Mrs. Kelley

School's out for Summer

While the kid's may be happy, and the parents may be hesitant, others were not completely ready for the school year to come to a close. I wanna talk about my wife, or as her kids call her, Mrs. Kelley. This was her first year to teach full-time and she had 5th Grade science and social studies at Harlem Elementary. Going in, she was very excited, but also a little nervous about the adventure she was about to embark upon. Some of the kids were difficult, some didn't care either way. But, each day my wife would arrive at the school between 530 and 630 am. Most of the time she was the first teacher on campus, sometimes she'd be the last member of the faculty to leave. She did not do this because she was behind, but she wanted her kids to be engaged and interested in the subject matter that she was presenting. She worked about some Saturday's this year, and was usually lesson planning for her kids at night here at home. It paid off, as the year end measurements of achievement became available. Most of Her kids succeeded at the course work, and at the year end TAKS test.
After seeing her and her 5th grade team, I have a new understanding of the paperwork and red tape that a teacher must endure to accomplish much of anything. The administrators on her campus were for the most part amazing in the support they can lend. As the week drew to a close, she told me how much she would miss her kids, and I understood. I understood that Friday was the last day of school, and it would hit then. During the 5th grade ceremony, she broke into tears a couple of times. Her kids hugged her and told her how much they would miss her. She returned their feelings. She received flowers from at least one, bear hugs from several, and has an emotional bond with quite a few. You'll notice that they are referred to as her kids, they weren't students to her, they are her kids, she was responsible for them for 9 months. She took pride in that responsibility, and she will always take pride in them.
Last night, we went to dinner. It finally hit. She would see a handful of her students again. They would never be in the same place as a group again, and that made her very sad. After talking for a while she went through a list of 15-20 names of children that she had taught this year that had come so very far. I am sure, that over the next few years, we'll be attending football games and band concerts, so she can see some of her kids again. She is proud of the accomplishments of her first batch of pupils. More than that, I am proud of her. She has done an amazing job this year. She'll do an amazing job next year as well, and the next, and so on. I am very proud of you sweetheart, and more than that, you should be proud of yourself.

Remembrance on Memorial Day

Those Who Have Fallen

It is with both sadness and respect that we celebrate this day.
For this is the day that we remember.
This is the day that we look upon those who have paid the ultimate price,
so that our way of life would be upheld.

Those who have fallen are nameless,
except in regards to their loved ones to the majority of us.

They did not ask for glory, riches or even fame...
They have fallen.

To this day brave men and women are giving their lives in service of their countries and communities with nothing but their own courage to drive them.
They have fallen.

They do not represent a political party, or are trying to achieve an unknown objective...
They have fallen.

As we have slept in our beds, or gone about our daily lives being consumed with our own thoughts and situations...
They have fallen.

Take the time to thank those who defend us. Be it a soldier, a police officer, fireman or other servant of the peace.
As we celebrate today with barbecue or a trip to the movies
or even watching our favorite sporting event, please remember.
Remember that Those Who Have Fallen are the ones who deserve the honor, respect, and adulation that some reserve for those on the screen.

As you set out to make your plans this Memorial Day, make sure as you are packing supplies to take time out. Take time to remember the courage. Take time to remember the bravery, but most importantly, take time out to
Remember Those Who Have Fallen.

Newest Custom Slideshow

Dreams...

What is a dream? Why do we have them, and why do certain images continue to pop up as we sleep? Do our dreams try to tell us things that we don't wish to face while we are awake? I don't have any idea about the answers to these questions, only theories...

There have been times over the last year where my dreams have been simple and mundane. Of course there have also been times where my dreams have been frightening and brought on by what may be guilt. I have actually been sleeping better without medication over the last couple of weeks. I have dreamt lately of my mom quite a bit, but my reaction has not been what some may think. I have embraced those dreams and not wanted to wake from my sleep. As strange as it may sound, I guess I have felt comfort in being able to spend time with her, even though it's only in a dream.

Heroes

Heroes

We all have different views of what a hero is.

Is it someone we see in a movie or read about in a book?

Is it a sports hero or even a musician?

For me, a hero is someone who does something real.

A hero will attempt to make a difference in the lives of others.

Be it through keeping citizens safe from crime or danger,

bringing food to the hungry, helping those in need

or teaching a child to read.

These are the true heroes that we should aspire to be.

When you think about it, we can all be heroes,

maybe not famous or lauded by the public.

Maybe we won't be rich or

even receive any recognition from anyone but ourselves.

But, truly being a hero means not being concerned

about how others feel about your actions,

it means being selfless enough to know

that what you do is the right thing to do.

How will you be a hero today?

Facing the Storm

Facing the Storm

.

We watch the storm carefully as it's fury grows.

We listen to the winds howl and long for the rain to fall.

As the thunder claps and the lightning slashes the sky,

we grow weary and sometimes realize that we may be mistaken.

We grow afraid of what is to come and only want things to be as they once were.

.

Life is like riding out the storm

and waiting for other squalls to come and go.

The more furious the storms that we endure,

the more knowledge we will possess of the world around us.

The most important thing is to endure the storm,

do not shy away, don't shield yourself from the fury.

For, when we face the storms which life throws our way,

we grow into what we may become.

