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Good Morning 9-3-26

I Am My Father's Daughter

I wonder sometimes if the people that Moses was leading were aware of how close to death he really was. We are told that the words shared in this week’s double portion, Nitzavim and Vayelech, were spoken on his last day on earth. He announced his age to everyone in the opening verse of Deuteronomy 31. He said he was done, no longer able to be active. He passed the baton to Joshua to lead them into Canaan. But did the Israelites know he was about to leave them permanently? In Deuteronomy 31:14, God reminded Moses once again that he … Continue reading Good Morning 9-3-26

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Good Morning 9-2-26

I Am My Father's Daughter

Any parent, teacher, or daycare worker, heck, anyone who works with kids, has heard them try to shift the blame. “Why am I in trouble? Didn’t you see what the others were doing?” Whatever the “crime” they might be accused of, someone else did something that was much worse. Frankly, adults do it too. You get stopped for speeding and immediately ask the officer why he didn’t stop the blue Chevy that raced past you like you were standing still. “I was just going with the flow of the traffic, sir. Why are you stopping me instead of going out … Continue reading Good Morning 9-2-26

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Good Morning 9-1-26

I Am My Father's Daughter

Yesterday, after reading Moses’ stirring reminder to the people near the end of Nitzavim, we learned that God’s instruction is not far away but very near, “in your mouth and in your heart.” We were told to just do it. Do that which God has placed in the heart of every man. We are each gifted the ability to distinguish right from wrong because God has placed that knowledge in our hearts. He’s also blessed us with compassion, graciousness, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control because we are made in His image. Moses went on to tell the people that, based on … Continue reading Good Morning 9-1-26

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Good Morning 8-31-26

I Am My Father's Daughter

It was only the second day of school, and we already had a young man, I’ll call him Trevor, sitting in the office for ISS (In-School Suspension). He definitely looked downtrodden. I have no idea what he did to earn this punishment, but I’ve had him in class. He’s a good kid, lacking mostly some common sense and enough courage to tell others “no.” As he sat there, students came through the office. All of his buddies bumped fists with him. The girls leaned over and whispered, “What happened? What did you do?” Teachers, for the most part, simply didn’t … Continue reading Good Morning 8-31-26

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Good Morning 8-30-26

I Am My Father's Daughter

Years ago, before I moved to the training department, I spent a year or two working in the Presidential Unit at the bank. We were the ones to whom really upset customers were transferred. All the complaint letters addressed to the President came to us. When someone insisted they wanted a call back from the President, we were the ones who made that call. One person on the team was the VIP representative who handled all matters of accounts for “very important people” like celebrities, government officials, and the very rich who couldn’t be bothered with just any old customer … Continue reading Good Morning 8-30-26

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Good Morning 8-28-26

I Am My Father's Daughter

I have to say that I prefer waking up on my own to the screeching of the alarm on my phone. I know it’s saying “Rise and shine!” I know that I need a couple of hours on my own each morning before I head out into the day. I just like it better when my body tells me to wake up rather than an alarm even if it’s 4 in the morning. It’s still dark outside. I can’t see even a glimmer in the sky to the east, but it is morning and I am ready — okay, semi-ready … Continue reading Good Morning 8-28-26

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Good Morning 8-27-26

I Am My Father's Daughter

Yesterday was the first day of school for our students. I was working in the office and there were definitely highs and lows with chaos ruling most of the time. Students, especially freshmen, didn’t know how to operate a lock on their locker despite repeated instructions. Kids who didn’t read their many emails, didn’t know their schedule. Many are already sure they want to drop one class for another. All of them came to the office and it was nuts. Add to that, the new construction on the front of the building that created a beautiful new, secure office space … Continue reading Good Morning 8-27-26

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Good Morning 8-26-26

I Am My Father's Daughter

This is the fifth year that I have been teaching in some capacity or another for a Catholic School District in Racine. As such, I’ve learned a lot about Catholicism, its traditions, celebrations, and requirements. One of the requirements of the Catholic faith is called Confession. While many churches still have and use the confessional “closet” where you sit on one side of the screen, obscured from view by the priest, and recite all the things you’ve done wrong, the new approach is referred to as Reconciliation. It involves a more open conversation. It still ends with the penance due … Continue reading Good Morning 8-26-26

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Good Morning 8-25-26

I Am My Father's Daughter

School is starting in many cities and towns across the U.S. While some districts wait for Labor Day to pass, others, like the Chicago school district started yesterday. We received the requisite pictures from our younger daughter. Both of her boys were standing on the porch. The oldest, Henry, is starting high school. His brother is now a 7th grader. It seems like just yesterday, the pic she sent was of the two of them at ages 6 and 4, standing on their front porch, backpacks on, smiles in place. The photos went out to us and our other two … Continue reading Good Morning 8-25-26

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Good Morning 8-24-26

I Am My Father's Daughter

Tomorrow is another Monday. Songs abound about this day and few of them are singing its praises. “Rainy Days and Mondays (always get me down)” by the Carpenters. “Monday, Monday (can’t trust that day)” by the Mamas and the Papas. “It Sure Is Monday (ain’t it the truth? I partied too hardy, now I’m payin’ my dues)” by Mark Chestnutt. “(It’s just another) Manic Monday” by The Bangles. “I Don’t Like Mondays” by the Boomtown Rats. Okay, I admit, I have no idea who the Boomtown Rats are. All of these and more are songs that have nothing positive to … Continue reading Good Morning 8-24-26