Shari Sherman

Shari Sherman

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

My Winter Wish...


It's time to make my weekly wish. This week the question is simple, "What's your Winter Wish?"

Today is the first day of winter and the moon is full and bright. It is also the final day of school for my daughter before winter break.

This week has been filled with getting things done, finishing my final commission, getting my hair cut, running errands, making the menu. Busy, busy, busy. There is a pretty festive mood around here which I am enjoying. I still have much to do, but most of the preparations are done and everything seems manageable.

There were also a couple of things in there that gave me pause to consider that others are not enjoying this time of year as much as we are. I encountered a parent who doesn't know the name of their children's teacher...this just blew me away on a lot of different levels. I'm not as involved in my daughter's activities at school as I used to be, but I do make the time to go into class a few times a year, and stop in for a lunch when I can, and I am in contact with her teacher via regular emails and conferences. I have a hard time wrapping my head around what could be going on in a person's life that they do not know the name of their child's teacher. And more importantly how that child must feel, what their day-to-day is like.

Also, my daughter had the experience of handing out little treat bags that we had made, and having several of the kids try to hand them back, wrinkling up their little snouts and saying, "I don't like this kind." I guess I made the mistake of not putting in the right kind of holiday treat! I thought that peanut butter cups and kisses, fudge and peppermint bark would cover all the bases. I was wrong. It was heartbreaking to hear this. I am wondering what happened to the days, when you got a little gift and said Thank You, even if you didn't like it, you'd take it home and maybe someone else in your family would. Thankfully, there were some kids who were happy to get it and said how much they loved this or that.

So my wish is this, I wish that parents everywhere would pay attention to their kids. Really pay attention. It's not about how many presents are under the tree or who is getting the latest what...it's about being with your child and knowing what is going on with them, seeing how they are growing, teaching them manners, and respect for themselves and for others. The spirit of this season is about giving and love, my wish is that no matter how busy a parent might be, teach your child gratitude, let your child know that you care, spend time with them, ask them about what is going on in their lives, at school, how they are feeling. Don't just hand them something and shuffle them aside. These children really are the future and I am still imagining a future filled with love and respect for one another.

I know that there are many different situations out there and I couldn't even begin to try to solve everything and turn the world into a perfect place, but for those who have seemingly given up, I wish them the strength to keep trying.

May everyone feel some warmth and kindness this season. May everyone's bellies be full when other days they are not. May we outstretch our hands to those who need a lift. May we let our lights shine on these cold winter days. May our hearts be filled with gratitude for every comfort, joy, and blessing in our lives.

Merry Christmas!
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21 comments:

  1. As Shari wishes for the tender world and her own loved ones, I wish as well.
    May the light and love of the season fill you and your family up to the brim !
    Merry Christmas !

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  2. Anonymous9:19 AM

    Here's hoping we can all learn the power of gratitude.

    As Shari wishes for herself, so do I wish for her as well.

    Blessings to you and your family this holiday season.

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  3. Oh Shari, what a beautiful post you wrote... so heartfelt and very true...

    Love this... "May our hearts be filled with gratitude for every comfort, joy, and blessing in our lives."

    As Shari wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

    Love, Peace & Christmas blessings,
    xoxo Valerie

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  4. Love your post, I hope too that all our hearts be filled with Gratitude. As you wish for yourself, I wish for you also. Blessings to you and your family.

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  5. Oh yes what a lovely wish and such an imprortant one. As you wish for yourself so I wish for you also

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  6. I love the concerns you raise in this post. As the stepmom of a 13-year-old, I get to see the good and the less-than-gracious all wrapped up in one child. My husband and I hope to help guide him through this transition to continue being a well-mannered kid afterward. I didn't put too much thought into it until I saw it here, but I am happy to say I know all of his teachers. It's important for our children to know that we care about their schooling.

    As you wish for yourself, so I wish for you also.

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  7. As Shari wishes for herself, I also wish for her!

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  8. wow! that was an awesome post indeed!


    As you wish for yourself , I wish for you also.

    Merry Xmas!

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  9. Such a wonderful post!

    As you wish for yourself, so I wish for you also!

    Enjoy the season!

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  10. Oh, wow....no wonder there are so many challenges with kids these days! This was a heartwrencher of a post..thankfully YOU are there to send out the loving energy of your wish! :)

    As you wish for yourself, I wish for you (and all the parents out there, for their children's sake) as well!

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  11. As you wish for yourself, I so wish for you as well.

    May winter blessings surround and compel you.
    Happy holidays.

    Tabitha the KnittingJourneyman

    Here’s the link to my wish today:
    http://theknittingjourneymanrefitted.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/lets-make-a-winter-wish/

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  12. @All-Thank you so much for all of your wishing energy and for the Happy Holiday wishes too.
    @Sherri-The age range I'm referring to is about 7-8, 2nd and 3rd graders, the age where they really only have 1 teacher still. Kudos to you for still being informed about your stepson's school life. I think all of this is just prepping me for what is to come in those teenage years!

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  13. Beautifully written! So well said, and such needed things you've wished for.

    As you wish for yourself, so I wish for you as well.

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  14. I love reading your wishes every week! As you wish for yourself, I wish for you also.

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  15. Shari, I used to work in the school system, trying desperately to pick up where many parents had left off. Thank you for being one of the parents you are wishing them all to be. I am so grateful for that.

    What you wish for you,
    I wish for too!

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  16. beautiful wishes, Shari. as you wish for yourself, i wish for you also.

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  17. Lovely post Shari. Have a wonderful Christmas. xm

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  18. Merry Christmas Shari!

    I just wanted to comment on your daughters class. I had 'gift receiving' class with my kids at dinner yesterday. Last year one of my boys tossed a shirt over his shoulder that was given to him by a family member and I was horrified. So I explained how happy people are to give a gift and that it comes from their heart and if you don't receive it nicely you will hurt feelings. So at dinner I handed them different items (a stapler, roll of tape, lint roller) and they had to say thank you and something nice about each item.

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  19. I love it Nelly! I'm thinking a creative modern-day manners project might be on the horizon. Everyone could share the "horror" stories and then fun ways to get the kids to remember. Hmmmmm....but juices are bubbling!!

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  20. Anonymous3:24 PM

    I am so lucky to know you. I read your blog about the mother who didn't know her teacher's name. We dropped Paul's kids off yesterday and I had fun braiding his young daughter's hair and making sure his son had food before panic set in. It is the simple things of attention, patience, managing time and being PRESENT. I love you, Shari. Thanks for making the contract somewhere in time to be my friend.

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Aloha friends! It's so nice to hear from you!