Three Months Later...

Rewind...

It is Good Friday, April 10, 2009. Don and I were sitting in our personal comfortable chairs, he relaxed in his ergonomically-engineered Ikea and me in my mom's rocker/recliner, getting ready for a day of quiet reading! Yes... Don was reading and I was thrilled that we would share this day in this way! I knew Jeff Ray of Channel 2 news had predicted severe storms for the middle Tennessee area; so, we had the TV on mute, keeping an eye on the weather channel. I thought, "I should get my laptop and follow this weather on weather.com." My laptop showed a red ominous blob headed our way. Well, the rest, you know is history. The world as we know it, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was literally ripped apart. From the southwestern corner to the northeastern corner of my hometown, a tornado twisted and bounced like a spinning top, leaving in its wake destroyed lives & landscape, families & homes.

Three months later...

July 10, 2009 I decided to begin a new workout routine. At 4:00 AM, I woke up with the enthusiasm of a kid starting their first day at school. My plan was to be out right before the sun rose, painting the soft colors of a new day on the eastern sky. Much to my dismay, it was very dark outside. So, I had my cup of "wake-up" to pass the time. Around 5 AM, I looked out my kitchen window, a lovely soft navy dawn had filled my view. With my new running shoes, I grabbed by I-Touch and hit the pavement with a WALK/run/repeat routine. The first street was okay, a brisk walk, heavy breathing and arms pumping to the beat of a song. As I reached the first cross street, I began my very brief run. Penny Lane and walk, I can do this. As my feet began a walk, Stephen Curtis Champman sang in my ear, "Speechless". As my breath finally came back to normal, I took in my surroundings: to the right, "my" sunrise, the eastern sky painted with pastel pinks, corals, yellows with the softest colors I had desired to see; to my left, the aftermath of the devastation left by the Good Friday tornado that had ripped my neighbors homes and lives apart. The afternoon of April 10 and after I had not ventured into the areas of destruction, my focus had been at home, school, TCAP, and end of the year activities. I was bound and determined not to be one of the curious, riding around to see what the tornado had done to our beloved town. I had been a witness to the constant stream of onlookers parading through the area. As I viewed the empty lots where homes and lives had stood, the disbelief and awe of everything came rushing in with every breath I took. As Steven continued to serenade my workout, I was "astounded and amazed" by God's contrasting power. Tears trickled down my sweating cheeks... grateful to just be in the moment!

Today, July 10, 2009...

Some of the damaged homes in my neighboring subdivision have been repaired. Not much has changed for one house; still looks like a bomb had been dropped on it! I wonder about the people, the families, the lives that were tossed about on that day three months ago. One family, our backyard neighbors Dot and John, have come home. Today, I delivered some handpicked blueberries, my belated welcome back home gift. Dot proudly showed me the repairs that had been made to their home. I shared with her my new lease on life... walk/run/repeat; she had started a similar routine. We decided to meet in her yard at 5 AM the next morning to walk together.

As I reflect about the terrible event which occurred three months ago, I realize how much a community pulls together in a time of need. How perfect strangers who speak can go about their normal daily routines, oblivious of the lives of others. Let life throw a wrench to purposefully slow everyone down and force people to get back to our basic needs of survival. I believe those basic needs includes unconditional humanity. We need to know that people still care about people in the simplest of terms. Giving a hug, sharing food, and providing shelter from the storms of life, whatever those storms might be. God is keeping us on this earth, blessing us in our country, pulling us together as a community for some reason. I can't help but believe the lesson is "get back to the simpler way of life". Someday in our future we may be faced with far more worse days... will I remember the lessons learned? I pray my answer will be yes.

Friends

Tribute to a Friend...

On "The Friendship Page: Friendship Quotes" there is this quote by Anna Cummins:

Do not save your loving speeches

For your friends till they are dead;

Do not write them on their tombstones,

Speak them rather now instead.

Recently I shared in the pain of two friends; one died of cancer the other, left without a lifelong friend. These ladies two were "two peas in a pod", "tweedle-dee & tweedle-dum". In February of this year Mary discovered she had brain cancer. June 2, 2009 Dorothy lost her best friend, Mary, to this monster we all know as cancer. This experience of loss prompted a time of personal reflection for me.

Think for a moment with me... Who is the "tweedle-dum" in your "tweedle-dee"? Who is the other pea in your pod"? Julia is that friend for me. I cannot imagine a single day of my life when a "Julia thought" doesn't cross my mind. Whether she is right across town or halfway around the world... I know that is there, in spirit or in person, when I need her.

My thoughts wandered through the many friendships I have experienced in my short 50+ years on this earth. The longest enduring friendship I hold dear is from age five. Many of my friendships have endured petty jealousies, major disagreements, and one, a business partnership. My friendship with Julia is quite extraordinary.

