Letters to Sam by Conor Hoffman https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa "Maybe it's Sam we need to thank, for he's the one who inspired Pop to write this introduction to his soul. And what a graceful soul it is to meet" -Philadelphia Inquirer en-us 2020-11-30 22:09:15 UTC 2020-12-01 21:41:54 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4dc.png Summary: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973643797 Letters to Sam is a collection of letters that a dying grandfather has written to his young grandson. In the letters, "Pop" attempts to send off his grandson into the great world beyond with advice about family, himself, what's ahead, and what Sam's place in the world could be. For Sam, these collections of letters are a tutorial on how to live a meaningful and happy life, and are perhaps the greatest gift an elder could ever pass on. ]]> 2020-11-30 22:12:31 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973643797 Part 1: Welcome to the World conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973644560 2020-11-30 22:12:49 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973644560 Part 2: About Your Family conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973645033 2020-11-30 22:13:02 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973645033 Part 3: You and Me, Sam conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973645674 2020-11-30 22:13:18 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973645674 Part 4: Your Body, Mind, And Spirit conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973646437 2020-11-30 22:13:39 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973646437 Part 5: What's Ahead For You conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973647004 2020-11-30 22:13:54 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973647004 Part 6: Your Place In the World conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973647324 2020-11-30 22:14:03 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973647324 Afterword conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973648025 2020-11-30 22:14:22 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973648025 conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973652764 2020-11-30 22:16:06 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973652764 “The story of Pi is the story of all of us. We all have tigers under our tarpaulins - tigers that, we feel, could destroy us. We think we want to be rid of our tigers. But the truth is, we would feel a great loss if they ran away, because ultimately, each tiger is part of us.” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973654973 2020-11-30 22:17:05 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973654973 So many of us suffer because we are trying to live the life we once had or the life we wish for. Life is much sweeter when we live the life we have conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973657193 2020-11-30 22:18:05 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973657193 “Like all buses, it comes when it comes. You can wait with frustations, angers or feeling of victimhoods or you can wait with patience and relaxation, either way, it won't make the bus come any way faster” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973658900 2020-11-30 22:18:53 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973658900 “What you are about, is more important than who you are” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973660964 2020-11-30 22:19:52 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973660964 “When you do feel shame, seek out someone who loves and accepts you for who you are, in the intimacy that exposure brings, an amazing opportunity of being loved for who we are” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973661995 2020-11-30 22:20:20 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973661995 “It's a funny thing about life, I think we are born square and we die round. As waters of life wash over us, we lose our sharp corners, and that can be good; we take on surprising, satisfying new shapes.” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973662827 2020-11-30 22:20:43 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973662827 “Learn to tolerate your own different-ness from other people and learn to navigate your own waters” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973663400 2020-11-30 22:20:58 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973663400 “Your physical well being and thus your mental state, is God-given responsibility to you. Tending to them and get a clear sense of what your life is about before ashes and dust and you'll be having inner peace with your life” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973664154 2020-11-30 22:21:19 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973664154 “Like Abraham, as we embark on our own journey, have a little faith, take the imparted wisdoms from our parents/teachers, go forward and be attentive always to the quiet voice of your heart” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973664831 2020-11-30 22:21:39 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973664831 “One day you will die, but death is not your enemy and it only makes you to appreciate life's gifts more with each passing second.” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973666050 2020-11-30 22:22:13 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973666050 “When frustration is unchecked, Sam, it turns into rage, and rage triggers action.” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973667623 2020-11-30 22:22:59 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973667623 “If you fight the right battle, in the right way, the outcome can change not only your life, but also the lives of others.” conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973668617 2020-11-30 22:23:29 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973668617 "Their job is to love you, protect you as best as they can, try to understand you, and enjoy your laughter. conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973670324 2020-11-30 22:24:07 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973670324 "When they give you roots, you will feel safe, loved, and secure, knowing they genuinely want to understand the person you are." conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973671808 2020-11-30 22:24:50 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/973671808 KEY conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976685635 Green= Summary
Yellow= Chapter
