Several of our friends and family are facing some of life's greatest tests. I thought that I had been tested before, but losing Jason has been the greatest test of my life. I am determined that I will pass this test. I will remain faithful to the God of creation, I will not give in to the sadness that tries to overcome me, I will continue to be a happy person, I will be the example for my other kids.
What is amazing is that so many of our friends and family are having to "buck up" and face a test themselves. Cancer diagnoses--unexpected divorce, financial loss, death, long-term illness, accidents, loss of home; the list goes on and on.
What is the difference in how we handle these hardships? I may be prejudiced, but I have to admire the way people of faith deal with life.
I know I can never go back to the time before Jason's death, but I will not let his death define me. I have heard statements like, "Well _________has never been the same since__________died."
I will not let my kids say, "Mom was a happy person before Jason died."
"Mom was not bitter until Jason died." "I enjoyed spending time with Mom until Jason died." That is an unacceptable way to live as a Christ follower.
I am still grieving Jason; I will until I see him again, but the important thing is that I will see him again.
All of these people who are experiencing the tough times of life have been a clear witness to me. I want to handle life as a Christ follower should--looking to eternity and knowing that what happens here can cause sadness, stress, sorrow, but what happens here cannot steal our Joy.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
My heart is hurting for the Nunnally kids
I have no business stopping my homework to post this, but my heart is hurting, and if I write it down, I can focus on my notebook. I went to a funeral today of a mom, stepdad, and their 8 month old grandbaby. I have had their children in class, but I did not know the parents.
I can't imagine the pain that Heather is feeling right now. Not only did she lose her mom and stepdad, but she had to bury her 8 month old baby girl also. I didn't want to go. All morning I kept thinking, "It won't matter if I go; there will be plenty of people there: I didn't really know these people: I have too much to do to stop now: It will be too hard because it was in the same church that we had Jason's service in;" and on, and on, and on... Finally at one o'clock I decided that I would go.
I have been wondering what I could say to these kids. I didn't know if their parents were Christians. I could tell the young mother that she could see her baby again, but if her parents weren't Christians, what if she asked me about their fate. I could tell them to rest on their faith, that that would be the only thing that would bring real peace and comfort. But what if they had no faith, what would I say when they asked me why God allowed this tragedy to happen.
I'm so glad I went. I learned that this couple had recently been attending church in Earlsboro and were talking to the pastor about joining the church, so now I don't have to worry about discussing their fate with their children. What can I tell these kids?
I can tell Heather something that a grieving mom told me. You will never grieve again the way you have for your child. Your heart has survived true heartbreak, and that heartbreak will serve you well. You will be able to tell others who experience the death of a child that it is horrible, but that you will see happy times again.
I can tell both of them that their mom, stepdad, and Summer are together in paradise, and if we could see them now, we would not want to bring them back here where there is pain, suffering, and death.
I can tell them that the best way to survive this is to draw from the strength of the family and friends who love them.
The preacher told one little illustration that gave me comfort. He told us to imagine that these three people were on a ship that left the harbor. We watched them until the ship they were in grew smaller and smaller until they went over the horizon, and then we couldn't see them any longer. On the other side, others were standing on a dock watching the ship appear on the horizon and get larger and larger. The people on the dock were saying "Here they come." They were greeted by family and friends already in heaven.
I loved that image. I can see our family and friends waiting for Jason last September. Some of those people had never met him, but they were there because they already loved him. They may have known him as a child, so they were going to meet him as a man. What a comforting image.
I told Chris, the young man I had in class, that I was praying for him. I am and will continue to do so. I hope he got the same comfort out of the message today that I did.
I can't imagine the pain that Heather is feeling right now. Not only did she lose her mom and stepdad, but she had to bury her 8 month old baby girl also. I didn't want to go. All morning I kept thinking, "It won't matter if I go; there will be plenty of people there: I didn't really know these people: I have too much to do to stop now: It will be too hard because it was in the same church that we had Jason's service in;" and on, and on, and on... Finally at one o'clock I decided that I would go.
