In 1994, my son began his career as a Purple Dragonner.

As anyone with children can attest, a good pre-school can change a child’s life.  My son attended two pre-schools before Purple Dragon, both well-known in Kansas City, both undeserving of their good reputations from what I saw.  Luckily, we knew Punky Thomas who owned PS1 Elementary School, an ungraded K through 4th “one-room” schoolhouse on the second floor of the building where Magda Helmuth ran Purple Dragon.

What a gift.

Patrick learned to read, write, add, subtract, and divide at Purple Dragon Pre-school with Mrs. Helmuth’s loving guidance.  He also acquired a taste for every vegetable on the planet and a preference for foods which start with the letter “B”, including brie and beets.  But perhaps most importantly, we each acquired life-long friends:  The family of curly-headed Chris Taggart.

Each Christmas, Katrina Taggart (mother of Chris) brings an amaryllis bulb to my home, in a gorgeous stone pot filled with smooth stones.  The long leggy stalk eventually erupts into a stunning flower.  As I watch the unfolding, I think of all the times that Katrina has come to my rescue, sat by my side, shared laughter, meals, sorrow, triumphs, and troubles.

Without Katrina, I do not think I could have raised my son with any measure of success.  Certainly, many people formed the village in which Patrick thrived.   But Katrina’s deft touch helped both of us bloom.

It’s the tenth day of the twenty-sixth month of My Year Without Complaining.  Life continues.