Riding on the City of New Orleans

Recently, I had to take a trip I didn't want to make, but one that I always new was inevitable to come one day. I made the 600 mile drive to my hometown of Paducah, KY to say good-bye to my PaPaw who left this world after making footprints all over it for the past 89 years. He made footprints running up and down Old  Mayfield Road....he made history when he left his footprints on the shores of the Pacific fighting in the Battle of Tarawa....he also made footprints as a daddy, husband, friend, and "World's Greatest Papaw". 

Papaw in the Gilbert Islands in 1943

Serving in the United States Navy Acorn Unit #17 during the island hopping campaign

What is amazing, is that we always think we have heard all the stories (and Papaw was full of them). The stories of growing up, living through the depression, WWII, what life used to be like, and when those who are now the grown ups were once cool themselves. However, while I was with my family to celebrate his life, I found out a story about Paw that I never knew.....which has now become a story that I will never forget. 

Best Friends

It was no secret to anyone that Papaw didn't like music. When he got in the car he turned the ignition on and the radio off. However, there was one song that was always special in his heart....one that is now special in mine. In 1947 when he and Mamaw were young, crazy, and in love, they hopped a train to Mississippi to tie the knot. A trip that would solidify the future for their 3 kids, 7 grandkids, and a future generation that has yet to come. Fast forward to the 70s when my uncle was heavy into folk music and was playing the now classic rock hit, City of New Orleans. On this occasion, rather than telling him to turn the music off, he asked to hear it again. Because it reminded him of the train he and Mamaw took from Carbondale, IL all the way to Mississippi.....the train called The City of New Orleans. 

I've listened to that song a lot lately. I can't help but wonder what The City of New Orleans may have been like that day in 1947. What MaMaw and Papaw talked about and as they looked out the windows on their ride through the heartland. And as far as I'm concerned, they just punched their tickets for an eternal ride on The City of New Orleans. 

Just Married in 1947

I miss him so much already, because we loved each other so much and made so many memories together. Memories like ice cream on the river, walks in the park, and drinking black coffee with a pipe (his blew smoke....mine bubbles). In his own words "I'll see ya on the boat".

Cheers to 32 Years of Traveling Around the Sun....

32 years ago today was Thanksgiving Day 1980. I don't remember any details about that day, but I do know that it was a cold day in Paducah, KY, Jimmy Carter was the Commander in Chief, and the world was still in awe of finding out who shot J.R. My parents, who may have been looking forward to a festive meal with friends and family, were relieved to finally meet their baby, whom they had been told would enter the world sometime around Halloween (true story).

This past trip around the sun has been a great one. I got to kick one off my bucket list and watch my Cats cut down the nets, made a career change, and made memories with friends who are like family and family who are like friends. Here's to the next trip around the sun!

I think that the best thing about these 32 trips around the sun are the souvenirs that I got along the journey. The privileged that I was given to live in many places and learn that there are many walks of life that keep this world turning. The opportunities that I have been given to travel and experience different people and cultures. The education that I have earned and the career that I have built and the children I have met along the way that have taught me more than I can teach them. I am also grateful for the people who have come in my life and stayed as well as those who came into my life and left...they all served their purpose and made all these trips around the sun interesting.

So cheers to another year of traveling around the sun. Here's to the good, the bad, and the ugly. Without it, things would have just been boring.

Happy Birthday Mamaw!

Today marks the day of what would have been my Mamaw's 87th birthday. It was on this day, that many years ago that she made her arrival in Clarksville, TN. it was her arrival that paved the way for me. It was the beginning of her journey through adventures with her sisters, chasing dreams, falling in love, raising a family, and becoming a MaMaw. Her feet left this world with her, but her footprints are in my heart forever.

MaMaw in the middle with her brother Bubba and sister Lucille

There are so many things that I wish that I could tell her. Things like that sometimes on Sundays around 3 in the afternoon, I wish that I could pick up the phone and talk to her like we always did on Sundays around 3. I wish that she knew that I have a new teaching job this year and I could tell her about how much I love it. I want to tell her that sometimes when mom and I are watching a trashy reality show simultaneously and texting about how awful some people are, that we always mention how MaMaw would have gotten a laugh out of it too. I wish that I could tell her that I've tried really hard to make white gravy the way she told me how, but I realize that it's hard to imitate perfection. Most of all, I hope she knows how grateful I am that she came into this world 87 years ago and that every time I see a rainbow, I think of her and know, that some how, she is thinking of me too.

