A Star is Born

 High School musicals sure have come a long way since my directing days in Nebraska at St. Agnes Academy or St. Paul Public High School. Case in point--Lakewood High School's recent production of Anastasia.  Oh my, the staging, the set, and THE TALENT. This isn't a review of this production, but I can't go on without mentioning the vocal and acting talent of Kate Yorga (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna), Morgan Fritzler (Anya/Anastasia), Noah Schuster (Demitri), and Ethan Hoover (Vlad).The immense amount of talent in these four young adults is mind boggling, and a whole world of possibilities awaits them.

I'm here to rave about a budding new talent, Madison Lee Schultz. Madi, one of our Royal Babies (see here) (and here)  and my first-ever great niece, stole the show as young Anastasia and melted our hearts with her innocent portrayal of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. Could a first acting role be more perfect for a Royal Baby??

Madi auditioned for this part last fall. I saw a video of her audition, and there was no doubt in my mind that she would become  a member of the cast. This little girl can project. She sang "Do You Want to Build a Snowman," all alone, on a huge stage, with no microphone. Her voice filled the auditorium. She got the part, alright, and we couldn't wait for her big debut.

Sitting in the gorgeous Lakewood High School theatre several months later, my heart raced. The director in me knew that the scene behind the stage was anything but calm. Actors, directors, tech crew, and musicians were surely zooming around getting last minute costumes, props, and lights ready to go. I sensed that backstage energy and my own nerves reacted. At about that time, Madi's mom Ana approached my seat. "Nervous wreck" was written all over her face. Just like the gymnast's mom or the quarterback's mom or the prima ballerina's mom, Ana rehearsed in spirit with Madi. She knew every line, every note, and every move of Madi's character, and she channeled her energy to her daughter backstage. Before Ana headed back to her seat, she asked if I had read Madi's bio in the program. I had not, but after we hugged and I wished her good luck, I turned to the beautiful, professional program.

And saw this--

If I thought I wasn't going to cry, that was put to rest right there. Our sweet Madi is always looking out for everyone, 

Madi was one of the first actors to take the stage. Appearing in the prologue as young Anastasia in a flashback scene, she confidently and convincingly played her part. Enough so that tears flowed, not just my own, but a quick glance down my row revealed several audience members dabbing at their eyes. She danced elegantly with Tsar Nicholas (her dad) and sang sweetly, "Once upon a December," with the Dowager (her Nana). Her heartbreaking cry "Nana!" ended her first scene as the Dowager left town for Paris, but not before leaving little Anastasia a special music box to remember her.

Photos with blue background courtesy of Lakewood High yearbook staff.

If Madi's acting ability was ever in question, that was quickly put to rest. She appeared near the end of the first act as a completely different character. She played the part of a young refugee fleeing Russia with her family. Her moving performance--sad, scared, confused--ended Act One. Images of Ukrainian children and their families filled my mind and heart. It was impossible not to get emotional seeing this reminder of history repeating itself. Intermission provided a much-needed pause after this heart-wrenching scene. 

Madi made playing the part of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia seem like a piece of cake, but it couldn't have been. She's an 8 year old whose real life is filled to the brim with school and family and friends and activities. She attended rehearsals after school and some evenings and weekends but still kept up with it all. She had never acted before, yet she owned the stage in all her appearances. 

It's almost like this Royal Baby was born for this part 😀  👑

A few fans of Madison Lee

Violet

Every child begins the world again.

                                                                                      Thoreau

Violet Paige Rischling 

8.8.19

Royal Baby #11

One of my favorite phone calls this year was from my niece Jill telling me that she and Todd were expecting baby number two.  At brunch with my bestie, I almost dropped my iPhone into my avocado toast--I wasn't expecting that at all.  I made her repeat it several times as I wiped away tears.  That was last spring although it seems just a few short weeks ago, and here we are now with a new little miracle in our family.  Unlike her big sister Lucy (see here), Violet Paige made a quiet, healthy, and drama-free debut, and she has captured all of our hearts.

and then there were four

I couldn't wait to meet Violet (and see Lucy!), and fortunately I didn't have to wait too long.  Mom and I made a trip to Lincoln two weeks after she arrived.  From the first moment I held her in my arms all they way to our tearful goodbye several days later, I wanted to learn as much as I could about her--I knew it could be months until I would see her again.  I wanted to store everything about her in my heart.

At two weeks old, Violet was already Miss Personality Plus.  I quickly understood that Violet

is a snuggle bunny 

has tiny, tiny perfect hands

and scrawny scrawny little legs

looks like her sister

knows when she's hungry

seldom cries

focuses on light

and most of all

loves to be held!

