Is there anything that brings people together more than food and music? I don't think so.
And over 100 people in Salisbury, Connecticut agree with me. :)
National Smile Month
Did you know that May is National Smile Month? Now, the month is meant to be dedicated to teeth, oral health and visiting your dentist.
When I heard it was national smile month, I thought it meant that you should smile more in May.
So I've decided that it can mean both!
Most of you know that I'm connected to a non-profit named Simply Smiles. (simplysmiles.org) My partner/husband, Bryan runs the organization, and I think that it's an incredible charity.
At Simply Smiles everything begins with a smile and a relationship. Why would anyone want our help if they don't know who we are? Why would parents accept a college scholarship for their children if they don't know and trust us?
We're all stronger together, so it just makes sense to work with people to change the world, rather than throw change and our privileged bias at them.
This leads me to a little story that completely melted my heart yesterday.
I teach a guitar camp on the Cheyenne River Reservation every summer and I love it.
One of my kids on the reservation was talking with a volunteer yesterday and told her, "my friend, Kristen, is a musician, and she teaches me guitar. I know all of her songs by heart. Because of her I'm going to go to college and study music."
Smile. And a tear.
I love this kid so much it makes me crazy, and I can't wait to see her and talk to her about college.
Happy national smile month, Kristen
Interview time!
I enjoy interviews - and wanted to share this one in case you'd like to listen! Here's an interview I just did with Robin Hood Radio - click on the link to the podcast here.
Enjoy and Happy May Day!
Six years ago...
Six years ago I flew to Oaxaca, Mexico for one hour. It was an exciting day, Gaby was coming to the U.S.
I didn't sleep on the plane (in either direction) because I was nervous of all of the things that could still go wrong.
But we made it.
We landed in JFK to a very excited Bryan, and we rushed home so that we could all celebrate.
We celebrated with pizza.
Since then... (In no particular order)
Gaby has come on tour with me.
Bryan and I got married. (Gaby was there.)
Gaby has learned the crazy ways of this country.
Gaby mastered English.
Gaby graduated from Norwalk Community College. (I stood on a chair and yelled.)
We got Chip.
We started working on the Cheyenne River Reservation...all of us. Together.
We moved.
Gaby started business school at Sacred Heart.
And last, but not least, for yet another summer- Gaby will dedicate her entire vacation to serving our friends on the CRST Reservation as everyone's favorite chef.
Our family is our family. It would not be complete if we weren't all together.
Happy six years!
And they're off!
The big red bus took off to La Plant today, and it was such a great moment! Knowing that I was just sitting in the very seats that the kids will excitedly bounce around in after school made me miss them.
I miss them and I know that they're in great hands.
This bus represents so much fun.
And this summer is going to be amazing.
And seeing this bus drive off this morning made me so happy. I wish I could be on it, but I'm so happy that it's making its way.
I'll be sitting in those seats again soon enough.
Safe travels all, K
Alex, Bryan, Sam, Josh and Chip- ready for the big adventure!
Chip is pretty sure that the driver's seat is where he belongs.
