13 Hours of Rain

During the last week, I graced my workplace for a few hours a day. I cleaned out the clutter left by the previous teacher and started to accomplish the tasks on my ritual "Beginning of the Year" To-Do list. It felt strange to leave my daughter behind in the care of my husband. Don't get me wrong. My husband is absolutely wonderful with our daughter. It just seemed different reversing roles after the last year. Previously, we were fairly traditional in our division of labor. He went to work. I stayed home. He engaged himself in math and science. I immersed myself in domestic duties. He monitored the progress of hundreds of students. I invested time in one child. Now, our lives will be slightly unconventional. I will be the primary breadwinner. He will be the primary caregiver. Our traditional routine was very comfortable and predictable, especially for me. Change and I are not necessarily the best of friends! I'd keep things at status quo if I had the power to manipula...

It was a typical moment in my husband's side of the family. Several of us were gathered around the dining room table. Remnants of the latest game were scattered in the background; sounds of delightful squeals drifted along the mid-summer breeze; and the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted in from the kitchen. We started to converse about various topics. No agenda. Just whatever. The participants were diverse: men, women, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, parents, and children. A potpourri of opinions were offered. Encouragement was generously bestowed. And people's diverse views were respected. It was a beautiful and refreshing moment, a moment when the hierarchical structures and gender divisions were erased and people were free to share their thoughts as equals. I struggle with hierarchies and gender norms establish by society on both the micro and macro level. Sometimes such structures or norms give me a sense of comfort. I often take pride in implicitly f...

My husband was "reading" Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to our daughter earlier this evening. Here is his enhanced version: Once upon a time there was a girl named Snow White and a Queen who had image problems. Snow White would often clean the steps. She seemed to enjoy it. One day the Queen realized that she wasn't the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. Rather, Snow White was the most beautiful. Since she could not handle coming in second, the Queen sent out a hunter to kill Snow White. But he couldn't. He killed an animal instead. Snow White fled for her life and encountered seven little men called the dwarfs. They were happy people, except for Grumpy. Meanwhile, the Queen turned herself into the ugliest woman in the kingdom. Then she killed Snow White with an poisonous apple. [Snow White, having led such a sheltered life away from the real world, accepted the gift without hesitation.] The dwarfs came home early from work and chased the Queen up the mountain w...

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy with not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. (Hebrews 12:14-15) I had the privilege of witnessing two beautiful wedding ceremonies during the month of July. While the style of each wedding was different, the spirit behind the event was identical. In front of beaming family and friends, two individuals pledged to be faithful to the each other until the end of their days. Furthermore, the witnesses on the stage as well as in the pews were exhorted to support the couples in fulfilling their vows. It brought back wonderful memories of our special day. Yet I ask, in honest sincerity, how do we support couples in fulfilling their vows? Why do I ask? Ever since my husband and I began our marriage only a few years ago, I have encountered several marriages...