Author Archives: Donna and Karla

Humor: Who Does This?–Written by the Fly on the wall

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Who Does This? –written by the fly on the wall

Over the years, I have been on the wall of houses, churches, dorms, restaurants, hotels, and stores. But, one of the most entertaining spots to watch these two is from the dashboard of a car. And it was no different three weeks ago:

While teaching kindergarten all week, Donna struggled with the spring crud, was on Prednisone, and had not slept well for days. Her daughter Emily’s play lasted much longer than expected. She didn’t get in bed until 1:00, and she woke at 4:30am!

Meanwhile in Dalton, Karla taught all week and kept three kids under the age of six at night, sleeping on the couch with a four-year-old at times.

Glenn Burns had predicted a torrential downpour for the Saturday Travis, Donna’s son, was to move home from college. Donna texted Karla to mention she would be driving to West Virginia and back in one day because Travis’ stuff would get soaked in the bed of his truck. Of course, she was up for the ride.

Early Morning

“Want to take my car, better gas mileage, and we can use the dual air so you won’t freeze and I won’t fry?”  Not a good idea, Ladies!

Arriving at Karla’s destination, Donna grabbed her meds, and as usual headed to the driver’s seat of Karla’s car, readjusted the seat, and the mirror as Karla began hauling out the three car seats.  Think about what you are doing!

Donna announced, “Don’t ask me how much sleep I got last night.”

Karla replied, “Don’t ask me either.”  Oh, this is gonna be bad. I’ve seen them with little sleep. The silliness will be kicking in extra early.

A Slow Start

Only twenty minutes into the trip, Karla’s stomach growled. With chicken minis and a large iced tea, they plopped into the seat and started down the road once more. The lid was not securely fastened and Karla turned it up to drink. “Ahhh! Half this large tea just poured in my lap and ran down between my legs!” Well, this will prove to be a sticky situation for fourteen hours.

Noticing the gas light was in the red, they stopped. As Donna pumped, Karla went to the outside bathroom. “When you go into that bathroom, take your phone, and take a picture of that sign on the door!” Karla laughed.

After Donna relieved herself, she came out smiling, “Really, who’s gonna get hit by a car when you step out of the bathroom!” Then Karla sprawled out against the car pretending to be the stick figure getting smashed on the metal sign. Seriously, Karla, do you realize people see you draped across the hood of the car!

“We are crazy; we should have taken your car!  Do you realize when we get to Dalton, we will have to switch all Travis’ stuff from my car to yours!” I tried to tell you to think about this; I hope it’s not still raining when you transfer it tonight.

Entertainment

Around Knoxville, the car radio went silent! This will not be good; they cannot survive without songs for karaoke.

“Oh my, gosh!  How are we going to travel a 14-hour trip without music!”

“Plug in my phone and pick something.” Karla started scrolling through Donna’s Pandora saved stations: Conway Twitty, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, Johnny Horton, Frank Sinatra, Anne Murray, Contemporary Christian, Blue Grass, Hall-n-Oats…“ Who has this variety?

“Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang it is.” And they immediately broke into chorus, “Oh, you pretty Chitty, Bang, Bang.” I’ve been listening to them sing this for years. I remember them forcing their college friends to watch the movie.

“Here comes the long tunnel through the mountain!  Let’s see if we can hold our breath the whole way. Ready, Set, Go!” They look like chipmunks storing food in their cheeks. And they will do it three more times. This will be the only quite time I get.

“Need a pit stop!”  As Karla entered the stall, she had to peel her jeggings off the back of her legs that had been glued from the sugary tea. That’s got to hurt, and that’s just gross!

West Virginia

Arriving in the school parking lot, they had to wait for Travis to finish with his room inspection. Karla asked, “Do you care if I take a quick nap. I can’t keep my eyes open.” This doesn’t ever happen when they are together.  She is really tired.

“Sure, I don’t need your continuous chatter; the radio’s working again.” Donna sneered in her sarcastic way. So, while Karla passed out for about 15 minutes, Donna amused herself by watching and listening to a male student attempting to stuff the rest of his dorm room overflow into his car. When it was obvious to him this endeavor would fail, he became the local auctioneer. “Ten dollars, just ten dollars for this chair! It won’t fit; need to sale!” He continued to beg his fellow dormsmen as they walked by. “Super comfortable. It’s a great chair!” I know Donna, she is wondering if she has a ten and where she can use that chair! Finally, a dude with a spare dollar or two was the new owner of a well-used chair.

Georgia Bound

With Travis’ truck and the car loaded, they were off leading the way. Upon leaving the school they accidentally went the wrong direction. That is the story of their lives! Travis, even knowing they were in the wrong, followed without question. They realized quickly and turned southbound heading for home.    

