Jumpin' Off the Edge

Guns. Who should have them? Soldiers? I can't imagine anyone going to war without one. Police officers? Of course! They often go up against criminals willing to use one. Private citizens? The 2nd Amendment gives us that right. Teachers like me? It is incomprehensible when a gunman goes into a school and shoots down so many innocent. I have no doubt that the majority of teachers would do anything to protect their students. I know I would. I have been thinking a lot about the idea of carrying a gun while teaching. I have had conversations with others that believe it is the right thing to do. Guns are second nature to them. They are trained to use them. They won't go anywhere without one. I think a day at the gun range would be fun. I think  teaching kids with a gun hidden away on me would be nerve-wracking. School needs to be a safe place. This is an indisputable fact. Would it be safer if I, a teacher, were carrying a gun? I don't think so. I consider myself to be a goo

           Christmas away from my children                         school shootings                Sean                    bills                                             laundry           war              schedule                  lesson plans                                                         not running        package to mail         presents to purchase        hurtful words                   poor choices                                  Afghanistan "SHUT UP!" I yell to all the thoughts swirling in my head. They do not quiet. They are always there. Ideas for new lessons in hopes of engaging students, What life is like for Sean half a world away, When will I hear from him again? Oh no! I need to remember to mail his package. What must it be like for those 27 families in CT as they prepare for Christmas? Do I have all the presents I need to get? What will Christmas be like without the girls? Laundry, dishes, vacuuming I drive on in s

Ten days ago, I decided to celebrate the 13 days of my birthday after buying myself tickets to the upcoming Eric Clapton concert. In the days that followed the celebration of days included a free car wash, conversation with vets, a gift card from work, and a gift of Goodwill. Then the horrific school shooting happened in CT. I stopped celebrating the day of my upcoming birthday. Instead of finding what was good in my world, the negative seemed to be highlighted. The repairman was having difficulty getting our hot water heater working (three days later, still no hot water). No contact with Sean since before Thanksgiving. The stress that family can sometimes bring. Learning our landlord was still battling breast cancer and financial stress that came about as a result. The repairman going home to find his roommate dead. Throughout all of it, the 27 teachers and students of Spring Hope Elementary School in my mind. Heating water to take my bath out of a sink is nothing to the grief they ar

As a nation, we are saddened, angry, and frustrated about the events that took place in Connecticut. We look for somewhere to place the blame. Gun control. No God in schools. Mental illness. We mourn for the young lives lost and loss of innocence. Why did they have to die? Our men and women in the military know of the possibilities of death in their profession, yet they choose to enlist anyway. Firefighters and policemen know the danger, but choose to serve the public. Teachers, on the other hand, see a different job description.  We go into the job expecting to make the difference in the life of a child. We want to instill a passion for learning. We know our responsibilities will include many meetings, duties, and lots of paperwork along with the teaching. Nowhere in the job description do we ever think of the possibility of putting our lives on the line. While we sacrifice for our students on a regular basis, never do we think about the possibility of sacrificing our lives. Yet, when

When I lived in Maine, I drove by Wreaths Across America in Harrington, I didn't know what it was all about. This year, I ordered a wreath. Not just one wreath, but two. One came to me and the other was placed on a veteran's grave in Sean's honor. Today, I attended the ceremony at the Raleigh National Cemetery. Hundreds of wreaths blanketed tombstones of veterans of all branches of the military. The band began to play... As the JROTC from two area schools looked on The ceremony began with an introduction from the Daughters of the American Revolution before the flags were brought in by a local unit of the Civil Air Patrol and Rolling Thunder. The ceremony continued with a prayer and proclamation by the Sons of the American Revolution. And then came the part we all were waiting for, the dedication of the wreaths. THE ARMY NAVY MARINES AIR FORCE COAST GUARD MERCHANT MARINES POW~MIA  Pri

Since my son joined the Army    The day my son was deployed to Afghanistan, I began to comprehend a bit of the selflessness men and women of the military when they sign on the dotted line and take their oath to do Uncle Sam’s service. Before being deployed, my son and I talked about the possibility of death, loss of a limb(s), and what war can do to one’s psyche. In the six weeks that he has been over there, death and loss of limb of became a bit more real to me as I came into contact with both. Today, visiting the psych ward at the local VA hospital as a Blue Star Mother, I began to understand a bit more. I had the opportunity to serve them, sit and chat for a bit, and to join them in song. A little bit of each one of them will stay with me. To the man who talked to me every time I walked by: Even though I couldn’t understand most of the words you said, the smile in your eyes spoke volumes. Thank you for reaching out to me and taking the time to testify. At the end of

I went to church today Last year, Suzanne and I spoke of attending going Instead, I attended alone Missing Suzanne, regretting it never happened Knowing we will never attend together. After over a year of planning I went in search of another church With no idea what to expect at a Biker church My GPS couldn’t find. Arriving late, I parked in the field and walked through the doors The student who invited us last year The first person I saw.   Taking in the other sights A pool table, Plywood dividing walls, And leather jackets, each with a patch. I followed the sound of voices Into the sanctuary ~ A big room filled with Mismatched chairs. A wooden platform up front With a black and white painting of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns as the backdrop. A sea of blue jeans surrounded me as song and harmony filled the room accompanied today by an acoustic guitar. Sharing the stage, a keyboard, drum set and electric g