Monthly Archives: July 2020

Dolphins: The Best Day, Ever — By: Donna

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One of the things I love about teaching younger children is their joy. During a 180-day school year, you wouldn’t believe the number of days I hear, “This is the best day, ever!” All it takes is doing something different. Now I know that whatever that day held, it was not as great as Christmas morning, vacation, or their birthday party. Why do they say that…because they live in the moment.  They find joy and fulfillment in the here and now.

Dolphins

On my birthday this year, I had the “best day ever!’ I have always loved dolphins. I suppose my love came from the TV show Flipper. The first time I went to Florida, at age 6, I came home with a stuffed dolphin, and a dolphin hat, and T-shirt. A few years later I chose a Miami football satchel, just because it had a dolphin on it. Growing up not far from Six Flags over Georgia, I loved watching the daily Dolphin show multiple times when we went.

One of the items on my bucket list is to swim with dolphins in the ocean. I have always wanted to, but it is pricey. I didn’t want to swim dolphins in captivity because I thought that aspect would make me sad. Karla and I were in Florida on my birthday this year, and we decided to find something fun to do. As we looked for options, the dolphin advertisement kept popping up. I decided to just do it. I booked with Panama City Beach Dolphin Tour and More. They had a 98% rate of seeing dolphins.

Anchors Away

I was so ready to have a blast. But when we loaded the small ship, many of the other passengers were drinking heavily and cursing a lot. It made me uncomfortable. As adults, we sometimes let distractions deprive us from the moment of fun. I decided not to allow their actions to spoil my opportunity.

I was very excited! When we sailed far out, Captain Dane pointed saying, “There they are!”. I became a three-year-old. I stood up, bouncing up and down, clenching my fist with anticipation. The captain began shouting, “jump in, jump in.” Passengers jumped in and began treading water. Not me. I took off swimming as fast as I could. I soon found myself swimming underwater with three dolphins. The dolphin in the lead had a huge fish dangling from his mouth. It was an incredible site. I was swimming with dolphins in the wild!! As a first timer, I was required to wear a life jacket. I am a rule follower, so I obliged, even though I felt I did not need the safety measure. To my dismay, the jacket would not allow me to dive down deeper. It was pure exhilarating torture.

 

Incredible Memory

When they swam away, we loaded the ship and headed to find more. I asked if I could remove my life jacket. I was given the okay. This time when we stopped, I did not wait and let all the children go first, like I did before. This was my chance, and I wanted to make the most of the experience. I was the second off and swam toward their fins as fast as lightning. However, they submerged, and I lost sight of them. The captain pointed and yelled to me, “Right there! There!” I assumed he could see them since he was up high, so I just dove straight down. I was soon underwater right beside three dolphins.

There are no words to describe my feelings. I took it all in — creating an incredible memory. I listened to their conversation of clicks and squeaks. Their long bodies bent and their mouths opened and closed. It was as if I was watching a movie. It was surreal. Then one turned around and began swimming toward me. Needing air, pressure began building in my chest and I knew I couldn’t last much longer. I kicked my legs as hard as I could, extending my arm. I was within 6 inches from his sleek body when he dove down. So close, I almost touched him. I tried to swim down but decided I wouldn’t make it and headed for air.

It’s Your Birthday

When the dolphins retreated and we took our seats, thunder roared. Captain Dane took off his shirt so it wouldn’t get wet and announced, “Ladies and Gentleman, look what we have ahead”. We looked and knew we were about to get drenched. The small canvas at one end of the boat was only big enough for a couple of people. As the cold rain began pelting us like crushed ice, the expressions of the passengers were not good. But suddenly it was as if everyone decided to be present in the moment and enjoy. Laughter began ringing out from everyone.

Karla burst into the Happy Birthday song and everyone joined in. Our captain cranked up the music, “Go shorty, It’s your birthday. We gonna party like it’s your birthday.” Some began to dance. It was truly raining cats and dogs. We could have all been miserable, but instead we had a blast.

