"I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry"

3 March 2026: 

   

This morning, I came across the program from my dad's funeral services. My eyes went to the lyrics for this hymn, which we sang at the end. I can remember those moments so clearly, feeling comfort on his behalf--the Lord had him now--and incredible sadness for us, who didn't have him anymore.

This morning, I once again found myself crying at both its reassuring beauty and the ache that remains in his absence.

Crying again hours later, typing this, thinking about yet another funeral this weekend, this one for Troy.

So much in the world is (still) so very hard. I mean, my God, another war? 

The Lord is here for us, though, and has been since the beginning.

"This human life"

2 March 2026: 

"...But from the inside 

this life feels enormous, unlimited 

by the self—by selfness—"

Grateful to come across this Maggie Smith poem in my "Poem-a-Day" email. Sometimes I think about the vastness Smith writes about here and then wonder about the vastness in others. 

It seems to me one of the great projects--responsibilities, even--of living is acknowledging that vastness in others. Getting glimpses of it is often one of life's great pleasures. 

(This is also why the two most recent papers I've been working with my students on--profiles--are so rewarding.)

"On the Dark Side"

1 March 2026: Just saw that Eddie and the Cruisers is streaming on Pluto TV. My dad always loved that movie and the hit from it: "On the Dark Side." 

Listening to it now and thinking of him. Makes me cry and it makes me smile. 

First open window in months...

28 February 2026: I have to close them soon as the evening draws near, but temperatures in the mid-60s today have made for a couple of open windows and a couple of very happy cats. 

Come on, spring!

Ciao Pasta

27 February 2026: Very excited to have found a new restaurant: Ciao Pasta in Hagerstown. Fresh, real Italian food. A perfect dinner after seeing the fun-enough-but-not-great Scream 7.

Farewell to Tracy...

26 February 2026: Our wonderful registrar's retirement reception was today. She's been such a steady presence during all of my time at Shepherd. I'll miss her a great deal. 

She told me, "I guess it's up to you to keep things on track now..." Ha! 

Legacies...

25 February 2026: Today I was working with Grady, one of my English 102 students, on his essay. It's a profile of Matt, the coach of his mountain biking team. Grady is working out how best to make the point he wants to make: that Matt has impacted so many lives. Coaching, of course, is a kind of teaching. 

And that had me thinking about teaching in general. No need to write it because I've written it so many times before but here it is again: the time I spent today in the classroom and with my students in my office? The best part of the day.

I've been thinking a lot about legacies lately; losing your dad, seeing your best friend lose her partner, and then losing a cousin in three months will do that to you. 

So, too, will a messed up world get you wondering about what difference you can make.

There are so many reasons a career in teaching is a gift, but the clearest reason is how, if you do it even kind of right, you are leaving a legacy. 

Thought about that some more this afternoon when I recognized a former student working at Walgreen's. I just had him for one semester--in English 204--but the very kind (and unprompted) things he said about that class today almost got me teary.

I kept thinking about it all as I moved to the greeting card section to pick up sympathy cards for my aunt, uncle, and cousins. And then I really got teared up, right there in Walgreen's. (Getting emotional at the pharmacy? It's happened a few times before.) 

I am not saying teaching will be my whole legacy someday, but if it's most of it? That's enough.

Singing telegram...

24 February 2026: Another long day, but one highlight was delivering a "Happy Birthday" singing telegram to Aidan, who turned 21 today. He's such a good kid: friendly, kind, and genuinely fun to talk to. 

Pranks in heaven?

23 February 2026: My cousin Troy died today, after a long battle with cancer. He was a good guy with a mischievous streak that matched Ryan's. So today I find myself wondering if there are pranks in heaven, because if so, it's about to be a bit more "lit" up there. (A hidden reference there to one of their favorite pranks.)

Just so much loss this winter. It's overwhelming and I don't know what to say to my aunt, uncle, and cousins. But I'll do my best and start with "I'm just so sorry."

Editor hat...

22 February 2026: Got to wear my (Associate) "Editor hat" today as I finally spent a decent chunk of time going over a manuscript on Alcott that we're hoping to publish in the same series that my book is part of. I've been in this kind of role in much smaller ways--journal articles, a special issue of Studies in American Humor--but this is more intense--and cool! I am not sure how up I'd be for the head editor role, but this stuff? So far--fun, interesting, and the good kind of challenging. 

Academic Showdown!

21 February 2026: Had a lot of fun moderating three games at this Academic Showdown held on campus today. Channeled my inner Ken Jennings, though I will admit I was nervous! I didn't want to mess anything up for these wonderfully nerdy high school kids. 

"Too Late"

20 February 2026: We've had a good week in my seminar (I think?), moving through a week of stories by Rose Terry Cooke. She's an author who fascinates me, but I wasn't sure if students would feel the same way. 

Of the stories we did this week (which also included "Mrs. Flint's Married Experience," "How Celia Changed Her Mind," and "Freedom Wheeler's Controvery with Providence"), "Too Late," which we discussed today, is probably the hardest sell. But I think they appreciated it--both its artistry and its enduring value. 

What a blast it's been teaching this course! 

Board stuff...

19 February 2026: Last spring, I took on an administrative task that I was not happy about: serving as the faculty representative to our Board of Governors. I was willing to serve, but I was also downright angry about it. Today, though, during a very long and important meeting, I realized that all of that anger is gone. 

We are a group of very different people who disagree about so many things, but it's really inspiring to see us come together in support of what's best for the University. 

To realize that anger is gone? Pretty awesome. 

And yes: another reminder that there is something so special about Shepherd. 

5 game streak!

18 February 2026: Very busy day, one with a couple of not fun meetings. What powered me through? Knowing where I was headed to when that last meeting ended: over to the Butcher Center.

What a treat to see the women's basketball team win their fifth game in a row tonight. They are 7-1 since January 24. That loss? It was by one point. 

So much fun to watch them play!

Little spring preview...

17 February 2026: Warmest day here since mid-November, I think. I didn't take my walk until nearly 5:00, but did so in just a sweater. It felt so good. Come on, spring!