I spent a better part of my work day at The Colonial Services Board with a crisis specialist, student and mother. The family is experiencing many domestic issues and there are so many dynamics, from the student being a biracial child adopted by a white family to the adopted father passing away late last year to the adopted mother now officially dating the man she was having an affair with before the husband's sudden death...Yes, I am telling the truth. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.
The student came to school today devastated that all the material things in her room had been removed. The discovery came around midnight the night before when she was dropped off at home by a couple of minors who had taken her from school grounds after summer school. Her mom had no idea where she was or who she was with. And, this situation was on the lighter side compared to the weekend's events. The child felt Mom was wrong to take all of her things. The Mom was upset for the child's ungratefulness. Both were at fault for many, many things....It shouldn't be this way.
Now, I have finished reading a devotional for the day, and it brings me back to today's events. This devotional took time to highlight a family that lost their son at early age in his battle with a genetic disorder. The parents exemplified the powerful gift of loving and being thankful for what we are given. They knew the child wasn't going to live a full life, but they did not just give up, become bitter, or harp on the child's final day of life. Instead, they were joyful and celebrated the time with the son.
More often than not I am encountering those who really miss the "secrets" of life. They'd rather complain than find a solution. And, those who are given the solution continue with the moaning. While I find myself typically trying to keep upbeat, this week I came to a drained point where I had no more to give. One of the teachers in the building for the summer had come to my office first thing for some materials and documents. We talked and I got her the information and she left. She then came back a few minutes later and said, "I am sorry, but are you okay? You just don't seem to be your normal--upbeat--self." I made a face and then rambled out something that was not the truth to avoid giving up my frustration and forced a smile to keep her moving. I wanted so badly to be in my good mood, knowing the many blessings that are in my life; however, I just couldn't shake the mood.
In reading today's devotional, the guilt engulfs my spirit. Here I was today trying to speak a word to this student and mother about appreciating each other and avoiding unnecessary pain, yet in my heart I knew I had not been doing that.
Blessings come in many different forms. I know some would look at today's situation as a terrible one, but I needed God to reveal Himself through this family. This storm is temporary for this family. They will prevail and this child will be okay.
I will rest my head on the pillow tonight and be thankful for a long weekend because of a holiday, friends that stick close to me and are always there, my mom who wants to hear my voice daily, my brother whose doctor appointment today brought him some relief, my other brother who can be all the way on the other side of the world but still shielded and protected by the same God we're all serving, the phone conversation with a new friend that I pray will be around for a long time to come...
Despite imperfections, I am glad for second chances to prove appreciation and joy no matter the problem.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
I Love It When...
Happy 91st Birthday, Lena Horne!!!* * *
Unproductive Mondays will continue to come, but I find myself today reflecting on the goodness of more recent happenings. Despite the situations that could prove challenging, the defeat rest in the hands of those wonderful people around me who stay encouraged and faithful in the midst of the storm. They choose this route, knowing that to be weathered is to be made stronger. After the storm comes the sun and new growth, and impurities are washed away. However, I love it when those going through the storm can still find the beauty while in that state...
I Love It When...
I make meals that come out splendid and to taste. (My shrimp and pasta dish tonight for dinner was THE BOMB, and I enjoyed every bite of the meal along with my freshly brewed SOUTHERN style sweet tea.)
I receive flowers--especially tulips!
I find the titles to songs that happened to be playing that no one would ever be able to just identify. (I was listening to a jazz set while driving home yesterday and heard this awesome song. Because there are NO WORDS I am going to have to really search to find the artist. However, it's the coolest once the search brings results.)
God answers prayers and is just all in the face with the response--good or bad. (I finally got real with God on Saturday about something in my life I've refused to truly acknowledge. As quickly as I could talk staight with Him, He began to work. While He's bringing me the unexpected, I'm enjoying the journey already. A Monday of surprises...God laughs whenever I tell Him MY plans. Then He comes with something more powerful or greater than my wildest imaginations could have ever taken me.)
My efforts and (hard) work are acknowledged and appreciated.
Others confirm what I've been thinking all along. (Enough said.)
I make someone else's day through a word, smile, or gesture.
I figure out difficult things on my own.
Friendships are powerful, true, and forever. (I really do have some of the most wonderful friends in the world. I know that a lot of folks feel that way, but for today the focus is me!)
Family is together. (My family is great.)
Love prevails.
