Busy Monday

What a busy Monday! I was out of town this past week at a conference in San Antonio and coming back to the real world has been too busy for me. In case any of you are wondering- America's children are being educated by a bunch of drunks (just thought I would throw in that observation from my personal experience of watching central office personnel, superintendents, and "higher-ups" for the past 4 days!). I am now happily sitting in my recliner, with a fire burning in the fireplace, watching Little People- what a wonderful end to a busy day. We were scheduled to have our book club meeting tonight, but it was postponed because Kim had sick kids, and because Jasmine was not feeling well. Our book this month was The Secret Life of Bees. I don't know what our next title will be but I am already looking forward to it. Tomorrow looks to be no better than today- I have 2 parent meetings, one at 9 and another at 1- and between that we are doing the state writing test (also at 9- I hope to have all materials distributed before parents arrive- I had scheduled the meetings before I realized it was testing day. I did not want to reschedule.) Then I have to return the testing materials to the testing center, and go back for another meeting. Well, at least Friday is payday! I am also thankful for a job in these times. I hope everyone has a great week. Perhaps my next post will be more "exciting"- wait, every time I say that the "excitement" is not usually what I want, so maybe my next post will be more "enlightening!"

Thoughts of Mother

Those we love don't go away,

They walk beside us every day,

Unseen, unheard, but always near,

Still loved, still missed and very dear.
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As I write this entry, my Mother's birthday is in just a few minutes (February 16). Were she still with us she would be 97 years old. Although almost 11 years have past since I last held her hand in mine, some things never change. My desire to hear her voice, even in my head. My desire to see her sweet face and beautiful blue eyes, even if just in a photo. My desire to share a moment, a thought, the type of things that you tell your mother- those feelings never seem to diminish, even with years. My yearning to just be with her and to know that she is there- those feelings, still with me. Will these feelings ever cease to be- I hope and pray, not. For these feelings are my connection with my Mother. I thank God every night for my Mother, till this day. I think that will always be my prayer.

Pop Tarts

Okay...now that I have you wondering, I will have to confess that I am hooked on Hot Fudge Sundae Pop Tarts! I have them every work day at about 9:30. Maybe not the most nutritious or fiber high breakfast, but it works for me. I am holding my own, but that is about it...holding my own. I guess I need to give up the HFS Pop Tarts to get the scales moving! I am not a huge Pop Tart fan, but these things....WOW. If you haven't tried them, you need to!

The World is Mine

We have just returned from a great trip to the lectureship. I want you to read this poem and then see my comments at the end. I had a "Thankful Tuesday!"

The World is Mine
Today upon a bus I saw a girl with golden hair;She seemed so gay, I envied her, and wished that I were half so fair;I watched her as she rose to leave, and saw her hobble down the aisle.She had one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed--a smile.Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;I have two legs—the world is mine.
Later on I bought some sweets. The boy who sold them had such charm,I thought I'd stop and talk awhile. If I were late, t'would do no harm.And as we talked he said, "Thank you, sir, you've really been so kind.It's nice to talk to folks like you because, you see, I'm blind".Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;I have two eyes—the world is mine.
Later, walking down the street, I met a boy with eyes so blue.But he stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do.I paused, and then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"But he looked straight ahead without a word, and then I knew, he couldn't hear.Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;I have two ears—the world is mine.
Two legs to take me where I go,Two eyes to see the sunset's glow,Two ears to hear all I should know,Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;I'm blest, indeed, the world is mine.

On Tuesday I made a trip to Jackson to check out some of the stores that I like to hit up when I go to Jackson. I needed some new shoes so I made a quick stop at Payless. I noted a family in the store, a mom, dad, and 2 sons who looked to be about 10 and 14. Being a teacher, I thought it strange that the kids were not in school, but let it go at that. I did note they were so quiet and the woman looked like she was in another world. They finished their transaction, and when I heard the clerk say the bill was something like $125.00, I thought that was a lot to spend in Payless. The family left and the girl came over to see if I needed help. She told me, "I am so shook up." I asked what was wrong and she said the family that just left was getting ready to bury their 16 year old son who had died as the results of an accident on the family farm. I later heard more about the story from the ladies in Dollar General in Henderson (small town talk, I guess). Apparently the father and son were in an "argument" about the use of the seat belt, and the boy told the dad that he would just jump out of the truck- and he did. He hit his head on a rock, and later died of heart failure after brain surgery. I was feeling so bad for the family. About that time the dad came back in to pick up a belt, and I walked out. As I did I looked at the mother sitting in the truck outside the door, and I have never seen such anguish on a face. I have my children, the world is mine!

When I returned to the lectureship, David and I were walking to the auditorium. Approaching us was a man, with no lower half of his body. He had an apparatus on his hands that he was walking on. Yet he was smiling and seemed to be enjoying being at the lectureship. Every "Step" he took involved him using his hands to pull his body along. I have my legs, the world is mine!

We attended a lecture where "I believe in the One they call Jesus" was led by a man led to the podium by another man, because he was blind. He used a Braille song book and led the song in a wonderful manner. I have two eyes, the world is mine!

We went to supper with our sons and daughter in laws. We were in one booth and they were in another (at the wonderful Bell's Diner!!). David started to tell me about visiting with an old friend, a precious couple that we had attended college with at Faulkner and Freed. David told me that our friend had confided in him about their 27 year old daughter, and her addiction to crystal meth, her having been in jail, and now going into a rehab program. As David is telling me the story, I am looking at the booth where my boys are sitting and both of them have their heads bowed in prayer. Thank you God, the world is mine!