This Crazy Life...

I believe in miracles, because I received one today.

I went to work this morning and had a very productive day. My colleague and I were finally able to get into our shared workspace and unpack all of our gear. There is nothing a teacher loves more than feathering her nest!

I had a lovely lunch with the middle school gals. The four of us are the survivors of the third floor middle school. We shared some laughs and some gossip. The intercom interrupted to inform me to report to the office.

"Another IEP to review I'll bet," I grumbled, annoyed at having my lunch cut short. When I arrived the principal and our HR person closed the door. To make a long story short, there was a snafu with my certificate and I was going to be removed from my position effective immediately.

To say I was stunned is the understatement of the year. I had recently applied for my professional certificate and no red flags were waved, so what the heck?

I did what a "true blue" does in this situation- I started crying. I was bawling by the time I got into the car and came home to find all of my previous test results. I felt like I had once again been knocked to the ground.

"What's the point of all this?" I wailed to my husband. As my brain kept repeating, "I can't handle anymore," my heart was kicking into overdrive. I felt the strong arms of my husband hold me tight and whisper, "You can, and you will."

I wiped my eyes and signed onto the computer. I signed up to take the test in one hour's time.I cleaned my face and gathered my things, and then I looked down at my phone.

I had a text from my oldest, "What's wrong?" Apparently, my other son had texted him that Mom was having a crisis. I called my son and told him what had happened and what I was going to do.

He said, "Do you have time for some good news?" He then shared the story of his last day interning at the tv station in Cincinnati. There were five interns who were allowed to shoot some demo tape for their future resumes.

Scott had not been able to get to the station as often as the others, due to his work schedule and visit home. His demo only lasted twenty seconds. Afterwards the producer came down to critique each intern's camera performance. He skipped my son.

Later the producers had a one-on-one conversation with each intern. He told Scott that the reason he had not offered any comment on his demo, is because there was no criticism- it was flawless. He went on to tell him that everyone in the sound booth watched him and agreed, he will be on tv someday soon.

This young man has dreamed of being a sportscaster since eighth grade. His dream is going to become a reality. I was crying again, only this time they were tears of great pride, and joy that my son is getting closer to realizing his dream.

My prayers were answered. I saved my job, but that isn't want really matters.

The sound of my son's voice telling me of his triumph- that is the point of this crazy life.

Perspective

I made pancakes for breakfast yesterday. I don't often fix a big breakfast anymore. My teenagers stumble out of their rooms like moles emerging from their tunnels; blinking and shading their eyes from the bright sunlight. With a few mumbled syllables they head for the t.v., the computer or the kitchen for some cereal.

I also made cupcakes, chocolate with mocha filling and fudgy icing. The cupcakes capped off a dinner of grilled london broil, homemade mashed potatoes, fresh green beans and collards.

I pour out my love for my family through food. I cook, I bake and I season with a lot of love. My oldest is particularly enjoying my love offerings. Being in college has made him very appreciative of a home cooked meal.

I am blessed with three terrific kids. Each one is unique, personable, intelligent, kind, and very loving. They have been raised to stand up for themselves, but to be empathetic to others. They look out for each other and they love me.

I am especially grateful for their strong, healthy selves today as my husband's nephew faces another challenge in his short span of 14 years. Sam has cancer, brain cancer.

As I type this note, he is halfway through a four hour operation to remove the second tumor found on his brain. The first one was removed in 2009.

Two years ago there was no warning that he was ill. A smack on the head with a hockey stick during a game brought him to the doctor for tests after he showed symptoms of a concussion. What they found was a huge tumor growing on his young brain.

A year that changed my brother-in-law and his family's life. Intense radiation, aggressive chemotherapy, continual doctor and hospital visits, and never ending fear and anxiety. They were always up and positive for the boy who showed everyone what courage looks like.

Sam took each step in stride, never doubting that he was going to lick this. Giving his parents hope when their own sometimes faltered.

A week ago, everything was "normal" again in their household. They were enjoying a visit from Grandma, getting big sister ready to leave for college. Hanging out and doing what we take for granted everyday- our ordinary days.

Now they are facing another battle- hoping for another chance to beat cancer, once and for all.

I am going to keep spoiling my kids with little treats, lots of hugs and plenty of love.

An ordinary day can change in an instant.

Hard Times...

"Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears
while we all sup sorrow with the poor
there's a song that will linger forever in our ears
oh, hard times come again no more


while we seek mirth and beauty
and music light and gay
there are frail ones fainting at the door
though their voices are silent
their pleading looks will say
oh, hard times come again no more"

I just love that song. Written by Stephen Foster in 1854, it fits my mood today.

So many hard times for friends and family right now. It seems we pause to take a breath, and another wave of sadness or difficulty hits, knocking us to our knees.

We look at people's burdens and wonder how they carry such a load. We look at our own troubles and realize they aren't so bad after all.

Life is a constant struggle of balancing the good times and the bad. We fall into the tunnels and valleys of life and we wonder which way is up; will we ever see the light of good times again?

Here's hoping for better times ahead.