I have been wondering what I could say to these kids. I didn't know if their parents were Christians. I could tell the young mother that she could see her baby again, but if her parents weren't Christians, what if she asked me about their fate. I could tell them to rest on their faith, that that would be the only thing that would bring real peace and comfort. But what if they had no faith, what would I say when they asked me why God allowed this tragedy to happen.
I'm so glad I went. I learned that this couple had recently been attending church in Earlsboro and were talking to the pastor about joining the church, so now I don't have to worry about discussing their fate with their children. What can I tell these kids?
I can tell Heather something that a grieving mom told me. You will never grieve again the way you have for your child. Your heart has survived true heartbreak, and that heartbreak will serve you well. You will be able to tell others who experience the death of a child that it is horrible, but that you will see happy times again.
I can tell both of them that their mom, stepdad, and Summer are together in paradise, and if we could see them now, we would not want to bring them back here where there is pain, suffering, and death.
I can tell them that the best way to survive this is to draw from the strength of the family and friends who love them.
The preacher told one little illustration that gave me comfort. He told us to imagine that these three people were on a ship that left the harbor. We watched them until the ship they were in grew smaller and smaller until they went over the horizon, and then we couldn't see them any longer. On the other side, others were standing on a dock watching the ship appear on the horizon and get larger and larger. The people on the dock were saying "Here they come." They were greeted by family and friends already in heaven.
I loved that image. I can see our family and friends waiting for Jason last September. Some of those people had never met him, but they were there because they already loved him. They may have known him as a child, so they were going to meet him as a man. What a comforting image.
I told Chris, the young man I had in class, that I was praying for him. I am and will continue to do so. I hope he got the same comfort out of the message today that I did.
Friday, July 24, 2009
one year
It has now been a full year since we have seen Jason. He stopped by here last year for a few days on his way back from Ft. Worth. Incredible.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Ashamed
I went to a small graveside service of one of Tony's classmates today. She had suffered from fibromyalgia and apparently heart trouble for some time, and she died of a heart attack.
Something that happened at the service has made me so ashamed of myself. I have so many regrets from high school, but the one that haunts me the most is that I didn't reveal my faith to my friends. If you could see the Bible I had during these bleak years, you would see evidence that I read it. There are passages underlined, notes, but for some reason, I thought it wouldn't matter if I went my own way for a few years.
At the end of the service, the moderator gave people in the audience an opportunity to speak. One of the girls in Tony's class spoke for about eight of us who were standing together. She stated that all of us know the Lord now but that we didn't know Him in high school. What I am most ashamed of is that I did know the Lord when I was in high school, but there was no evidence of that in my behavior.
My mother took me to church for as long as I can remember. I was saved and baptized when I was about eight, I went to church, church camp, vbs, I even taught VBS, but I did not live like a Christ follower from the time I was about 13 until I was 27. During those years, I knew that God had not left me, I felt His presence and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit trying to get my attention, but I ignored Him.
I can't look back on those years with fondness because I missed out on the opportunity to reach some of the most important people in my life. How could I expect them to follow Jesus when I was such a poor witness.
Many of the people that I work with have been those people who never strayed. How did they do that? Why was I so weak? I was even somewhat embarrassed about the fact that I went to church all the time, probably because if anyone had seen me walking in the door, they would have thought, "What's SHE doing going to church?"
I remember being able to answer all the Biblical allusion questions in literature, and people would always be surprised that I knew all of that stuff.
There are several of my friends who are like me. We made some very important decisions during our "silly season" and we have lived with the consequences. I hope my lack of courage to share and reveal my faith does not have eternal consequences.
Something that happened at the service has made me so ashamed of myself. I have so many regrets from high school, but the one that haunts me the most is that I didn't reveal my faith to my friends. If you could see the Bible I had during these bleak years, you would see evidence that I read it. There are passages underlined, notes, but for some reason, I thought it wouldn't matter if I went my own way for a few years.