Note to self: I needed this entry as a reminder for when this blessing comes to fruition because it's closer than it has ever been before. THANK YOU
Note to reader: Perhaps this entry makes NO sense to you. It really wasn't meant for you to understand as much as it was meant for me. Am I talking in code? I usually do (smile)!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Pomp & Circumstance, Talks, and Snapshots of Blessings...
Eric just texted messaged that he is on the plane and headed to war. As I type, tears stream down my face. I am a million emotions at once, but what is true and steadfast are God's words and promises. Six months will come and go quickly.
In the meantime, there is so much on my plate of "to dos"...
So, my hiatus from blogging has now ended since things have slightly slowed down at work and I need to do something to keep my mind off of Eric's leaving. I have so much I want to share, but I feel it a bit overwhelming to put it all in one entry.
The students finished up about two weeks ago, and the teachers have pretty much all checked out and are vacationing as well. Today, summer school began. Our building is housing all of the middle schools in addition to the multicultural programs for the division. Needless to say, the building was buzzing with children and adults all morning. We are also having many renovation projects take place at our school. You can just imagine some of the chaos. Our staffing is in great condition for next year; we've almost hired everyone for the upcoming year. The student's SOL scores came in sooner than anticipated, but I am still coding for transfer adjustments and recovery.
It is this time of the year that I am reflective most. I think this year was a bit more profound than other years for a couple of reasons. First, my oldest niece graduated from high school, which was a treat to celebrate and see. I can hardly believe she is out of grade school. She is an adult. She can drive. She's had a boyfriend...or two...Going to her commencement ceremony took me back ten years ago when I was in her shoes. I need to go back to those days since the planning and organizing of a reunion rest in my hands. I have an idea of what I want to see occur. The reunion is not until the fall, but there are many that are anxious and need the information in order to take off work or make flight arrangements. I managed to make connections with many of the students from my class using Facebook and Myspace. It is odd that I haven't seen or been in contact with most of these people since high school. It is nice to see what people are doing and where they are in their lives. However, on many levels we're still the same people.
The other excitement to this time in my life would have to be the many weddings that have occurred or will be occurring of friends that mean a lot to me. This past weekend I was in Crystal's wedding. We had such a good time, and everyone was so happy and the love could be felt. This upcoming weekend I'll be attending Joe and Jenny's wedding. It is a special experience to witness and be a part of such major events in the lives of those important to me. I'm the maid of honor for one of my sorority sisters who will be getting married in October. While there is a lot to do in preparing, I think of how special the actual day will be by performing the little things leading to the wedding.
Now, I've shared the snapshots of blessings and updated quickly on life happenings, but I have to end on the note of a testimony. A story of perhaps some disbelief or maybe one that won't seem all that important as I am making it out to be. One of my close friend's husband was really fascinated and even a bit bothered, sharing that I needed to blog the experience for awareness to others.
Weeks ago when I journeyed to St. Louis for my niece's graduation, I packed my digital camera. On the way to our destination, my mother commented that it was not wise of me to pack my camera in my luggage that I was not carrying on board with me because so many people go through our items and are untrustworthy. Of course, she freaked me out and before we left for the airport I opened my big suitcase and removed the camera, putting it with my carry on belongings. I didn't want the task of having to keep up with it because I know how I can be when it comes to travel or lugging around multiple things. I can be one tracked, very easily misplacing "stuff". The trip was an interesting one. We flew over St. Louis for almost an hour watching a light show in the sky since the airport had closed the runways. The pilot determined we'd go to Kansas City for fuel and to determine what to do with us. We got into St. Louis well after midnight and as we were getting our luggage saw Allen Iverson claiming his luggage from his Denver flight. I digress!
On our flight back, we met some interesting people on both the flight to Atlanta and then the one to Richmond. Somewhere on that journey I misplaced my digital camera. I don't know if it was before or after the flight attendant gave me his business card to express his interest when I exited the plane. And, I stop to laugh at Mom's response as we walked, "He must have liked what he saw."
The camera. Gone! I got home, was unpacking, and realized it was nowhere to be found. I ran down to the car hoping I had put it there but knew better. I went into the living room and checked around the couch and coffee table since I had crashed on the couch upon the return, but it wasn't there either. I called my mom and asked her to check her luggage and car to no avail. The first day or so I was in disbelief just thinking I could not have been so careless. I kept telling myself it was going to pop up, but my reality was I had left the camera somewhere at one of our many stops getting back to Virginia.