A little rambling on my part today...

I woke up this morning and felt like being a little creative in a different way, it is a rough draft of something, I do not know exactly what. But, I felt it conveyed some feelings that have been bottled up inside for a little while now. I did not know exactly where to post this for feedback on here, so here ya go. Please tell me your thoughts:

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One More Day

If you only had another day

to say all your good-byes

You would tell all your truths

and admit all your lies.

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You would say so long to some

You'd realize what you'd missed

there would be some regrets

It would be a long list.

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You would think "I did my best"

But, feel you went astray

you would make the tough choices

with only one more day.

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What are the things

that you would set right?

What are the choices

that you think of at night?

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With only one more day

You would proclaim your love

For those that are near you

or your Good Lord above.

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We'll see no warnings

we'll receive no signs

there will be no chances

to relive the good times.

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No more sunups or sundowns

todays or tomorrows

be thankful for happiness

and forgive your sorrows.

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We should live each day

as if it will be our last

tell those close you love them

But above all, have a blast.

Happy Mother's Day Mom

Everyone has a different opinion about what Mother's Day is all about. Is it about celebrating someone who gave you the gift of life? Is it about enjoying time with the person who nurtured and took care of you when you were young? Not everyone is lucky enough as to have had a mother who was always there for them. For that, whether you want it or not, my sympathies.

Nurse, Counselor, Chauffeur, Coach, Teacher, Chef, Maid, Cheerleader, Referee... My mom was all of these things and so much more. But, my favorite thing about my mom, is that growing up, my mom was my best friend. We had fun together. Whether it was taking a walk or playing games, she was always there. When my brothers and I would play basketball in the front yard, she was there with us. Whether is was a soccer game, a scout meeting, or even just going to a friends house for a sleepover, she made sure we got there safely.

When I was 11, I wanted a hobby. I asked my mom if it was okay if I collected comics, she and my dad took me to numerous stores which carried comics. I was hooked. I can't begin to tell you all of the things that my mother means to me. As I grew older, tensions developed between my father, my brothers and myself, she always mediated the disagreements and made sure things were okay. As I started dating, she was there through my first crush, my first love, and more importantly, my first break-up. She told me that the sun would rise the next day, and I would wake up and start again. I never told my mother thank you nearly enough. I don't think any of us do.

My mom could make a friends in a minute and a half. She loved life, but loved people even more. We would eat lunch together as much as possible, When I got my license, the first movie I went to, I went with her. It was the Tom Hanks Dragnet film. It was awful, but we laughed together and had a great time. She was there for me when I had my tonsils remover(21) and the Chicken Pox(23). She was there for the births of my children. She came to their soccer games and choir recitals.

My favorite thing to do was make my mother smile. No matter what, as long as I got a smile, we were cool. On her 50th birthday, my dad had to work, so I took her to a bar. Someone put on some Garth, and my mom and I danced. During the song, I looked down at her and said" Mom, do you realize that you are half a century old?" She looked at me a minute and we had a chuckle and a hug. Time moved on, and so did I. I moved out of our little town, and ended up meeting my wife. I spent less and less time with my folks as my kids got older.

My mom was ill for a while, and then she got better. After getting as healthy as I'd seen her in 5 years, she and my dad stopped by to see me on their way home from a doctor's visit. She couldn't talk because of a trachea tube, and I told my father that he could finally get a word in edgewise. She looked at me funny for a second, and then she smiled. That was on July 4th of 2007. I was busy with it being a holiday, they cut their visit short because they didn't want to be in my way. I told them both I loved them, and went back to work. Four days later, my mother was gone. She passed away at home with my father at her side. I got to my father as quickly as I could, he has been strong. I have had a rough time dealing with mom's passing over the last 10 months. I work in retail, and have been selling Mother's day card, after Mother's day card. That has caused me to miss my mom even more. The hardest part was saying goodbye at her funeral. Jon and I each gave a eulogy, but as we each muddled through the words that we were saying to those assembled that day, I hadn't fully processed that my mother was gone. 10 months later, it has sunk in. I wake up each day, and the sun rises. It's gonna be okay.

Just not tomorrow. But, I think it will be soon. Thanks for listenin' guys.Happy Mother's Day to all of the mom's out there.

Random Thoughts

"Nothing you have or nothing you can acquire is as valuable as your integrity."
Mrs. Betty Leslie, VHS Teacher, 1989

I had a Physics teacher in High School, Mrs. Leslie, who told us that one day as others were discussing something in the news and how they would do anything to get their hands on...whatever. See, I don't remember exactly what the conversation was about, but I remember those words and that meaning. In the last 19 years, I have worked hard and had to terminate employees for theft on more than one occasion. Do I remember a whole bunch of High School Physics? heck no.

But, I took that lesson to heart that day. I mean, my parents taught me right from wrong. My heart knew right from wrong. But, no matter what Mrs. Leslie tried to teach us the rest of the year, nothing, and I mean nothing made as much of an impact on me as that lesson. It may have just been a remark to her, not to me.

I was driving through a parking lot in my hometown last week. There she was. Twenty years older, but still looking the same. Her lesson, still means as much to me today as then. Not from the words, but from the simple concise and oh so wise message. Thanks Mrs. Leslie.