At the end of the service, the moderator gave people in the audience an opportunity to speak. One of the girls in Tony's class spoke for about eight of us who were standing together. She stated that all of us know the Lord now but that we didn't know Him in high school. What I am most ashamed of is that I did know the Lord when I was in high school, but there was no evidence of that in my behavior.
My mother took me to church for as long as I can remember. I was saved and baptized when I was about eight, I went to church, church camp, vbs, I even taught VBS, but I did not live like a Christ follower from the time I was about 13 until I was 27. During those years, I knew that God had not left me, I felt His presence and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit trying to get my attention, but I ignored Him.
I can't look back on those years with fondness because I missed out on the opportunity to reach some of the most important people in my life. How could I expect them to follow Jesus when I was such a poor witness.
Many of the people that I work with have been those people who never strayed. How did they do that? Why was I so weak? I was even somewhat embarrassed about the fact that I went to church all the time, probably because if anyone had seen me walking in the door, they would have thought, "What's SHE doing going to church?"
I remember being able to answer all the Biblical allusion questions in literature, and people would always be surprised that I knew all of that stuff.
There are several of my friends who are like me. We made some very important decisions during our "silly season" and we have lived with the consequences. I hope my lack of courage to share and reveal my faith does not have eternal consequences.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
New book
My pastor, Jimmy Holbrook, has a new book out this week. It is called The Shelter, and can be purchased at Mardel or at our church. It is a book about raising a family in today's world.
I know Jimmy is a very smart man, so I'm going to recommend the book even though I won't have time to read it until I finish school in a week and a half. One of the things I have read about it is that he teaches his readers to teach their children how to shelter themselves. It is not a book about keeping our children over-protected from the world, but instead to teach them to make Godly decisions. It's like the "give a man a fish, he will eat for a day; teach him to fish, he will be able to eat for life." We can't always be with our children. They can be protected by us for only so long, then we have to count on what we have taught them to remain with them when they are away from us.
With the exposure to so many harmful elements readily available to our kids, this is the most valuable thing we can do for them. We have to teach our kids to guard their hearts and minds. The Casting Crowns song, Slow Fade, is such a truth. Nobody intends to become addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, etc. People never crumble in a day; it is over time that people get their lives in such a mess that they don't think they have a way out.
I plan to purchase several copies for my family members and friends who are raising kids. My intention is for them to read the book and pass it on to their family and friends. I truly believe that a change in our culture is possible, but it must be a grass roots efforts. What better place to start than within our homes.
I know Jimmy is a very smart man, so I'm going to recommend the book even though I won't have time to read it until I finish school in a week and a half. One of the things I have read about it is that he teaches his readers to teach their children how to shelter themselves. It is not a book about keeping our children over-protected from the world, but instead to teach them to make Godly decisions. It's like the "give a man a fish, he will eat for a day; teach him to fish, he will be able to eat for life." We can't always be with our children. They can be protected by us for only so long, then we have to count on what we have taught them to remain with them when they are away from us.
With the exposure to so many harmful elements readily available to our kids, this is the most valuable thing we can do for them. We have to teach our kids to guard their hearts and minds. The Casting Crowns song, Slow Fade, is such a truth. Nobody intends to become addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, etc. People never crumble in a day; it is over time that people get their lives in such a mess that they don't think they have a way out.
