Intaglio: Making money and good parenting

Intaglio (/ɪnˈtæli.oʊ/ in-TAL-ee-oh; Italian: [inˈtaʎʎo]) is the family of printing and printmaking techniques in which the image is incised into a surface and the incised line or sunken area holds the ink. It is the direct opposite of a relief print.

Our twins like money, so recently we toured the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Ft. Worth, Texas, which is one of two places in the US where US paper currency is made (Washington, DC is the other).  One of BEP’s taglines is “YES, the buck starts here!”  It was a self-guided tour, complete with personal listening wands, and was a destination of great interest due to a counterfeit $20 we obliviously ended up with after a stop at a shady convenience store earlier this year.  We were mesmerized by the intricate process involved in making money and after the tour we unanimously agreed with one of the engravers who said that every dollar or “note” truly is a masterpiece. 

Throughout the ten viewing spots along the tour we saw the unique cotton/linen blend paper made exclusively by the Crane Paper Company, extreme security measures to prevent counterfeiting (note to self, always check for the watermarks and ribbon), and highly specialized craftsmen, machines, and computers.  We learned about the different images that have appeared on various bills throughout history (remember that ominous eye above the pyramid?) and saw millions of dollars being bundled and made ready for delivery to a Federal Reserve Bank.  All in less than 2 hours, including a stop at the gift shop where the twins paid hard earned cash for fidget spinners designed like a $100.   

The tour of the BEP left two impressions are me – what skill feels like and how intaglio is like parenting.  Each of the artists and employees who spoke about their work had an obvious sense of awe about their skill.  It was inspirational to hear them talk about their contribution to the process of making US paper currency, which one of them called the highest level of work for an engraver.  They were loyal to America but it was more than that, they were proud that they were part of this distinguished, highly accurate (98% of the notes make it to usable bills) national process. They are extraordinarily good, and they knew it, but were refreshingly humble, even grateful, about it.  That must be what true skill feels like. 

The second impression was the intaglio technique and how it is like the kind of parenting I want to do. The precision, the hours of intense etching of the image that was determined before the first line is embedded in the metal plate.  The hours of nickel “growing” on the sheet, then the rough edges chipped off with a scalpel-type tool.  The intense pressure that allows the ink to be applied to the paper.  Each step being so intentional and so permanent.  There are multiple stops during the intaglio process there the notes that are “under construction” are compared to perfect notes at that stage to insure they are on the right track.  I equally marvel at times how intensive good parenting is, how much work is involved. There is not a second that I am not a parent to our twins.  Everything I do will leave a mark on them…what Deuteronomy 6 calls to “impress” or “engrave”…as we walk and talk and sit and rise…I must be intentional. Sure they have their own quirks, preferences, gifts…but let’s be honest, I as their parent am leaving permanent etches on them, the most permanent.  But just like in the intaglio process, I know that there are these other layers, others who are influencing them, chiseling, pressuring, as well.  Friends, teachers, church, media, books – and while I can’t control much of these, I can be present.  I can be supportive.  I can be deliberate as a parent.

Since our visit to the BEP I have looked about my money a bit differently, with more appreciation for the craftsmanship and what the symbols represent.  I have also thought about my parenting -what I etching on our twins every hour of every day in the way I talk to the grocery cashier, drive in rush hour traffic, sing along with the radio, hang out at home, serve on Sunday mornings, or spend money? Perhaps you could take a road trip to the Ft. Worth Bureau of Engraving and Printing soon for your own inspiration – by the way, the tours are free!

Clap-off

Our twins ended 5th grade last week with the ceremonial clap-off. The entire school stood in the hallways after the awards assembly and as the 5th graders walked throughout the school they were cheered and celebrated...high fives, fist pumps, and lots of smiles and screams.  I actually managed to capture it on my phone and when we watched it later I was struck most by their teachers' faces as they walked ahead of the parading students.  The best word I can come up with to describe those looks is "content".
I am sure they were relieved the year was wrapping up - the state tests pressure, mounds of homework, end of year events...but it was not relief I saw shining in their eyes and through their smiles, it was contentment, "We did the job we were hired to do and we have no regrets...it was all worthwhile and we gave it our best."  
I was reminded of one of my favorite proverbs, 10:7 "The memory of the righteous is blessed".  Those teachers left nothing on the track, they taught every day, all day. They were blessings to us this year and when 5th grade is remembered by our twins it is those teachers' attitudes, kindness, and work that will always ALWAYS be etched in their hearts and minds. What a legacy!  Funny thing, each of their teachers told us what blessings the twins had been to them this year. I think that is what the proverbs means...not only will your memories be blessed as one who acts/does right, but the memories others have of you will be blessings, as well.
I hope your school year has ended with a clap-off for you...filled with lots of celebration and gratitude.  No regrets, no shame...but good memories and blessings - both for you and your students.

Pulling Weeds

My friend Karen, who is wonderful for many many reasons, came over the other day to help me pull weeds from my flower beds.  She is a master at landscaping, beating me at tennis, and encouraging everyone who knows her.  A blessing, for sure.  While we picked we talked about our dreams and fears for our kids.  Both of us have heavy hearts and big questions for each of our kids right now and it seemed right to share those while we dug in the dirt under a bright Texas sun.  When we did as much as we could do without a weed eater or mower, we stood together with dirt and sweat between us and prayed out loud for our kids and for each other as moms.  Then we wiped our tears, hugged, and rushed off to what was next.
One of my favorite things about being a Christian is this beautiful reality that other people love my kids, and help Doug and I point them to embracing in FULL the love of God. Besides Karen and her prayers, Pam and Berwyn have done that each Sunday this year during Sunday School and other times they pour their deep kindness into their little flock of 5th graders.  I swear one of the reasons we moved here was for our twins to spend an hour or more a week with these two real-life saints.

