Peace.

 

(Sign courtesy of the Church Sign Generator.)

Peace. Elusive little bugger. It's been a crazy month as I really internalize this whole "sandwich generation" thing. Yeah - I'm dealing with financial and medical and legal things related to the 'rents on one side, juggling end-of-school-year and summer schedule plans on the other. Somewhere in the middle I'm supposed to stay employed, make sure the mortgage is paid on time, keep fresh groceries on hand, and oh - find peace.

I'm either doing a fairly passable job of it all, or I'm freakin' delusional. Whichever one, it's OK. Not writing nearly as much as I want or need to, but I'm getting in time in the garden every day or so. Taking that 'peace' thing wherever it can be found.

Jesse Helms

 


The sex ed curriculum at Kid Pax's school is remarkably inclusive and diverse, all things considered. It's a little segment that's taught from grades 2-8 as part of their religion class, typically for just a few weeks over Easter. In 3rd grade it's mostly about community and family, and the book includes photos of Muslims at prayer, a synogogue, etc. - with quite favorable text. Matters of sex are gently tapped, and that's where we are tonight.

Homework typically involves a few questions for the parents to help out with, and thus far, I'm keeping the snark factor down. Today, though, I couldn't help myself.

One question was easy. "How much did I weigh when I was born?" Eight pounds, and that led to a really fun discussion about how he didn't really want to come out, how I spent a couple hours in the recovery room, and how the doctors gave me a choice - did I want his dad to stay with me and send him to the neonatal nursery, or did I want his dad to take him and leave me alone? Easy decision - Dad Pax took the kidlet, and I stayed in the recovery room alone.

Next question: "What did I look like when I was born?" In the car, on the way to New Seasons, and I quipped, "Jesse Helms".

And so the homework states now. "Jesse Helms". The photo here was printed out as well and taped into the little box on the homework sheet.

They know us and love us at that school. Good thing, too.