This video describes the effort of children who donated boxes full of books, along with hand made bookmarks and cheery messages. The exchange was a win win... children from Lumberg were showered with fresh reading material, and the kids at Rocky Mountain Academy practiced compassion in real time. It sounds like they became more grateful for their own libraries in the process. 

The schools in Philly are in a bad way. Budget cuts have slashed many frills like paper, janitors, secretaries and music teachers. While I am not sure how to help plaster the holes in their lack I can take a lesson from the fourth graders at Rocky Mountain. 

The other day John and I were feeling snippy. Well, I was feeling snippy. He probably just had his guard up, for no particular reason. The calendar said it was time to meet with a mentor couple, so we headed to the car. Well, I headed to the car. I started the engine, thinking that would get him to pick up the pace upstairs on the other side of the house. It didn't. I considered driving away, letting him arrive late in another car. But I redirected my attention to the radio and he came whooshing out the door without a coat. Probably he hoped to garner sympathy by being underdressed in the night air. 

After we settled in on the couch we began with check ins and brag time. I forgot to be miffed. Listening to another couple crowded out the annoyances that half an hour ago were front and center. Frankly their commentary was more interesting than my rants. 

When we drove home I remembered that John had hurried out the door without a jacket. I was tempted to give him mine, but the drive was short. I plotted to cuddle with him instead.