The Whole Kristen ca-Doodle

It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.  Albus Dumbledore Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling Patriotism I want to start by telling you that I am a patriot.  I love America, and many of the ideas on which it was founded, the many great things it has done/is doing in the world, many facets regarding our way of life, American "ingenuity", and you know, apple pie.  I respect our flag, its beauty, its symbolism, the hands that sewed it.  My soul sister, fellow PTA mom, hippie-chick, fellow progressive feminist friend and I took extra time one day when leaving our school building with children in tow to refold the flag that had been taken down at the end of the school day and folded incorrectly.  Practically no one would've known or noticed, and our kids weren't really paying attention.  It wasn't really about it being a teachable moment for us, and it wasn't done o...

Party On, Wayne Remember that time I told you that I struggle with depression?   Well, that is only part of my story.  The other part of my story is that I am a shameless goofball.  Because I am intimately acquainted with the darkness, I know how how important it is for me to celebrate the light.  I am looking for joy constantly, laughing readily, singing enthusiastically (perhaps poorly, but who cares), and celebrating life eagerly.   I believe life is a gift, and certainly it has its seasons and moment to take seriously, I also believe that perhaps we are overestimating those moments.  If you are my friend, you can always count on me for moments of levity, bouts of spontaneous dancing, incredibly expressive facial expressions that hide zero of my feelings, inappropriate and/or cheesy jokes, and, I mean, I'm not going to lie, a potty mouth.  I smile with my whole face and I love with my whole heart. I recently had a dear friend tell me...