Dear Reader Column 08-22-08

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Dear Reader,

I've decided that I'm at my best when I'm looking forward to something. Anticipation inspires and makes me more creative, yet it's the first thing I'm willing to reject, telling myself I don't have time for such nonsense.

A few weeks ago when I first thought about planning a birthday party for a friend, my next thought was, "I'm swamped and don't have time for any extracurricular activities." Yet in the two weeks leading up to party-day, whenever I didn't feel like working or felt discouraged about something, I'd daydream about the upcoming party and instantly I'd get a burst of energy.

Thinking about decorations, deciding on a menu, choosing a party theme, the "work" of party planning--the anticipation of it all--inspired creativity in my every day work. This girl couldn't drive to the party store to look around until she'd cleared the work off her desk. So whether I felt like it or not, I got right down to business.

The birthday party was last Monday night and yes, it was a lot of fun. But then after a couple of days of basking in after party glow, I started looking for anticipation again and that's when Flat Stanley showed up in my email box. Book club reader Sandra Anderson teaches second grade at North Liberty Elementary School and one of the children in her class will be sending me a Flat Stanley in September for a two week vacation. (The Flat Stanley project is based on the book Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown.) The purpose of the project is to introduce students to writing skills. Flat Stanley arrives with a letter of introduction and my job is to show him around and respond with a letter when I ship him back home.

My guest room is spruced up and all ready for company. I've promised to show Flat Stanley a great time. He can go to work with me, we'll get in a little beach time on Siesta Key, I can read him bedtime stories and of course we'll be baking--I sure hope he likes chocolate chip cookies.

Ah...anticipation...it's the inspiration for my happiness and creativity.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

Comments

[Kuma-chan]

I remember Flat Stanley! In fifth grade, we all had to take him home for the day and then write an entry on him, along with taking a picture.

I took him to the jungle (my garden) and then the zoo (my stuffed animals). We got attacked by monsters (my sister).

Have fun with him!

[Dee Clark]

I can't wait to see what Flat Stanley looks like, I am one of those people that have never heard of him!!!

[J Albee]

Apparently I've missed out on a great experience, who is Flat Stanlely? I have never heard of him.

[Lois Tekavec]

I too have never heard of Flat Stanley. It sounds exciting. I can hardly wait for his visit to you.

Lois

[Myrna Williams]

Never heard of this Flat Stanley fellow before today. Oh my, I think I've been missing out on some fun. In fact, Flat Stanley would be perfect for my Scarlet Ladies Red Hat Club. Our Red Hat Chapter is having a big birthday bash in October, so please keep me posted!

Myrna

[Winona]

My friend's child sent me Flat Stanley a few years ago. My son and I had fun with him. He introduced Flat Stanley to his friends and we took him to the beach-I believe it was his first time there. We sent him back to Virginia with a newspaper, postcards from Hawaii, and macadamia nut candies. The kids back in Virginia enjoyed having him back along with the goodies.