Tag Archives: mentor

Day 354: Grace

25 Mar

I’ve said this a few times on my blog, “It takes a village to raise a child.”  Lest there be any doubt as to how I interpret this phrase, here you go:

No child learns everything it needs to know from their parents.

This is not meant to deride a parent, or to fault a family, but instead to acknowledge the contributions that others bring to our children.

One of the people who contributed to my daughter’s growth, is a woman I shall call “Grace.”  She was one of Alexandra’s mentors about ten years ago.  Grace was very supportive of my daughter and treated her as a professional.  That meant a lot to Alexandra… and to me.  We all want our children to succeed in this world and we are lucky when they can find friendly guides along the way.

On this fine March day, I made an Asparagus, Roasted Pepper, and Swiss Cheese Quiche and brought it to Grace.  I want to thank her for being the wonderful, caring person that she is,  and for modeling that behavior for others.

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” Oprah Winfrey

 

 

 

 

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Day 52: Another Birthday Pie

29 May

Kick-Ass Apple Pie

Tonight we were invited to a birthday celebration for James. We first met James because our son was dating his daughter and he and his wife thought that we parents should meet. We very much appreciated the introduction and felt welcomed by them immediately. For the past few years, James has been both a friend and mentor to my son and I really am grateful for the time that he has spent with him and the respect that he has shown him.

As parents we do all that we can to teach our children what they need to know and give them what they need to thrive. However, it seems that sometimes they learn better when the teacher is not also their parent. Kids need to have other adults in their lives who care about them, who listen to them, and who help guide them along the way.

Parenting is hard to do and perhaps that’s why they say it takes a village to raise a child – and why it’s so important that we remember to thank the people in our village. Tonight I brought James a pie – for his birthday of course – but also to thank him for his willingness to give my son his time and attention.

When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking
– Unknown

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang up my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I LOOKED… and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.

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Day 51: A Birthday Pie

28 May

This morning I met my friend Dennis Dunleavy at The Boulevard Cafe to talk about my blog. Dennis has been blogging for quite a while and has been an incredible mentor and an invaluable resource for me. According to Jay DeFoore, editor at American Photo, “Through his blog, The Big Picture, Dennis Dunleavy has emerged as a recognized authority on everything from the use of cell phone cameras in the London subway bombings to the ethics of photo manipulation….His blog posts have attracted a wide international audience, and his writings have been translated into several languages.” I count myself very lucky to have Dennis as a friend and guide on my “blogging” journey.

As I was ordering my coffee, I found out that it was the manager’s birthday. Seven weeks ago, it was at this very coffee shop that I met with my friend Debbie and decided to begin this “pie a day” project. I thought, what better reason do I need to make a pie?

What kind of pie do you make for someone’s birthday? I considered several options before deciding that Chocolate Cream Pie was the best choice. I first made a crust made from crushed Oreo cookies, prepared the dark chocolate filling, and then topped it with whipped cream that had a hint of Kahlua. Rich and creamy and just a bit decadent – the perfect way to begin a new decade!

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