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The Meaning of Done – 

10/25/2014

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Or I’m Done, You’re Done, It’s Done……

Do you ever find yourself asking your child, “Are you done?” on a daily basis?

Today a light bulb went off.  As a parent, I realized that I ask my child,  “Are you done?” multiple times in a single day. However, I never gave thought to what my child’s response meant to anyone but me.  I know what I envision “I’m done!” to mean.  But, what does it mean to the person speaking those words?  When my child looks me straight in the eye with a look of complete authority and self-assurance and answers, “I’m done” – does it mean he is done?   Or, simply said, what does “I’m done” mean?  

Today I set out to ask myself what does “I’m done!” mean?  Does it mean I’ve finished the assignment to the best of my abilities and it is ready to hand in?  Or, does it mean I have finished the assignment with the least possible effort and will hand it in.  As is!  

“I’m done!” could also mean I have finished working on my assignment for today, but tomorrow it will be completed.   Or, I have not started my assignment today, but that’s OK as I will do it tomorrow.

Lastly, “I’m done!” can mean I AM DONE!  I am refusing to do the assignment at all. In my opinion, the assignment is unworthy of my efforts, stupid, and I am unwilling to do it today, or at anytime here after.

As adults, we make the decision to be done a million times daily, on our own - each time, with all the meaning as stated, or others yet unidentified. Hopefully, as adults, we make the decision to be done consciously.   But for children it may be hard to internalize the words that fly out of their mouth.  So, parents need to ask the question directly.  “What does I’m done mean to you?”  

The next time you find yourself asking your child the question, take time to ask them what their answer means.  The answer might surprise you.  Both for the answer’s honesty and the meaning of the response you receive.  

Today I said,  “Is it done like your handing it in to the President? Or - is it done like I never want to see it again?”  The surprising snicker that developed turned into hearty laughter.  At the time, only one person in the room knew the answer.  But, how fun it was to both be enlightened by the question.  We both realized that either way, it was OK.  Our day was done- and complete- with a simple statement.  We both had a knowing look in our eyes. Complete.  We’re done!



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 What is an American short story and why is it important to study the genre? 

10/22/2014

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As our group’s director, I began to question my choice of literature this year as our group tackled the difficult nature of literature from the early 1800’s.  Conflict arose as individual concerns were voiced.  The process of listening, sharing, and accepting opinions became challenging for all.  In the end we survived, all the better for our journey.  All the wiser as we learned about each other and our diversity.

However, the question still persisted in my mind.  WHAT is an American short story and why is it important to study the genre?  How do I justify the importance of studying stories that challenge our very natures?

For the answer, I turned to research and came upon this anonymous list, which provides a starting place for my answer.

  1. Literature is diverse in its portraits of life and its claims about the world.  Why take the time to read it then?  Because humanity is valuable.
  2. When we read, we discover common human ways of understanding.
  3. When we read literature, we also discover significant differences.  This allows us to explore another’s message or life, even those separated from us by time and social barriers.
  4. Literature is full of human reactions.  As we respond to and analyze these, we can gain a greater knowledge of the human psyche.  At the same time, we gain a greater knowledge of our selves and our own responses.
  5. We don’t always agree with what we read, or we agree in part.  We read literature to test the truth of a message against our worldview.



It is important to realize that early American literature in particular is associated with Christian faith and Christendom’s influence on American culture.  By going back in time, we experience how much early American literature is haunted by questions of faith and doubt.  

As we read and compare early American authors, we deepen our understanding of the American dialogue on faith and human nature.  It is this dialogue that allowed America’s founders to make provisions for the social, religious, and political freedoms that exist in our country today.

It is through our efforts and understanding of American classics that we gain a love for our fellow American human beings and all their diversity, complexity, and variety.  As American citizens in the 21st century, we can read today, of yesterday, and give thanks for our tomorrows.  

We are blessed to live in a country that allows us such freedom as unique individuals to express ourselves as we cultivate wisdom, learn of good and evil, and experience the call to justice.  American literature, in itself, cannot make us a better person, but it can support and facilitate us in our journey as we seek our own personal understanding of our nation’s history, as we become history to those in the future.

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