And how lucky for all of us because holding Violet is everything.  The surprising warmth of her tiny body, that newborn scent better than any aroma therapy, and those soul-reaching baby blue eyes are now committed forever to my memory.

Whether in the arms of her mom

or dad

or big sister Lucy

Violet nestles in, content and peaceful.

Or it could be Beanie and JoJo

or Grandma and Grandpa Rischling

or Grams

or Kyle and Ashlie

or me💖

cuddling Violet in our arms brings new glitter and energy into our family and, yes, begins our world again.

one month old and still loving being in Lucy's arms

YAY! Kindergarten Teachers!

If it's not already out there somewhere, there really should be one of those YAY! magnets for kindergarten teachers.  You know the magnets I'm talking about--I have several:

I am in awe of kindergarten teachers.  I've aways thought they were amazing, but I came to see them as extraordinary when my first great nephew Ethan started school three years ago (read the story here).  Mrs. Aten, his teacher, provided him and his classmates a classroom filled with books, learning opportunities, comfort, safety, and so much love.

This year, three more Royal Babies stepped into the world of kindergarten.  Drake, Max, and Madi couldn't wait for that first day of school--they arrived with backpacks, curious minds, and big hearts.  While all three were in different classrooms with different teachers, the growth achieved by all has been nothing short of miraculous.  

Nebraska Kindergarten

Drake has the same teacher that Ethan had.  Mrs. Aten's kindergarten classroom buzzes  with activity as five and six year olds count and say the alphabet and write letters and stories and sing songs and read.  Yes, READ!  A few months ago I helped Drake with his sight words for that week.  At that time, he recognized quite a few words but wasn't reading books.  Low and behold, being in the hands of Mrs. Aten for six months, Drake can read.  An entire book!  I truly believe she has super powers.  How does one even begin to teach someone to read??  I ask this as a retired English teacher!   I am in awe, Mrs. Aten.

(press play!)

Can I please be at Table 3???

A complete sentence, with correct capitalization and punctuation.

Colorado Kindergarten

Madi's teacher, Mrs. Smith, is amazing.  She has nurtured and guided Madi this year, allowing her natural personality to shine.  Mrs. Smith uses an online portfolio where students showcase their growth.  Here is Madi discussing her love of numbers.

click for Madi's portfolio

And here is Madi reading.  READING!

click for Madi reading

And if that's not enough, Madi has gone from writing her name to writing letters of the alphabet to writing words and now to writing complete sentences and stories.  

I went to Macedonia. I went to Greece. I went swimming. I felt happy!

Mrs. Smith has known Madi for six months.  She encourages Madi to be confident, to be a helper, and to be a leader, and Madi's light shines brighter than ever.  I am in awe, Mrs. Smith.  You are a superhero!

Max's teacher, Mrs. Levett, does it all.  Under her guidance, Max not only counts past 100 and recognizes a variety of site words, but he, too, READS!  How is this possible??  And to top that off, Mrs. Levett has brought the Picasso out of Max.  He loves to draw and create, and his work is nothing short of stunning.  His colorful drawings are truly works of art, and his multi-dimensional projects show his advanced spatial development.  Mrs. Levett, I want your super powers--I am in awe!

a summer moth, complete with antennae

this flower is pure magic

bulletin board worthy!

(press play!)

Mission accomplished

When asked what makes a superhero, the late great Stan Lee said 

A superhero is a person who does heroic deeds and has the ability to do them in a way that a normal person couldn't.  So in order to be a superhero, you need a power that is more exceptional than any power a normal human being could possess, and you need to use that power  to accomplish good deeds.

Mr. Stan Lee, I present to you Mrs. Aten, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Levett, and every kindergarten teacher out there.  Heroic deeds?  Exceptional powers?  Good deeds?  Check, check, and check.  Their heroic and exceptional powers give five and six year olds the ability to uncover their very own super powers by teaching them to count and add and draw and write and think and reason and dream.  And READ!

Thank you, Mrs. Aten, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Levett, Mrs. Smaha (my kindergarten teacher!), and all the superheroes who love, nurture, guide, encourage, and, yes, teach our kids.

2018 and Those Hidden Messages

I'm taking time during this lull between Christmas and New Years to reflect on my first full year as a retired English teacher.  I promised myself that I would take a year before I even thought about what life after lesson planning and essay grading would look like for me.  I wanted/needed to just have some time to breathe.  And that's exactly what I've done.  Some pretty clear themes emerged over this past year (and a half 😊) that give me a glimpse into where my heart gravitates and perhaps are messages just waiting for me to hear.  I noticed them as I put together my Christmas letter and summarized my year in the shape of a Christmas tree.

or as Instagram would put it

Here are the themes that popped out at me.