I plan to purchase several copies for my family members and friends who are raising kids. My intention is for them to read the book and pass it on to their family and friends. I truly believe that a change in our culture is possible, but it must be a grass roots efforts. What better place to start than within our homes.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Blood pressure Raisers
I don't know why I do it, but I read the news article in the Countywide News about the last school board meeting. They voted to move the graduation to the football field next year instead of having it on OBU's campus at Raley Chapel. I really don't care since all of my kids have graduated, and I have no plans to be a class sponsor again. I love having graduation in the beautiful chapel because it is respectful, formal, air conditioned, and the acoustics are excellent. I've been to many graduations at football fields and gymnasiums, and the atmosphere is just what you would think. It is a casual, noisy event, and people dress and behave like they are at a ballgame. At my own graduations I had horrible outdoor experiences. In highschool we had to move from the football field to the gym in the middle of the evening. An unexpected storm came up and changed everything. I was a kid; I have no idea what chaos that caused for the staff and faculty, but you can look at the 1973 yearbook and see pictures of us at the football field and in the gym--all on the same night. My college graduation from UCO was in July; we wore black robes that weighed about five pounds. I thought I was going to faint. Jason's college graduation from OSU in May 2006 was so cold that I was miserable all during the ceremony. I like indoor graduations. All three of my kids graduated at Raley. Jason was senior class president, so he gave the welcome and Carson sang at his. I could hear both of them because the sound system is excellent at Raley. I have always been proud to invite my family members to come to my kids' graduation because I knew they would be comfortable and be able to hear and see everything.
The thing that raised my blood pressure were the statements by a couple of board members. One said we wanted to make the decision now so that we could plan for the graduation. You can't plan Oklahoma weather. It could be 90 degrees or 40 degrees, it could be raining, the wind could be blowing fifty miles an hour. Nothing we do in advance will make a difference in the weather, and the board members will arrive at the last minute, get their corsage or boutineer and have a seat. The administration, staff, and faculty will be the ones who deal with the problems the weather may cause. Mr. Wilsie will take the heat. If he moves the ceremony to Raley too soon, he will be criticized; if he waits until the last minute to move it, he will be criticized. Another board member stated that we are not here to cater to the teachers and that the tail will quit wagging the dog tonight. I think I was just called a dog's tail. I spoke at an earlier board meeting and told them why I believed the ceremony should remain at Raley. I spoke as an alumni, a faculty member, a class sponsor, and a parent of three alumni. I thought that would give credence to my statement.
I am very offended by a person who is in a position of leadership in our community, an elected official, making a statement so derogatory about our faculty.
He repeatedly states that we are supposed to be here for the kids. Nobody is arguing that, but there is also nobody more committed to the students of Tecumseh than our school administration, faculty and staff. We could all make more money elsewhere, but we teach because it is a calling. We devote our lives to educating young people, not just a few really neat young people; we educate the ones who are challenging, who come to school with problems that overwhelm them and us, who have such severe personal problems that I can't imagine how they focus on their education at all. Our school is very successful at one thing. We do really well at educating students who live in poverty. Our test scores are enviable; when most schools are making the excuse that "90% of our kids are on free and reduced lunch, so we can't be successful," we are celebrating because 80+% of our kids are on free and reduced lunch, and we are seeing remarkable progress in their education.
I don't know what I can do about the kinds of statements like his, but I can say that reading a statement made by someone who is supposed to be leading the place where I work sure makes it difficult to get fired up for school. We do not need awards and accolades for doing our jobs, but we do need to think that we are supported. I do not feel supported.
The thing that raised my blood pressure were the statements by a couple of board members. One said we wanted to make the decision now so that we could plan for the graduation. You can't plan Oklahoma weather. It could be 90 degrees or 40 degrees, it could be raining, the wind could be blowing fifty miles an hour. Nothing we do in advance will make a difference in the weather, and the board members will arrive at the last minute, get their corsage or boutineer and have a seat. The administration, staff, and faculty will be the ones who deal with the problems the weather may cause. Mr. Wilsie will take the heat. If he moves the ceremony to Raley too soon, he will be criticized; if he waits until the last minute to move it, he will be criticized. Another board member stated that we are not here to cater to the teachers and that the tail will quit wagging the dog tonight. I think I was just called a dog's tail. I spoke at an earlier board meeting and told them why I believed the ceremony should remain at Raley. I spoke as an alumni, a faculty member, a class sponsor, and a parent of three alumni. I thought that would give credence to my statement.
I am very offended by a person who is in a position of leadership in our community, an elected official, making a statement so derogatory about our faculty.
