Month: April 2010

Poem: “Lisa” by Beverly McLoughland (biracial)

I found the following treasure at a school bookfair eight years ago. It was buried in a book titled “Through Our Eyes: Poems and Pictures About Growing Up“. I probably picked the book because it had “atypical” (not the usual blonde-haired and blue-eyed) girls on the cover. To see this, I knew it was intentional. I was happy to see children of different races and ethnicities represented on the pages. The book is filled with sweet poems, but we have especially enjoyed this one: 

Lisa

by Beverly McLoughland

Lisa’s father is

Black

And her mother is

White,

And her skin is a

Cinnamon

Delight,

Her hair is

Dark

And her eyes are

Light,

And Lisa is

Lisa,

Day and

Night.

And Lisa is

Lisa,

Night and

Day,

Though there are

People

Who sometimes

Say–

Well, is Lisa

That,

Or is Lisa

This? —

Lisa is

Everything

She is.

Lisa is

Lisa,

Day and

Night,

And her skin is a

Cinnamon

Delight,

And Lisa is

Sun

And Lisa is

Star,

And Lisa is

All

The dreams that

Are.

Cultural Cookies

Cultural Cookies provide a unique way to share the message, “we’re more alike than different!”

We have taken the fun of fortune cookies and combined them with proverbs around the world to show that all human beings share similar experiences in life, no matter how different our backgrounds. 

Proverbs in one culture are frequently similar to proverbs expressed in other cultures. For instance, the French “Qui vole un oeuf vole un boeuf” translates to “He who steals eggs steals cattle,” compared to the American proverb “Give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.”

These fun cookies can be used at home to spark discussion, as icebreakers in the office or classroom, an activity during diversity training, or simply on top your desk as a fun way to remind staff or students that people are much more alike than different.

For more information

Daughter 3 – Blakely

One of the best surprises I’ve had in my life…that’s what Blakely is! Born September 8, 2003. I was 35 when I had her and we have truly enjoyed this precious gift. She is FULL of life! She loves to sing, dance, run, play dress-up (the girl changes at least 4 times a day), and she also crushes on the Jonas Brothers (her favorite is Joe). She LOVES all things Princess Tiana! She is definitely a “daddy’s girl” but I like to think that she’s also a “mommy’s girl” too! We have had some unique experiences with Blakely regarding race that I look forward to discussing at some point. She is truly a joy that keeps us on our toes!

(Many have asked if we’re going to “try for a boy”. When Blakely was around 2, we had some serious discussions about adoption, but now that Sydney is getting ready to go to college, we wonder if  we’re prepared to start over. Suffice to say, it’s still a desire that I pray about).

Yes, I'm really just showing off her dress!

Daughter 2 – McKinley

McKinley is our second daughter and another wonderful blessing! Born July 17, 1995. She is also beautiful, both inside and out, and very different than her older sister. McKinley has a very calm nature. I don’t think we ever had “terrible two’s” with her. She was always easy to redirect and is a very responsible teenager. You don’t ever have to “get on to her” about homework or cleaning her room, she studies hard and loves neat and orderly! Now, she does have a downfall…his name would be Nick Jonas. She just may be his #1 fan! For her 13th birthday we bought tickets for the Jonas Brothers concert (yes, for all of the girls, including me). She told me that she knew it was a longshot, but she entered a contest online to win backstage passes. She told me that she’d really been praying about it and wondered if God would do that for her. The notification day came and went. After youth the following night, she came home to check the voicemail because our youth pastor had left a message. As she listened, she began sobbing (and I mean sobbing)…she said you need to listen…”Hello! This is Team Jonas calling to inform you that you are the winner of backstage passes, please call….”! It has been such an awesome testimony for her and I’m SO thankful that God allowed me to see the precious joy of her answered prayer! Need I say, it was the best 13th birthday a girl could have?

Kevin, McKinley, Nick, Sydney, Joe

Daughter 1 – Sydney

I will be sharing many things about my family on this blog. We have been through a lot and with three girls, we have had lots of experiences! This is Sydney, our oldest daughter. Born November 5, 1991. She is beautiful both inside and out. She is very compassionate and loves people! The last three summers she has been a buddy at a special needs camp and plans on being a pediatric occupational therapist. Sydney is also very creative! She loves art and hates cleaning. She is a very genuine person, a friend to others, and always stands for what she believes in. She is truly a blessing!