Amy M. Schaefer
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From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
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Priceless...

4/23/2015

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"Perspective...what you see depends not only on what you look at, but also on where you look from." ~James Deacon

I spent the first half of my day reading a National Geographic Atlas of the U.S. with a group of third graders. Don't tell Central Office, but we had so much fun I'd have done today's work for free! The kids and I played games with the maps, racing each other to locate resources on California, North Carolina, Texas, Hawaii, and other states they'd chosen to read about. I have to say, the morning flew by in happy conversation (and they learned stuff, too!).

One thing I love about being in the classroom and maybe appreciate now more than ever is that children have so many wonderful things to teach us. They love without condition, laugh a lot, and see the whole world through eyes that are not yet jaded or clouded with harsh pain. God, it's refreshing! While we read about the history of various states, I could feel dark thoughts trying to take over of not so pretty parts of our past....war and bloodshed, slavery and near genocide of our Native American people, but the children quickly yanked me back from the brink of that unhappy space. They reminded me that as an adult I may be aware of the "rest of the story", the ugly parts with less than "happily ever after" endings, but I get to choose what I will focus on. I choose to focus on the wonder and magic seen through youthful, wise eyes. I choose to focus not on what has been, or worries about how it will all turn out...I'd rather have faith that the outcome will be amazing! With those precious eyes looking up at me, no other option made a lick of sense.
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    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

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  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery