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Change

Kristine Binder


As reported by The Wall Street Journal within minutes of the announcement:

“Taking the name Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected as head of the Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday [March 13th, 2013], putting the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics under direction of a pope from the New World for the first time in Christianity’s 2,000 year history.”

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the first Jesuit and first non European to be named Pope. His reputation is for humility and simplicity. He is said to be a tireless advocate of the poor and less fortunate. A week ago, as Cardinal, he lived in humble quarters, often cooked for himself, and refused the limousine for taxis and public transportation. He refused the papal limousine return him to the common quarters and chose to ride a shuttle with the cardinals following his election to Pope.

Jesuits are order of priests known around the world as educators, spiritual directors, and social justice advocates. Pope Francis is a dedicated Jesuit and like Ignatius, he has a reputation for using his mind to solve a problem but his heart to make a decision. Like Francis of Assisi, he operates within the world of an ordained clergy while not being drowned in self-serving clerical rank and privilege. He has been known to have a special place in his heart and his ministry for the poor, for the disenfranchised, for those living on the fringes and facing injustice.

He has chosen the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi.  The name symbolizes poverty, humility, simplicity and rebuilding the Catholic Church. The new pope seems to be sending a signal that this will not be business as usual.

Where leadership is powerfully influenced through emulation, what a remarkable role model Pope Francis makes not only for the Church leadership but for all Catholics. What a strong and unique choice our Cardinals have made to lead our Church. What a departure from the norm.

As the Church enters a new era of leadership, let us be open to change and let us think of the choices we make in our own lives.  When given a choice do we stay the course? Do we follow our hearts or heads? Do we have the strength and courage of our convictions? Are we a living witness to our faith each and every day?

Words

Kristine Binder

The written word is so very powerful. Words in general are very powerful….spoken or written. We can build up or break down with just a few simple words.
Today is one of my favorite days of the year as a teacher. Yes, sure I love the first day and last days of school but this day is special. It is Incredible Kid Day. It is a day set aside to let the kids in your life know how special they are to you. There are no gifts….just the gift of the written word. I ask parents to write each student a letter. Some letters are very short…one or 2 sentences. Some are long…several pages. Some are typed. Some are handwritten. Each letter is as unique as the author. The students are unaware that the parents have written the letters until the day they receive them. It is a beautiful thing to watch the students open the letters and read the words written by the most important people in their lives.
I teach students that are just entering the tween/teen years. It is the beginning of a difficult and exciting time of growth for both parents and children. This letter allows parents to say things to their child that they often do not express. It is a tangible reminder of how much the children are loved and appreciated.
I take time each year to write letters to my own children. This is no easy task. My kids are so deserving that I want to give them the best letter possible. Carving out the time to produce the perfect letter is difficult but not impossible.
So, take time from your day to not just tell the young people in your life that they are special. Put your pen to paper or your fingers to the keyboard and write a letter. The emotions and thoughts you share are priceless.
  Peace.

Revisited

Kristine Binder
14’s wall above her bed

So at the beginning of February I started writing love notes to my family. Each day each member of the family got an “I love you because…” note. As the days passed, the notes became more interesting. I had to find individual characteristics to write about each person. The family…at least 10 and 14 ….came to look forward to the notes. On the 14th I wrote each one a card and made their valentines lunches.

It was a good exercise for me to focus on the good in each one and good for each of them to know the many reasons I love them. It is my hope that they each remembers these small gestures as they get older and perhaps create some of their own memories with their families.

