Broken Windows

Spent a lovely morning having coffee with some of my favourite people the other day. I love these women. They are truly beautiful people. During our few hours together, we shared lots and laughed more. Inevitably the conversation turned to a topic that weighs heavily on all of us; the terrible state of our children's elementary school. To say the school is overcrowded and under resourced would be the very least. On good days, it survives. On bad days, walking its halls can feel like your living nightmare. One of my coffee gals began questioning why, in her opinion, the administration seemed to be solely focused on petty issues and not addressing the real problems. As the discussion evolved, I found myself remembering a story I heard years ago and has often come to mind since. It is the story of a broken city and its mayor who believed that taking small steps forward was the only way it could be fixed.

The city had the highest unemployment, illiteracy and homeless rates in the whole country. Gang war and crime ruled the streets so that no one dared walk alone even in the broad light of day. There wasn't a building that hadn't been vandalized or was without broken windows. Most of the city's inhabitants had left and of those that remained there was only a few that had not lost all hope. They were calling for the city's mayor to fix their broken city. In huge ways. Immediately.

The city's mayor was a very wise man; realizing that even the tiniest decision he made could mean life or death for that city. He thought. He prayed. Then he revealed his plan.

The mayor announced that the city was going to be rebuilt. Crime was going to stop. The economy was going to rebound. And it was all going to start by fixing every single broken window in the city.

You can probably imagine the townspeople's reaction. Disappointment. Disillusionment. Disgust even. Fixing broken windows? Weren't those the very least of their problems?

But the mayor held firm to his plan and so workers began replacing the shattered windows with glass until all the broken windows in the city were fixed. And a strange thing happened. People came together. Crime all but stopped. Business opened. The streets became safe for people to walk and shop in. The city was reborn. It did more than survive; it thrived.

This story amazes me.  How could something so small, so seemingly insignificant as fixing broken windows turn an entire city around? More importantly, how can I apply the lesson in this story to the "broken windows" in my life?

I'm reading a book right now called The 2 Degree Difference by John Trent. Its a super read, offering a fresh perspective on the problems we all face in life that just seem impossible to tackle. Like the city's mayor in the story above, Trent insists that "its the smallest steps we take toward change that ultimately make the greatest difference".

As for my children's school administrators, I'm willing to believe that they are onto something. If fixing broken windows can turn an entire city around, surely dealing with seemingly "petty" school issues is at least a step in the right direction.

*This week is teacher appreciation week at my children's school.  This post is dedicated to those teachers with heartfelt gratitude for all their commitment and hard work.

2 Degree Difference
By John Trent

Lessons from the Van

Like most moms I know, I spend a lot of time driving.  With four very active kids, it seems like we are always on the go. 
I even, sometimes, well, as much as I hate to admit this...... have them do their homework in the van. 

Yesterday was one of those aforementioned days.  While waiting for my older two boys to come out of school, my 6 year old son finished his homework and then placed his workbook on the passenger seat for me to sign.  After several minutes spent searching for a pen, I glanced over at his book and then focused sharply. 

Was I seeing things? 
Did he really write what I thought he did? 

Wait, its too bright.  I need to move out of the sun
so I can see better...

There it was.

                "I love my sister."

    Jonah's sentence for the day.


Jonah did you just write this?! 
He looked almost afraid to answer such a ridiculous question.  Had he not just handed me the book to sign?

Aw, honey, you love your sister?!  That is so wonderful!
Again, he looked unsure as to what to do.

I wasn't sure either.  Something deep inside of me wanted to shout for joy.  I had to fight the urge to roll down the window and share my good news with my fellow kissn'riders.  My son loves his sister!  They're not fighting!  I must be doing something right!

Thankfully, sanity prevailed and instead I hugged him. Then I took some pictures so that in a few hours time when they're both running at me to tell on the other, the three of us can take a moment to remember what being a family is really all about.


Heaven on Earth

In just over 6 months time my daughter will start Kindergarten.  Rest assured, that is going to be a big day.  And I can pretty much guarantee I'm going to have a big cry.  It will be the first time in almost 12 years that I won't have at least one of my kiddies by my side each and every day.  Ah, there is so much I could write about this but I'm going to save those thoughts for another time.

Today, is about capturing one of my daughter's and my favourite rituals...our weekly coffee date. 

Here we are at the counter, anxiously waiting for the barista to take our order.
The usual please;  one caramel steamer (kid sized), one medium house blend and a chocolate scone to share.

Caramel Steamer
aka  "heaven on earth"!

Coffee, magazine, cozy cafe, my favourite girl.
These precious times we spend together mean the world to me.

Taking a break from our sweet indulgences to journal.
I hope my daughter will always find a way to slow down for a moment,
nurture her soul and reflect on the miracles and magic that can be
found in an every day, ordinary, beautiful life.

LOVED

Got some beautiful cards from some of our favourite people.

LoVeD ToDaY

Today was a day filled with class parties, excited kiddies, love notes, red balloons, sticky fingers, extra hugs, sweet smiles and shared secrets (don't worry handsome, your secret is safe with me!)

Displayed our valentine treasures.

My "sweeter than candy" daughter sampled a few.
The pink ones are definitely the best!



Did I mention we ate cake for breakfast?


How could we not have LoVeD ToDaY?



Borrowed Love

Love is not ours.
Love is borrowed.
From the essence of our creator; given to us to treasure.

To heal with.
To encourage.
To bestow lavishly.

To bless.

To press into another's heart and soul.

To nuture with.

To care for by.

To keep hope in.

To see faith through.

To love.

February 14, 2011