I find myself praying this for the twins often...that they will be sharpened by others (Prov. 27:17) - teachers, family, friends, coaches, etc. who love them and help them pull the weeds out of the gardens of their thoughts, dreams, plans (Phil.1:27).  People who will help them be like big trees planted by rivers of living water who bear fruit (Psalm 1:1-3) and thrive, with deep roots (Col.2:7) that hold them steady and strong.
I need them and so do the twins.  There are only so many weeds 2 hands can pull.
 

You smell like church

Most of what we learn is unconscious - and the rest we learn through our senses. So that means good teaching is first, modeling, and second, ALWAYS considering multi-modalities...teaching so that they see it, hear it, do it.  John Dewey was right learning = experience.
I was reminded of this yesterday when I walked into the school cafeteria to greet my learners for the day. 7 year old Larisa jumped up and gave me a huge hug which resulted in her face being smashed into my tummy.  She pulled back and smiled...then in her front toothless, African American vernacular ,she said, "you smell just like church".  I stepped back,"Did you say I smell like church?" "That's right - you been to church? cuz you smell just like church."  I thought about that for a second and hugged her, "No one has ever said that to me before - thank you! That is the best compliment anyone has given me in a long time!"
We talked on Sunday and Wednesday with the kids about how Jesus, after being celebrated and honored with a parade of "Hosanna!"s immediately left the cheers and went to a small room, knelt down, and washed the mud and grim off the disciples' feet.  I am pretty sure that did not smell great, but I know the disciples learned a lesson they never forgot...and here's hoping we don't either.  Being the church means serving. Being a good teacher means kneeling down and hugging, wiping away tears, showing what it means to be kind, and being the person that each student needs... and wants to be like.
One of the classes I was in this week as a sub was pretty difficult.  Lots of behavior issues, which means emotional and physical needs bigger than the kids. As I got in the car to leave school that day, I thought about the teacher of those God-created kiddos and prayed for her...knowing that the next day she would be kneeling down and serving, smelling like the church.

Enjoying Claire

I so hope you have a Claire in your life.  She's the one who makes you smile before she even gets up close.  My Claire usually has fuzzy hair pulled back in a side pony, bright blue eyes fully attentive on the person she is talking to, and JOY!  I see my Claire on Sunday mornings and Wednesday at church and just knowing I will see her makes me feel happier.
On Wednesday I was the guest host for our Family Worship and every question I asked, game we played, song we sang Claire was all-in, encouraging me with her smile, attention, and comments like "That sounds fun!" and "Thank you, Mrs. Margo!"
Yesterday I heard a sermon while driving to the Y on "Taking Delight in Children".  Of course I thought of our twins and all the things I love and cherish about them - laughter, creativity, jokes, prayers, snuggling... but I also thought about the 7th grader in the class I had subbed in the day before who was a NIGHTMARE -rude, disruptive, belligerent...you name it this kid was it.  As I listened to the sermon I wondered if anyone took delight in him.  I sighed a heavy sigh, realizing probably not if his hygiene, clothes, attitude were any indication.  I wished things had gone better between us, so I prayed for him, and for me...to be more thoughtful of the kids who are harder to enjoy.
I also thought of my Claire when I heard the pastor read the verses about how Jesus blessed the children and seemed to take delight in them.  I was challenged to tell the children in my life how much I like them and appreciate specific things about them...to give them verbal blessings.
So Claire, here goes:
Claire, you are so full of joy and you make me joyful, too.  I appreciate your encouraging words and happy attitude.  I notice when you take time to talk to the other kids, especially the new ones.  You are such a gift to me when you help with our materials and games.  Thank you for being in my life!  I love you for who you are and am so glad God made you!

Hallmark may not sell the cards but yesterday was International Woman's Day and I celebrated by reading about an amazing teacher.

Everyday. She showed up everyday and taught "from her heart".  It was 1960, New Orleans, and Barbara Henry, a white woman from Boston, took the job over the phone for a 1st grade class.  I can't imagine what she was thinking when she made her way through the screaming, angry crowd as she entered and left school .  Or when she waited for her class of students and no one showed up. Or when she first looked into the bright eyes of 6 years old Ruby Nell Bridges, her only student.   They ate lunch together, did jumping jacks, sang, and learned reading and math, neither missing a day of school that year.  She was hired to be a teacher and that is what she did, and she did it well.  What courage! 

How can we be courageous today?  

To see Ruby and Mrs. Henry's reunion check out:   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwb5xsRO1yc

What we get to do.

Orange post-it note, #2 pencil and first grade spelling: “thank you for comeing”, followed by 2 sketched balloons and a heart.  She handed it to me as I was lining up the 19 students in a classroom where I had been the substitute teacher for the day.  Such a genuine act of hospitality from someone I had just met, and not very old either.  4 words that made me feel noticed, appreciated and valuable.  I was reminded again what an honor it is to be a teacher, and how important hospitality and encouragement are for each of us.

Welcome to my blog!  If you love working with children at school, church, community center, or home, I invite you in...to be celebrated and encouraged, and even inspired, to do the meaningful work of teaching, coaching, parenting, loving children.   What an amazing job we get to do!