Have you ever had a dream that was so real and so amazing you just didn't want to wake up. Of course you have....we all have, but the one that I have had twice makes me want to cry when I wake up. It is the absolute epitome of peace and I feel more love while I'm asleep dreaming than I can explain.
I grew up in the most amazing family. My grandparents and great grandparents lived next door to each other with only a lot separating them. Then my great Uncle and his family lived about two football field lengths from them.
Before I go any further let me say that in our family "great" Uncle.....only means Uncle....."great" Aunt or "great" Grandparents....are not different. Second and third cousins are no different than first cousins and are often referred to as Aunt or Uncle depending on the relationship between those cousins....ex. Uncle Joey or Uncle Steven.
So back to the dream.....
Everyone in our family had gathered under the tree that we always gathered under on Sunday in Mamaw Great's yard. Noone was excluded. Uncle Sid and all of his family came from Oklahoma, Craig and Kristen came from up North, Dickie and Donna and all of their family came....Al was there...Debbie, Haley....Nancy and her family, Cheryl and her family....you get the picture. Any bad blood between anyone was set aside. (We have an amazing family but we are human...we do have some serious personality conflicts at times).
There were chairs and lawn chairs spread out in a huge circle under the tree. There were quilts laid out across the thick grass for the babies to lay on. There was this huge slide that used to sit at Mamaw Great's and it was still there. There were tarp tents lined up going down the side of the house with tables, ice chests and wires galore. These tables were FULL of potluck dishes that everyone brought. They were set up in crockpots and warming trays. There were dips in bowls on ice and a HUGE tray of Aunt Dot's shrimp sandwiches graced the table that never emptied. There were tons of homemade biscuits and cornbread and a pot of Aunt Vie's potato soup with my name on it. (It's my dream...I get the soup)
In Mississippi, laying all of this food out all day is not exactly a reality. In my dream it was neither hot or cold...It was perfect weather. There was a breeze blowing and the smell of coffee lingered in the air.
The lot between Mamaw Great's and Mamaw's house hosted a softball game. There was no age limit on this game. Rusty, Chase, Donnie, and even Aunt Elaine participated right along with Brayden, Kellie Rae, Christopher and Adam.
The lot where Mamaw's house used to sit was full of kids and adults in a heated soccer game. The old tree out back where Mamaw built our tree house still stood with the old shed beside it. Hannah and Summer helped watch over some of the younger kids as they played house and babies and all the games we used to play out there.
In Mamaw Great's yard was one of those big inflatable slides that also entertained adults...mainly John-John....as well as kids.
There were kids of all ages everywhere getting acquainted or reacquainted with each other doing all the things that we used to do as kids.
We were there for a long time. It seemed as if time had stood still just for all of us. As I sat in my chair in the circle looking around I looked and saw all of those who had gone on ahead of us sitting under the tree on the outside of our circle....our grandparents, Aunt Marge and Uncle Jim, Uncle Glenn, Uncle J.D., Jimmy in his uniform...so many of our family sat there....some that us younger ones had never met. At our grandparent's feet and in their laps sat the babies that never made it full term and the ones who had left us to soon. When I turned and I saw all these people that I loved so dearly and who had made such a huge impact on my life...I jumped up and screamed for everyone to look and started running towards them. All I could think was wrapping my arms around my Mamaw and laying my head in her lap, but as I ran towards them they disappeared. I turned to look and I was the only one sitting under the tree in the yard.
I awoke trembling and I still get a knot in my throat thinking about it because I would give anything, absolutely anything to see my four grandparent's again....to hear Papaw Great holler at me from the back porch, to play under the house or have a weenie roast with Mamaw, cook with Mamaw Great, to hear Papaw holler for me...."Oh Missy Lea", to get teased by Uncle Glen, to hear Uncle Jim sing "All the Gold in California", to listen to Aunt Marge give our girls a lecture on how to be a lady.
In my dream I kept thinking "is this real?"...The love that was generated on that little strip of gravel road in the middle of farming country was so overwhelming. As I think about it....it was never really a dream. The inflatable slide was a dream....but everything else was real. It was real to those of us who were fortunate enough to grow up in the time that we did. We experienced everything in my dream.... throughout our lives..... on Sunday afternoons on the Warren/Issaquena County line.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
My Son and Reading....What I did to help him with his struggle.
