tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post2762284789658755195..comments2023-11-05T01:58:04.977-07:00Comments on Montessori by Hand: day of the deadMeg McElweehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04559228547762559544noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-63076841872682253182007-11-14T19:49:00.000-08:002007-11-14T19:49:00.000-08:00http://www.friendsofmarijke.com/index.htmlhttp://www.friendsofmarijke.com/index.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-8502881371717973512007-11-07T07:55:00.000-08:002007-11-07T07:55:00.000-08:00I'm so sorry.I'm so sorry.Beverlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543690962370750842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-2316187296287732472007-11-01T17:53:00.000-07:002007-11-01T17:53:00.000-07:00I am sorry for your loss. My child's Montessori te...I am sorry for your loss. My child's Montessori teacher directed me to your blog to see your amazing work.<BR/>I am amazed.<BR/><BR/>Never discount your ability to change the world through one child. A drop in the pond will result in infinite ripples. You are making a difference.<BR/>peace and light,<BR/>Michellemichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255502104080525106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-24926707282848741492007-11-01T03:43:00.000-07:002007-11-01T03:43:00.000-07:00Thinking of you Meg - big hugs, take careThinking of you Meg - big hugs, take careNickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13695049199858960211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-137664992279279022007-10-31T20:17:00.000-07:002007-10-31T20:17:00.000-07:00I am sorry about your friend. You and many of us ...I am sorry about your friend. You and many of us parent types can have a big impact just by being loving and respectful to the children in our lives and I always read that from your blog.Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02882306655445141729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-74910989617041998712007-10-31T16:50:00.000-07:002007-10-31T16:50:00.000-07:00Hi Meg, How are you holding up?Whilst reading your...Hi Meg, How are you holding up?<BR/>Whilst reading your post yesterday, I had a call from my mom to say my granma had just died, I couldn't manage to write then. <BR/>It is hard enough when someone you love dies of natural causes but to be cut down in their prime due to mindless violence is so much harder. Like many others I worry about the violence the my son will be exposed too, there is only so much a parent can protect him from.<BR/>I hope the morning brings you peace.<BR/>jojojoebi-designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17585345777385016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-73932803293473546812007-10-31T14:20:00.000-07:002007-10-31T14:20:00.000-07:00Dear Meg, my thoughts are with you.María, la sueca...Dear Meg, my thoughts are with you.<BR/>María, la suecaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-37919642705147799952007-10-31T12:25:00.000-07:002007-10-31T12:25:00.000-07:00qtntwordless... speechless...qtnt<BR/>wordless... speechless...macatihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02648709216426220228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-29332112845994794242007-10-31T11:06:00.000-07:002007-10-31T11:06:00.000-07:00My thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm so sorry...My thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm so sorry.Angela Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15839443261200410777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-70760021347878125862007-10-31T10:34:00.000-07:002007-10-31T10:34:00.000-07:00So sorry to hear about this. Often we see these th...So sorry to hear about this. Often we see these things on the news and think "how awful" but unless it's someone close to you, it's just another story. My next door neighbour's wife and child were murdered on their way home from school 10 years ago (the other daughter survived the attack with major head trauma). It's hard to understand.Marmadaisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01759630876774528656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-53337710080560330622007-10-31T09:47:00.000-07:002007-10-31T09:47:00.000-07:00I have known Sean & Marijke for 10 years. This tr...I have known Sean & Marijke for 10 years. This tragedy was so shocking to everyone. I used to take my son to play with her girls. We haven't told him yet b/c what do you say? I don't want him to know that this is a possibility, that he could lose his parents. My heart breaks for both families. They are suffering the greatest. Marijke had many friends and she was an amazing person. Her smile was so contagious. I will miss her dearly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-7939487849092899002007-10-31T08:59:00.000-07:002007-10-31T08:59:00.000-07:00Meg,It takes such courage to speak from the heart ...Meg,<BR/>It takes such courage to speak from the heart and to offer up our truths in an unflinchingly real and honest way. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I respect the idea of keeping blogs "sunny", but appreciate the opportunity to send prayers/energy/healing light toward you and those that are most effected by the tragedies that you've described. <BR/>The first step in changing our world is to recognize the problems and then speak out. Thank you for being inspiring on so many levels.