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My Four-legged Mentor
By Diana Carr

Eyes the color of Irish moss locked onto me and wouldn’t let me go. Willed me into returning the gaze. Made me fall in love on the spot. The rescue kitty, a silver tabby, had chosen me, and I’m so glad he did. He has been my teacher, as well as my friend.

He was so weensy, that at six weeks old he could snuggle up quite nicely in the palm of my hand. Not much time for snuggling, though. He had a cat’s boundless curiosity, which took him on endless excursions throughout the house, exploring this and that, taking such delight in absolutely everything. I would watch him wrestle with a paper bag, every inch of him thrown into the fray, nothing else in the world mattering, and I would think, “This is how life is supposed to be. This good, and this simple.” Read more

COMMENT (0) | animal companion, animal wisdom, cat, healing, teaching

The Invisible Student
By Casey Lee

Don’t reveal anything about your personal life.

Lock anything that matters to you in the trunk of your car, and make sure that no one knows which vehicle belongs to you.

Don’t worry about their personal lives; if something seems sketchy, refer it to the guidance department and forget it ever happened.

And most importantly, whatever you do, don’t even think about cracking a smile before Christmas.

No, these are not instructions for one’s first week on the job at a maximum-security prison facility. These are supposedly helpful tidbits of advice that I received from seasoned teachers before diving headfirst into one of the most chaotic and stressful experiences one could possibly embark upon: my first year as a high school English teacher. Read more

COMMENTS (2) | abuse, children, enlightenment, teaching


	Debra Grossman: Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. It nourishes my soul to learn of such special... Jack russell: Really enjoyed reading the website. I have also have a website about this great dog. Anonymous: Thank God for your blog. After 37 years of being married to an alcoholic,I’ve finally reached my... Anonymous: Thanx 4 da truth Sandra: I am from USA, i am 36 years old, i want to gladly give My testimony of how a spell caster dr.mac@yahoo. com... g: Thank you for your words. As I navigate through marriage with children (11, 5, 3) and I am a stay at home mom, the... Catherine Ellen Pettway: My husband and I married in 1988. He occasionally drank beer but not everyday. He came from... Nic: Thank you Mike for your honesty and vulnerability. It helps to feel a connection with someone who understands... Robert Goldsmith: Thank you for sharing that very intimate experience and your story. I’m married to an... MANDI: Is this group still going? I love my husband and I knew what I was getting into when I married him. I knew he... Kelly: Dear Keith, I hope you are at peace now. You are missed by many. Delilah Campos: Dear LaVora, Thank you so much for sharing this intimate experience. I am deeply touched and... Mary Ellen Bennett: Thank you so much. I am married to an alcoholic and I have watched him go through rehabilitation... Tracy: Thank you for sharing your story with me Ivor. I’m so glad you had a loving supportive Aunt to guide you... Joe Longo: Love this photo Daniel Fontana: I know those kids,especially Snezana.Please send me their contact information. Neyhaaa: I can’t thank you enough for sharing this. Yet, thank you. Amy: My daughter is five and her dad is an alcoholic. I know we need to leave. We both own our house and I... CPC: I think this is among the such a lot important info for me. And i’m happy studying your article. However... online festival: Every year, people in India find different ways to celebrate the same festival, and perhaps this... Karol: Listening to all the mother’s on here is overwhelming for me. I think about what all of you are going... Vicki Osheka: This is my second marriage and I came from a non drinking family. Didn’t realize what I was... Elle: Wel written article. My husband is walking around totally beligerant. Where he ends up making messes, he has... Maren: Thank you for this! 3rd day on Cipralex and a glimmer of hope. Anonymous: I ‘gave in’ recently. I am more hopeful than ever that things will improve for me after... LindaJane Riley: I apologize to everyone who has commented. I didn’t know this story was still active. I would... Rahulbh28: Dear Members, Please help me. . . I’m sharing my painful moments which my brother and my family... rene: Yes i too lived the nightmare for 45 yrs..when in my marriage the last. 10 yrs my alcoholic lived in the same... Grace: I typed in Google search, overcoming childhood loneliness because I am paying attention to some habits that I... Casadina: I am so thankful that I found this website. I am like others on here and my alcoholic is passed out snoring... Grateful: I cannot express how much I appreciate your story. I have been with my alcoholic for 11 years and I do not... Vic: I stumbled upon this beautifully written article because I just “gave in” today. I just picked up my... Carol: I have recently begun to admit that my husband is an alcoholic. My heart is broken… I am pissed… I... TJ: Thank you for this article. You are the first person who seems to understand why I am still married to an... sariah: I wept as I read your story. I am currently learning to detach as well after 20 years of marriage to an... LaVora: Good luck, N. My experience may not be yours. However, I deeply believe that happiness is our birthright. You... nk: Lavora, I am exactly here in my marriage – trying to turn it around. Rgds, N Suzanne: Hi Martin and Cathy. Watched your documentary. You are a wonderful family. Everyone has their struggles, no... admin: Thank you for letting us know. The link is now set to the their new WEB page. We have our dog from them. Linda Jane Riley: About a year ago I was forced to take a step back from all things related to alcoholism. My... SHerry: Your link to the rescue adoption site is for sale with no other info on the dogs. Marleen: Thank you for sharing your story! That’s real inspirating! Julie: Its 4:50am here. I can hear him snoring in the nursery. I brought the baby to bed with me.. He only snores... ld: I thought I was suffering alone. The advice and comments make me feel better and gives me the strength to go on.... Sam: Hi Mike, Very poignant, “There are no grown-ups. We are all children in adult garments” is right on... TJ: Thank You!!! Like “judy” commented above my mind was racing and I felt out of control… My life... Karunakaran: It’s very nice. judy: Thanks for ur writings… it really help my mind to calm down…. where can i go to talk with alot of... Tanya Sousa: We certainly do have to change the way we respond, don’t we Paul? I’m encouraged though. I... Paul Trainer: Thank you, Tanya, this is all so true. As someone who adores starlings too, I know that it is only when... Cathy: In reading I see how difficult it is to be married to an alcoholic husband for 30 years and have now... carrir: You took the words right out of my mouth. Xoxo ceri: What an amazing story of love between step son and step father Caney Texas: Hello! I’ve been reading your site for some time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and... julie: what a wonderful article, she described me to a tee , it was nice to put words to the feelings , I am new to... michele: I am hurting so badly right now, it is taking all the strength and coping ability I have just to get through... denise morini: PLEASE understand that I do not feel redeemed……still 230;……..getting Lexi... Carleen Quesenberry: Denise- It is perplexing that you would write a “feel good” story after you... Jon: While I love the article, I caution those reading the post by “finally AM, me.” I was in a... Wendy Noer: I felt like I was there, good story Melodee, keep writing. Let me know when you finish another one. Anonymous: thank you Sandi: This is great, Mel! Congratulations! I hope to see more of your writings – especially the novel... Sherveen Ashtari: I never forget kind and terrific people, Alex!! I actually beat you to it and sent you an email...