Archive for the ‘Storytelling’ Category
I Was Wrong about High School (Sorry Paramus Catholic)
Thursday, March 24th, 2011
For about 20 years I have been telling people how much I hated my high school. I would tell stories about not having many friends and how I felt like the school emphasized discipline over education. There was the constant threat of getting a demerit. I couldn’t wait to graduate and leave for college. I even took my name off their mailing list.
While at college, I made friends easily and enjoyed my classes. It was only when I began writing long papers and taking exams that I realized how good of an education I received in high school. But I would still tell the story of how terrible my high school was.
When my 20 year reunion came around, I never saw the invitation (since I wasn’t on the list). My sister is the same age and when she received her invitation, she asked if I wanted to go. I told her I had no interest in a high school reunion. A few friends also invited me to go with them. Nope. I remained stubborn and rejected the gathering.
Then after joining Facebook a few years ago, some high school friends “friended” me. We began catching up about our lives. They commented on my inspirational thoughts or posted comments about my blog. Over time, I connected with more high school friends – folks I never even realized knew my name or remembered me. I started hearing amazing stories about marriages, divorces, finding life partners, losing parents, moving far away, caring for ill children, adoptions, careers and so much more. There were a lot of exchanges of good news, sad news, and day-to-day happenings. As I began to connect more, I received invitations to meet for a drink, a party, or just to hang out.
Now, the story about my high school has changed. I tell funny stories about teachers and friendships. Maybe I was just too insecure in high school. Maybe I was holding onto a story of the past that kept me insecure. Maybe I have been too insecure for the last 20 years to believe that every one struggles at 15 and who we are changes over time. Maybe I am still growing up. Maybe I didn’t like who I was in high school. The people I went to school with are pretty incredible. Maybe it’s time to release all the demerits I have given myself over the past 20 years.
Thank you Paramus Catholic and all my friends~
Mary Anne
Walk On
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Walk on
to the snow covered mountains
a view from a rear seat
of a new blazing sky
yet ignorant of the lessons
of that land
Teach me…walk on…
Arches
looking in or looking out
rested in your rocks
I could not shield myself
from the bitterness
shutting myself down
away from you
Heal me…walk on…
Raven
wings flapping
like window shutters
soaring above me
so I could see my God
my faith rebounding
Love me…walk on…
O Zion
praying to you
gave me unfamiliar faces
encouraging me to climb
up through the path
to the top or
to the beginning
Show me…walk on…
Bryce
your hoodoos captured
my heart and saved my soul
like the trees burnt
to ashes into the soil
by mighty lightening
Hold me…walk on…
Wisdom
a warming gift
of stories told and retold
the footprints are
a journey through land
a pathway to a healing heart
and an abandoned soul
Carry me…Walk with me…Walk on…
Walk on…
Mary Anne
(Written after traveling to Utah and hiking the National Parks)
Conversation with a Seven Year Old
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
I love speaking with my nephew as he can always make me smile – even without realizing it. He is just so open, real, and pure and he reminds me I can still be like a seven year old in the world. About two weeks ago we spoke on the phone and the conversation went something like this:
Me: Hi George.
George: Hi Aunt Mary Anne (said with glee).
Me: What are you doing?
George: Playing my Nintendo DS.
Me: Which game?
George: Mario Brothers.
Me: How was school today?
George: Great!
Me: What was the best part of your day?
George: Well…I think it was when I was in the lunch room and saw Mrs. Henderson (the lunchroom lady).
Me: Why was that the best part of your day?
George: Well, I like Mrs. Henderson because she is nice.
Me: That’s great George. Have you ever told her that you think she is nice?
George: No, but I do give her a hug.
Me: I am sure she likes that.
George: Yea.
Me: George?
George: What?
Me: Are you distracted?
George: Yes, I am distracted.
Me: What’s distracting you?
George: Well, I am talking to you.
Me: Thanks for that. I love you.
George: I love you too, lots and lots.
Note to self: play more, thank people more, remember the best part of my day, give more hugs, and focus on love.
Thanks George.
Mary Anne
“I Need to Know”
Friday, March 19th, 2010
One of my greatest teachers is my seven year old nephew, George. As soon as we see each other, we give each other big hugs. His face lights up when I walk in the room and my heart lights up when he walks in the room. My last visit with him was no exception. It had been a good few weeks since my past visit with George. When I walked in the door, there was an excited shout, “Aunt Mary Anne, you’re here!” I gave him a tight hug and said, “I’ve missed you.” George responded, “I haven’t seen you in three months.” It was his way of saying that it felt like a really long time.
We decided to go out for lunch. Upon returning to my sister’s house, George and I went for a walk. There is a wonderful small pond near his house and George took my hand and off we went. We spoke about school, his trip to Ireland, his birthday, and other random things. Upon returning back to the house, he said he wanted to stay outside. Although most of their lawn still had a lot of snow, the day was bright and not that cold, so we decided to play in the driveway. Our first game was “Mario Brothers goes to the Winter Olympics.” George would name a Mario character and an Olympic event, act out the event, and give a score. The highlight was watching him pretend to ice skate and do curling – as entertaining as the live Olympics.
We decided we would play hide and go seek in the backyard. I hid first and George could not find me despite giving hints with making noises. I came out of my spot and George asked, “Where were you?” I told him I would hide there again on my next turn. He said, “But where were you?” I told him that he can look again on the next round. “But Aunt Mary Anne, I need to know.” It was at that point I smiled and asked, “You need to know?” I think he wanted to know and it was hard for him to look again. He took his turn hiding and then I took mine, returning to the same spot. I peeked out and George found me.
All day I couldn’t get his little voice and expression out of my head – I need to know. How many times had I wanted to know something that I convinced myself I needed to know it? Is there anything I really need to know?
The day was full of big hugs, long walks, being lost and being found – I have everything I need to know.
Mary Anne
This is dedicated to my nephew George who I love this, this, this, this much!