The Heart of Teaching

Our Enduring Promise

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568948/fan_mail/new] What do a 250-year-old nation, a worn Thanksgiving tablecloth, and a neighborhood Fourth of July celebration have in common? More than I realized. Sometimes the most ordinary things remind us of the promises we inherit—and the ones we choose to pass along. As America celebrates 250 years of independence, I found myself looking at an old Bicentennial tablecloth my mother bought in 1976. What began as a search for its history became a reflection on family traditions, the birth of a nation, and the enduring promises that carry us through times of change. This week's Cuppa Joy is about what we inherit, what we contribute, and the hope, freedom, and community we pass along to those who come after us. If something in today’s Cuppa stirred a thought or a memory, sparked a question, or simply made you want to reach out, I’d love to hear from you. Write to me at robyn@delongteam.com

More Than Just Memories

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568948/fan_mail/new] What stories do you hope your children or grandchildren will remember long after you're gone? A reunion with old friends, a conversation with my son, and memories of my mother and grandparents reminded me that stories are more than memories. They carry our values, our faith, our resilience, and our love. A late-night conversation with lifelong friends led me to reflect on the stories that have shaped my family across generations—from my grandparents' Depression-era lessons to my mother's unwavering faith. The wisdom, values, and love embedded within these memories continue to guide the people left behind. This week's Cuppa Joy explores what survives us—and the legacy hidden within the stories we share. If something in today’s Cuppa stirred a thought or a memory, sparked a question, or simply made you want to reach out, I’d love to hear from you. Write to me at robyn@delongteam.com

No Instruction Model

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568948/fan_mail/new] What if someone had shown your sixteen-year-old self a photograph from your future and everything in it seemed impossible? Father's Day can stir up a wide range of emotions. In this week's Cuppa Joy, I reflect on how babies arrive with no instruction manual, on the parenting lessons we inherit—be they good or bad, and the wisdom that age can bring. It's also the story of an unexpected family reunion including my mother and father more than forty years after their divorce—and a reminder that healing sometimes arrives long after we've stopped expecting it. If something in today’s Cuppa stirred a thought or a memory, sparked a question, or simply made you want to reach out, I’d love to hear from you. Write to me at robyn@delongteam.com

Lessons in Kindness

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568948/fan_mail/new] Why do stories of kindness touch us so deeply? And what happens when children are invited to put those lessons into action? This week I'm sharing the story behind Steve Hartman's Kindness 101 project and the unexpected ripple effect it has created in classrooms across America. Along the way, I found myself reflecting on the power of stories—not just the ones we hear, but the ones we tell ourselves. Join me for a conversation about kindness, storytelling, and the goodness that often goes unnoticed. If something in today’s Cuppa stirred a thought or a memory, sparked a question, or simply made you want to reach out, I’d love to hear from you. Write to me at robyn@delongteam.com

The Gift of Belonging

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568948/fan_mail/new] What helps a child survive life's hardest seasons? A story about orphan trains led me down an unexpected path—through the childhood experiences of my grandparents, the beloved pages of Anne of Green Gables, and memories of my own family. As I reflected on children who have been displaced by loss, poverty, divorce, and circumstance, one truth kept emerging: every child needs to know they belong. This week's Cuppa Joy explores the lasting power of unconditional love and the people who help us find our way home. If something in today’s Cuppa stirred a thought or a memory, sparked a question, or simply made you want to reach out, I’d love to hear from you. Write to me at robyn@delongteam.com