Black= Quotes
Blue= Personal Connection
Red= Class Connection
Purple= World connection

]]> 2020-12-01 17:32:59 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976685635 Summary Continued: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976743304 Pop, who lived in a wheelchair for a large sum of his life, relates to his Grandson Sam who will grow up with Autism. Pop brings a particularly unique point of view as one disabled person in an attempt to help guide Sam through the life of being different than those around him. ]]> 2020-12-01 17:43:45 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976743304 Class connection conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976766631 when Pop talks about "roots", those roots come from more than just parents. Teachers, in many ways, are gardeners holding their students up when need be, aiding students in growing in the right direction, maybe even watering them when they are in need, but not doing the growing for them. That's what the "sunlight and rain" are for. ]]> 2020-12-01 17:48:06 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976766631 Personal connection: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976795901 I never really knew any of my grandparents. One lived in Ireland until she died, another died a decade before I was born and another before I could really remember him. What I would give to hear any advice they would have for me. Of course, they lived very different lives than I am, but I don't think time or circumstance really changes the advice so much. I don't know Pop or Sam and I'm nothing like them, yet I learned so much from Pop's letters. ]]> 2020-12-01 17:53:07 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976795901 World Connection: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976819844 I think the quote about the waves is one of the best metaphors I've ever heard about global purpose. Many people see their death as being the end of their impact, however, like the second wave, we are all a part of the ocean. Even when we stop flowing, our waves impact the rest of the ocean's flow forever.]]> 2020-12-01 17:57:31 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976819844 Often, we try every way possible to avoid showing our vulnerability, which can involve a lot of pretending. But only when you stop pretending you're brave or strong do you allow people to show the kindness that's in them conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976841855 2020-12-01 18:01:39 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976841855 Reflection conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976851000 Although at first glance Letter to Sam seems to be a tear inducing goodbye, the tears a reader may produce come instead from the happiness hidden throughout. Obviously goodbyes are sad, but Pop didn't write these letters to make Sam cry, he wrote them to make him smile. That's how I ended up feeling. In each chapter, the thought of death eluded me as I instead, absorbed this wise man's wisdom and his humor with glee. ]]> 2020-12-01 18:03:25 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976851000 Class connection: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976877065 As we learned in class, disability is an outdated term. In this sense, Sam's Autism is his tiger. As much as some people see disabilities as just that, Pop recognized that each person's uniqueness is tied to themselves. To try to eradicate a disability is foolish, instead, it is better to "befriend the tiger" and learn to work with each individuals uniqueness the best we can. ]]> 2020-12-01 18:08:30 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/976877065 World Connection: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977740675 The Quote about showing our vulnerability can be seen across the globe, across ever language and every culture. Oftentimes men especially are told to not show weakness or vulnerability. When, however, as Pop points out, it is only when we ask for help when we can genuinely receive it. ]]> 2020-12-01 21:24:49 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977740675 Personal Connection: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977747256 I actually disagree with Pop's "Who you are about is more important than who you are". I think intentions are good, but actions are much more important. I believe how you are perceived is more important than who you intend to be, because the perception of you is what will go down in history and memory, not your intentions. ]]> 2020-12-01 21:27:07 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977747256 Class Connection: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977753882 I think it is vital to consider what Pop said about being vulnerable when it comes to helping students with disabilities. Oftentimes, teachers are allowed to see personal information about a student that that student is not yet comfortable with. It is in that moment that all teachers must understand the responsibility and trust that they must have with that student, for they are opened up to you in order for you to help them. ]]> 2020-12-01 21:29:01 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977753882 World Connection: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977760711 I see Pop's quote about turning frustration nd anger into action is a part of our modern and historical periods of radicalization. I think people radicalize because their frustrations are left unchecked. ]]> 2020-12-01 21:31:22 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977760711 Class connection: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977765586 Pop's Quote about navigating your own waters is exactly what the modern strategy is in special education. Assimilation is all about giving each student the closest to "normal" study as we possibly can, so that students may learn to navigate their own way. ]]> 2020-12-01 21:33:03 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977765586 Personal Connection: conorthejohn https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977770564 Pop's Quote about living the life we have and waiting for the bus is the same philosophy I discovered coming into college. I think it is why I have never suffered from depression or anxiety the way my peers have, because I have accepted this wise man's advice on living in the moment. It is vital for living a happy life. Accept you don't have control, but make the most out of what you have. ]]> 2020-12-01 21:34:31 UTC https://padlet.com/conorthejohn/suivrk6qwt2ptixa/wish/977770564