When looking for friendships, the standing advice is: "... find someone who has similar interests, hobbies - commonalities." That is always a good place to begin...

"What is a friend? A single soul in two bodies."

- Aristotle

Julia and I share so much, but yet we are as different as day and night. Our birthdays are in February, in fact, we are three days apart in age. When we first met each other, we were both substitute teaching at the same school. Our first teaching position was at the same school. Her younger son was in my fifth grade class, and my only son was in her fourth grade class. We both adore dogs! We have a passion for the written word. Her mom lives in Memphis, so does my son. We both drive a Toyota Camry, her fast eight cylinder is taupe in color, my slow six cylinder, a speedy red. So you see... we share many loves: cars, Memphis, reading, dogs, teaching, and February.

"Give others freedom to be themselves. Appreciate the differences between their ways and yours."

- Jennifer Chen

As my mind continues to wander... I am somewhat puzzled by our friendship. There are so many differences spanning between us. Many of these differences are minor; some, vast. I love the thirst-quenching gulp of a chilled Diet-Pepsi. Her choice of beverage is room-temperature water or a chilled glass of Chardonnay. Julia's home is shared by several cats, mine is home to none. Her feet are those of a world traveler flying to Europe to see French gardens and castles; mine stay on the solid ground for the comforts of home. Julia is a "doer": outdoor garden, carpentry, home remodeling projects, blacksmithing to name just a few! My projects are numerous as well, but more of the sitting domesticated flavor. Julia lives alone which is why her work is never done. My husband of thirty years takes on many of the responsibilities Julia must do alone. I often tell her I need to give her lessons in slothfulness! She is teaching me everything I want to know about herb gardening. She loves to cook; I love to eat... a great combination, don't you agree!

"This communicating of a man's self to his friend works two contrary effects; for it redoubleth joy, and cutteth griefs in half." - Francis Bacon

Even with our differences and because of our similarities Julia is a friend on whom I rely and trust. We multiply each others joys and divide the pain. The best of times we have shared: sons' graduations from high school and college and her older son's wedding. During my dad's battle with cancer, I would call Julia either on the way to his home or on the way back to my home, sometimes both. She listened through my tears and made the long, lonely ride endurable. Julia was there to divide the pain when cancer finally took him away from me. Recently, when Good Friday brought tornados to our town, Julia walked along beside me, picking up the shattered dreams of neighbors scattered over my property.

What will tomorrow bring, who knows? But together we look forward to a future of grandchildren, retirement, and travels. I know with out a doubt, we will be there to lean on each other through the worst of times when the storms of life bring them our way.

"I count myself in nothing else so happy

As in a soul rememb'ring my good friend(s) [sic}."

- William Shakespeare

Thank you, Mr. William Shakespeare! The words to end this reflection would not come to me easily. You found them many years ago; they ring true in my heart today. I, too, am happy in the depths of my soul to pen these words about Julia today, in hopes that others will take the time to honor those friends they hold dear! I know Dorothy and Mary loved each other dearly. As I observed their conversations while finishing each others sentences... I glimpsed the "soul-mate" kind of friendship that endures and brings true happiness.

Julia, you are my "tweedle-dee"... I will be your "tweedle-dum" through eternity and beyond.

Life is Now!

It's not that "today is the first day of the rest of my life," but that now is all there is of my life.
                                                                                                                                                     ~Hugh Prather
This quote appeared on my blogsite today.   I thought, how ironic!  Yesterday, I learned that two lives were taken from this world... a mom and her 12-year old daughter.  They were on their way to celebrate their parents/grandparents 50th wedding anniversary.  Also, yesterday, I had a call from a book group friend that one of our members is living out her final days.  As Hugh Prather states so accurately...  Life indeed is NOW!
The lady from our book group retired from the nursing profession a couple of years ago.  Her retirement has been filled with traveling and friends!  Along with her best friend, she has been a loyal attender and reader.  Her mere presence in our group added a  positive energy, a certain life attitude that was so refreshing and youthful.   At this time, she is home with family, close friends, and Hospice.  I am truly going to miss my friend and mentor.  I will always remember her lovely smile and jovial laughter forever!  Life indeed is NOW!
I did not know the mom and daughter who was killed in a car accident Saturday afternoon.  I did know the precious grandparents.  The wife was blinded several years ago due to a stroke.  Her war-decorated husband selects his wife's clothing, earrings, etc on a daily basis.  She depends so much on him, and he on her!  Together they are the epitome of the strength of Job!  It is my prayer that God will sustain them and the other family members through this tragic event in their lives.  Sunday, they were going to have a church pew reserved for the entire family to celebrate 50 wonderful years together.  Instead, Sunday found them planning two funerals for a daughter and granddaughter instead.  Life is NOW!
Don't hesitate to really look into the eyes of that special person sitting across the table from you.  Don't let a day go by that you tell someone how important they are in your life.  Don't let a morning go by that you don't give that special loved one a loving hug!  Don't let a night go by that you thank God for the blessings of this life.  Don't let a phone call end with a simple good-bye... add a simple "Love you!"  Every day is precious.  The people in our life are God's gifts... cherish them!  
Life is NOW!  

