Tuesday, October 13, 2015
So, it was driver's license renewal time. New one came in the mail today. Jenna inspected it and asked why in the world I would say yes to being an organ donor. I answered that (although the alternative is creepy) it seems pretty selfish to me to keep my organs if I am not using them. Tyler joined the conversation and said that the idea of someone taking your eyes out is disgusting. I said it didn't have to be eyes, maybe someone is dying of heart disease and needs a heart. He thought about it for a minute then said, "That's even more weird. They would end up loving people they don't even know." I think I would love Tyler even if I didn't know him :)
Monday, July 27, 2015
Two and a half years later....
Today is Tyler's first day of fourth grade! His favorite color is green (still,)his favorite movie is Aladdin, his favorite food is chili cheese dogs, although ice cream, pizza and soda are close seconds. Ty is one of the tallest kids in his class (56".) He loves all things electronic, Scooby Doo, soccer, basketball and swimming. The most recent Tylerism: We went to a park a few weeks ago and Jenna fell and cut up her legs. I told her to wash them off in the sprinklers then we could clean them up when we got home. Ty asked if he could run through the sprinklers and I told him no because it was secondary (canal) water. We got home and we were making dinner. Ty was standing by the sink with me so I flicked some water at him. He yelled, "EW, why are you flicking me with secondhand canoe water?!?!" I absolutely adore this energetic, thoughtful, intelligent, handsome son of mine!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Easter - all about the eggs...
What Was In Jeremy’s Egg?
Jeremy was born with a twisted body and slow mind. At the age of 12 he was still in second grade, seemingly unable to learn. His teacher, Doris Miller, often became exasperated with him. He would squirm in his seat, drool and make grunting noises.
At other times, he spoke clearly and distinctly, as if a spot of light had penetrated the darkness of his brain. Most of the time, however, Jeremy irritated his teacher. One day, she called his parents to come to St. Theresa’s for a consultation. As the Forresters sat quietly in the empty classroom, Doris said to them, "Jeremy really belongs in a special school. It isn't fair to him to be with younger children who don' t have learning problems. Why, there is a five-year gap between his age and that of the other students!"
Mrs. Forrester cried softly into a tissue, while her husband spoke. "Miss Miller," he said, "there is no school of that kind nearby. It would be a terrible shock for Jeremy if we had to take him out of this school. We know he really likes it here."
Doris sat for a long time after they left, staring at the snow outside the window. Its coldness seemed to seep into her soul. She wanted to sympathize with the Forresters. After all, their only child had a terminal illness. But it wasn't fair to keep him in her class. She had 18 other youngsters to teach, and Jeremy was a distraction. Furthermore, he would never learn to read and write. Why waste any more time trying?
As she pondered the situation, guilt washed over her. "Heavenly Father," she said aloud, "here I am complaining when my problems are nothing compared to that poor family! Please help me to be more patient with Jeremy!"
From that day on, she tried hard to ignore Jeremy's noises and his blank stares. Then one day, he limped to her desk, dragging his bad leg behind him. "I love you, Miss Miller," he exclaimed, loud enough for the whole class to hear. The other students snickered, and Doris’ face turned red. She stammered, "Wh-why that's very nice, Jeremy. N-now please take your seat."
Spring came, and the children talked excitedly about the coming of Easter. Doris told them the story of Jesus, and then to emphasize the idea of new life springing forth, she gave each of the children a large plastic egg. "Now," she said to them, "I want you to take this home and bring it back tomorrow with something inside that shows new life. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Miss Miller!" the children responded enthusiastically - all except for Jeremy. He just listened intently; his eyes never left her face. He did not even make his usual noises. Had he understood what she had said about Jesus' death and resurrection? Did he understand the assignment? Perhaps she should call his parents and explain the project to them. That evening, Doris' kitchen sink stopped up. She called the landlord and waited an hour for him to come by and unclog it. After that, she still had to shop for groceries, iron a blouse and prepare a vocabulary test for the next day. She completely forgot about phoning Jeremy's parents.
The next morning, 19 children came to school, laughing and talking as they placed their eggs in the large wicker basket on Miss Miller's desk. After they completed their math lesson, it was time to open the eggs.
In the first egg, Doris found a flower. "Oh yes, a flower is certainly a sign of new life," she said. "When plants peek through the ground we know that Spring is here." A small girl in the first row waved her arm. "That's my egg Miss Miller," she called out.
