No.174: What I Learned in August

1 // I’M OVER SUMMER AND READY FOR FALL.
I know that I’m the odd man out here, but I am just over summer.  We have had a crazy season: so.much.rain followed by sticky hot humidity.  Especially with the beginning of the school year, I’m ready for crisp mornings and cute sweaters.

2 // FALSE CONFESSIONS ARE REAL AND THE REPERCUSSIONS ARE SCARY.  
I’ve been on a bit of a true crime kick this summer.  Many aspects of this genre interest me, but my latest fascination has been false confessions.  Two things that address this issue: the Netflix documentary “The Confession Tapes” and the book The Innocent Man.  It’s scary to think that under great duress, you can be broken enough to say anything and that action could result in life in prison – or worse!  I’m not anti-police department by any means, but I do think that with great power comes great responsibility.  We can do better.

3 // INTROVERTS ARE SO MISUNDERSTOOD,
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and then left feeling like you just weren’t seen or heard?  I had one this month and it wrecked me.  As an introvert, I’m somewhat used to the flippant comments people make about me and how my behavior is perceived, but this one stung. 

4 // I SHOULDN’T BE WASHING THE KIDS’ PLASTIC DISHES IN THE DISHWASHER.
According to this article, they’re recommending that plastic cups and plates not go in the dishwasher.
I knew that microwaving plastic containers was a no-no, but never thought about this.  The kids use plastic plates all the time!  I think we’ll just start slowly transitioning to regular (breakable) plates because the idea of hand-washing everything after every meal sounds exhausting. #firstworldproblems

5 // TEACHERS ARE INCREDIBLY SELFLESS.
I already knew this, but this month brought a bigger realization.  Whether you teach in a public school, private school or even in your own home, the amount of love, time, and resources you pour into your students is astronomical.  What a gift it is for children to learn from such dedicated educators.

6 // MANY OAT PRODUCTS THAT WE EAT CONTAIN UNSAFE AMOUNTS OF WEED KILLER.
And another article about how I’m endangering myself and my family: a large number of cereals, granola bars and instant oats were found to contain potentially dangerous amounts of the main ingredient in weed killer.  WHAT?!  Thanks a lot, Cheerios and Quaker oats.

7 // IT’S A HARD TIME TO BE CATHOLIC.
My heart hurts for the victims and the church I love so much.
P.S. Years ago, I signed up to spiritually adopt a priest.  Every year, you receive the name of a different priest to pray for and shamefully, I would only sporadically remember to include him in my prayers.  As scandal after scandal came to light this month, I felt a sudden urgency to resurrect that prayer card I had carelessly tucked away.  I haven’t missed a day since.  As a mother, this part of the prayer is especially powerful to me:

“Mother of all priests, intercede also for those endangered and straying priests who no longer clearly see the path and the goal, and seek another direction according to their personal biases.  No mother abandons her child when it is in danger.  Oh that you, too, would send your holy Angels with such a sharp warning that they cannot fail to hear it.” (emphasis mine)

Mamas don’t mess around.

Your turn!  What did you learn this month?