I have an absolute passion for reading, and that is one thing that I had hoped to pass to my children. You can imagine my concern when in first grade our son couldn't do sight words, then when he was passed to second grade he could not read. I knew there was a problem, but I couldn't get anyone to listen to me. I remember sitting in a meeting with a group of teachers and wanting to absolutely bang my head on the wall because the only solution that was offered was to 1)Send him back to first grade or 2)Tutor him with first graders then let an assistant who didn't speak very good English help with his speech and reading. I begged them to consider dyslexia, but was told that it was not a disability and they would not take it into consideration even if I did have him tested.
Immediately following that meeting, I went to the main office and my son was moved to his present school within two days. Surprisingly, he was immediately tested at that school and was found to have "strong dyslexic tendencies". FINALLY....after struggling through Kindergarten and First grade we knew what we were dealing with. We had a new fabulous teacher who sat down with me and mapped out a plan. My husband and I did not expect miracles from her, but we felt like that is exactly what she performed. Our plan was to hold him back so the remainder of the year at the new school would be used for catch up. We were not so much concerned with his grades as his progress. He was also tested and put into a Texas Scottish Rites Program for dyslexic children that was offered at the school. He started his new school in the middle of the first 9 wks of 2nd grade. At that time he tested at a PreK reading level, but when school ended he was reading on a beginner 2nd grade level!!!
I thank God everyday for Beechwood Elementary, the Texas Scottish Rites program that was being offered there and his teacher, Jennifer McCaa. If we had not received the zone transfer to move him and ....I don't know where my son would be.
In saying that.....has he still struggled? Yes. Self esteem issues are difficult, but also just finding what interest him so that he will want to read has been very challenging. Our school is big on Accelerated Reader, and our kids have to read so many books, as well as, take computerized test on those. Every year has been a constant battle to complete his goal. We are now into about the fourth week of school and in the past I would still be battling with him to get past a few chapters or even stick with the same book. This summer I had an idea to try to help him with his reading AND get him interested.
After receiving a Nook Color for Christmas, I started thinking that it may be helpful for him to read his books from an ereader. By using an ereader he can change the font and the text size. With him being dyslexic this is a huge help for him. After getting the Nook I found a website called AR BookFinder http://www.arbookfind.com/usertype.aspx that I was able to use as a reference to find if there was an AR Test and the AR level of any book purchased. We then sat down together and started browsing books to see what may catch his interest. I made it a point to write down the titles and prices so I could go back to them at any time. He presently has a list of books he WANTS to read that just about fills one whole page!! Not only that....he is one chapter book away from meeting his goal and we are not quiet half way through the nine weeks.
To say we are thrilled would be an understatement!!! It has been a long hard road, but I still have hope of him finding a passion for reading.
Immediately following that meeting, I went to the main office and my son was moved to his present school within two days. Surprisingly, he was immediately tested at that school and was found to have "strong dyslexic tendencies". FINALLY....after struggling through Kindergarten and First grade we knew what we were dealing with. We had a new fabulous teacher who sat down with me and mapped out a plan. My husband and I did not expect miracles from her, but we felt like that is exactly what she performed. Our plan was to hold him back so the remainder of the year at the new school would be used for catch up. We were not so much concerned with his grades as his progress. He was also tested and put into a Texas Scottish Rites Program for dyslexic children that was offered at the school. He started his new school in the middle of the first 9 wks of 2nd grade. At that time he tested at a PreK reading level, but when school ended he was reading on a beginner 2nd grade level!!!
I thank God everyday for Beechwood Elementary, the Texas Scottish Rites program that was being offered there and his teacher, Jennifer McCaa. If we had not received the zone transfer to move him and ....I don't know where my son would be.
In saying that.....has he still struggled? Yes. Self esteem issues are difficult, but also just finding what interest him so that he will want to read has been very challenging. Our school is big on Accelerated Reader, and our kids have to read so many books, as well as, take computerized test on those. Every year has been a constant battle to complete his goal. We are now into about the fourth week of school and in the past I would still be battling with him to get past a few chapters or even stick with the same book. This summer I had an idea to try to help him with his reading AND get him interested.
