An Endless Love

Luther Vandross made a single I still enjoy listening to entitled Endless Love. I don't think he was the first to sing it, and Mariah Carey joins him in the ballad. Those who know anything about Luther know he could deliver a mean performance, making lovers grow closer and anyone single want to be loved. Truly, he was a gifted artist who is still missed today.

I have spent a better part of a year's time embracing intervals, changing and growing through seasons, and transitioning-literally and figuratively...From the physical changes on my job to the on-and-off emotional stages.

On most days, I still find it hard to believe I am an adult who lives independently and is blessed immeasurably. On most days, I lift my head from my pillow, hold my head high and smile big to make the best of the day. On most days, while a small sadness may be within, I strive never to allow others to see or know the hurts, trials, or silent prayers prayed asking for confidence, patience, and love.

A few months ago, I was driving and came across a billboard for a popular cellular phone company that read: Signal is Strength. It got me to thinking and truly reflecting on how amazing the love of Christ is for all of us--an Endless Love. Better than any love I have ever experienced from a human, His love is so powerful and more tangible than skeptics question. Where I've been weak, He has brought me people who are strong. When I have questioned or doubted, He has restored loudly and clearly with answers and promotions. Through periods of sadness, He has brought me wonderful, beautiful friendships of those who may not have known or understood my full situation but would give obediently, selflessly, and in timely fashion.

I can sit here and type tonight that a connection to Him--a real relationship--is strength. It is manifested in the growth I have had through my church. I see it in the accountability offered via my best friend, who does not even realize how vital her presence in my life is. There is recognition in the way I feel...about myself and life. Like the little bars one sees on a cellular phone providing information about how strong the signal is, I realize mine is stronger than it has been in a long time...For a moment, I was going through the motions but had hit a real wilderness experience. However, His Endless Love kept strong. While my signal was low, the strenth of His love allowed me to stay within reach to be helped.

Tonight I realize I have an awesome service provider whose signal never fails! I recognize that I have the best life ever (words stolen from VLM). My life is not perfect, but it is special, purposeful, and full of potential. Excitedly, I am embracing the steps ahead because I know there is an endless love where the strength of it is so strong that even if I wander off the path, a signal will bring me back...He guides me.

Principalship

Interim WJCC Principals to Become Permanent

By WYDaily Staff
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Dan Fields and Karen Swann, who have served most of the 2010-11 school year as interim principal at Warhill High School and Berkeley Middle School respectively, have been appointed as principal, pending School Board approval.

Their appointments will become effective July 1.

"Dan and Karen came into their schools during transitional periods, which requires skilled leadership to ensure that the school year progresses as seamlessly as possible for both students and staff," said WJCC Superintendent Dr. Steven M. Constantino. "Both have performed admirably in this role, which is why I am especially pleased to appoint them as principal of their schools."

Fields has served as interim principal of Warhill High School since August 2010. He began his career with WJCC schools in 1986, when he joined the Lafayette High School staff as a health and physical education teacher. Fields has been a coach for the Lafayette varsity and junior varsity football teams, as well as its cross country and wrestling squads. Between 1992 and 2007, Fields twice served as assistant principal for LHS and once for Jamestown High School from 1997-2003. He joined Warhill as assistant principal in 2007. Prior to coming to WJCC, he worked as a teacher and coach for Frederick County Public Schools from 1980 to 1985.

Fields earned a bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Old Dominion University in 1979, and a master's degree in educational administration, secondary level, from ODU in 1992.

Swann was appointed interim principal at Berkeley in December 2010. She first joined WJCC as a volunteer and tutor at Berkeley Middle School's after-school program (Project D.I.V.A.) in 2001, which she and her sorority sisters helped implement and develop. She joined the Toano Middle School staff as an English teacher in 2002, teaching for three years and serving as English instructor during the 2003 and 2004 summer sessions. From August 2005 through December 2006, Swann served as a graduate assistant at the College of William and Mary during the completion of her master's degree, returning to Toano as a lead teacher during the summer session.

Before becoming Berkeley's assistant principal in 2007, Swann was the assessment and compliance coordinator at Bruton High School in York County. Swann has been volunteering as a facilitator and instructor with the Rites of Passage program at Toano Middle School since 2003.

She earned a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in educational planning, policy and leadership from W&M.

WJC promotes 2 interims to permanent principals

The Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg Virginia > News > WJC promotes 2 interims to permanent principals

Christmas in July

Well, I am not one of those people who goes all out, having a tree and decorations with a holiday meal smack dab in the middle of the year. (Yes, those people do exist.) Nor, am I one of those organized planners who begins bargain shopping in order to be finished with gift purchases for Christmas by October, November, or earlier. I'm more the type that is walking around humming "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." And, honestly, the song has been in my head for at least the past week!