He repeatedly states that we are supposed to be here for the kids. Nobody is arguing that, but there is also nobody more committed to the students of Tecumseh than our school administration, faculty and staff. We could all make more money elsewhere, but we teach because it is a calling. We devote our lives to educating young people, not just a few really neat young people; we educate the ones who are challenging, who come to school with problems that overwhelm them and us, who have such severe personal problems that I can't imagine how they focus on their education at all. Our school is very successful at one thing. We do really well at educating students who live in poverty. Our test scores are enviable; when most schools are making the excuse that "90% of our kids are on free and reduced lunch, so we can't be successful," we are celebrating because 80+% of our kids are on free and reduced lunch, and we are seeing remarkable progress in their education.
I don't know what I can do about the kinds of statements like his, but I can say that reading a statement made by someone who is supposed to be leading the place where I work sure makes it difficult to get fired up for school. We do not need awards and accolades for doing our jobs, but we do need to think that we are supported. I do not feel supported.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
I am Blessed
I have to remind myself sometimes that I am Blessed. I focus sometimes on the losses in my life and forget about the blessings. Monday I met with friends for lunch in Norman--women that I have taught with but have become some of my dearest friends in life. We ate lunch and sat at our table solving the problems of the world for three hours. Ok, so maybe we didn't get them all solved, but we sure have some great ideas. Then Monday night I spent the night with my friend in Maysville. We stayed up too late and finished solving the problems of the world with some catching up time and some deep spiritual discussions.
During that evening I received a call from one of my retired friends who invited me to lunch on Friday with the other retired teachers and staff. I miss them all so much, but I can't be sad for them not being at the school any longer. They are all enjoying grandchildren and a wonderful time in their lives. I also received calls from both of my kids, just checking in, not needing anything. That's a blessing.
I'm looking forward to lunch Friday and getting their take on the world issues that need to be solved.
Tuesday after my class in Ardmore, I drove down I-35 to Gainsville to meet my nieces and have lunch, then the girls came home with me. We went to the movie last night to see Up. What a fun movie, but I wouldn't have seen it if they hadn't come to stay with me. Today, they have painted plates, and we are going to the Y to swim after our pizza gets here.
Tomorrow they will go to spend some time with their Papa, my sister's widower, before they go back to Midland. Each time they come, I realize how much my sister missed out on. They are sweet, pretty, funny, and she would have loved spending time with them so much. I can't take her place, but I can spend a little time letting them experience some Oklahoma time. Tomorrow we will go to the mall, and I will give them their birthday money since they both have August birthdays, and I will let them buy whatever they want. Halle bought a hair piece one time. She wore it everywhere.
I have been blessed with wonderful family and friends, and I thank God for those blessing.
During that evening I received a call from one of my retired friends who invited me to lunch on Friday with the other retired teachers and staff. I miss them all so much, but I can't be sad for them not being at the school any longer. They are all enjoying grandchildren and a wonderful time in their lives. I also received calls from both of my kids, just checking in, not needing anything. That's a blessing.
I'm looking forward to lunch Friday and getting their take on the world issues that need to be solved.
Tuesday after my class in Ardmore, I drove down I-35 to Gainsville to meet my nieces and have lunch, then the girls came home with me. We went to the movie last night to see Up. What a fun movie, but I wouldn't have seen it if they hadn't come to stay with me. Today, they have painted plates, and we are going to the Y to swim after our pizza gets here.
Tomorrow they will go to spend some time with their Papa, my sister's widower, before they go back to Midland. Each time they come, I realize how much my sister missed out on. They are sweet, pretty, funny, and she would have loved spending time with them so much. I can't take her place, but I can spend a little time letting them experience some Oklahoma time. Tomorrow we will go to the mall, and I will give them their birthday money since they both have August birthdays, and I will let them buy whatever they want. Halle bought a hair piece one time. She wore it everywhere.