V is for Voting...

I waited on purpose to make this entry. Today is a special day for so many Americans. It is the day where we exercise our right to go to the polls and make the choices that we feel are in our own best interest. I will refrain from getting political, but I hope that every American made the trip to the voting booth today. It is crucial to make your voice heard. There is never an issue that "doesn't apply to you". Even though it may not have a direct effect, the indirect one will always be there. 

I guess I've always been a nerd. I remember being fascinated by politics as an early child. There is just something about it that I have always loved. Happy Election Day everyone!

Music Mondays......

One of my favorites to keep me going!

U is for Uncertainty.....

Again... apologies for the hiatus. Life has been crazy busy. New job that comes with new learning experiences along the way. As I head along on this journey though the alphabet, I am on the letter U. Which is a very difficult letter to match with something from my life. But alas, I settled on uncertainty.

Life can be so random at times....and so uncertain. Some days, there is so much uncertainty in my life, that I can hardly even wrap my head around it. I am uncertain where I will be in a year, much less 10. Hell, I'm even uncertain if I will make it through a week or even a day sometimes. But, because I am a firm believer in seeing the glass as half full, I stop and think about the things that are certain. Things like that I am fortunate to have a career that I love and wouldn't change for the world. I am certain that all my life experiences, the good, the bad, and the ugly, have made me a survivor and the person who I am.

As much as we would like for everything to be certain in our lives, there is a bit of excitement that comes along with uncertainty. Sure, sometimes, the uncertain things can be the things that blindside us on a random afternoon...changing our world forever. However, they can also be the things that catch us off guard in a good way. The days where we wake up board and end up having the time of our lives.

I think I'll settle on a good balance of certainty and uncertainty in my life. Variety really is the spice of life!

T is for Teaching!

"In a completely rational society, the best of us would aspire to be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and highest responsibility anyone could ever have."

-Lee Iaacocca

Teaching...it's just what I do. It's not just a "job" or a paycheck. It's my career and my craft. For reasons unknown to many, society has a double standard of teachers. People will praise you and say what a noble profession that it is. Then they will turn around and say something like "Those who can't teach". What many people in society fail to realize is that we work hard....far beyond the 8-3, 9 months a year calendar you see. We take things home with us.....paper work, projects, ideas, and sometimes worry and concern for our students. We spend evenings crafting new ideas and our summer breaks perfecting them.

For myself, teaching is something that I strive hard to perfect. I work on it each and  everyday of my life. I am no where near perfection. Each and every day when I walk into my classroom, I hope that I learn just as much from my student as they learn from me. Many times, they teach me so much about the world around me. They teach me that Santa is real and that you can buy candy with money from the tooth fairy. They keep me up to date on the latest Disney shows and newest cartoons. They help me remember what it's like to learn something for the first time and recall the joy and excitement of the the journey through childhood and making new discoveries along the way. Most of all, they make me realize, that it's the little things that count...that sometimes we have to slow down and take things one at a time, but keep our eyes on the bigger picture.

One time, someone trying to be snarky about teachers asked me what I did. My response, "I teach people how to manage their finances". I then kindly explained to them that I taught them how to read and write, hold a pencil to one day sign their name on a check, count numbers, identify coin value, add and subtract, and so much more. It goes back to taking small steps while looking at the bigger picture. In order to successfully manage money one day, you have to start with the basics....holding the writing tool to sign the check.

Everyone has a favorite teacher that they carry with them in their heart forever. Mine was my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Bach. In a class in undergrad we had a professor who gave the best advice for future teachers. It was simple. Think of the teacher who inspired you the most and try to be half as good as them. I have never forgotten  those words and I hope I can find success in my career and leave footprints in a students heart the way she did mind. And for the record, I don't remember reading, writing, and arithmetic from her class. I remember a teacher that found the best in every child, helpped those who struggled, and pushed those who excelled. She made each and every child feel special..including me. Most of all, she made a difference in my life.

A lot of people seem to be "Waiting for Superman" these days. But the real superheros are already in the classroom. And to those who think its easy. It's just about as easy as making water out of wine.