<BR/>CarrieCarriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15767500625914347778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-24340864470172689082007-10-31T08:53:00.000-07:002007-10-31T08:53:00.000-07:00Dear Meg, First, I am deeply sorry for the loss o...Dear Meg,<BR/> First, I am deeply sorry for the loss of your friends and for the situation your student is in. I know how hard that is, that feeling of wanting to gather up your students and bring them all home with you.<BR/> I don't know what your faith is, but I just wanted to offer up something that has helped me a lot - karma. Not in a feel good way, in the subtle, complex, unfathomable way that it operates. It doesn't make it easier, but it is helpful for me to know that it is a much bigger picture then I can see. My husband is Tibetan, and I have heard more than one Tibetan offer that they think that all of the suffering and violence China inflicted upon their people was terrible, but that maybe, those Tibetans who dies were really bodhisattvas who offered their lives for Buddhism and the Dalai Lama's wisdom to get out into the world. It doesn't make it RIGHT, but it gives it a broader perspective of the possibilities. <BR/> I hope that my frustration and anger and emotion towards violence and hate and disregard for life can be transformed into something that will ultimately be helpful... that it can call me to action. It sounds like this has happened for you, too, and I would be so pleased to see my 4 year old in your classroom. <BR/> The Dalai Lama reminds us that we need to shift the focus of education - that we need to start with the HEART, and find ways to create compassionate, intelligent human beings, children who will grow up with the creative, flexible intellect to end suffering. <BR/> I think that with people like you and others who I see commenting, we CAN. <BR/> Warmest thoughts,<BR/> AlyssaAlyssahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07431932344398532956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-292322114612628212007-10-31T08:02:00.000-07:002007-10-31T08:02:00.000-07:00I am sorry to hear about your friend. Senseless ac...I am sorry to hear about your friend. Senseless acts like these just makes me cringe. Your role is very admirable. You are so right. Violence breeds violence and we all need to do our part to stop that cycle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-56408037958709670282007-10-31T07:31:00.000-07:002007-10-31T07:31:00.000-07:00Beautiful and heartfelt post Meg. I will be keepi...Beautiful and heartfelt post Meg. I will be keeping you and the souls of your friends in my prayers as we celebrate the feasts this week. May the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.Sweetness and Lighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00018458789487126482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-52724207525284396142007-10-31T07:13:00.000-07:002007-10-31T07:13:00.000-07:00This is my first visit to your blog and was simply...This is my first visit to your blog and was simply amazed at the gifts you have! You are a truly talented and amazing woman.<BR/>I am sorry for your loss and know how hard it can be to loose a close friend who was only in their prime. I can still hear my mother in law yelling at us when we told her our friend died. How it had to be a lie. Her grief, as ours, was too much to contain.<BR/>You are right. Violence breeds violence. And we all must do what we can to try and create peace for those around us. It may seem small compared to things like war, but it is a start.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10981738440270001794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-1983237247255151852007-10-31T06:08:00.000-07:002007-10-31T06:08:00.000-07:00Meg, I am so sorry that you have to go through thi...Meg, I am so sorry that you have to go through this. Thinking of you. Hugs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-83084593265313081302007-10-30T22:18:00.000-07:002007-10-30T22:18:00.000-07:00Oh Meg. I'm glad you decided to share. It couldn...Oh Meg. I'm glad you decided to share. It couldn't have been easy. I'm so sorry for the hard time you're going through. I can't even imagine. I admire your bravery and desire to make a difference in people's lives. I hope your day of rest gave you some strength to go back to work tomorrow. I'm thinking of you and wishing you happiness.jenny gordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14740849737373170751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-34284633090480213112007-10-30T22:17:00.000-07:002007-10-30T22:17:00.000-07:00I am so very sorry. Thank you for sharing, and pl...I am so very sorry. Thank you for sharing, and please, feel free to do so any time you think it helps. I hope it gives you some solace to know that strangers out here in computer-land are sending hugs your way.Stephanie Ozennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16754230097226584081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-611021073283964082007-10-30T21:41:00.000-07:002007-10-30T21:41:00.000-07:00Meg, I just discovered your blog and was truly exc...Meg, I just discovered your blog and was truly excited to see your post about Christmas traditions (I am looking forward to participating) and I was so sorry to read about your loss. Thank you for sharing such intimate details, but know your words are far-reaching and add a little light to others. Pause, breathe, reflect. Peace be with you.Tonyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12576329936958892597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-83504674715163799802007-10-30T21:08:00.000-07:002007-10-30T21:08:00.000-07:00I am sitting in front of my computer, nursing my y...I am sitting in front of my computer, nursing my young daughter & crying after reading your post. When will we learn? I worry about the world that we live in, & what it will be like when my children grow up. I worry that there are children in the world that don't even have a safe place to call home for whatever reason.