Words & Herbs!

I learned a new word today. (Thanks, JM!)  Bloggable!  I love that... Here is another made-up word from last year's Youth Writers' Camp, "googleable" or "googlable"?!   I wonder how words are added to the dictionary?  If someone just begins using a word, and it catches on... then does it become a useful word?  I wonder if a certain number of people have to use the word?  Or does it have to be used across the country?  I think the most recent new words have been technology-based.  Old words still have value and meaning...

I removed irises from my herb garden this weekend.  They had taken it over!  So now my garden is all herbs.  The herbs in my garden are as follows: rosemary, thyme, oregano (two varieties), basil (two varieties; one a French Basil, really!  seeds are from FRANCE!), feverfew, chocolate mint, cilantro, sage, parsley(two varieties) and chamomile.  I have been pondering all weekend about my little herb garden.  I was thinking about a theme-garden.  As I was perusing an herb book and internet, I saw all kinds of themes from nursery rhyme gardens to healing gardens.  In one of my books I found some words that herbs represent!  For instance, rosemary represents "remembrance".  Then, in a former-student's Facebook status, I saw a quote that I fell in love with; "often we run from the purging and pruning, forgetting the gardener knows- that the deeper the cutting and trimming, the richer the cluster that grows."  It is from a very long poem out of a devotional book, Streams in the Desert.  Well, this afternoon my theme idea blossomed!  Words & Herbs!   I like that very much!!

First Day of Summer for a Teacher!

Slept later than usual, but not as late as I meant to.  Took Beau outside for his morning ritual, before I get mine started.  Drank my first cup of coffee... AHH!!  The usual routine for a morning.  Every day starts the same, except TODAY is my first day of summer break!  What is so different than every other Saturday?  No planning required!  No papers to grade!  Simply the feeling of being behind, not left behind, is gone...POOF!  

Rocking in my recliner with Beauregard at my side, drinking my steaming cup of coffee, reading my devotional, talking with God... all the comforts and security of home.  The only thing that is missing is anything having to do with school, all summer!  I remember running the normal Saturday chores in my mind.  But, I think... I have all summer to do those things: dust, mop, wash clothes, straighten the clutter, wash dishes, etc.  Washing dishes won out!  And that was it!  

Everything else accomplished today never made it to my list!  Got Beau's flea/tick meds, so he can walk on the Greenway with the "Walkers & Waggers"!  Headed home to dig up irises!  Clean out my herb garden!  Don was building cutest picket-fence for the backdrop of my fragrant herb garden.  This tiny garden is the first view of our yard as we pull up the driveway... softly whispering, "Welcome Home, Friends!" 

 This is how I loved my first day of summer!  Many more to come...AAHHH!

 

Beginnings...

Beginnings are difficult.  

Beginnings are exciting.  

Beginnings are emotional.  

Beginnings are scary.  

Beginnings are unknown.

Beginnings are stressful.

Beginnings are blank pages.

Beginnings are hope!  

Where there is a beginning; 

something ends.

 

Endings are sad.

Endings are final.  

Endings are a relief.  

Endings are empty.  

Endings are difficult.

Endings are separation.

Endings are closure.

Endings are freeing! 

Then life's events continue in this way:

Beginning, 

Ending,

Beginning again,

Hopefully...

Dedicated to sixth graders who are moving on... 

Especially: Gia, Livi, Olivia, Annea

Remember: Girl Power!!     

End of another year!

The end of another school year draws near.  This one finds me tired, concerned, and wondering what will next year's group be like!?!  I am more tired this year than I have ever been.  Yes, I am getting older, could that be the problem?  Or could it be lack of exercise?  I know when I am on a regular workout schedule my stress level is much less... all those wonderful little endorphins making me feel "happy"!  When all the little students make me "crazy"!  : )  I do love teaching children... I am just very concerned about the cultural changes our society has been through and is experiencing now.  In my short time of teaching, I have witnessed several unsettling instances. More and more, there are fewer kids who want to learn for the sake of learning!  I will be attending an inservice tomorrow afternoon on How to Motivate the Unmotivated!  I wonder what tricks the presenter has... and if he/she is an actual classroom teacher.  I can say, I hope I will be motivated to hear him at this late date in the school year!  I will put on my game face!!  Hopefully, I will be able to remember motivational experience for next year's group.... note-taking will be occurring!  : )