July is a month I consider to be bittersweet. It is the "kickoff" for summer, but the days escape so quickly, and stores put a damper on the enjoyment as they begin putting up back-to-school goodies earlier and earlier. UGH! Fortunately, the warmth of the sun, longer days, cookouts, poolside relaxation, and small adventures all make up for the latter shenaniggans and foolery, and I fast forget that with the approach of July 31st is the sad reality that summer is coming to a close.

I am thankful for this long month of days, which has (this year) brought a lot of joy even in the midst of some of the sadness that has filled my heart from other events of life. This season's July 4 holiday was great being with one of my dearest friends and getting away to the beach for sun and fireworks. It only got better with one of my friends from childhood finally getting married, and he and his (now) wife having me take a part in their special day. I managed to get in two fun-filled cookouts with good food and fellowship. My eating habits curved for the better, as I did more from home (or the homes of others) and managed to have a really decent grocery bill with a lot of yummy buys--a watermelon steal and I cut that badboy with grace and perfection! There were two visits of pampering to the beauty salon, and I've enjoyed my dangly curls; it's been a relief not having to do my own hair, which is my typical routine. And, how could I forget the call I received on Friday, July 9th? On that morning, my two very close and dear friends asked me to do them the honor of being the godmother to their soon-to-be-born daughter, Laila (we're still experiementing with the spelling of her name). Only to have the month climax at the end with an impromptu visit from my brother who lives out of state, and Boston--my dear friend, CMB, the expecting mommy--also making her way down here to the South to spend the weekend with me while here to facilitate a few sessions for a dance ministry conference. I can't leave out the laughter and talks with dear friends, book reads, and new opportunities found. Also, I am not lessening experiences like Vacation Bible School or trips to our local amusement park, Busch Gardens.

Every experience this month has contributed to making THIS "the most wonderful time of the year." And, the last day of this month did not disappoint--and I am not just saying that because of the cooling temperatures! I think about the fine jewelry purchase I made today, the company in tote, and the experience with our sales associate. Life is occurring every second of every hour every day...a reality that I am grown, I am blessed, and I have so much to live for in this world. I love how July gives a fresh outlook, revival, and desire to make the most of living.

This is my "Christmas" in July.



When the season changes and we're in the rush of fall, I'll come back to this time, loving and remembering my favorite time of year.

Need an Outlet...

During the months of June, July, and August, I am fortunate enough to have three-day weekends, but I end up with 10 hour workdays Monday-Thursday. This set-up works quite nicely, and I wish it could be this way during the actual academic year. Most years I've embraced Fridays, sleeping in and being as lazy as I'd like. That has not changed completely, but Fridays have been quite difficult for the past two months, which is when I received the call from one of my god sisters that my "second" mommy had passed on from this world.

I realize she is out of her pain. I know she lived a good life. I feel her presence and spirit in so many ways. But, it does not remove the pain or the memories of how that Friday played itself out. No matter how prepared you are for death, you're never really...

So, my Fridays presently are avoidance days. I try to find activities to fill my time and keep me from reflecting or thinking too much about that Friday that was only about eight weeks ago. And, truth be told, I've managed to do a pretty good job of having things to do. Beach visits, amusement park fun, traveling, and shopping...even mixed with a little cleaning! Particularly, my recent venture to the nearby shopping outlet is what developed the title and today's stream of thought. Outside my bag it read: "Need an Outlet...Kenneth Cole". Catchy and cute, huh? Well, I thought so!

I thought more and more about the phrase on the bag while getting birthday gifts together for my brother and sister-in-law, and began to really get the fact that outlets are so needed...and for a variety of reasons. My brother from Tampa had an impromptu visit coming to see his best friend get married; however, this visit has served as an outlet for him. He has always been the one to have distance from home due to his work, and we knew his being away served as THE outlet for coping with the loss of our father. This recent trip has given him some opportunities for closure that I think were necessary and right on time, which is great to see.

I also found my recent outlet being back with family--the immediate and extended. I was in the presence of love, peace, and goodness. Every family has its dysfunction(s), but it is being able to embrace all of that and dig through the surface in order to reach the core and very essence of what makes such a group special. It is the history, knowledge, and memories. It is the understanding that these are beings who share your blood and the connection was a divine order. They make me who I am--the good and bad. I joined hands in the room with generations of me, as we prayed over the family and food. I sat with my cousins, picking and laughing. Joined my aunties in the kitchen to steal some cooking tips. Hugged my daddy's best friend and caught up on life with my niece. Talked world and personal issues. Laughed. Loved. Lived.

I don't feel the need to end on a profound note in this "complex simplicity". Hopefully, you have some nearby inexpensive outlet of your own. What I've found, though, to be pretty true is just when you really feel you're hitting rock bottom or can't keep going on, the Divine knows what you need to replenish you and help you continue the journey, realizing life's not so bad after all.