Amid excitement, joy, and learning at our Renaissance conference this week, some sad news. One of my friends and early Faith Inkubators' mentors, Lois Brokering, died in a car accident on Sunday. Lois, an early childhood specialist for 40 years, helped us early on when we were putting together our Faith Inkubator Video series for small children.
Her wit, wisdom, and smile were always affirming and engaging. Her ability to keep up with our other dear friend and mentor, Herb Brokering, were astounding.
I remember Lois talking about the importance of art as a means of helping children express their feelings. Once, when a particular little tyke was having a bad day, Lois plopped her down at a table with finger paints to keep her busy. A few minutes later, the frenzied artist returned with a huge red swirl, centering a bright yellow swirl. "See this!" said the child. "It's your face being flushed down the toilet!"
Another wonderful teaching point I use from Lois has to do with meeting a child at their level, and connecting with their eyes. "If you don't have their eyes, you don't have them!" She'd bend down on a knee and, if the child wasn't looking, would trace her finger below their chin and gently pull the face up to hers.
Lois, dear friend, we'll miss you but thank God for your love, fun, and witness. You can check out more and leave your thoughts at:
http://www.caringbridge.org/mn/loisbrokering/
Attached is a photo taken of Lois a couple of weeks ago during a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon with a group from Trinity Lutheran in Stillwater.
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