A Woeful Week Turns To Friendship, Margaritas, and A Movie

I have to say, it has been one horrendous week. Monday started out with slush, sleet, snow, ice, and school cancellations. The footings were treacherous. As a mail carrier, I wore chains three days in a row, and after hours of holding your body tense, in anticipation of a fall...you just become exhausted. The chains make you feel like you are walking barefoot on pebbles all day long. I started off several days this week with ibuprofin.

I also got news Monday, that Jimmie (my fellow letter carrier) had lost his dad. I knew things were bad, because on Saturday, he was in a recognizable fog of exhaustion and grief. It was rolling off of him in waves. The funeral was Thursday. Funerals are very difficult, because of the overwhelming sorrow. It batters against my spirit and I dread going to any. Amazingly, it was the best funeral I have ever attended (if one can be good). I honestly regret not having met Jimmie's Dad. He sounded like one incredible individual.

I recieved yet another email from Tyler's English teacher to inform me of his failing grade and his reluctance to participate in class. I have to admit to complete frustration in this area. I helped him study over some terms, and Tyler got a 40 on that particular test. I don't know what to do. I had Jeff call and talk to the principal to see what our options are if he fails English.

We had been to six basketball games over the weekend at a Columbus tournament. I had bleacher booty and I hadn't even been the one running up and down the court. I felt for my baby girl. During that tournament, there had been some upset between the coach and a set of parents that had been coming to a head. I got a call Sunday night to have Jenna repeat and verify a conversation, because there was going to be a Recreation Commision meeting on Wednesday. I stewed for three nights over the probility of parents fighting, unnecessary meanness, and character assasinations. Tuesday night's practice was tense, and emotions were at an all time high. There was another conversation that got blown out of proportion. I called some fellow parents to attend the meeting Wednesday to make sure all were aware of the problems and to become involved, because it concerned their daughters. My involvement was to assure that the truth would come out and that there would be no behind the scenes action taken without the knowledge of all parties involved. Those of you who know me, know I hate conflict. I would rather take a beating myself than stand up against another. It is not that I am a coward, it is that it makes me physically ill. I shake, sweat, and get sick to my stomach. I am not talking a normal reaction, but I made it through it. Jeff and I both attended the meeting and are praising God there are only three weeks left.

I am room mother of Jenna's class. Of course, her Valentine's party fell on Thursday. I made cupcakes the night before the party. I was able to work in GiGi's peanut butter cookies and came up with enough games to call the party a success.

I finally sat down Thursday evening to read some of my favorite blogs. There on the pages of Isabella Gudde's blog was the final straw that broke the camel's back. I just started bawling like a baby. Here is this 13 month old infant headed for her second open heart surgery. I called my best friend and cried. Life doesn't seem fair. I guess I am expecting God to "keep things fair". It doesn't seem right to make a little baby go through so much, when she is just starting out in life. Then I think of all the good things that have come from her situation. My best friend summed it all up when she said, "remember what is truly important...and then to enjoy it." Bella's situation made me realise how precious life is. Her parents are standing strong and preaching God's word in a time of trial. It almost makes me ashamed of my "horrendous week" woes. I am thankful for every breath, but most of all I plan to make the most of what time on earth I do have...because I am just passing through. To get the latest on Bella, hit the link to the left.

So, Friday rolled around, and we had made plans to go out with friends. I was very tempted to cancel earlier in the week, but extremely thankful I didn't. I needed to enjoy life. We went to Jim's steakhouse and I had a huge 12 oz. ribeye, baked potato with sour cream, onion rings, and helped with a pitcher of margaritas. We, then went and caught a movie. We laughed, we loved, we enjoyed life, and I feel a better person for it.

Today, I went to church with Bella foremost in my mind and heart. Her name was on our prayer list. I worshipped with my voice lifted up to Him, knowing He knows best and has His hands on that little girl and her family. Bella.....I will be in prayer on my knees tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. God is good and He will be there, too.

Where Does the Time Go?

Time has recently been in my thoughts lately. I looked at my last post and realised it has almost been ten days since my last entry. There's been a "whole-lot-a-nothin' goin' on". Just the normal, basketball practice, bill paying, grocery shopping, working, running, reading, and writing.

One event coming up is my youngest is turning 11. Hard to believe, but again, where did the time go?? It seems like only yesterday, Jeff and I were leaving the hospital with a little bundle all wrapped up against the cold. Now that little bundle stands almost taller than I. She keeps me hopping with piano, trumpet, and now...her interest is in guitar (see her blog at .

She is also a basketball whiz. She loves driving down the court. Her hair flies behind her. She is a very smart player...and when someone tries to steal the ball from her a gleam comes in her eye as the elbows start flying!!!! That's my girl!!!!I was bragging about her at work the other day about how I wish she would be more "mean" with the ball....She is just too nice. My co-worker said, "She takes after her Dad, does she?" I roared with laughter, and said, "You bet she does!!"

