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Pat's Ponderings

Pat's Ponderings

Writer, Life long learner, parent, educator who loves children, people, ideas, metaphors, books, pens, paper, family, friends, and God.

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Author: Patricia Dokter Ritsema

Patricia Ritsema is interested in supporting and encouraging parents, especially parents of children with special learning and attention challenges. Retired educator who loves learning, connecting, and sharing about truth, beauty and goodness.

Red Lights

September 3, 2019 Patricia Dokter RitsemaLeave a comment

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” –  James 4:14 I do not often like to stop for red lights. Do you? Late at night when no cars are anywhere in sight I am so… Continue reading Red Lights →

Posted in Pat’s Ponderings

Look Up

July 7, 2019 Patricia Dokter Ritsema1 Comment

Cedar trees can teach a lesson about life. The tips of this evergreen always point straight up toward the heavens. These tips remind us that “up” is the right direction for our weary or searching eyes. As life events close in, when disappointments darken our lives, when fear consumes us, when pain slips into our… Continue reading Look Up →

Posted in Pat’s Ponderings

Reach Upward for the Light

June 17, 2019 Patricia Dokter Ritsema1 Comment

Have you ever walked through the woods or forest and really looked at trees?  Gazing at the unusual and distinct tree trunks in my woodsy backyard, I realized how their shape or their bent reflected their life story. One tree I noticed in particular, was bent over from a storm that blew through. Amazingly, the… Continue reading Reach Upward for the Light →

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Words Matter

June 10, 2019 Patricia Dokter Ritsema1 Comment

THE WORDS WE USE: 3 STYLES Most of us parents fit into one of three types: aggressive, passive, or assertive. In the aggressive model, parents often yell, use attacking words, or make unreasonable demands. Their children respond by acting-up more, yelling back, and tuning out their parents’ words. Passive parents’ words are not consistent or clear,… Continue reading Words Matter →

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Weathering the storms of Life

June 4, 2019 Patricia Dokter RitsemaLeave a comment

Most people think they are crazy! They are storm chasers. The movie twister glamorized it. They like the bigger the better the storm. They are drawn to it. But one thing they know-they cannot control the storm. They keep a respectful distance knowing storms are bigger and badder than they are. That is all except… Continue reading Weathering the storms of Life →

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Hope Springs Eternal

March 31, 2019 Patricia Dokter Ritsema1 Comment

Are you, like me, hoping that some system, person, thing, idea, or event will come along to give us that final feeling of inner well-being we desire? Do you often hope: "May this book, idea, course, trip, job, country, relationship, supplement, or Dr. make me whole and healthy and fulfill my deepest desire"? But as… Continue reading Hope Springs Eternal →

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Getting my life together

February 23, 2019 Patricia Dokter RitsemaLeave a comment

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Choose the High Road

February 23, 2019February 23, 2019 Patricia Dokter RitsemaLeave a comment

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February 23, 2019 Patricia Dokter RitsemaLeave a comment

Posted in Pat’s Ponderings

What am I?

January 20, 2019 Patricia Dokter RitsemaLeave a comment

I am your constant companion. I am your greatest asset or heaviest burden. I will push you up to success or down to disappointment. I am at your command. Half the things you do might just as well be turned over to me. For I can do them quickly, correctly, and profitably. I am easily… Continue reading What am I? →

Posted in lifelong learner

The Balanced Life

January 20, 2019 Patricia Dokter RitsemaLeave a comment

A balanced life is a state of being in which you plan for both responsibilities and pleasures. Like pieces of a puzzle, the many different aspects of you come together to form the person that you are. You work and play, rest and work, reflect and problem solve, feel joy, and feel sorrow. Balance is… Continue reading The Balanced Life →

Posted in lifelong learner

Shipwreck

December 28, 2018 Patricia Dokter RitsemaLeave a comment

Grief is like a shipwreck with gigantic waves that crash over you while you hang on to pieces of the wreckage, knowing you are anchored to Christ and you will live, even though you think you will not. Overtime waves are not quite as high or quite as frequent but they come and come when… Continue reading Shipwreck →

Posted in lifelong learner

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