The next egg contained a plastic butterfly, which looked very real. Doris held it up. "We all know that a caterpillar changes and grows into a beautiful butterfly. Yes, that is new life, too." Little Judy smiled proudly and said, "Miss Miller, that one is mine!"
Next, Doris found a rock with moss on it. She explained that moss, too, showed life. Billy spoke up from the back of the classroom, "My Daddy helped me!" he beamed.
Then Doris opened the fourth egg. She gasped. The egg was empty! Surely it must be Jeremy's, she thought, and of course, he did not understand her instructions. If only she had not forgotten to phone his parents! Because she did not want to embarrass him, she quietly set the egg aside and reached for another.
Suddenly Jeremy spoke up. "Miss Miller, aren't you going to talk about my egg?" Flustered, Doris replied, "But Jeremy - your egg is empty!" He looked into her eyes and said softly, "Yes, but Jesus' tomb was empty, too!"
Time stopped. When she could speak again, Doris asked him, "Do you know why the tomb was empty?" "Oh yes!" Jeremy said, "Jesus was killed and put in there. Then His Father raised Him up!"
The recess bell rang. While the children excitedly ran out to the school yard, Doris cried. The cold inside her melted completely away.
Three months later, Jeremy died. Those who paid their respects at the mortuary were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of his casket, all of them empty.
Even though we explain the real reason for celebrating Easter to our kids every year, I think this story might be the best way for each of us to understand. I think our eggs will be empty this year.
Happy Easter!
Jeremy was born with a twisted body and slow mind. At the age of 12 he was still in second grade, seemingly unable to learn. His teacher, Doris Miller, often became exasperated with him. He would squirm in his seat, drool and make grunting noises.
At other times, he spoke clearly and distinctly, as if a spot of light had penetrated the darkness of his brain. Most of the time, however, Jeremy irritated his teacher. One day, she called his parents to come to St. Theresa’s for a consultation. As the Forresters sat quietly in the empty classroom, Doris said to them, "Jeremy really belongs in a special school. It isn't fair to him to be with younger children who don' t have learning problems. Why, there is a five-year gap between his age and that of the other students!"
Mrs. Forrester cried softly into a tissue, while her husband spoke. "Miss Miller," he said, "there is no school of that kind nearby. It would be a terrible shock for Jeremy if we had to take him out of this school. We know he really likes it here."
Doris sat for a long time after they left, staring at the snow outside the window. Its coldness seemed to seep into her soul. She wanted to sympathize with the Forresters. After all, their only child had a terminal illness. But it wasn't fair to keep him in her class. She had 18 other youngsters to teach, and Jeremy was a distraction. Furthermore, he would never learn to read and write. Why waste any more time trying?
As she pondered the situation, guilt washed over her. "Heavenly Father," she said aloud, "here I am complaining when my problems are nothing compared to that poor family! Please help me to be more patient with Jeremy!"
From that day on, she tried hard to ignore Jeremy's noises and his blank stares. Then one day, he limped to her desk, dragging his bad leg behind him. "I love you, Miss Miller," he exclaimed, loud enough for the whole class to hear. The other students snickered, and Doris’ face turned red. She stammered, "Wh-why that's very nice, Jeremy. N-now please take your seat."
Spring came, and the children talked excitedly about the coming of Easter. Doris told them the story of Jesus, and then to emphasize the idea of new life springing forth, she gave each of the children a large plastic egg. "Now," she said to them, "I want you to take this home and bring it back tomorrow with something inside that shows new life. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Miss Miller!" the children responded enthusiastically - all except for Jeremy. He just listened intently; his eyes never left her face. He did not even make his usual noises. Had he understood what she had said about Jesus' death and resurrection? Did he understand the assignment? Perhaps she should call his parents and explain the project to them. That evening, Doris' kitchen sink stopped up. She called the landlord and waited an hour for him to come by and unclog it. After that, she still had to shop for groceries, iron a blouse and prepare a vocabulary test for the next day. She completely forgot about phoning Jeremy's parents.
The next morning, 19 children came to school, laughing and talking as they placed their eggs in the large wicker basket on Miss Miller's desk. After they completed their math lesson, it was time to open the eggs.
