would be helpful. Nobody wants to be all alone. Especially in a strange place.
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