After the rain storm, our captain passed out crackers and we fed the seagulls that were circling above the ship. Later, we stopped to snorkel. We saw pufferfish, starfish, seahorses and much more. Our skipper Patrick let us hold them and told us all about each one. 

On Friday, I turned 54, but what fun I had seeing the ocean through the eyes of a child. Be childlike. You can’t go swimming with dolphins every day, but find something to make your day the best day ever. Once this day is gone, you will never have it again.

“What day is it?” asked Pooh.

“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.

“My favorite day,” said Pooh.

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Figurative Language: Along these Lines -By Karla

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Alike in our Randomness

Donna and I are so alike in many ways. I love words and their origins as well as she. Figurative Language: Hope You Are All Ears. In fact, I like to Google many things and people to discover interesting facts. If someone peeked into our Google searches, they would crack up! Our quests do not show much of anything along similar lines: One minute we are investigating the story behind The Beatles’ song, “Come Together”, and later trying to find out if “Hey you guys!” was really in the Electric Company’s opening.

Many Different Lines

When thinking of my bi-monthly blog subject, an idea popped into my head swiftly. However, when I began googling my line of thinking, I became distracted by the number of phrases that contain the word line. One idiom phrase with the word “line” popped up, and I was like a racehorse behind a gate ready to bolt.

Out of Line & Crossing the Line

I was forever getting a out of line. Mother LOVED to shop though she did not always buy much. Once Julie, my youngest sister, and I were with Mom at Loveman’s department store. She was searching for new housecoats in the children’s area. Finding a white, terry cloth one in my size complete with a belt, Mom made me try it on to make sure I had growing room. Thus, she began looking for one to match for Julie to wear because she loved her girls to coordinate. Boredom overcame me, and silliness set it. I vividly remember being inspired to begin kicking as if I were in a tournament with the karate kid complete with wax on, wax off. Julie followed suit, and our hands were chopping all clothes in sight. One look from Mom led us to know we had crossed the line! 

Walking a Fine Line, One the Line, & in the Firing Line

Of course, that is not the only time Julie and I walked a fine line. Our baths caused our butts to be on the line more than once. Strawberry Suave shampoo allowed us to transform our hair into Martha Washington’s wig and Santa Claus’s beard regularly. Other times, we slid from the back slant of the tub. We had lathered it until it was slippery, and with our legs crossed, we made the ride last as long as possible! Mom would stomp into the bathroom and nearly slip on the linoleum floor splashed from soapy suds. Our wet behinds stung all the more in the firing line! 

Draw a line

At night, I had to draw a line in the bed. Julie loved to tickle me! When I got tired, I got cranky and still do. She paid little attention to my line and would continue to poke and wiggle her fingers into my boney sides until she made me laugh. 

Party Lines, Hold the Line, & Hang Up the Line

In the 70’s, Nana and Granddaddy had a party line. My sisters and I stayed with them often, so when we wanted to call Mom to ask a question or just say hey, we had to follow Nana’s instructions. “Remember, Girls, your granddaddy and me share our line with the people up the road. So, quietly pick up the receiver, and see if anyone’s already on the phone. If no one is there, hold the line, and we will call your mom. But, if Mrs. Bessie is on, hang up the line ever so lightly. We don’t want to eavesdrop on her, even though she does it to me sometimes.” 

Educational Lines

As a teacher over the last 28 years, I have noticed numerous lines as well. If I had a penny for every time I have said, “Line up, get in line, or stay in line,” I would be a quadbillionaire! “Don’t give me that line” are words some kids have heard from me at times as if I am going to buy their lines “hook, line, and sinker”! In my top desk drawer, there is a small sign that reads, “Danger, you are walking a thin line,” that I quietly lay on students’ desks from time to time when they need a quiet reminder to get it together.

As a middle school teacher, I have a theme of encouragement in my classroom. I want students to choose the line of least resistance in life. 