In the first egg, Doris found a flower. "Oh yes, a flower is certainly a sign of new life," she said. "When plants peek through the ground we know that Spring is here." A small girl in the first row waved her arm. "That's my egg Miss Miller," she called out.
The next egg contained a plastic butterfly, which looked very real. Doris held it up. "We all know that a caterpillar changes and grows into a beautiful butterfly. Yes, that is new life, too." Little Judy smiled proudly and said, "Miss Miller, that one is mine!"
Next, Doris found a rock with moss on it. She explained that moss, too, showed life. Billy spoke up from the back of the classroom, "My Daddy helped me!" he beamed.
Then Doris opened the fourth egg. She gasped. The egg was empty! Surely it must be Jeremy's, she thought, and of course, he did not understand her instructions. If only she had not forgotten to phone his parents! Because she did not want to embarrass him, she quietly set the egg aside and reached for another.
Suddenly Jeremy spoke up. "Miss Miller, aren't you going to talk about my egg?" Flustered, Doris replied, "But Jeremy - your egg is empty!" He looked into her eyes and said softly, "Yes, but Jesus' tomb was empty, too!"
Time stopped. When she could speak again, Doris asked him, "Do you know why the tomb was empty?" "Oh yes!" Jeremy said, "Jesus was killed and put in there. Then His Father raised Him up!"
The recess bell rang. While the children excitedly ran out to the school yard, Doris cried. The cold inside her melted completely away.
Three months later, Jeremy died. Those who paid their respects at the mortuary were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of his casket, all of them empty.
Even though we explain the real reason for celebrating Easter to our kids every year, I think this story might be the best way for each of us to understand. I think our eggs will be empty this year.
Happy Easter!
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
When it rains, look for rainbows.
When it is dark, look for stars.
I took a pregnancy test on November 20. I know, tubal ligation = no more babies. But, the test was positive. And, so was the second one. I was mortified! Then, elated. Looking at baby name websites one minute and hyperventilating over age differences the next.
I didn't feel fantastic the following Monday and thought since I was about six and a half weeks along that I better get checked. I called the doctor's office and explained the situation: Tubes tied six years ago, pregnant now. The assistant yelled into the phone, "OH MY G.., That gives me high blood pressure." You and me both!
I was able to schedule an ultrasound and visit for the next day. Tuesday morning the kids and I were up and ready and Dave had just left for work, when a sharp pain started radiating through my abdomen. Debilitating pain. Incapacitating pain. Rilie called Dave and told him he needed to turn around, come home, and take me to the ER.
We had already considered the fact that this might be an ectopic pregnancy, but until the doctor confirmed that the pregnancy was tubal and had ruptured, I had hope.
Now instead of worrying about c-section recovery and Rilie graduating high school when the baby started kindergarten, the fear was for my life. I was bleeding internally. Enough that the urgency and panic in the ob/gyn's voice was clear. Surgery now. I am kind of fuzzy on the details, but it went well (I lived.)
A week later. I am recovering physically. Not as sure emotionally. It is strange how much you can want and love someone you have never met.
I took a pregnancy test on November 20. I know, tubal ligation = no more babies. But, the test was positive. And, so was the second one. I was mortified! Then, elated. Looking at baby name websites one minute and hyperventilating over age differences the next.
I didn't feel fantastic the following Monday and thought since I was about six and a half weeks along that I better get checked. I called the doctor's office and explained the situation: Tubes tied six years ago, pregnant now. The assistant yelled into the phone, "OH MY G.., That gives me high blood pressure." You and me both!
I was able to schedule an ultrasound and visit for the next day. Tuesday morning the kids and I were up and ready and Dave had just left for work, when a sharp pain started radiating through my abdomen. Debilitating pain. Incapacitating pain. Rilie called Dave and told him he needed to turn around, come home, and take me to the ER.
We had already considered the fact that this might be an ectopic pregnancy, but until the doctor confirmed that the pregnancy was tubal and had ruptured, I had hope.
Now instead of worrying about c-section recovery and Rilie graduating high school when the baby started kindergarten, the fear was for my life. I was bleeding internally. Enough that the urgency and panic in the ob/gyn's voice was clear. Surgery now. I am kind of fuzzy on the details, but it went well (I lived.)
A week later. I am recovering physically. Not as sure emotionally. It is strange how much you can want and love someone you have never met.
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