The radio continued to provide background music for their giggles for about 50 miles. Until a thudding sound, and it was out again. At some point soon, they will start looking up random people on the internet. Last time it was Michael Landon from Little House on the Prairie!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

When another song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang began playing, they both simultaneously chimed in, “You’re my little Chu-chi face; my coo-chi, coo-chi, woo-chi little chu-chi face…”  Who else knows all the words to this song? After the song was sung with the upmost dramatics, the singing turned into questions as they searched the internet for the characters from the movie. I knew that was coming.  With no need to investigate Dick Van Dyke, they turned to Jemima and Jeremy Potts finding that she lives in an eco-village in the UK while he resides in England working as the Head of Production for a prestigious acting school.

The music to the doll song from Chitty, Chitty came out of the speakers. Oh, no. Donna began stiffly moving her arms and singing “turning around like a music box that’s wound by a key,” and Karla began flailing her arms like a rag-time doll while singing, “Truly Scrumptious.”  For the next five minutes, they continued to act out the scene of Truly Scrumptious and Caractacus Potts the best a driver and rider could. Hands on the wheel please. And you ladies look absolutely ridiculous to the people passing by! Who does that?

“Do you know who played the toy maker?  Benny Hill,” Karla spouted out before even waiting for an answer!  “Did you know this year is the 50th anniversary of the movie!”  Now they are going to want to celebrate this milestone in the near future; movie night with popcorn and Goobers!

“Ooh!  Look up the evil child catcher!” And they found him to have been a very famous Austrian ballet dancer, whose agile movements actually came-in-handy during a near death experience as his child-jail-carriage spun out of control.  There were a few disturbing rumors about him as well.

Evening

As the day moved into evening, they continued their profound researching to discover that Conway Twitty has a son, Michael Twitty who performs concerts and sings his songs.  “And wouldn’t it be fun to take Aunt Anna to see him!” Then they commenced to find a concert for a cousin/aunt trip in the near future. And now they will start singing, “Hello Darlin’.” Yep, I told you.

Needing a bathroom as all 50-year-old ladies do, they took an exit for a potty break, gas fill-up, and food fill-up.  Travis chose McDonald’s, so they ordered oatmeal! Oatmeal from McDonalds’ at this hour?

As they gobbled oats, a man wearing a Cracker Barrel uniform came in, ordered and began to eat. With Cracker Barrel being their favorite restaurant, they looked at each other, whispering loudly. “What is he thinking! You work there, and you eat here! He is insane! Look the TV is playing the old Lawrence Welk show!”  They got up, went to stand, and watch the TV on the wall. People are staring. Poor Travis.

As they arrived back where Donna’s car was waiting, although exhausted, they had to swap all the stuff from one car to another in the rain. I told you so!

“I’ve watched these two for many years, and this is the normal for them. This was actually a mild trip. Perhaps, many people would think they were strange, and say “Who does that?”  My answer is, “two cousins, who enjoy life, and I am glad I was along for the ride!”

For your enjoyment,click on the link to hear Doll on a Music Box! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbX3ZSr43KA

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Contentment: And Then What? -By Karla

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I Want It Now

I LOVED Willie Wanka and the Chocolate Factory, with all its greedy children and the kind, innocent Charlie. Man! I so wanted a golden ticket when I was a kid. I enjoyed singing all the songs. One I remember vividly was the “give-it-to-me-now-kid” with the golden goose girl who wanted to have it now! Sometimes, I feel like we live in a world of “Give it to me now”! She was so demanding and snippy that she was plunged down into the “bad egg shoot”!

Most kids under 20 have never gotten up to turn the TV channel. They have always had microwaves in their kitchen—a futuristic contraption from the Jetson’s cartoon I grew up watching. Their world has been so instant that it is harder and harder to have patience.

Younger and Younger

I’m not sure everyone feels this way, but I think kids receive things at younger and younger ages. If you asked my oldest daughter Lindsey she would surely tell you that is true of her younger sister Rachel. Don’t get her started about at what age she got her cellphone compared to when she got hers.

What Next?

I can still hear Mom spouting off the life lesson. “If we get everything we want now, what then? What do we have to look forward to later?” I remember how she would shake her head when she heard of high school kids riding in a limousine. “How in the world will they top that one?”

Patience, Patience

I don’t know about you, but there are times in which I do have a hard time waiting as well. The doctor’s office or the line at the grocery store used to be difficult for me. I now try to catch up on Facebook, read a magazine article, and take some deep breaths. Even the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz had a good point when she shared, “All in good time, my little pretty, all in good time!”

