GRANDBABY Babysitting for my granddaughter is a mixed bag. Since she is under 1 year old and is very inquisitive, she requires constant supervision and interaction. Thus, when she is here, little else is accomplished. But on the other hand, she is such a delight. So amazing that one so small and so young can hold your heart strings in her small hand. She flashes a toothless silly grin and all is right with the world. Such a magpie, like her aunt, talking already. Tonight she clearly said hello and kitty. Did I say she wasn't one yet? If she continues to mimic her aunt, soon we will be asking her to be quiet. Ha! The tiny figure, daring and adventurous, is attempting to walk. She plants her feet and lets go of the nearest object. She stands alone, 1, 2, 3, maybe as long as 4 seconds before she grabs hold again. Once in a while, she ventures one step before developing jello legs and plopping to the floor. Not discouraged, she pulls to a stand quickly to try it all over again. What a miracle life is and what joy to experience it.

BREAK THROUGH He sat there with a look of disgust on his face as he listened to his neighbor. Not observing anything that would result in such a look, I asked him why he flashed that face. He responded that he did not do it, did not mean to look that way. I flashed him the same look to which he laughed, blushed, and laughed some more. As the lesson continued, he looked my way, laughed and seemed to relax. For the first time in four weeks he acted like he belonged with us, like he wanted to be with us, even enjoyed the attention. What a sweet face he showed us all. SHAME ON YOU Not sure what led up to the event, but one of my students was making excuses as to why he had not completed the assignment. I teasingly brushed one index finger down the other finger. Immediately the questions came. "What does that mean?" Shame on you for not doing your work. More than 2/3 of my class had never seen the sign nor heard the expression. I asked myself if their ignorance of "Shame on you" is a result of our efforts to protect their self-esteem. Has the pendulum swung to far in the protective direction?

Insurance Woes

I had the good fortune of attending a meeting today about changing our insurance. From one side of the table to the other and from end to end the ripples of discontent could be heard about the high costs of insurance. If I could have collected a dollar for every rumor mentioned, I could easily pay for one month's insurance. As I took it all in, I thought about how lucky we are to be insured. On the other hand people are paying the high costs of health care without insurance and without the means of paying. Guess it is all perspective.