I broke and began calling the airports. The workers were not all that helpful. Some were quite honest with me, saying I could forget seeing that camera again. I then went online and put in a claim for the camera. I put a detailed description--case and all--and tried to provide as much information as possible. These claims only stay in the system 60 to 90 days. My chances of getting the camera back were bleak. I had come to terms with the fact that the camera was gone, but I was very upset that I didn't have any of the pictures from Tarayra's graduation. I was frustrated as the last days of school came and I could not use my camera to capture some of the great moments of our kiddos as they transitioned from being middle schoolers to official high schoolers. I didn't have the camera for when Bryant flew in to Norfolk or other things occurring.
Then one day last week there was a message left on my voicemail saying my camera had been recovered and that I needed to call to make arrangements for getting it back. I could not believe it. I was so excited. The worker shared that the camera had come up in Atlanta's airport, one of the largest airports in the nation. I suppose I took for granted in some ways (up until the other night) how amazing it is that the camera was turned in.
There are articles about the number of items that end up in lost and found in airports that never get claimed. Further, people are dishonest, stealing items for themselves or selling them.
I am not sure why favor would shower itself on me. And I don't want to make it out to sound like I have some important connection to God that others do not have. I realize there are those in our nation dealing with flooding, poverty, war, etc. So, for me to talk on this SMALL level about his blessings...
My point? Well, if you ever lose or misplace anything in travel, it just may be worth trying to track and claim it through the lost and found processes made available with different airports. I was quite fortunate to get my item back and am so glad it here--pictures and all!
Welp, that is the snapshot into the blessings. Now, it is time to turn in for the night.
In the meantime, there is so much on my plate of "to dos"...
So, my hiatus from blogging has now ended since things have slightly slowed down at work and I need to do something to keep my mind off of Eric's leaving. I have so much I want to share, but I feel it a bit overwhelming to put it all in one entry.
The students finished up about two weeks ago, and the teachers have pretty much all checked out and are vacationing as well. Today, summer school began. Our building is housing all of the middle schools in addition to the multicultural programs for the division. Needless to say, the building was buzzing with children and adults all morning. We are also having many renovation projects take place at our school. You can just imagine some of the chaos. Our staffing is in great condition for next year; we've almost hired everyone for the upcoming year. The student's SOL scores came in sooner than anticipated, but I am still coding for transfer adjustments and recovery.
It is this time of the year that I am reflective most. I think this year was a bit more profound than other years for a couple of reasons. First, my oldest niece graduated from high school, which was a treat to celebrate and see. I can hardly believe she is out of grade school. She is an adult. She can drive. She's had a boyfriend...or two...Going to her commencement ceremony took me back ten years ago when I was in her shoes. I need to go back to those days since the planning and organizing of a reunion rest in my hands. I have an idea of what I want to see occur. The reunion is not until the fall, but there are many that are anxious and need the information in order to take off work or make flight arrangements. I managed to make connections with many of the students from my class using Facebook and Myspace. It is odd that I haven't seen or been in contact with most of these people since high school. It is nice to see what people are doing and where they are in their lives. However, on many levels we're still the same people.
The other excitement to this time in my life would have to be the many weddings that have occurred or will be occurring of friends that mean a lot to me. This past weekend I was in Crystal's wedding. We had such a good time, and everyone was so happy and the love could be felt. This upcoming weekend I'll be attending Joe and Jenny's wedding. It is a special experience to witness and be a part of such major events in the lives of those important to me. I'm the maid of honor for one of my sorority sisters who will be getting married in October. While there is a lot to do in preparing, I think of how special the actual day will be by performing the little things leading to the wedding.
Now, I've shared the snapshots of blessings and updated quickly on life happenings, but I have to end on the note of a testimony. A story of perhaps some disbelief or maybe one that won't seem all that important as I am making it out to be. One of my close friend's husband was really fascinated and even a bit bothered, sharing that I needed to blog the experience for awareness to others.
Weeks ago when I journeyed to St. Louis for my niece's graduation, I packed my digital camera. On the way to our destination, my mother commented that it was not wise of me to pack my camera in my luggage that I was not carrying on board with me because so many people go through our items and are untrustworthy. Of course, she freaked me out and before we left for the airport I opened my big suitcase and removed the camera, putting it with my carry on belongings. I didn't want the task of having to keep up with it because I know how I can be when it comes to travel or lugging around multiple things. I can be one tracked, very easily misplacing "stuff". The trip was an interesting one. We flew over St. Louis for almost an hour watching a light show in the sky since the airport had closed the runways. The pilot determined we'd go to Kansas City for fuel and to determine what to do with us. We got into St. Louis well after midnight and as we were getting our luggage saw Allen Iverson claiming his luggage from his Denver flight. I digress!
