"Genius is neither learned nor acquired.

It is knowing without experience.

it is risking without fear of failure.

It is perception without touch.

It is understanding without research.

It is certainty without proof. 

It is ability without practice.

It is invention without limitations.

It is creativity without constraints.

It is…. extraordinary intelligence!"

So begins Mrs. Peterson's introduction to Patricia Polacco's gradeschool classmates in Junkyard Wonders. I have sometimes felt bad that so much of the most influential material I read comes by way of children's books instead of thick dusty volumes.  But there are treasures here too and my children and I have been blessed to unearth them together. Patricia Polacco is one of our favorites so I slip any new titles I find by her into the book basket without second thought. 

I have read few of her books which did not cause me to choke up before we were finished and this was no exception. Turns out Ms. Polacco was dyslexic, a fascinating revelation, considering she went on to become a successful author/illustrator. She was in a special ed room in school, the object of scorn by the kids in other rooms. Her teacher helped her and her friends to see the wonder inside them and indeed in everything around them with such advice as,

"Forget what the object was… imagine what it could be."

Which, you know, is my mantra. And you know, of course, that this does not apply only to the concrete, don't you?    Forget what was, imagine what can be. 

"Some people look at things the way they are and cry,'Why?' But I want you to look at things and see what they could be ask, 'Why not?'

Which, I say again, you know is my mantra. And you know, of course, that this does not apply only to the concrete, don't you?    Forget what was.   Imagine what can be.  : ) 

I will be holding this in my heart today.