True Friends

Yes, I've been busy, Yes, I've been tired, but it is oh so fulfilling. Aggravating too, some days. You know the days, when you are talking to or watching a child or sometimes even other adults, and they just don't realize the opportunities and potential they have. They look at their past circumstances and don't see any possibility for change in the future. That just breaks my heart the most about some of these kids. They have no hope. My prayer is that somehow I can help them see things differently.

I've been on line blogging and visiting MaryJane's Farm for about a year now. I can't believe I haven't looked up my exact anniversary, but I guess I'm just too tired. I never expected it all to be so life-changing. I have had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful, talented, inspiring women. Friends that encourage and care. I've also found an unlimited outlet for the part of me that likes, no NEEDS, to create and give. I have questioned myself over the last year about why my on-line friends seem to appreciate that part of me more than most of my friends here at home. The best answer I can come up with is because we came here looking for each other. We are like-minded women who were blessed to find something more.
A particular situation has touched me this week. I won't name names and I hope this story is ok to post. Those involved have the ability to let me know immediately if it's a problem. A friend that I met here in cyber space about a year ago has been dealing with an illness. She has touched many lives with her generousity and caring, so another friend went to work and collected quilt squares from those of us who sew and know friend #1. You should all see the beautiful quilt that was borne from this love. And now it wraps our dear friend with our love and prayers. I can't get over that. I know that other gals that aren't quilters have sent lots of cards and other goodies. We've all never met, but we care that much.
I really, truly thank you all for being a part of my life. With my new schedule, I don't get to visit as often, but I find that my friends here are still important to me.
~Blessings

A Tale of Two Lives

Hello Friends! I have to say I miss you all! The transition to working full-time has gone pretty smooth, and I am getting to the point that when I get home I am getting more done, not just collapsing on the couch!

I still love the children I work with. We're a small school, so it's not a big class so that is good for me. I have to say I was shocked with the trust and responsibility I receive as a teacher's aide. But I guess there is more work to do than the teacher alone can handle, so he has to rely on someone else. I'm just plugging along, learning all I can and getting blessed along the way. Like the day I had to take a painfully shy 11th grade girl to the Library to pick out a book for independent reading. She hates to read, she can barely do it. As we walked to the Library I tried to find out what may interest her. She really couldn't think of anything. Do you ever get those "God inspired" ideas? Well I must have at that point, because as we reached out destination, I thought...poetry!

"T, how about poetry? We can find a book with short poems, something you can get through quickly."

She wasn't really sure, but I think the short part sounded good to her. So we found the poetry section and I sat right on the floor and started opening up books. I knew it had to be something modern, no "thees or thous" and the perfect book popped out. T flipped through it, there were pictures...Falling Up by Shel Silverstein. You know what she did? She read one to me! She couldn't even look at me for the first week or so, let alone speak to me, and now she was trying her best to read me a poem. I thought I was going to have a good cry fest right there.

I really have no clue what I'm doing. It's all God. I go to an algebra class and take notes so I can teach it to two students in the afternoon. I was not a good math student, but now I understand everything I need to, and seem to be able to teach it my students and help them with the homework. That is SO God. I'm not trained to work with the students I do, but it's working. I enjoy being with them, and they seem to enjoy being with me. And so far I'm keeping up with everything the teacher needs me to. Thank YOU, God!!

I wasn't even going to write all that. I've actually been thinking about two deaths in my family this week, and the stark differences in two women's lives.

First my GREAT, Great Aunt passed away after a battle with cancer. This woman loved the Lord and loved people. She had hardships but always gave to others. Always had time for others. She always had the coffee pot going and a cake made and company to entertain. I'm sure she had things in her life she could have been bitter about, but she chose not to. Instead she chose to make the most out of every breath she had in her. This was reflected in the multitudes that came out to say goodbye.

My Great Aunt also passed away. She died alone and she lived a lonely life. She was part of a big family and had a family all her own, but by the end she had pushed them all away. Few of us came to say goodbye. She had closed her heart many years ago, to the Lord, to her family and to anyone else. I don't know why. To my knowledge there was no one monumental event in her life to crush her spirit. Maybe there was, but maybe instead of choosing to make the best of life's hurts she chose to let them build up and fester until it poisoned her whole world.

It struck me to see the difference in these two lives as represented in the calling hours after their deaths. It's certainly not the whole story of either one of those women, but it does illustrate to me at least how important it is the way we treat people and face life.

~Blessings