After receiving a Nook Color for Christmas, I started thinking that it may be helpful for him to read his books from an ereader. By using an ereader he can change the font and the text size. With him being dyslexic this is a huge help for him. After getting the Nook I found a website called AR BookFinder http://www.arbookfind.com/usertype.aspx that I was able to use as a reference to find if there was an AR Test and the AR level of any book purchased. We then sat down together and started browsing books to see what may catch his interest. I made it a point to write down the titles and prices so I could go back to them at any time. He presently has a list of books he WANTS to read that just about fills one whole page!! Not only that....he is one chapter book away from meeting his goal and we are not quiet half way through the nine weeks.
To say we are thrilled would be an understatement!!! It has been a long hard road, but I still have hope of him finding a passion for reading.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Bizarre DUI story
While watching "In Session" this morning I heard about an unbelievable DUI story in Florida, and I had to find out more.
On October 28, 2007 Amir Sarhaddi had been out with his wife. While heading home around 3 a.m. they witnessed a drunk James Braley hit a jeep from behind on the interstate. In a split second Mr. Sarhaddi made the decision to pull over and see what he could do to help. Mr. Braley's vehicle was stalled in the middle of the road. As Mrs. Sarhaddi waited in the car, her husband rushed to see if he could help Mr. Braley, only to be hit by twenty-six year old Jessica Paquette. Jessica Paquette was also drunk.
Jessica Paquette was sentenced to 5 years, and James Braley was also charged with DUI manslaughter as well as DUI property damage. It was argued that if Mr. Braley would not have hit the jeep, and had the accident then Mr. Sarhaddi would not have stopped to try to help. Sounds reasonable to me, but the jury only convicted him of DUI property damage. They reasoned that he made the conscious decision to pull over which removed he and his wife from harm's way.
Here's the kicker....not only was Mr. Braley and Ms. Paquette inebriated, but Mr. Sarhaddi was also impaired!! The jury was not allowed to hear that info, and they all said afterwards that it wouldn't have influenced their decision. I honestly can say it would not have influenced me one way or the other. He may have been impaired, but he died trying to do a noble thing.
No winners here for sure....Mr. Braley said he didn't feel responsible for Mr Sarhaddi's death, but surely it weighs on him that he was part of the whole scenario. Ms. Paquette has to live with the fact she hit and killed a man, but the real losers are the children. Ms. Paquette had to leave her small son to serve her time in prison, and Mr. Sarhaddi left behind an eleven year old daughter and eight year old son.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/dui-fatality-trial-underway-11022010
http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/tampa-dui-manslaughter-jury-begins-deliberations/1132020
On October 28, 2007 Amir Sarhaddi had been out with his wife. While heading home around 3 a.m. they witnessed a drunk James Braley hit a jeep from behind on the interstate. In a split second Mr. Sarhaddi made the decision to pull over and see what he could do to help. Mr. Braley's vehicle was stalled in the middle of the road. As Mrs. Sarhaddi waited in the car, her husband rushed to see if he could help Mr. Braley, only to be hit by twenty-six year old Jessica Paquette. Jessica Paquette was also drunk.
Jessica Paquette was sentenced to 5 years, and James Braley was also charged with DUI manslaughter as well as DUI property damage. It was argued that if Mr. Braley would not have hit the jeep, and had the accident then Mr. Sarhaddi would not have stopped to try to help. Sounds reasonable to me, but the jury only convicted him of DUI property damage. They reasoned that he made the conscious decision to pull over which removed he and his wife from harm's way.
Here's the kicker....not only was Mr. Braley and Ms. Paquette inebriated, but Mr. Sarhaddi was also impaired!! The jury was not allowed to hear that info, and they all said afterwards that it wouldn't have influenced their decision. I honestly can say it would not have influenced me one way or the other. He may have been impaired, but he died trying to do a noble thing.
No winners here for sure....Mr. Braley said he didn't feel responsible for Mr Sarhaddi's death, but surely it weighs on him that he was part of the whole scenario. Ms. Paquette has to live with the fact she hit and killed a man, but the real losers are the children. Ms. Paquette had to leave her small son to serve her time in prison, and Mr. Sarhaddi left behind an eleven year old daughter and eight year old son.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/dui-fatality-trial-underway-11022010
http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/tampa-dui-manslaughter-jury-begins-deliberations/1132020
Friday, July 8, 2011
Things We Learned on Vacation
1) Traveling on a holiday weekend can double your travel time!! A trip that normally takes 4-5 hours could take you 9 1/2.