Teaching school for 27 years, I have seen a big shift in the lack of perseverance needed at times for kids to be successful. The number of “I give-uppers” continues to climb. Why? Perhaps it is because “they want it now”. Learning isn’t always on the immediate; they begin to give up, feeling defeated.

Who’s to blame for all this split-second need of fulfillment? Probably, all of us. Science, the media, the “give everyone a trophy” fans, and yep, even you and me. What? Say it’s not so! But, how often do we complain about not having something we want and need to save for the purchase? Perhaps worse, we whip out the credit card for the impulsive buy because of the sale because we “need” a new outfit for the upcoming event—never mind that I have five perfectly appropriate and pretty ones.

So, how do we model the “all in good time, my little pretty” philosophy? We slow down! Take a back road to enjoy the scenery and inform our kids (or grandkids) of the reason. We let them watch us struggle for answers and problem solve out loud. Share a milestone, no matter how big or small, that feels like a marathon to achieve. In short, quit screaming through our actions the words “I want it nnnnoooooowwwww!” like Veruca Salt did as she went sailing down the “rotten egg” chute!

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Mother’s Day: That’s My Mama —by Donna

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Thursday night, I sat at a college graduation. It was fun to watch families and their anticipation. The lady sitting in front of me, really caught my attention because she was having a difficult time containing her excitement. Many times, she said, “I can’t believe it. She did it!” About halfway through the list of names, she eagerly said, “It’s almost her turn.”  As she got her phone in position to video, I noticed the tears streaming down her face. Wow! She is so happy for her child; she is crying. But as her graduate crossed the stage in cap and gown, the grown woman yelled, “Woo, hoo…that’s my mama!”

My Mama

My mama lost her mom in a plane crash at the age of five. She was passed from family member to family member, so she never had a “true” mother growing up. It always amazed me at how she became such a wonderful parent, without an example. But, she chose to find and follow the influence of strong Christian women. She took wonderful care of us physically, emotionally, and spiritually—“That’s my mama!”

When I was an infant, I had a heart defect. She stayed up around the clock many long nights feeding me a spoonful of liquid every ten minutes so that I would not dehydrate. –“That’s my mama!”

When I was a toddler and it snowed, she was afraid if I went out I would get sick. Clever as always, she brought in the kiddie pool and filled it with snow so that I could experience my first snowfall –“That’s my mama!”

During the week of Thanksgiving, my daddy and brothers always went camping from Saturday to Saturday leaving the house to just me and mama. I loved the holiday and wanted to do it up big. Every Thanksgiving, she catered to me. We fixed enough food for an army, used the fine china, and adorned the dining room with Thanksgiving decorations. –“That’s my mama!”

When I wanted to wear a Santa hat every year during our Christmas shopping, she wore one too. –“That’s my mama!”

Later in Life

When I found the wedding dress I wanted, all except the sleeves that were hideous; she took care of that too. She bought it and redid the sleeves to exactly what I wanted.—“That’s my mama!”

Being terrified of needles, I have passed out many times at doctors’ offices.  So, during my pregnancies, she drove 92 miles from Fayetteville to Rome accompanying me at every doctor’s visit. –“That’s my mama!”

After each of my three children were born, she came and stayed for two weeks. She cooked, cleaned, and helped out with the newborns.—“That’s my mama.”

When my mama was lying in the hospice bed, withering away to nothing, she repeatedly asked if we were ok and if we had eaten. It was always about us, not her. – “That’s my mama!”

Jesus’s Mama, Mary

When Christ was hanging in agony, standing near the cross was His mama. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved, He said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that moment, the disciple took her into his home (John 19: 25-27).  I believe Jesus knew the significance of a mother. He knew their love, devotion, and even their mother-bear instinct was of utmost importance. Thus, upon His impending death, He showed his respect to Mary, His mom by honoring her even in His last moments. He made sure she would be taken care of the rest of her life.

Mother, mommy, mom, mama. In fact, some “mom” even go by the name of aunt, cousin, or friend. However, no matter what’s she’s called tomorrow is the day to honor them. Whether she is near or far, or even if you are honoring her memory, enjoy the day. I was blessed to have a wonderful, Christian mother who loved me with all her heart. I can proudly say, “That’s my mama.”

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Survival: Solid Rock – By Karla

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Tarzan in Nana’s Backyard

My sisters and I watched Tarzan every Saturday afternoon at one o’clock. Ron Eli, the 1960’s Tarzan was wonderful with his sidekick Chi. However, were equally excited when Johnny Weissmuller filled Nana’s black and white TV portraying the 30 and 40’s hero swinging on the vines avoiding the quicksand to save Jane!