I have been blessed with wonderful family and friends, and I thank God for those blessing.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Shack--again
I listened to the audiobook of The Shack again this week. I had some alone time in the car, so I started with CD 3 and listened to the rest of the book. I start with three because 1 and 2 are the first chapters about the horror of having a child kidnapped and murdered and the depression that follows. I don't need to hear that again, but the conversations with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spririt will fuel my soul time and time again.
I realize that it is fiction, but so is Screwtape Letters, and I have read that book several times and learned great truths of my faith from CS Lewis each time I have read it. I happen to believe that God gifts certain people with the imagination that the rest of us do not have, and that those people can use that imagination to teach us.
When I begin feeling the "great sadness" that Mac discusses in The Shack, I listen carefully to his conversations with God. I too have wondered "WHY?" so often and have now come to accept that God did not make this world the way it is, but he did send Jesus to make everything right for us. I realize that some of Young's theology is questionable, but I'm firm enough in my faith to read something controversial and not be harmed. One thing I am certain of: God is very fond of me, He is very fond of Tony, He is very fond of Jason, He is very fond of Allison, and He is very fond of Carson. He is very fond of you.
I realize that it is fiction, but so is Screwtape Letters, and I have read that book several times and learned great truths of my faith from CS Lewis each time I have read it. I happen to believe that God gifts certain people with the imagination that the rest of us do not have, and that those people can use that imagination to teach us.
When I begin feeling the "great sadness" that Mac discusses in The Shack, I listen carefully to his conversations with God. I too have wondered "WHY?" so often and have now come to accept that God did not make this world the way it is, but he did send Jesus to make everything right for us. I realize that some of Young's theology is questionable, but I'm firm enough in my faith to read something controversial and not be harmed. One thing I am certain of: God is very fond of me, He is very fond of Tony, He is very fond of Jason, He is very fond of Allison, and He is very fond of Carson. He is very fond of you.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
July
This is a month that has always meant family for me. We have had a family picnic for the 4th every year. We didn't have one this year which should have bothered me, but it didn't. I want the kids to go to the lake when they can. We can have a dinner any time; it doesn't have to be exactly on the fourth. The 24th is Allison's birthday, and it was also her Grandad's, so we always spent much of the month getting ready for that. I used to go way overboard for her birthday when she was a little girl because all the stores had huge sales, so I would buy her new school clothes for her birthday, and she would model them for us. Now I usually give her money, but if I know her, she gets some new clothes.
It was in July of last year when we were all together for the last time. I never in a million years dreamed that I would never see Jason alive again after he left here last July.
This morning in Sunday School we talked about how good it is that we do not know what the future holds. I can't imagine the pain I would have felt if I had known I would never see him again. I probably would have tried to keep him here to change his fate. Would that have worked? That is a question that I will never get the answer to. I really don't know. If he had stayed here, would he still be alive? If I allow myself to think about that, I start getting mad--mad at the economy that made getting a job so difficult, mad at Jason for not taking precautions to keep himself safe, mad at all the people and circumstances that placed him where he was on Sept. 20th at 11:45.
It doesn't do me or anyone else any good to follow that line of thinking. As a matter of fact, it is harmful, so I try to avoid it. I just try to fondly remember the short time we spent together. Tony and I met him at On the Boarder in Norman on his way back from Ft. Worth. Then he came here for Allison's birthday. That was when we took that last family snapshot that has become such an important part of our family. He spent time at Kirby's and Ashley's and went to Stillwater to spend some time with Allison, Carson and her friends for her birthday.
This year July will be rough. I am lucky that I have so much school work to occupy my time. We may have to do things completely differently this year, but one thing I want to do is take a family picture. We haven't taken one since last July. It's time.
It was in July of last year when we were all together for the last time. I never in a million years dreamed that I would never see Jason alive again after he left here last July.
This morning in Sunday School we talked about how good it is that we do not know what the future holds. I can't imagine the pain I would have felt if I had known I would never see him again. I probably would have tried to keep him here to change his fate. Would that have worked? That is a question that I will never get the answer to. I really don't know. If he had stayed here, would he still be alive? If I allow myself to think about that, I start getting mad--mad at the economy that made getting a job so difficult, mad at Jason for not taking precautions to keep himself safe, mad at all the people and circumstances that placed him where he was on Sept. 20th at 11:45.
