In My Life.....I've Loved Them All

I was going to do Easter posts all week and almost made it...that is until yesterday.  Yesterday, I got some very disturbing news about a former student.  My daughter Kat called to tell me that Melissa had been placed at Bethany House.  She is only 30.  As you remember from when my Aunt died, Bethany House is a Hospice dwelling for the terminally ill to spend their last days.  The key word here is days.  Melissa was one of my most favorite students.  I mulled it over...I needed to go see her....but heck...she probably did not even remember me....but I knew better...so today, Frank and I went to Opelika....and I stopped in to see her.  When I asked at the nurses station which room she was in I nearly turned around and left when they told me she was in Room 102.  That was the same room my Aunt was in.  I was not sure I could make that walk down the hallway again....but I did...and I am glad.  I had quite a memorable visit with Melissa and several past students, Layla Syphers and Scott Jackson who were there visiting their old friend too.  It was like old home week....and I promise you I am not leaving this with a sad ending.  All the way home I thought about all the students that have come through my classroom doors in the past 24 years and thought I would tell you a little bit about some of them and my roles in their lives. During my teaching career I have had many roles.  I was the prom sponsor for 13 years, Student Government(SGA) sponsor for 5 years, Junior Civitan sponsor for 5 years, Cinder(school newspaper) sponsor for 4 years, Interact(this year only)Speech teacher, Spanish teacher, English teacher, AP English teacher, ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, Choir teacher, Detention Keeper, Football Game ticket seller, Foreign Language/Spanish Club sponsor(21 years), Senior play asst sponsor(3 years), Faculty Follies coordinator, Building Leadership Team facilitator, singer, dancer, chief cook and bottle washer...mender of hearts, teller of tales, and defender of the American Way(just kidding on this one).  On top of all these hats...I found time to teach Spanish, Speech, and English at any given time.  So...in 24 years a lot of kids have passed through my life...and I through theirs.  Today, some of them are teachers, like Brittany, Misty, Jennifer, Jeanne, Layla, Kathryn...and that makes me proud.  Some are doctors, some are lawyers...some work for the government, others are on government assistance.  Some pump gas, work on cars, sell real-estate, work in banks, are serving time...they do it all....and I it leaves me speechless to know that I touched their lives for one brief shining moment....but today...today I thought of all the ones whose lives were cut short.  Bob, who called me Lt....died just recently.  It broke my heart.  He became a preacher...and was a substitute teacher at our school.  I adored him just as much at 38 as I did at 16.  Vanessa, died in a terrible car accident.  She was my precious drama queen.  She could make me laugh out loud in a heartbeat.  Chris died in a car accident, Leigh Ann too!  Two of my boys died in a burning car...that one almost killed me.  Neil died in a diving accident.  I taught him in Sunday School and held him when he was three days old.   I sang "Thank You" at his funeral.  These kids are not just statistics...they were lives....lives that touched me when they walked on earth...and I have no doubt will share the kingdom of heaven with me when I get there.  Yes, I believe that I touch lives forever....but I also know that those very same lives touched mine too...and I will never be the same...because for one brief shining moment...we walked the same road.  God has truly blessed me.  I hope you enjoy my blast from the past.

Brittany and I - BRHS Prom - she teaches Middle School Math

Top picture - Hackneyville High School Students - Bob is on the far right

Bottom Picture - Dancing and singing in the Faculty Follies

My ESL class and Vanessa.  1993 seems like an eon ago...and yet sometimes it seems like only last week.  Where did the time go?  Seventeern years was gone in the blink of an eye.  It is true...time does fly.

Homecoming Queen hopefuls.  I was Student Government Sponor for five years and worked with lots of lovely ladies.  The one in the middle was named Homecoming Queen that year.  They cleaned up nice huh?

I taught at New Site High School for three years.  Jennifer, back left, is a teacher today.  How exciting!

The Senior play cast on opening night.  This particular year the play was a drama.  The first row girl...sixth from the left was an exchange student, Tatiana (Touch) from Brazil.  She is an International lawyer.  As I sit here going through these pictures I truly believe that I have been blessed beyond all blessings.  I believe I am a God-called teacher and I thank Him everyday for this privilege.  Don't get me wrong...they have not all been angels and everyday has not been a bed of roses.  I have had my share of  thugs....but to be honest they have few and far between.  Life has been good to me...and "in my life, I've loved them all!  Happy Saturday and I hope you all have a blessed Easter.

Saturday Night - A Black Tie Affair 2/3

Tonight is the prom....but to get to tonight...I had to complete today. We were at the school at 7 to blow up balloons and finish decorating. I had planned to leave the school by 8ish...it was 9ish before I got away....then it was down to my Aunt Shirleys for a birthday gathering....and lunch....we ate...visited with family....I got to play with the new babies (they were there)...Wheeler and Drew. Then we left and ran by Waverly....so we could make an appearance at the 280 Boogie in Waverly...talk about a crowd. Home, running bulletins, setting up the altar at the Arbor...helping the DJs for the prom...I got home again about 5...took a shower...got ready to go back at 7. Leadout was at 8....with the Prom King (Justin Moncrief) and Prom Queen (Radrequia Findley) being crowned....parents were asked to leave....music kicked up...and the prom officially began. We had a great DJ....if you ever need one...please check on Feel the Beat...they are in Westover, AL...and awesome! We gave away money...every 30 minutes...with the final 300.00 being given away just before 11. The prom was then over....65 hours of work....and it was over in a little less than 3 hours. I was tired....went to Huddle House with Mary and Bill for a little food....and then on to the house....I have to return to the gym tomorrow....at 3 for clean up detail. I am sleepy now so it is good night to all the cinderellas and prince charmings.

