Stones and Stories

Memorial Day, 2021

This Memorial Day is, like all Memorial Days, unlike any other. I am disturbed, perhaps even troubled, over the lack of tradtional activities–not the barbecues but the parades and related traditions.

I am, however, managing to maintain a few of my own. I will post the colors at the end of the driveway. I think I’ve actually found a small parade and celebration fairly close by to attend this morning. And, last night, I spent some time reflecting on the meaning of this important day. That personal tradition also includes some study of events past and commemoration of them.

Somewhat by accident, this year I spent some time virtually visiting the Normandy American Cemetery. One of the tours I took was a YouTube History Traveler Episode 54. In it, the cemetery is described as ” …a humbling place that is the final resting place for some of the best men that the U.S. has ever produced.”

That’s something to think about.

Some trivia about the cemetery includes the fact it contains the graves of 45 pairs of brothers (30 of which buried side by side), a father and his son, an uncle and his nephew, 2 pairs of cousins, 3 generals, 4 chaplains, 4 civilians, 4 women, 147 African Americans, and 20 Native Americans. 307 unknown soldiers are also buried among the other service members. The most recent count suggests there are 9,388 laid to rest there.

Perhaps, more accurately, there is nothing trivial about this place. There are some 9,388 stones representing 9,388 stories. Today is a day to remember those stories. We know that Tony A. Frank was from Louisiana, his unit, and the fact he gave his life on Christmas Day, 1944. In some ways, it’s not much of a story. There’s not much room on those white Lasa marble headstones. But in other ways, it’s a big story–an important story because if Tony hadn’t been and hadn’t done what he did, our lives would be very different today. There should be room in our heads and hearts to wonder about him and his family. What was in his heart and head that brought him to this place? This day is not meant to memorialize his death or the deaths of so many like him. It is to remember their lives.

And it’s a good day to wonder what we might find in our hearts and heads if we faced a similar challenge? Perhaps we do. There are many unmarked battlefields.

At the core, the American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn’t want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought, and won, and we, all of us, living and yet to be born, must be forever profoundly grateful.

Author Stephen Ambrose

You can be a star!

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The Real Estate Learning Group is soliciting feedback about their courses and instructors–ideally from folks who would be willing to participate in a short video testimonial.

Thanks to technology and editing, we can even promise to make you look good and you’ll get final approval of the results.

If you’ve taken a course and loved it (and me!), let’s talk about it! We have several options ranging from recorded video and audio to written testimonials with a photo.

I know you’re busy with real estate transactions, so we’ll even mention your agency if that’s okay. Somebody once said, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity!”

If you can spare a few minutes and are interested, just let me know! We’ll make it easy and fun! Questions are welcomed!


“I have to give a huge shout out to our teacher Walter. He thoroughly knows his material and the way he explains things makes is much clearer than reading from a book alone. He went above and beyond to assist in areas I was struggling with and was extremely prompt on answering emails. He also was very encouraging. I am not sure I have had a more sincere, encouraging well informing teacher in my life.” 


My Special Honor

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a good deal of respect and appreciation for the Amish. I have occasionally joked that I’m “going Amish,” because I think we can learn so much from them. I often write about them. But I can now announce that I’ve written for them.

I subscribe to several publications written and published by and for the Amish. One is the “Blackboard Bulletin,” by Pathway Publishers located in Ontario Canada. It’s primarily written by and for Amish teachers.

A recent issue raised a teacher’s dilemma with her young students. Apparently, her younger students were often driven to tears by what was described as her “curt” manner of speaking. (Understand that many, if not most, Amish teachers are working in what we might describe as a “one-room schoolhouse” including multiple grades through grade eight.) Teachers were invited to reply with their opinion—is this the way schools are nowadays?

Given the differences between Amish and non-Amish schools, I initially felt unqualified to offer my thoughts. But I soon found my fingers dancing on the keys, first explaining that I was not Amish and did not teach in an Amish School, but did have some thoughts.

Imagine my surprise when I found those thoughts published in the next issue! And the editors didn’t include my opening disclaimer, identifying me only as “Walter Boomsma from Maine.” Most contributors are only identified by their first name or as “a teacher.” I’m not sure if I’ve earned bragging rights, but I am honored. (Bragging rights would not be a consideration of the Amish—their beliefs and culture emphasize humility.)

Since the editors thought my contribution had value, I’ll include it for you.


My first observation is that love is a feeling; communication is a skill. It is entirely possible that the teacher described loves her students deeply. It is also likely she may lack some of the necessary skills to communicate that love. Since she admits there is a problem, I would suggest she share that problem with her students. There may well be an opportunity to “learn together.”

However, I include a second observation and a word of caution. Students – even at an early age- become very skilled at manipulating a situation to their advantage. I think of one young student who cried whenever she was redirected in any way. As the tears rolled down her cheeks, she would sniffle, “I love you, teacher.” I found it necessary to assure her that mistakes did not affect my love for her but I also did not allow her tears to make me hesitant to correct her. We had a shared challenge. Isabel had to learn to trust my love. I had to remind myself that correction and redirection are compatible with love.

I often recommend the book Teaching with Love and Logic by Jim Fay and David Funk. It is especially appropriate for newer teachers who often struggle with maintaining a balance in their classrooms. One example is learning not to say, “Be quiet!” Instead say, “I’ll begin when it’s quiet.” A vital premise underlying the concept is that we often need to teach our students responsibility. “Be quiet,” suggests the teacher must control the noise level in the classroom. “I’ll begin when it’s quiet,” encourages the students to share in managing the classroom environment.

Lastly, it interested me that the entire issue of Blackboard Bulletin included suggestions. Jamie’s Teacher in “The Definition of Discipline” said it well in the final paragraph. “No, I cannot reclaim a lost opportunity, but I can learn from it… Truly, the definition of godly discipline is love.”

Walter Boomsma (“Mr. Boomsma”) writes on a wide array of topics including personal development, teaching and learning. Course information is also available here!