It doesn't do me or anyone else any good to follow that line of thinking. As a matter of fact, it is harmful, so I try to avoid it. I just try to fondly remember the short time we spent together. Tony and I met him at On the Boarder in Norman on his way back from Ft. Worth. Then he came here for Allison's birthday. That was when we took that last family snapshot that has become such an important part of our family. He spent time at Kirby's and Ashley's and went to Stillwater to spend some time with Allison, Carson and her friends for her birthday.
This year July will be rough. I am lucky that I have so much school work to occupy my time. We may have to do things completely differently this year, but one thing I want to do is take a family picture. We haven't taken one since last July. It's time.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Another disturbing movie
Today I finally watched Slumdog Millionaire. From the clips I had seen, I knew it was going to be very difficult to watch. Even though the happy, love-story ending was good, the images that I will always keep in my mind of the poverty, cruelty, and abuse will haunt me for years.
This is why I usually avoid reality-based stories like this. I can't do a thing about the horrible living conditions of the children in India, but I can be thankful that I live in the USA.
I was in an AP workshop several years ago with a women who moved to America from India. She stated over and over that in her country, ALL students take higher math and higher science than their American counterparts. I listened for four days, and on the last day, I couldn't resist. I reminded her that in America we educated all students, but her country only certain children are educated. She never understood what I was talking about; she never acknowledged that there were millions of children in her country who never entered a school, much less took Calculus and Physics. She just kept saying that all of her schoolmates took Calculus, Trig, Physics, and advanced chemistry.
I do think we can do a better job with our public schools, but as long as we continue to teach everyone, I'm going to support free public schools in America.
A private school may take the students they have farther, but they can reject students. We can't.
This is why I usually avoid reality-based stories like this. I can't do a thing about the horrible living conditions of the children in India, but I can be thankful that I live in the USA.
I was in an AP workshop several years ago with a women who moved to America from India. She stated over and over that in her country, ALL students take higher math and higher science than their American counterparts. I listened for four days, and on the last day, I couldn't resist. I reminded her that in America we educated all students, but her country only certain children are educated. She never understood what I was talking about; she never acknowledged that there were millions of children in her country who never entered a school, much less took Calculus and Physics. She just kept saying that all of her schoolmates took Calculus, Trig, Physics, and advanced chemistry.
I do think we can do a better job with our public schools, but as long as we continue to teach everyone, I'm going to support free public schools in America.
A private school may take the students they have farther, but they can reject students. We can't.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Guest Room
When Allison left home, she told me she wanted her room to stay the same, no ironing board, no sewing machine, no junk. I think I waited long enough. This week I put a double bed in there with new bedding. The headboard and footboard and dresser are the ones that my daddy remade for me. They were given to us by my mom's friend Winnie, and Daddy refinished them, cut them down to a smaller size, and made them more appropriate for a little girl. I don't know how old it is or how old I was when I got it, but I remember how special it made me feel. My dad was a master craftsman; the headboard and footboard are intricately carved. I can't even imagine how long it took him to refinish it. Today I was cleaning them with Murphy's and putting Old English on them. Those smells remind me of my mom. She took very good care of all of our wood furniture and cabinets.
The crux of all of this is that I now have a guest room that will welcome my nieces in a couple of weeks and will be comfortable for Allison when she spends the night. The only thing left to do is to put up new window treatments. I haven't found what I want, so I'm going to wait. That's not usually my way. Usually when I am redoing a room, I will keep plugging until I get it completely finished. I'm trying to be patient and wait for the bargains to show up.
I really like to redo rooms in my house. I makes me feel like I've accomplished something, and causes me to clean out stuff and get rid of junk. One room down, five to go.
