Lasagna and Loved Ones

My family memories are almost always tied to the kitchen in one way or another.  The kitchen is a place of warmth and joy, smiles and laughter.  It is a place where everyone is welcome, no matter their level of skill or mess-making abilities.  My sister's refusal to touch raw meat does not keep her from our kitchens, and my children are always invited to help despite their knack for knocking over carefully measured ingredients.

I have always loved to cook, and if you know anything about my family, you know it's an inherited skill.  My father would spend entire weekends in the kitchen whipping up gourmet feasts, treating us to wonderful meals and leaving the dishes to mom.  Unfortunately, I have also inherited my dad's messy ways and haven't been able to adopt my mom's clean-as-you-go philosophy, so I am always on dish duty.  Despite the way I tease my mom about her lack of culinary talent, from her I have learned the importance of a thoughtfully frosted birthday cake and the beauty of an almond crescent cookie. 

Today I am making lasagana to celebrate the arrival of our new kitchen table.  Kevin and I have been married for almost 8 years, and we have been using an old table that my mom bought at a garage sale when we still lived in Posen...so we can't even put an accurate date on it.  That table has certainly served its purpose and many memories have been made around it, but I'm super-excited for the new moments we will share around this one.  And, tonight we'll start with lasagna...

A good pan of lasagna requires time and attention.  It can't be whipped together like a weeknight meal, and lucky for me, this week is spring break.  In my family, especially the one I married into, lasagna is for special occasions and special people.  It's a Sunday night meal or an entree that is just as important as the turkey on Thanksgiving.  Without a doubt it's my mother-in-law's specialty; hers is simple and authentic, always served with her homemade sauce and a bit of sometimes-charred bread.  My step-dad's lasagna, delicious as well, is unconventional in its lack of ricotta, but still is reserved for special occasions.   Preparing food for people I love always brings me joy, and it carries me away, lost in memories of yesterday and hopes for tomorrow, but lasagna, unlike any other meal brings comfort.

Today my lasagna will be loaded with a spicy meat sauce, layered with love and served with cheap white wine.  It makes me happy, and so does my new table...so tonight, we celebrate.

The Wisdom of Dr. Seuss

I've been in quite a Seussical mood lately. I'm teaching poetry and referencing the rhythm and rhyme of Seuss, and just this past Saturday there was a Dr. Suess read along at Target...a very pleasant surprise.  Faith LOVED it, and Connor enjoyed the snacks.  Dr. Seuss conjures happy childhood memories of reading and laughter...Hop on Pop and The Cat and the Hat will always be magical for me, and I hope my children can find that same magic soon.

This past November I shared some of the wisdom of Dr. Seuss with Bremen's National Honor Society members when I was asked to be their guest speaker...and here it is:

November 3, 2010

Hello and good evening. I would like to thank the administration, school board members, teachers and parents that are celebrating here with us tonight. I must admit that I am rather shocked and humbled to be standing here as the "guest speaker" tonight. Typically, I spend the days leading up to the induction in a frenzy working quickly to cross items off my to-do list...programs, flowers, candles, punch bowls...It's my job to make sure they're all here, and I'm pretty sure they are. However, this year I had an additional item on my list – WRITE INDUCTION SPEECH. It sat at the top of my list glaring at me, mocking me, taunting me. It's not as though I have never written a speech before; in fact, as a teacher I give speeches every day. However, the difference tonight is my audience. Tonight, I have been given the privilege to speak to the best students Bremen High School has to offer, and I get to thank their parents for sharing their amazing children with us.

I can clearly remember the night I was inducted into the Indian Star Chapter. I sat where you sit right now, surrounded by my friends, excited about a new honor I was about to receive. My family was proud of me, and I was excited. The guest speaker was Mr. Lombaer, the honors psychology teacher, and he read a book to us...a children's book...Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. The book begins like this...

Congratulations!

Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.


You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

Who knew there was such power in the words of Dr. Seuss?

You are all certainly off to great places and many decisions do lie ahead of you, but you are here now because you have chosen to embrace your roles as leaders in this school and your community. You are here because you understand the importance of your education, and you are here because you are eager to serve those who need you. Being a leader is not easy, being a good student is not easy, being a willing servant is not easy, and yet those are roles you have chosen for yourself. So, tonight, be proud of the choices you've made to get this far, but be ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

Dr. Seuss warns us of tough times to come…

I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

And these bang-ups and hang-ups are where your character will be tested. These tests of character will come in many forms: tough moments in friendships, difficulties in classes, trouble managing the millions of activities you are involved in, or emotional family times. Everyone will come up against some difficult days, but your response in those situations is what sets you apart from the others. Character is not easily measured, but it is easily understood, and tonight, we recognize you for the stunning character you display.

The wisdom of Seuss continues to say...

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

So, after tonight, once the pride and shiny newness of your membership has worn off, how willing will you be to go into a dark place and become a visible light? Will you simply continue doing what you've been doing? Or will you take bold steps to be a better leader, student and servant?

I believe that what choose you do with your leadership position matters the most, and that is a concept that has stuck with me since I was in your shoes. When you leave today, you will have a new membership pin, and a membership card signed by Dr. Kibelkis and me, but more importantly, you will be officially recognized as a leader in this school and community. You will be called upon to help others and to lead those who follow in your footsteps. Our expectations for you are high, and we expect your leadership to shine brighter tomorrow than it ever has. Now, more than ever, we live in a world where positive servant leadership is vital to personal success and the success of others. Be confident in your choices and enthusiastic in your service, so others can follow your shining example.

Finally, a bit more from Dr. Seuss...

You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!


Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!