Storms . . .

Thunder . . . lightening . . . teeming rain
Startled . . . I wake from the shaking pane
I lay there listening . . .  to the course of its path
Wondering, will there be devastation in the aftermath
How lucky I feel . . . lying safe in my bed
When so many others have suffered widespread
It’s always my mantra be thankful with what you’ve got
Even when you think it’s not a lot!

Reflections From a Retirement Party

On Friday, I celebrated with a colleague . . . a dear friend really as she will be retiring a the end of the year.  Friends/colleagues past and present also came to wish her well. 
Retirement parties are always a time of reflection . . . a time that we look back on the years we have spent encouraging, teaching, and caring for children from all walks of life.
Retirement parties have us taking a look back on our career . . . wondering if we did enough . . . enough to make that difference in a child’s life. 
Retirement parties also have us taking a look to the next chapter of our life . . . the life away from children . . . a life that hopefully we can make a difference in other ways . . . because after all, we are teachers . . .
Retirement parties . . . bitter sweet for sure . . . yet exciting non the less!

The Little Gift . . .

There is an old saying . . . it’s the little things that count
Thoughtful gestures, a smile, a compliment, a helping hand
Little things that really make your day . . .
Little things that touch your heart in a BIG way . . .
Yesterday, my heart was filled . . . my day was made
A little gift appeared on my desk chair
A little gift that meant so much to me
A little gift that each time I look at it, I smile
A little gift that warms me up because it was so so thoughtful
A little gift that means A LOT to me
Thanks Michelle, for the little gift that overfilled my bucket today!

Birthday wishses to My sister

Happy Birthday Wishes to You!!!

Sisters are very special . . . for so many reasons
But having you as my sister . . . well there are no words really to describe how it makes me feel . . .
So on this day, your birthday Susie . . . let me tell you why  I love you!

I love you because I know . . . you have and will always be there for me 
I love you because our bond is something that most people are in awe of and it is so natural to us
I love you because I can trust you with my life
I love you because on that dark day when I was told I had cancer you said to me “don’t be scared, because I’m not . . . and because I am not, I know you will be ok” and I am
I love you because we have been the “older” sister at different times for each other
I love you because you have given me the greatest gift of all . . . sharing your children with me
I love you because sometimes you know me better than I know myself
I love you because we are so much alike . . . yet at times we are so different
I love you because you think I am the kinder one . . . when in reality I know how far you will go for me and for those we love
I love you because you know what I’m thinking and I don’t have to utter a word
I love you because we can always be honest with each other
I love you because no matter what we do . . .
mammograms to massages . . . drinking Pinot to getting pedi’s . . .  
shopping to traveling . . .
                              We always do it together!
Happy Birthday Susie!!!!
xoxoxoxo

Look Back . . .

What a week it was . . .
the horrific tragedy in Boston . . .
torrential rains sweeping across the Midwest causing devastation and flooding . . .
the failure to pass mandatory gun laws . . .
the terrible fertilizer explosion in Texas . . .

with each there was loss
    with each there will be forever sadness
        with each there is anger
            with each there is disbelief

But . . . out from the dark despair there is also renewed hope in people . . . 
hope that as a people we are strong . . . 
hope that as a people we will not back down . . . 
hope that as a people will will never give up . . . 
hope that together . . . as a people . . . we will be there for one another . . .