What Do You Enjoy??

I have been in the "MOM" business for almost 37 years, it began when I was 22 years old. I had graduated from high school, junior college,  2 quarters  completed at the local  university, and two years under my belt as a Dental Assistant. I was too young under today's standards and right on schedule according to the social norm in my hometown. As of today it ranks as the most rewarding job I have had, that and being a grandmother, they are two very different things; it feels very different but in some ways so much better. The third favorite has been substitute teaching since I graduated ( finally) in 2006 with a BA in History and earned a Single Subject credential. I just truly enjoy watching,listening,and teaching kids, my favorite is middle school, the land where no one truly wants to be.

There are similarities that connect all three , they require caring, an ability to listen as well as speak,and the ability to access situations. You pick up quickly on body language,facial expressions as well as verbal content and voice infliction, above all, listening is the most important, and caring.

I know how to handle myself as a teacher, very well in fact. I love doing what I do and I am fortunate enough to have a home base school that I teach at regularly as a substitute which is a huge compliment. I am a favorite among students,parents ( huge compliment),faculty and administration. That has been my fortunate situation for 6 years and it's not bragging when it is a fact ;)

Parenting is on the job training, grandparenting is gravy. I enjoyed my very first airplane ride when I was 37 years old, I had led a paycheck to paycheck existence most of my adult life. When opportunities presented themselves I could not wait to share this incredible experience of seeing the world with my kids who still lived at home and my grandchildren ( I became a Nana at 38). I loved sharing this gift more than I can say, because it was new for me as well and I was able to combined it with my love of Colonial History. This was a beautiful bonding experience that parents and grandparents long for. The plus side was that I was lucky enough to have a daughter who was willing to share and trust me with her babies. Their journeys and adventures began with me when they were 6 and 7 years old. That was a huge gift and one I have deeply cherished.

The love we have  for children is soul felt, it brings joy beyond measure whether it is as a parent,grandparent or a teacher. This is a relationship that should never be taken for granted,taken advantage of, but one that should be appreciated and nurtured. I have seen my kids grow up, and some of my former students enter their first year of college,and others are preparing to enter , some are enjoying the new adventures of high school, and it is a huge gift to watch and hear about it. I wish I had started teaching sooner, that is a regret, but it all happens for a reason as they say.

Find what you love to do,you are never too old, and embrace it and allow it to bring you happiness beyond measure.

We Survived Another One!

Election day is over, thank goodness we only have to go through this every 4 years. I appreciate the process far more than I ever did, because of my interest in History and because I am just old enough to appreciate it. I am a proud Baby Boomer!
Whatever our personal preferences are it is so important to be a part of the process, to educate yourself, develop an ability to intelligently discuss the policies that ring true to you and defend your position. That is one of the gifts we have as Americans, and it is a gift. We may not believe in the guy next doors politics, but we certainly should be the first to defend his right to have his own beliefs, ideology and to use his voice to express it.We stand on the shoulders of the generations that have come before us, some who fought, shed their blood or gave their lives to give us this right.

As we move forward the next 4 years will hopefully strengthen our faith in our Country, our resolve and the foundation on which the men of 1776 created for our opportunity to make each new tomorrow better than today. Let's Stand Together and Pray for America, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

Windows of Blessings

My grandmother told me often that God never closes a door that he doesn't open a window. She meant that when life gets hard and you think that you can't handle anymore God always shows you He is there and in control. It may not be the answer to your prayer, it may not be what you wanted or as you wanted it, but He brings you blessings, and that is exactly what He has done for me for the past 4 years.

I have missed family members more than I can bare my soul to express it, but I have learned so much from the journey, about myself, about others and about what my life should stand for. We make concessions for our families because we don't want to step on toes, and we want to avoid conflict. We bend our values and turn the other way because we don't want to chance losing relationships or create hard feelings that you know will fester. You keep quiet in order to keep the peace and then one day something happens and without you even realizing what has happened you say what is on your heart. You realize you can no longer keep silent and just keep saying "I agree", if you are not valued for who you truly are then what foundation does a relationship truly have?

 I am a Christian and I'm proud of it, I believe in Jesus Christ, as my mother,grandmother and all of the generations before me did and I'm certain still do. It is part of my heritage and the legacy that the women in my family passed on to me and  modeled for me. These are the roots that I return to and the ones that have grounded me over the past years, it has always been there but it took tragedy,sadness, and brokenness to bring me back.

I believe in treating others as I would like to be treated. I believe in protecting children, guiding them wisely and lovingly and treating other parent's children with the same respect ( that does not reference the Legalistic religious view, but the "do no harm " Christian view, there is a difference). There isn't one person who hasn't stumbled, fallen short, or regretted words spoken in anger, not one. The difference is in how we choose to handle it, breeding and encouraging negativity is not the answer. Anyone can find fault in another person, that's easy; looking at the good and building on that takes effort.

I dislike bulling whether it is done by children or adults, it is for the unintelligent and creates conflict and pain , it takes a truly sadistic person to glory in such behavior. I find it repugnant. ( That is judgemental, not modeling my beliefs, but I'm also human and a work in progress.) I have little respect for people who are incapable of putting their differences aside and coming to the table in an attempt to bring peace and healing to those that are hurting ( I am not referencing myself, but the pain I have seen in others that I love). It saddens me to see someone garner more pleasure out of creating chaos,and slinging hatred rather than striving to find peaceful solutions.

These are observations from my life's journey and a common thread that runs through many families. Negativity, hatred, and an unyielding nature,is rooted in fear, insecurity and deep anger; it's sad how it can immobilize those that see themselves as so wise. It takes more courage to say I'm sorry and reach out than it does to throw the daggers and pump up and rally a crowd.

You may miss your family, God sees your pain and brings wonderful people into your life. You find yourself gravitating towards those you have things in common with rather than struggling to recapture relationships where there is no common ground other than blood. Some of your family will find there way back and trust this, you will open your arms and love them and learn to rebuild again. Others you simply have to give to God and wait on His timing or for the open windows.

 I have developed  beautiful relationships with people of all ages that more than replace what I have lost, God is good when you open your heart to His leading and calling. It doesn't mean that you miss the others any less, because you never will stop missing them,they are part of your heart and you hug them there everyday. However, I thank God for the windows and new relationships He has so richly blessed me with.

I am not the same, I continue to learn, grow, and open my heart to new experiences and I continue to pray for you. Hugging you in my heart now and always.