Snapshots
Making Community Spaces Our Own
March 4th, 2010 by John Creighton in Snapshots
Tags: Atwood, Community, Friends
How do we enable children to gain a sense of ownership in groups and organizations of which they are part? One way is to let them use community spaces as they see fit.
I always felt that the United Methodist Church in Atwood, Kansas was MY church. It was much more than the place I went on Sunday mornings. It was like a second home.
One reason I felt so comfortable at the Methodist Church is that I [...]
Miss Mary
January 31st, 2010 by John Creighton in Snapshots
“Help,” I heard a small voice float by on the breeze.
I paused. I looked. Nothing.
I continued to walk up the alley toward my house when I heard the whisper a second time, “Help.” Again, I looked in all directions. The voice was close yet distant. I felt like Horton searching for a speck with Whos.
I could sense that someone needed help. I felt it. But couldn’t tell where the cry was coming from. I stood there, ears pricked, for what felt like long [...]
Dog Bite
January 30th, 2010 by John Creighton in Snapshots
Tags: Atwood, Dad, Friends, Mom, Neighbors
I won’t say I ended Miss Neidermeyer’s babysitting career. I believe my neighbor and classmate, Amy McClellan, still went to her house after the incident. But, I was never welcome back without my mom.
Miss Neidermeyer was one of the most welcoming people you could ever hope to meet. She was kind, gentle, caring and conscientious. I scared the bajeezus out of her.
The dog bite was the last straw.
Mrs. Neidermeyer was Amy’s regular baby sitter. Mrs. McClellan worked at my dad’s [...]
Rolling Cigarettes
January 29th, 2010 by John Creighton in Snapshots
Tags: Atwood, Longmont, Mom, Neighbors
“I’m home,” I yelled as I walked in the front door returning from a neighbor’s. I threw my jacket on the bench in the front hall knowing full well I’d be called back to pick it up when Mom discovered it later in the day. Still, it seemed like the right place to keep the jacket until I was asked to hang it in the closet.
Mom stuck her head around the kitchen door, “How was it?”
“Fine,” I said, giving the [...]
Most Viewed Snapshots for 2009
December 23rd, 2009 by John Creighton in Snapshots
Tags: 2009
Thanks to everyone who took the time to read Snapshots in 2009. I am looking forward to adding to the collection of anecdotes in 2010. I have enjoyed reconnecting with old and new friends through these stories.
Three of the top five Snapshots for the past year had a common theme – businesses that play a meaningful role in building community and lifelong memories. The other top posts celebrated the creativity of youth (who are bored) and reflected on saying farewell [...]