Fabulous Friday

Friday is a comin'...and then Saturday will be here....where does my weekend go? I am a busy person...and sometimes I wonder if I am not too busy. I love the activity....but sometimes I just like to stop and read a good Nora Roberts novel. This is one of those weekends...I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I just finished my to do list for school on Friday....before I leave at half a day....AND...tomorrow night I...well the group I sing with.....WE are opening for Country Music Legend and Hall of Fame Great....George Jones! I am as nervous as a squirrel at revival. I cannot believe that tomorrow night is going to happen...I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not asleep. Now...I must confess...I am not a George Jones fan....but I do know who he is...what he does....and some of his songs....the most important thing here...is that he is somebody.....somebody that people pay good money to come and hear...and in doing so....will in turn here me. Ooops...there goes my stomach again. Every time I think about being on the stage at the civic center....I get jack hammers in my stomach....either that or humongous butterflies.
Saturday at 7 a.m. I will be blowing up some helium balloons, then it is off to a birthday party....(of which I am one of the celebratees), then to 280 Boogie in Waverly, AL....I love this...there is stuff, crafts, food, music....works for me!....then home for a small rest before meeting the DJ at 6:30. Prom will be...whether I am ready for it or not. I think I am ready. Sunday at 3....we clean up the mess we have worked on all week. It will take a couple of hours to tear down what we have built over the last 50 hours. I find that amazing....then it is back to work on Monday. Where did the weekend go? I have to admit...I wouldn't really have it any other way....I thrive on this chaos sometimes. Have a Happy Weekend....and pray for a safe prom.

T - Minus 3 days and counting

Today is Thursday, Saturday is a comin', and I am a scrambling. Scrambling to get the final touches done for the prom. Once again I find myself as prom sponsor...this time for a final time. I have taught at BRHS for 20 years and been prom sponsor for 13 of those....I think, now that I have turned 55, that it is time for someone else to have a go at it. My creative juices are all dried up. This year has been especially fun....I have some parents. Mrs. McCombs and her classes, Mrs. Parks and her classes, the cheerleaders, and Mrs. Fagan and her classes and countless other teacher buddies who have been life savers as far as working. I do not know what I would do without the help of the ones who give up their time to paint, chaperon, take tickets, give out prizes, and pour drinks for thirsty dancers. I have also got to give one special shout out for Trissie Mixon. I don't know what I would have done without her. She does not even have a child going through this...she is just there....painting....building....designing. I have loved having her around. She is a 90 graduate of our school....and has worked like a trouper. But...lets talk about the week in general...On Monday, my first block class went down and worked half the period....and got so much done it was scary. Third block went down and finished up what first block missed.Tuesday we accomplished even more...and worked after school til nearly 8 getting the back drop built. Weds. was hectic....and we painted the backdrop after school. The back drop, btw, is a 20 something foot painting of 3 paned windows. The kids will walk in front of....for lead out. Lets talk about lead out. Lead out at our school is the social event of the year. People from all walks of life come to watch the kids walk out in the prom....so many of them come...that most of the kids don't even show up until 9...to give the viewers time to leave....ahhhh the life in a small town. Today is Thursday, Saturday is a comin' sooner, ....and the rental company is delivering all the final touches....we will have tables to set up and decorate, floor to lay, a dance floor to assemble, columns to place.....and the list goes on and on....but...no matter what all is still left....and at 7, Saturday morning....I will be there blowing up balloons...nopefully with the help of a few parents...it will be a magical night. It amazes me everytime....how it is so hectic....and then....I turn around, breathe it in, and it just is. I guess that is like life...when we are stressed to the max....and life is so hectic....we need to stand back...take a deep breath....and just let it be....magical! I wish for you all...magic today! I know I can use some. Happy Dancing!

Prom Week Has Passed

Ok, I know I did not blog last week. I have a good excuse though, I was tied up with getting ready for the Junior - Senior prom. What a job! I was not in my classroom at all during the entire week. I was in the girl's gym working. I was afforded the luxury of this this year....because I have an intern. She taught....and I worked on the prom. The best of both worlds. Everyone should have an intern when they take on a major enterprise like the prom. I am also very fortunate to work with a Dream Team. Our prom is in the girl's gym which is a Cinderella gym. It has been long forgotten and abused. Yet, with a little help from some black plastic, some decorations, rental tables and chairs, lights, a fountain....it was transformed into an elegant place. Our theme this year was "A Night to Remember" and it truly was. The kids all arrived in their party attire and danced their hearts content. My Dream Team: Mary Jean Fagan, Marie Parks, Ed Allen, Beth Dewberry, Jan Meyer and Dwayne Riddle....all made my job so easy. I am fortunate to have them....and at the moment a bit sad....the let down after a job well done....and my final let down. This year's prom was my swan song. I will not be in charge of the prom next year.....the end of an era. In my 18 years here at BRHS I have been the prom sponsor....12 of those years....it is time for the youngsters to take it on. Funny, I was once one of those youngsters....and now...I am one of the senior members of our staff....I never thought I would see that day. Anyway....I am rambling. I have loved doing the prom all these many years....my favorite part....is waking up the morning after....and finding out they all made it home safe and sound. I don't know about you guys....but things are not like they were when I was in school. Kids spend a major amount of money to stay at the prom less than an hour.....the true event of the prom....is the parties that follow. The kids buy fancy party dresses, rent tuxes, buy flowers for their dates....buy tickets, have pictures made...and then....by 10 are on their way to the other party. You want to be invited to one of the big parties...that means you are part of the in group. Some don't care....they go bowling and enjoy themselves...no matter what they do. When I was in school....back in the stone ages....we went to the dance....and went home....period! Oh well....things go in circles...in a few years....it will be back to the old way....thus is life! Here is to a great week. I am just glad prom is over.

Peace to you all, K