Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
I'm One Lucky Mother
Goodness knows my children are not perfect; there's rarely a week that goes by that one of them isn't being punished for something. However, twenty years in my chosen profession has shown me it could be a Whole. Lot. Worse. And if they (my children) only knew just how bad it can sometimes be, they would cut out some old yearbook pictures and be set for life...'cause I would be hard-pressed to ever punish them again for some low level infraction whilst looking upon the countenance of certain scholars. More likely, I would fall to my knees, kiss each and every toe on their grubby little feet and then take the whole family out for ice-cream.
"Mom, I just carved my name in the banister!" "That's great, son! Would you like whipped cream on your sundae?"
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Hidden Expenses of Childhood
Gallon of paint to cover unwanted artwork on the bedroom walls... $35
Emergency room co-pay to remove a coffee bean lodged in the nose... $75
Mechanical bill for eliminating the roaring sound coming from my car heater... $30
The relief felt in finding out the above-mentioned roaring sound wasn't a blown motor...Priceless!!!
There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's John-Heath.
P.S. In case you're wondering...those are Lego wheels that were found in our car heater today by our mechanic taped to that bill.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
More Thankfulness
Day 2
On a warm, sunny day…no wait… make that a very hot week of band camp during the summer of 1984…I met a gorgeous college boy with dark hair and blue eyes and became absolutely smitten. Each day, the love-at-first-sight crush I had developed for this person, who just happened to be my assistant band director, only grew in intensity. Finally, on the last day, walking toward an asphalt practice field on the campus of Austin Peay State University with a drum strapped to my chest, I made a bold prediction to my friend Pennie…I’m going to marry him someday. One day, he would be mine. I was sure of it. Not even an hour later I listened as this darling man called my name from the roof of a building…TYLA HEATH, GET IN STEP!!! To make a long story, short – I married him anyway and my friend Pennie became my maid of honor. And after twenty-four years of thick and thin and ins and outs, I’m so very thankful that I did.
Day 3
Good health is a wonderful thing to have and one of the things I think we take most for granted in life -that is, until we no longer have it or we find ourselves having to fight to retain it. I thank God that my family is healthy. I also pray that he restores it for a very dear friend of mine who is battling cancer for the third time.
Day 4
As an educator, I am often afforded a front row seat in the lives of many students. If this profession has taught me one thing, it is that not all boys and girls grow up as I did. I am thankful for my parents. I am thankful that my parents put God first in our home and me next. I am thankful that they worked hard to provide for me and took an interest in my life, both socially and academically. I’m thankful there was always a hot meal on my table and clean clothes in my closet. I am thankful that through hard work and integrity on the part of my parents I never knew I had been poor until I was an adult. I could go on and on and provide countless evidence, but I won’t. I just hope my parents realize that every day of the week I am reminded of how good my childhood was and how grateful I am for that blessing.
Day 5
I’m thankful that I was not an only child. Had I been, holidays just wouldn’t be as much fun without the extended family. I am so thankful for my sister and her family. I am thankful, though, that my sister was 16 when I was born. There are perks to being the baby in the family and being raised like an only child.
Day 6
John Gunther wrote, “Ours is the only country deliberately founded on a good idea.” How true. On this Election Day, I am proud and thankful to live in this great nation. For now, at least, there’s not another like it on earth.
Day 7
On this post-election day, when things didn’t exactly go the way I would have liked for them to go, I’m glad I once read Gone With the Wind. Its words come in handy from time to time… “Tomorrow is another day.”
On a warm, sunny day…no wait… make that a very hot week of band camp during the summer of 1984…I met a gorgeous college boy with dark hair and blue eyes and became absolutely smitten. Each day, the love-at-first-sight crush I had developed for this person, who just happened to be my assistant band director, only grew in intensity. Finally, on the last day, walking toward an asphalt practice field on the campus of Austin Peay State University with a drum strapped to my chest, I made a bold prediction to my friend Pennie…I’m going to marry him someday. One day, he would be mine. I was sure of it. Not even an hour later I listened as this darling man called my name from the roof of a building…TYLA HEATH, GET IN STEP!!! To make a long story, short – I married him anyway and my friend Pennie became my maid of honor. And after twenty-four years of thick and thin and ins and outs, I’m so very thankful that I did.
Day 3
Good health is a wonderful thing to have and one of the things I think we take most for granted in life -that is, until we no longer have it or we find ourselves having to fight to retain it. I thank God that my family is healthy. I also pray that he restores it for a very dear friend of mine who is battling cancer for the third time.
Day 4
As an educator, I am often afforded a front row seat in the lives of many students. If this profession has taught me one thing, it is that not all boys and girls grow up as I did. I am thankful for my parents. I am thankful that my parents put God first in our home and me next. I am thankful that they worked hard to provide for me and took an interest in my life, both socially and academically. I’m thankful there was always a hot meal on my table and clean clothes in my closet. I am thankful that through hard work and integrity on the part of my parents I never knew I had been poor until I was an adult. I could go on and on and provide countless evidence, but I won’t. I just hope my parents realize that every day of the week I am reminded of how good my childhood was and how grateful I am for that blessing.
Day 5
I’m thankful that I was not an only child. Had I been, holidays just wouldn’t be as much fun without the extended family. I am so thankful for my sister and her family. I am thankful, though, that my sister was 16 when I was born. There are perks to being the baby in the family and being raised like an only child.
Day 6
John Gunther wrote, “Ours is the only country deliberately founded on a good idea.” How true. On this Election Day, I am proud and thankful to live in this great nation. For now, at least, there’s not another like it on earth.
Day 7
On this post-election day, when things didn’t exactly go the way I would have liked for them to go, I’m glad I once read Gone With the Wind. Its words come in handy from time to time… “Tomorrow is another day.”
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Twenty-Two Days of Thanks
On this first day of November, I thought it would be good to begin reflecting upon those things in life for which I'm thankful (not that we shouldn't take time to do this the other eleven months of the year). So, each day, and in no particular order, I plan to examine something I am blessed to have in this life. Then every few days I'll share them with you - my friends. I'd be willing to bet my list will be strikingly similar to one you would make yourself. And, as I believe all blessings come from above, allow me to publicly thank the bestower of my bounty as I make my way through my list. Here goes.
Day One
Thank you, Lord, for the two children you have entrusted in my care. They are my masterpiece, and even though there are many days when our life together looks and feels more like this than this, they are my beautiful contribution to this world.
My work of art
(well, mine and John's)
Ren just being Ren
John-Heath unusually still
(it didn't last long)
I see the moon and the moon sees me
Relaxin' on the road trip
Just doing what she loves
All ready to hunker down and ride out an evening of thunderstorms
Doing her best "J.R. Ewing"
A fun evening at Dick's Last Resort - Nashville
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