Wanderlust

I love to travel!  I always have.  Whether road trips back to Nebraska or leaving on a jet plane to Minnesota or big cities or warm beaches, just say the word, and I'm gone.  This year my travels took me to Nebraska twice--to celebrate birthdays, to see Jackson Browne, and most importantly to be with family.  I also got to go to Christmas Lake twice, too--to spend Easter with my family and back again to celebrate Mom's 90th birthday.  2018 also brought me my first ever trip to New York City--to see Springsteen on Broadway and to explore Manhattan.  I've had the Big Apple on my bucket list for a very long time, and how fun it was to check this one off.  And oh how wonderful it was to return to San Diego.  My sister Kerri and nephew Gabe were the best traveling buddies for Mom and me as we continued Mom's 90th birthday celebration at the Pacific Terrace Hotel on Pacific Beach.  We stayed there five years ago, and we were delighted to find that the hotel is as fabulous as it was back then, and many of our favorite restaurants are still there.  My wanderlust definitely was satisfied this year.

Travels near and far

Royal Babies 

I don't know where I would be without our Royal Babies--all ten of them!  Being an aunt, and now a great aunt, has been my greatest joy in life, and now that I'm retired, I get to experience so many of their events and celebrations.  This year, two more sweet babies joined our family--Nora Marie (Nate and Lindsey) in June and Atlas Thompson (Amy and Austin) in October.  I met Nora when we were in Minnesota in August, and I fell immediately under her spell.  She is a little doll!  Since Atlas was born right here in the Denver area, I got to meet him when he was 36 hours old.  I didn't want to stop holding him then, and i still can't get enough of him.  They join Ethan, now 8 and a big, happy 3rd grader.  Three of The Royals started kindergarten this year--Drake, Max, and Madi.  These 5 year olds love being in school and are learning so much.  Lucy Mae is 4 and loves dresses , Barbies, and singing.  Quinn, 3, is our animal lover and Little Miss Smiley Face.  Archer is 3 and in pre-school and loves being Atlas's big brother.  And finally Russell turned 2 in November and has everyone under his thumb, especially his grandparents Kerri and Marty and his three uncles.  How grateful I am to be their great aunt.

The Royals

Family

Always the clearest theme in my life is this big, beautiful Thompson family of mine.  I am happiest in the midst of them, especially when all 35 of us are together.  That happened this summer as we all gathered to celebrate our Mom/Grams for her 90th birthday.  We spent the Christmas Lake weekend boating and swimming and tubing and eating and laughing and celebrating Mom, and despite the unique personalities, that Thompson blood runs strong through all 35 of us and binds us together, forever.  And speaking of my Mom, at 90 years and 4 months, she is vibrant, smart as a tack, happy and as loving as ever.  We are all so grateful to have her in our lives.

The Thompsons

The Writer in Me

Although not an obvious theme, I do continue to enjoy writing.  I wrote blog posts for most of the major happenings in 2018.  If you're interested, you can click on any of the red words, and you will be directed to a post on that subject.  I also branched out a bit and wrote a few articles for Cavalier Rescue USA, a non-profit rescue group for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.  Several of these articles took me out of my comfort zone, but I learned so much while researching and writing.  I adore this group--it helps me fill a hole in my heart.

Which brings me to the elephant in the blog post.  2018 had barely started when I lost my Sweet Juliet.  I was so unprepared for the sorrow her death brought--my heart was broken, and the sorrow shadowed most of my year.  I felt it most in the fall.  Jewel and I loved our walks around our neighborhood, and we especially loved crunching through fall leaves and stopping to enjoy the colors and smells of autumn.  I couldn't bring myself to take walks without her, but I made myself go in the fall.  I needed to see the beauty again, and so off I went, searching for color.  But it just wasn't there.  I thought maybe I went too early, and so I made myself go a few weeks later, but the leaves were already dropping, leaving trees almost bare.  Even my favorite spots lacked the reds and golds I love so much.  This fall was disappointing, to say the least.  Maybe it had something to do with the weather we had, or maybe my timing was off, or maybe it was that shadow dulling my view.  Whatever it was, I truly hope next fall is better.

Shadows aren't ever permanent, and it took a baby to shine a light through this one.  Our little Atlas entered this world in the most miraculous way, a story for his mom and dad to share, but his strength and will ushered him in on his terms.  When I held him for the first time, 36 hours after his birth, I felt the light shine all the way through my heart.  That feeling of emptiness was gone, and I finally felt a true sense of happiness.  I'll always miss my girl, but I smile and have a warm feeling now when I think of her.