The crux of all of this is that I now have a guest room that will welcome my nieces in a couple of weeks and will be comfortable for Allison when she spends the night. The only thing left to do is to put up new window treatments. I haven't found what I want, so I'm going to wait. That's not usually my way. Usually when I am redoing a room, I will keep plugging until I get it completely finished. I'm trying to be patient and wait for the bargains to show up.
I really like to redo rooms in my house. I makes me feel like I've accomplished something, and causes me to clean out stuff and get rid of junk. One room down, five to go.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I hate Cancer
It seems to me that lately every few weeks I hear that someone I know and love has been diagnosed with cancer. Mr. Blue, my principal for 18 years, has lung cancer and a spot on his brain. Today I learned that Mr. Capps, the assistant principal for 19 years, has lung cancer. My friend Sharyl is still undergoing treatment for lung cancer; Natalie O'Dell is again undergoing chemo for cancer in her stomach.
I have been a American Cancer Society volunteer for several years both in Tecumseh, OKC, and even at an event in Washington D. C. I know we are making great strides in research, so I will continue to raise money and volunteer, but I wish there was a way to speed up the research so that my friends could be helped now. The strangest thing to me is that none of these people were smokers. I'm not sure about Mr. Blue and Mr. Capps, but I know Sharyl never smoked. I do know that neither of the men have been smokers for the almost twenty years that I have known them.
I think our environment is killing us. My friend and I were talking about playing outside when the DDT truck used to come around to spray for mosquitos when we were kids. We didn't get a warning; we didn't run in the house. She said she used to ride her bicycle behind the truck.
When I think of all the chemicals we are exposed to, it is frightening. The wax stripper that the custodians use reeks. It couldn't be good to breath that stuff in; however, when I taught summer school, I breathed it in every day. I have seen some of the custodians wear masks, but not all. They should be required to wear them.
One thing that Ron Webb, who died of lung cancer this spring, James Blue, and Roy Capps had in common (besides the building that I work in) is that they all coached for many years. The herbicides and pesticides used on baseball and football fields can't be healthy for us to breath in.
Even when we go to the mall, we walk by the nail salons and smell that horrible chemical smell that permeates the area. I am sensitive to harmful chemicals because my sister, Phyllis, would still be alive today if she hadn't been exposed to barilium and asbestos at Tinker, so I try not to put myself in harms way. How do you avoid it completely?
Maybe someday we will know the source of all cancer and be able to avoid carcenogens, but until then, we need to use our good judgement.
I have been a American Cancer Society volunteer for several years both in Tecumseh, OKC, and even at an event in Washington D. C. I know we are making great strides in research, so I will continue to raise money and volunteer, but I wish there was a way to speed up the research so that my friends could be helped now. The strangest thing to me is that none of these people were smokers. I'm not sure about Mr. Blue and Mr. Capps, but I know Sharyl never smoked. I do know that neither of the men have been smokers for the almost twenty years that I have known them.
I think our environment is killing us. My friend and I were talking about playing outside when the DDT truck used to come around to spray for mosquitos when we were kids. We didn't get a warning; we didn't run in the house. She said she used to ride her bicycle behind the truck.
When I think of all the chemicals we are exposed to, it is frightening. The wax stripper that the custodians use reeks. It couldn't be good to breath that stuff in; however, when I taught summer school, I breathed it in every day. I have seen some of the custodians wear masks, but not all. They should be required to wear them.
One thing that Ron Webb, who died of lung cancer this spring, James Blue, and Roy Capps had in common (besides the building that I work in) is that they all coached for many years. The herbicides and pesticides used on baseball and football fields can't be healthy for us to breath in.
Even when we go to the mall, we walk by the nail salons and smell that horrible chemical smell that permeates the area. I am sensitive to harmful chemicals because my sister, Phyllis, would still be alive today if she hadn't been exposed to barilium and asbestos at Tinker, so I try not to put myself in harms way. How do you avoid it completely?
Maybe someday we will know the source of all cancer and be able to avoid carcenogens, but until then, we need to use our good judgement.
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