She does all these activities, while keeping a 4.0 in school. She astounds me!! We are so blessed.....and again....Where does the time go?

Ty, My Son

Tyler Shane was born into the world on a hot day in June in 1991. I just knew from birth, that this little boy was destined for great things. His little 7 pound 8 ounce body was so precious. I broke down in tears at the incredible joy of his arrival. The pediatrician that examined him at birth devastated us with news that Tyler had a hole in one of his heart ventricles. Jeff and I were petrified, but a week later his heart had miraculously finished developing and he was proclaimed perfect by the same doctor.

Even at birth this little boy took us from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows and back to the highs again and has been doing it ever since.

Ty hardly spoke when he was little. He would just point to whatever he wanted and get his point across. He played by himself and a few hot wheels and all you would hear for hours was "Vroom...vroom". He was never demanding. He was a very easy child as a baby and a toddler.

When Ty hit kindergarten, I became aware of this incredible gift that Tyler has. He was packing up his favored "Power Rangers" and "Tonka trucks" in his backpack for Show and Tell.

I asked him,"Ty, what are you doing?...You know you are only allowed one toy for Show and Tell."

Tyler was "dutchy" when little and always used the least amount of words possible.
"I take extras for other kids, ...They don't have toys...I share mine." he said.

I promise you, I had always known he was special, but that conversation confirmed it. A five year old, who would willingly give up his coveted toys, showed me an incredible amount of compassion and a spirit of giving that surpassed my own and many adults.

That same five-year-old child made me see red when he came home from school one day with this whopper of a tale about some 6th grader pushing him down on the playground. I marched down to the elementary school with righteous indignation ready to do battle with principal (poor Bob Harris), teacher, parents, and one very soon-to-be-sorry 6th grader. Upon finding out he was lying, I forced out apologies and was mortified that I had helped create this storyteller who was fabricating lies. (Please note that this was the year Jenna was born and I believe someone (Ty) was wanting a little attention).

Earlier this year, a mother was never prouder, as my son accepted his Eagle in Boy Scouts after years of hard work and dedication put forth by Tyler and his Dad. Ty has many friends and his peers tend to gravitate to him, because he is so quiet and unassuming.

Currently, I am feeling sorry for myself in a situation with my son. After spending two hours in Parent-Teacher conferences last night and a very sleepless, frustrated night, I came to the realization that this must be how God feels when he deals with me. I am my son's advocate....I am his teacher...and now I must be his authority and his taskmaster. Tyler is not doing well in school and it is my responsibility to push him to do what he needs to do. Again, with the highs and lows and then highs.

Our final meet last night was with one of Ty's teachers that identifies with Ty's talents and specialness. She really gave me the hope I needed after recieving several reports of how poorly Ty was doing. While I don't look forward to being the "bad guy" and I am very weary (this has been going on for many years during his education), I refuse to give up on him. Do I believe he is still special and destined for great things............most definitely YES!!!

To Right A Wrong

I visited with my sister, Lori, on the phone tonight. I called to make her laugh. I was hiding out in the garage while my 10-year-old daughter was wailing on the trumpet. This is her first year in 5th grade band and she is doing great. However, my nerves are a little raw. We chuckled over life’s challenges.
I asked her how her day went and she shared with me about some new volunteer work she was doing. My sister is an attorney for a worker’s compensation company that determines rates all over the United States. In her spare time (which is actually very limited during certain months of the year) she is assisting children as a guardian ad litem. I asked her what this meant, and she explained that she represents abused or neglected children in the court system. Our conversation actually had a ten second pause….
For you see, our childhood was not an easy childhood. I am sure everyone has horror stories about growing up. This writing is not to share all the gory details of a marriage that ended nightmarishly with three children used as pawns in a war between a mother and father. To shorten a three year long process: there were three custody court cases, two separate reports involving teenage runaways, warrants out for pick-up, breaking and entering, as well as physical, emotional, and mental abuse. There were no innocent parties……..it was war with all its brutalities and despair.
To actually believe my sister would want to be close to a courtroom involving child custody was unfathomable.
Lori couldn’t share specific details of the case she was involved in, but she did give me an overall rundown in generalities of the fact that she was trying to look out for the best interests of the child.
When I asked her how she could be involved with such a situation that brings up all the horrors of the past, she said, “Sheri, (I am) reliving the past…but in a way that is right. These children actually have a voice. I am actively involved in making sure things go well.” It moved my entire spirit which sang with pureness of what she was doing. She is determined “To Right A Wrong”.
Lori,
To you personally: You are my hero…fighting injustices and standing up for those unable to represent themselves. You inspire me to be a better person and I love you with all my heart.