Life Lesson Lines that I Share

  • Even though there are times you will step out of line, the bottom line is to always respect yourself.
  • Find your line in the sand and be true to yourself.
  • When life becomes too overwhelming, don’t cast your line so far ahead that you fill yourself with anxiety. Deal with today, taking one step at a time.
  • Line your pockets with good deeds, not money.
  • Drop a line to say thank you to make others feel appreciated.
  • Toe the line at school and in your future jobs to work your way up the line.
  • Remember there is a fine line between need and want. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you can reasonably afford your purchases.

End of the Line

As for you and me, we must realize we will all come to the end of the line one day. Flatlined! Where will we find ourselves? On the front lines for eternity. I don’t know about you, but when my life is over and my destination is on the line, I will be headed up the line toward my Creator for I have chosen the One, True God to be my master.

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Starting Over –by Donna

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Starting over is not always easy. It is frustrating to be in the middle of something and realize it’s not working, leaving you to go back to square one. Like when you type that really long text to a friend, then you notice you forgot to hit send. But when you go back, it is gone! Then you have to start all over again.

As a teacher, I see this often. A child may turn in a paper, and it is clear they did not understand what to do. Many times the assignment is a cut and paste, so the glue has dried, and there is no way to correct it. When I explain to the student it has to be redone, I usually get one of three reactions. Some students will angrily crush up their paper, throw it down and stomp back to the seat to sulk a few minutes. They do it over, but with no joy. The second is the one who fights the tears. They have worked so hard, only to see their work trashed. But, they go back and try again. They make sure to take it slow and steady this time, ensuring they don’t make the same mistake twice. Then there’s the third type of reaction. These are the children who say “Oh, I get it now”, and take it as a challenge. Excitedly, they realize the opportunity to do it over.

A Difficult Process

Adults sometimes find themselves in this scenario when it’s no fault of their own. It might be starting over with finances, new relationships, or new jobs. Over the past few years, I have watched a lot of people trying to start anew in some aspect of life. As an adult, I too have discovered, it is a difficult process. We think we have our future all planned out, however for various reasons, we find ourselves back at a starting block. When it’s time to take that first step into the new, we often react just as the students do.

Like the Angry Child

Thus, sometimes we get angry. I should not have to be doing this. This is a result of someone else’s choices. Why did I have to be put in this situation? We stew about it, and that is okay. But anything that stews too long, becomes mush. If we let our minds and hearts become mushy with negativity and worry, we will start over lacking joy. We will constantly be looking for the next mistake. We will always be reflecting on what was wrong instead of looking for what is right. Instead, look to Him. God will provide a starting line. In His omniscient power, He will not only be running beside you, but also be in front leading and behind pushing, all at the same time.

Like the Child in Tears

Other times we find ourselves being the child with the tears. It is so hard to watch long-term plans and accomplishments fall apart. Fear and heartbreak causes us to start over at a snail’s pace. We may move slowly because we don’t want to make the same mistakes and have yet another do over. Perhaps, the fear could be that we don’t believe we are worthy of a second chance. There is also the possibility that we are scared, worrying about what others think? However, God sees us as valuable. Shouldn’t His opinion be held in higher esteem than any others. When we measure ourselves against someone else’s standards, we set ourselves up for failure.

Like the “I Get It” Child

Remember the child who says “Oh, I get it now”, and takes it as a challenge, excited to have the opportunity to do it over?

We often have to be like the first two students before we can say, “Oh, I get it now”, taking the situation as an opportunity for renewal. God isn’t going to just leave you where you are. He will provide ways for you to overcome and move on. He will equip you and make you strong.

Get angry if you must, have a good cry, but allow God to move you forward. The times when you’ll learn the most from life will often be the times when you’ve been the most disappointed. However, do not put a period where God has put a comma. God is not done, and your story isn’t over. 

In the words of Danny Gokey’s Song: “ ‘Cause your story’s far from over, and your journey’s just begun.”

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