Here’s the real me

The wonder of children learning in the world around them has inspired me as far back as I can remember.

Ever since my first job, I have sought opportunities to be in the presence of children as they explore. From babysitter to camp counselor to earning a degree in education, my work has not strayed far from the life of children.

And when motherhood arrived for me, I became a full-time witness of two boys who have become my greatest teachers. 

I was an out-of-the-box thinker as an educator before having kids. Yet, when these two humans arrived in my life, I realized how different it is to raise children.

Writing heals the heart

I was about four years old the first time I spun a tale that taught me about the story’s power to heal. On the surface, it was about a laundry basket and placing clothes inside of it. But it carried a far deeper meaning and story for my four-year-old self, and I understood the strength of writing.

Growing up, I used the sacred place of non-judgmental notebooks to collect and hold all the pieces of my heart. Although the pieces fell apart more than once, and I wasn’t always brave enough to share my words, I eventually found my writer’s voice for the world.

Shannon the Photographer

Outside of mothering and writing, I am completely smitten with photography because it teaches me about witnessing and capturing the tiny details. Through the camera’s lens, I understand how beauty and brutality can hold the same space. And with the push of a button, I can capture that moment.

 I am also fond of following a wise teacher’s advice to “get my happy hormones hopping” through physical activity. I enjoy a wide variety of pursuits, including hula hooping and playing hockey. I learned the art of hoop dancing in my late thirties and picked up hockey at age 45, so who says we ever have to stop playing? In fact, play is probably what I love the most about being around children. 

 I’d love to know more about who you are! As my friend, Patti Digh, says, “The shortest distance between two people is a story.” What story might shorten the distance between you and me? I can’t wait to hear it. 

Motherhood – the greatest inspiration

So it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that when motherhood pushed me to my own edges, I turned to story. The healing journey of writing offered a way to raise myself into the mother my children needed. 

I poured out my observations onto the pages. And eventually, I found my way to the truths I needed to love my children, free of conditions. You’ll find these words in the archive of this site, and it’s an honor to share them with you.

Our family was blessed with the resources needed for me to stay home full-time with my children so that we could learn together. We have walked a non-traditional educational path, hoping to preserve a love of learning to serve our children for a lifetime. 

School has always been an option, along with a host of other rich learning opportunities. From where we stand now, I can see this preservation of passions has served both my boys well. They are now dipping their toes into more traditional learning spaces and thriving.