A baby changes everything

I'm smiling now as I get ready to bid adieu to 2018, thinking about Jewel and Royal Babies and family and hidden messages just waiting to be discovered.  I'm watching the ball getting ready to drop in Times Square (hey--I was there!).  

My champagne glass and heart are full as I toast to Jewel and see her tail wagging, her big brown eyes shining, and hear her softly snoring.

And here's to our Royal Babies and all the big, beautiful Thompson family as I carry your laughter and love with me into 2019.

And here's to travels near and far as I dream of home and beaches and sunshine.

And here's to retirement as I piece together themes and messages and look forward to discovering a new direction.

And to you, my friends, as I reflect on the joy of kindred spirits and soul sisters.

Wishing you all a new year full of love and happiness--Happy 2019!

Ringing in 2019 with books and bubbles

Total Eclipse of the Heartland

A total solar eclipse swept across the entire continental United States on August 21, 2017.  The buzz began years before--people made plans all over the world to visit a site along the path.  Hotels sold out months, even years, in advance by those with the foresight to plan ahead.  The procrastinators were left scrambling for accommodations, and many resorted to sleeping in cars in the middle of a parking lot or field.  

The Heavens aligned for this particular eclipse to allow almost anyone in the U.S. to catch a glimpse if desired.  The path of totality ran straight through the Heartland of America, and a partial eclipse spread even wider.  A simple road trip could lead anyone to a view of the eclipse.  

And so road trip I did.  

Colorado sunflowers, Sonic, Bruce, Eclipse glasses, and the Platte

I grew up in Nebraska so I had a choice of places to go.  My hometown of Alliance, Nebraska was right in the path of totality, and the city planned many celebrations.  Major television stations set out to observe from our own Carhenge.  I decided against that choice since my family isn't there anymore. 

My brother Mark lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, which also was in the path, but the length of totality was not at peak.  I decided to tag Lincoln on to the end of my eclipse trip.

That left me with Cairo, Nebraska--right smack in the middle of the path and offering the longest possible view of the total solar eclipse.  Of course I wouldn't have known any of this if it weren't for my sister Peg, a science nerd through and through.  She started talking about it way back in the spring.  Plus, she lives in Cairo--how perfect was that!  

In order to get an unobstructed view, we watched from her friend's house on a golf course.  After a little bit of a morning freak out with mostly cloudy skies, we settled in with lawn chairs, mimosas, yummy food, and family.  We rationalized that even with  clouds, we would still get to see the darkening sky and feel the temperature drop.  But then a miracle happened--the clouds dissipated, the skies cleared to a bright blue, and we were on our way to a perfect view of totality.  

We watched, with our eclipse glasses, as the moon carved a small crescent into the sun at 11:33 am.  We watched that crescent grow as it covered a fourth of the sun and then half and then three quarters.  At this point there was a definite change in the sky as it took on a late afternoon look.  Right before the moon took over completely, the temperature dropped to a cool evening feel and the sky darkened.  Birds started acting strange, crickets chirped, stars came out, and we even saw Venus in the middle of the day.  At 12:58 pm, the moon covered the sun and we had totality.  For the next 2 minutes and 34 seconds we gazed at the blocked sun.  Without glasses!  We saw it all--solar flares, the sparkling corona of the sun's edges, Bailey's elusive beads.  And the diamond ring!!  I wanted to see that most of all.  We saw it just as totality ended.  We all cheered.  I choked up a bit.  I have never seen anything as amazing as that--I now understand why people travel the world to witness a total eclipse.

And then the sun began to emerge and back on went our eclipse glasses.  The sky lightened, the temperature quickly heated up, and our little neck of the woods returned to normal.

My sister posted this quote by Fred Espenak (Mr. Eclipse) a few days later--

"But within those few precious minutes people have joined an exclusive club of the most spectacular thing you can see with a human eye. There are few events in life that leave a permanent, indelible impression," he said, and "a total eclipse of the sun is just such an event."

I am thrilled to be a member of that exclusive club.

Diamond rings, Total eclipse of the heart shirts, eclipse glasses

My words pale compared to those of a four-year-old--here is Drake's story:

While the Total Eclipse was an amazing event, it was just one of three on my Nebraska road trip.  I got to see almost all of my Nebraska family.  First up:

Kearney and Elm Creek

Bike rides, Apple trees, Board games, Hotel fun

Royal babies, nieces, sisters, Mom, and Jewel

Onward to Lincoln

UNL, Ice cream, State capital, Amazing elevator, Views

Royal babies, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters, kisses, and Mom

I never imagined seeing a solar eclipse would end up being so unforgettable.  And seeing my family along this week-long road trip really did make this a Total Eclipse of the Heart!

Reason to Believe