<BR/>Thanks you for your blog & for this post, I hope you are have some quiet time to yourself to recharge, my thoughts are with you.Christiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07935564388507544207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-2014925510245781852007-10-30T19:48:00.000-07:002007-10-30T19:48:00.000-07:00Meg - ooops I sent an early draft of the poem - si...Meg - ooops I sent an early draft of the poem - side kick to being a Montessorian is a little bit of obsessive compulsion - I have to send you the edited one - even though I feel guilty about the length - so here it is and I hope you enjoy it. <BR/><BR/>The Moveable Alphabet<BR/>By Susan Y. Dyer<BR/><BR/>After a morning of<BR/>Helping some write<BR/>Short poems about <BR/>Flip flops and pony tails,<BR/>I view two boys lay<BR/>One same consonant <BR/>On top of another.<BR/><BR/>I have witnessed sunbathers<BR/>Pile beach stones;<BR/>The smaller balanced on the larger. <BR/>Stone temples left for<BR/>Others seeking the same.<BR/><BR/>I have seen the faithful<BR/>Fingering their japa malas.<BR/>A mantra repeated after <BR/>Each nimble touch of a bead;<BR/>Sacred coupling of prayer and touch.<BR/><BR/>I have watched Indian dancers<BR/>Tap their fingers together <BR/>So purposefully that <BR/>My own began to pulse.<BR/>A fingered expression of devotion.<BR/><BR/>Again, I observe the two boys <BR/>With the plastic, blue and red,<BR/>Moveable, cursive shapes;<BR/>Eyes and hands synchronized. <BR/>I sing a silent chant, say a <BR/>Final poem and end my day in <BR/>Praise of small children.<BR/><BR/><BR/>sy.dyer@gmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-46972754595499493092007-10-30T19:45:00.000-07:002007-10-30T19:45:00.000-07:00Meg, you're absolutely right. I tell people this a...Meg, you're absolutely right. I tell people this all the time: these kids are seeing violence on tv, at movies, at home... kids express what they see somehow and that means usually acting it out. I observe this on the playground. I am raising two children and I wonder what they will deal with in their lifetime. We just dealt with the murder of a whole family here in our small town last summer. Just a normal boy who, for whatever reason, decided to kill his best friend's family. It's ridiculous. I am so fed up with people who don't get this!!!! I am so sorry for your loss of your friend... I read the little article and it seems so senseless. Take care of yourself-- you are doing good things and you would be surprised at how much a little good does spread! Especially with the ages you teach. I'll put you in my prayers tonight.Bethanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02529749426074359749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-52766564371079300932007-10-30T19:34:00.000-07:002007-10-30T19:34:00.000-07:00Meg, Before I became a Montessori teacher at the a...Meg, Before I became a Montessori teacher at the age of 40, I was a domestic violence counselor for men that batter women for almost ten years. These men had been arrested and part of their sentencing included this training. It was listening to men the age of 17 - 70, gang bangers to lawyers, that eventually drew me to working with children. This choice remains an ongoing act of violence prevention. So many men told me that they were deprived - the quick thought is of food and shelter ( that was often true) the most often overlooked notion of deprivation is , as they stated, the lack of anyone listening to their stories, of adults engaging with them in loving and respectful ways, the lack of any art, or appreciation of beauty in their lives, and so much more. My work as a Montessori primary directress is a direct extension of this work with men. Every painting, pouring of grains, polishing of shoes, every yoga pose, every lesson with the golden beads and with the moveable alphabet is peace in action. Here is a poem - Susan Dyer<BR/><BR/><BR/>The Moveable Alphabet<BR/>- Susan Y. Dyer<BR/><BR/>After a morning of<BR/>Helping some write<BR/>Short poems about <BR/>Flip flops and pony tails,<BR/>I view two boys lay<BR/>One same consonant <BR/>On top of another.<BR/><BR/>I have witnessed sunbathers<BR/>Pile beach stones;<BR/>The smaller balanced on the larger. <BR/>Stone temples left for<BR/>Others seeking the same.<BR/><BR/>I have seen the faithful<BR/>Fingering their japa malas.<BR/>A mantra repeated after <BR/>Each nimble touch of a bead;<BR/>Sacred coupling of prayer and touch.<BR/><BR/>I have watched Indian dancers<BR/>Tap their fingers together <BR/>So purposefully that <BR/>Your own begin to pulse.<BR/>A fingered expression of devotion.<BR/><BR/>Again, I observe the two boys <BR/>With the plastic, blue and red,<BR/>Moveable, cursive shapes;<BR/>Eyes and hands synchronized. <BR/>I sing a silent chant, say a <BR/>Final poem and end my day in <BR/>Praise of small children.<BR/><BR/>sy.dyer@gmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174318734895460309.post-8214295712986149962007-10-30T19:25:00.000-07:002007-10-30T19:25:00.000-07:00My heart goes out to you. Thanks for keeping thin...My heart goes out to you. Thanks for keeping things real and opening yourself up. Life isn't always hunky dory of course and without the sorrow, we would not be able to experience the great joy. But it definitely is more challenging getting though the down times. Good job for taking care of yourself. I hope things will begin to be sunnier for you soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com