2) Make sure to carry an extra cup or container for an emergency. Being stuck in bumper to bumper traffic with a child who has to pee could be a dangerous thing.
3) When traveling with children make sure to pack an alcoholic beverage on ice to be consummed immediatley after arriving at destination. Especially if you have been stuck in the vehicle with the monsters for 9 1/2 hours. If you are not a "drinker"....you will be by the time you arrive.
4) The sand is hotter walking back from the beach than it is walking TO the designated spot.
5) It is easier walking to the designated spot than walking back.
6) If there are no men on your trip DO NOT carry a big ice chest. There are no gentleman to rescue a 38+ yr olds that are clearly not string bikini material while being trailed by or run over by 4 excited children. Make sure to carry a small container that can be easily carried by one person.
7) Children will find a way to get something to the beach even if it means tying it to the roof of a car.
8) Some six year olds will tell anyone within earshot where sand has gathered in their suit and will continue to tell you that they don't like sand and anything else they feel is not going their way every 5 minutes just in case you forget.
9) Hiking 2 miles to the beach is not advised while carrying enough equipment to stock a small souvenir shop.
10) Pomengranate Margaritas in the pouch are very good.....two are better and three or more are highly recommended when traveling with a talkative, dramatic six year old.
11) Anyone who goes to the store and comes back with a strong drink, and demands you drink immediatley is a TRUE girlfriend.
12) When a complete stranger of the same sex seems to enjoy talking with you and getting touchy feely....it's probably time to get out of the water.
14) If a child can not eat shrimp because he is allergic to it....probably not a good idea to allow him to fish using shrimp as bait.
15) Again....Pomengranate....being frozen is not neccesary....pour over ice.
16) A sticker from a cactus is hard to pull out of a child's toe.
17) Some fish nibble and bite
18) Michelob Ultra comes in many different can sizes
19) Never be suprised at what your 12 yr old son may pick out at a souvenir shop
20) Most importantly....I learned the person who invited us to go on the trip is an AWESOME friend with LOTS of patience.
2) Make sure to carry an extra cup or container for an emergency. Being stuck in bumper to bumper traffic with a child who has to pee could be a dangerous thing.
3) When traveling with children make sure to pack an alcoholic beverage on ice to be consummed immediatley after arriving at destination. Especially if you have been stuck in the vehicle with the monsters for 9 1/2 hours. If you are not a "drinker"....you will be by the time you arrive.
4) The sand is hotter walking back from the beach than it is walking TO the designated spot.
5) It is easier walking to the designated spot than walking back.
6) If there are no men on your trip DO NOT carry a big ice chest. There are no gentleman to rescue a 38+ yr olds that are clearly not string bikini material while being trailed by or run over by 4 excited children. Make sure to carry a small container that can be easily carried by one person.
7) Children will find a way to get something to the beach even if it means tying it to the roof of a car.
8) Some six year olds will tell anyone within earshot where sand has gathered in their suit and will continue to tell you that they don't like sand and anything else they feel is not going their way every 5 minutes just in case you forget.
9) Hiking 2 miles to the beach is not advised while carrying enough equipment to stock a small souvenir shop.
10) Pomengranate Margaritas in the pouch are very good.....two are better and three or more are highly recommended when traveling with a talkative, dramatic six year old.
11) Anyone who goes to the store and comes back with a strong drink, and demands you drink immediatley is a TRUE girlfriend.
12) When a complete stranger of the same sex seems to enjoy talking with you and getting touchy feely....it's probably time to get out of the water.
14) If a child can not eat shrimp because he is allergic to it....probably not a good idea to allow him to fish using shrimp as bait.
15) Again....Pomengranate....being frozen is not neccesary....pour over ice.
16) A sticker from a cactus is hard to pull out of a child's toe.
17) Some fish nibble and bite
18) Michelob Ultra comes in many different can sizes
19) Never be suprised at what your 12 yr old son may pick out at a souvenir shop
20) Most importantly....I learned the person who invited us to go on the trip is an AWESOME friend with LOTS of patience.
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