 

Food

Kristine Binder

Last week  was a tough week. I used to channel my emotions into food, and still do. Now, however that channel is a bit different. I used to channel my emotions into food through eating. Now I choose to feed others. I find great comfort in the nourishment and happiness of others in my life.
Sunday we learned of the sudden death of a 48 year old friend of ours. When I got the news, I felt as though I had been dealt a strong, swift kick to my gut. I could not breathe. I had difficulty processing the loss and my feelings at first as it all seemed unreal. The rest of the day Sunday seemed to just evaporate into thin air.
Monday I was so busy with work and preparing to coach that I lost track of time. My cousin, his wife, my aunt and uncle were planning to come for dinner.  The cousins wanted to see the kids one last time. They received word that they are leaving for Angola for a job. They explained some of the basic dangers to the family over dinner.  As excited as my children are for them, they are also a bit nervous. It was and will be a great learning experience for all of us….albeit a scary one.   I allowed the kids to stay up late and enjoy time with my cousin and his wife as well as my aunt and uncle. It was a very emotional goodbye when they all left. I prepared chicken and potatoes…just basic comfort food. Nothing fancy. Having 9 people gathered around my table sharing stories, telling tales and laughing til we cried was more than satisfying.  Spending time with family was priceless.
Tuesday was Mardi Gras and a rare night off for Dad. We prepared dinner together and sat as a family in the dining room. Stories, tales of our days and more laughs as we ate dinner and dessert satisfied our stomachs and souls.
I spent Wednesday night preparing red lunches for my own kids and 5 of their friends. Baking red bread, making sandwiches and bagging treats refocused my grief into love
.
Thursday was Valentine’s Day and the funeral Mass for our friend. I delivered lunches to 3 different homes and then got breakfast and lunch ready for my family. The feeling of feeding the bodies of these young people was my focus and filled my heart with joy. Each was thrilled and excited to receive a special lunch. My husband and I attended the funeral that same morning. As I sat in the church,  I was filled with  feelings of immense sadness, gratitude and love.  The lunch afterwards with the filled with more tears and laughs, as well as stories of great love. When we arrived home a good friend of mine was waiting with a dinner prepared for us to enjoy later in the evening. What a treat!
The feeding of bodies and souls is something soothing for me. I find comfort and solace in filling the need for food. To some it is just a meal….for me it is so much more.

Moments

Kristine Binder

Life is made up of moments. It is up to us to recognize and savor each one for we will not pass that way again.

A few weeks ago 13 attended the opera with my mom. She was in no way thrilled to spend a Sunday afternoon listening to “screaming”, as she put it. I told her I was jealous. She was about to see my favorite opera, LaBoheme. Such a wonderful love story. Off I sent her and hours later I got a short, sweet text…”how was it?” “GREAT!”….And then….”mom, I cried!” My heart soared.

Thursday we had a big heavy snow and I knew I needed to shovel. I geared up and headed out. 9 come out and asked if he and the pup could ‘help’. Of course, I said. I didn’t ask about homework or anything else I just wanted them to play in the snow.

It was already dark and I was shoveling by streetlight. 9 was building a snow fort and pup was trying to bury herself in the snow. It was so peaceful with just the 3 of us in the half dark. As I shoveled, 9 told me of his day and then out of the blue began to recite a poem..

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

What he failed to understand as I started to cry is that this poem is dear to my heart. It is a part of my college song and holds so much meaning to me. In the low light he didn’t see the tear rolling down my cheeks as he recited the words. I asked why he decided to say that poem. He said he had to memorize it for class and wanted me to hear it…it just happened that it was quiet enough for him to feel comfortable… My heart danced.

Last night I was feeling frenzied but wanted to try a new recipe so I started cooking after a long, busy day. I was working on meals for 2 nights. As I worked, 14 joined me in the kitchen and asked if I needed help. What? An offer of real assistance? That is unheard of around my house! I immediately accepted. I turned on the Sinatra Pandora stations dn soon we were moving and chatting and cooking up a storm….then she began to sing…an oldie…one I didn’t realize she knew. I asked her where/how she knew the song. Her response was quick…”mom, I have heard you sing it a million times…you think I am not paying attention…I am…” My heart took flight!

Life is filled with little moments…little miracles. We have to be awake. We have to cherish these times of wonder. We have to appreciate the little moments that make up our lives. It is these moments strung together that make a life…one that never seems long enough.