On our flight back, we met some interesting people on both the flight to Atlanta and then the one to Richmond. Somewhere on that journey I misplaced my digital camera. I don't know if it was before or after the flight attendant gave me his business card to express his interest when I exited the plane. And, I stop to laugh at Mom's response as we walked, "He must have liked what he saw."
The camera. Gone! I got home, was unpacking, and realized it was nowhere to be found. I ran down to the car hoping I had put it there but knew better. I went into the living room and checked around the couch and coffee table since I had crashed on the couch upon the return, but it wasn't there either. I called my mom and asked her to check her luggage and car to no avail. The first day or so I was in disbelief just thinking I could not have been so careless. I kept telling myself it was going to pop up, but my reality was I had left the camera somewhere at one of our many stops getting back to Virginia.
I broke and began calling the airports. The workers were not all that helpful. Some were quite honest with me, saying I could forget seeing that camera again. I then went online and put in a claim for the camera. I put a detailed description--case and all--and tried to provide as much information as possible. These claims only stay in the system 60 to 90 days. My chances of getting the camera back were bleak. I had come to terms with the fact that the camera was gone, but I was very upset that I didn't have any of the pictures from Tarayra's graduation. I was frustrated as the last days of school came and I could not use my camera to capture some of the great moments of our kiddos as they transitioned from being middle schoolers to official high schoolers. I didn't have the camera for when Bryant flew in to Norfolk or other things occurring.
Then one day last week there was a message left on my voicemail saying my camera had been recovered and that I needed to call to make arrangements for getting it back. I could not believe it. I was so excited. The worker shared that the camera had come up in Atlanta's airport, one of the largest airports in the nation. I suppose I took for granted in some ways (up until the other night) how amazing it is that the camera was turned in.
There are articles about the number of items that end up in lost and found in airports that never get claimed. Further, people are dishonest, stealing items for themselves or selling them.
I am not sure why favor would shower itself on me. And I don't want to make it out to sound like I have some important connection to God that others do not have. I realize there are those in our nation dealing with flooding, poverty, war, etc. So, for me to talk on this SMALL level about his blessings...
My point? Well, if you ever lose or misplace anything in travel, it just may be worth trying to track and claim it through the lost and found processes made available with different airports. I was quite fortunate to get my item back and am so glad it here--pictures and all!
Welp, that is the snapshot into the blessings. Now, it is time to turn in for the night.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Spring Conditioning
"Every time I fail I assume I will be a stronger person for it. I keep on running figuratively and literally, despite a limp that gets more noticeable with each passing season, because for me there has always been a place to go and a terrible urgency to get there."
-- Joan Benoit Samuelson
It's one of my favorite quotes I stole from Hollis a few years ago that happened to be in her Instant Messenger info section. Just a year ago my life was VERY different than how it is today. I needed the wilderness experience to carry me to this point. While I am certainly not where I need to be, I am not where I used to be. Each day is a growing, learning process.
Today's first day of SOL testing was successful! A whole school building with over 800 students was tested. Yep, 3 grade levels; three assessments. All I can say is GOD is GOOD!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mother's Day
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly" – Anonymous
May has always been a month of reflection and renewal for me. The entries this month may not be as lengthy in words. Rather, I will deliver my thoughts through quotes, videos, song, etc. These broad ideas will work as reminders for me and will maybe be encouraging for you.
This celebrated holiday, Mother's Day, reaches its 100th anniversary. And, today, I recognize my safety net: Momma, thanks for the unconditional love, prayers, and encouragement. The greatest gift you've given me is the knowledge of my true strength, Jesus Christ. Despite the mistakes I make, wrong choices, negative thoughts, He continues to shower His favor and bless me with only the best. In my moments of defeat, I remember that faith does not guarantee that hard times won't be faced. It is a reminder that it is all a part of the plan set in place for the next phase, chapter, and journey.
Thanks, Mom, for showing me the things that matter in life. You often remind me of how blessed we are. Your spirit and faith give me joy. In the times where I've placed myself in caterpillar status, you've reminded me of how God created me in His image. Whether a caterpillar or butterfly, I'm to make the most of what He's blessed me with.
So, today I think about many women who've left some powerful impressions on me, but the one that has mattered most has been yours, Mom. Happy Mother's Day, today and always. The lessons, talks, and special moments have meant so much.
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