aaahhhh.... December

It came and it went. Toe surgery darkened my December days, and so I will let this pass without writing. Enough to say that I am already looking forward to Xmas next year and plan to enjoy it twofold!

November musings

As we turn the corner and run right into the corner of November, I realize it is time to stop and take a breath. Soon, as the leaves fall, the time will pass by too quickly and it will be another month gone! It will be holiday time and family gathering to worry about!
It's been an interesting fall filled with conflict at work unlike any I have every witnessed. It's been a time of bonding with people I used to only say HI to in the halls. So that ahas been a good thing. On the other hand, a place I have loved sine I first drove down its tree-lined avenues has become disjointed and almost unrecognizable! If not for the people that make this village what it is and are willing to NOT give up on that, this wonderful place I have called home for more time than my childhood home would have vanished. I am trying to keep the faith that in the end, it will all be right again. That in the face of adversity, we will all be stronger and wiser. Yes, some have taken it harder than others , and the younger among us are questioning why they came here.
I was approached by a new teacher the other day and asked that very question: Is it always like this around here? I quickly assured her that it was not. I asked her to please hang in there and that I believed that we would eventually turn it all around- and she would be where I am now- home.
Home is not always chocolates and flowers. But in the end, home is where the heart is - and if the heart is here, it will prevail .

Three Circles

Three Circles
Joined again by the hand of fate,
Without warning two lives connected.
Over time a fresh life was born
By feelings new and resurrected.

Each life a circle with endless needs,
To keep the ties which bind them so.
Day and night they move on and on,
Almost daring the third, "Let it go!"

But the new found life grows on its own,
Strengthened by a desire to share.
Stealing time is not so easy,
Yet accepted by two who care.

Nourished by a mutual trust
And woven by strange twists and turns,
This circle of life continues on
Sparked by a desire to learn.

Unique to this are destined friends,
Balancing both joy and strife.
Thus creating a lasting niche;
Within three circles of life.

Dad left us instructions for this very Funeral Mass. At the end of these instructions, he left us a message, and so during the dark times right after he died, when we wondered how we would cope with this, we read what he had left us and knew the answer.

He wrote, “I don’t know if they allow the deceased to have much say about funerals, but I hope there will be recognition that this is a time where the joy should outshine the sadness. ‘Eye has not seen and ear has not heard what God has waiting for those who love him.’ (1 Cor. 2:9) The happiness I’ve experienced in my life is beyond my wildest expectations… and yet I know the best is yet to come. So please make this a happy time.”

OK Dad, if you say so, we will.

Number 1 in the State!

Teaching does have its rewards. Finding out that we, Wyoming School District, are Number 1 in the state of Ohio as a district is awesome with a capital A!! There have been ups and downs in my many years of teaching, but this kind of recognition sure makes it all worthwhile.

My dad

What an amazing person he was. From a little girl to a young lady to an older lady (!), I have always felt his presence in my life in a positive way. He was always there (as was my mom) to love and support all of us. He expected a lot. He would always say "Remember, you are a Scully!" He was kind, giving, caring - but never a pushover. He held himself and his family to high standards and none of us wanted to ever disappoint him. He was funny and loved to tell stories. Luckily he wrote many of his stories down before he passes away a few years ago so we have those to share with our kids and our grandkids (someday!) . I was never the prettiest of girls but somehow he always made me feel like a princess. He never failed to tell me that he loved me , and I am glad I said it right back to him. There were times in my life that I am not sure I could have gotten through had it not been for his support and understanding. He never enabled, but always let us know that he would be there for us unconditionally. His belief that faith, family and friends could make even the darkest of days seem skyblue.

"I love you Dad! Thanks for the footprints you left on my heart."

Aug. musings

Summer of 2009 is over. It is time to head back to work. The memories of these last few months are filled with lots of fun, family and friends..and some frustrations too. Life! I am glad that I made the efforts I did to spend time and money to be with family on Cape Cod, in Colorado, here at home, and at the lake in Indiana. I feel the bonds of love and friendship when I "take the time" to remember to care about the things in life that matter - hopefully the other kinks in my life (and my neck!) will work themselves out over time. I miss writing my thoughts down and so I hope to take time to do this for myself over this next school year.