After Tarzan went off, what were four girls to do?  Go outside and play Tarzan, of course. To be truthful, three of us went out to play.  Lynn, my oldest sister, had her fill of the jungle life by the watching of Tarzan and was ready  to settle into a good book. So, Gail, Julie, and I run to the massive rope that hung from the big oak behind Nana and Granddaddy’s house. It once adorned a tractor tire, but at some point the tire retired, which was okay because we were still enthralled with our “jungle vine”. Gail was always Tarzan, no matter how much Julie or I begged. Thus, Jane became my role.

Poor Julie!  This left her with few choices:  boy (from the older movies), Chi, or Cheetah–Tarzan’s monkey! Luckily for Julie, one episode featured Ron Eli helping a deaf and mute girl. Julie was forever saved! She was no longer stuck with being a boy or a monkey. In our minds, the little child was a regular in Tarzan and Jane’s lives. This also had another perk; she couldn’t talk! We had to remind her of that often. We climbed trees, looked for the poachers, faced fierce alligators, dodged the quicksand, and managed to always safely return to our imaginary tree house

The Jungle’s Quicksand at School

I must have been totally fascinated with quicksand, because at school during recess, I protected my best friends from the quicksand that covered our playground. There we had no Tarzan; Gail was across the catwalk in the other building.  So, I was not Jane during the week. I was just plain Karla, who with my friends, had dangerous missions. Our goal required us to strategically move from one landscaping timber to another avoiding the massive quicksand pits.

The Quicksands of Adulthood

As I continued into adulthood, I found quicksand there too. At times, the quicksand took on the form of loneliness after a relationship breakup. Managing a part-time job with college tests and project deadlines caused pitfalls. Career choices and house hunting has swept me off my feet at times, and I don’t mean in a good way.

Endless bills and deciding where the money for those would come from have entangled me on many occasions. Being a mother, even in all its joy, is like continuously swinging above the quicksand, not knowing when you might fall. (Broken arms, teenage hormones, didn’t  make the team, first dates, and the endless mounds of laundry.) Life is tough!

However, I have a Savior, and He saves me from all the quicksands in the world.

In Psalms 18:2, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” There have been so many days in which I am overwhelmed by people or my circumstances. I have held tightly to this verse to carry me through uncertainty.

For, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.  All other ground is sinking sand.”

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Legacy: A Classic- by Donna

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A Classic- by Donna

In my college days, a guy said to me, “You’re a classic.” Having a daddy who restores antique cars, I knew that was a compliment. A week ago today, we lost a classic. Ezzie Holdbrooks, age 98, passed away. We all called her Mamaw. The definition of classic is “judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.”  Mamaw was that and more.

Mamaw loved everyone, and she let them know it. Even in the days of technology, she wrote letters and cards to people weekly. Each one signed, “I love you and God loves you too.” She had that unconditional love. It didn’t matter who you were; she cared for you. Mamaw’s love came from knowing God. She knew his love and passed it on to others. Mamaw was the chosen “grace” sayer in the family.  Anytime we had a family gathering, big or small, she blessed the meal. The words varied, but it always ended the same. “…and most of all, we thank you for your love.”

“I Tell You”

Ninety-eight years, Wow!  Imagine all she has seen in her lifetime. The world is so different now. She loved to tell stories about the olden days. My children often mimicked her, “I tell you…” beginning of a story. She often told how hard she worked as a young girl picking cotton and how her hands ached, and how they traveled in a horse drawn cart.

The Best Babysitter

Mamaw was an awesome baby sitter. My kids loved staying there because she joined in their fun and entertained them.  Emily had an imaginary friend named Michael when she was two. One day when I went to pick her up, I walked into the den and peeked around the corner.  Mamaw had Emily by the hand and was calling loudly, “Michael, Michael, where are you? Michael, where are you hiding?” Emily was grinning from ear to ear as they went from room to room looking in closets, under beds, and behind curtains for her imaginary friend.

Papaw (her husband) had died in the early nineties. So she spent many years single. She loved the Halloween season when she could get out her rocking chair witch. It had a motion sensor and it would periodically begin rocking and laughing. She said it kept her company. Travis was afraid of it, so when he came over, she hid it in the closet. With Travis being so quiet, she catered to his needs. She had a bond with him and knew what he needed without him having to voice it.

When Tucker was about two, I came to pick him up from Mamaw’s. ‘I tell you’,  he and Mamaw were cutting patches of the grass with scissors. I stood there amused at the two of them squatting down, clipping away.  Looking at me she said, “Well, he wanted to cut the grass!” She was that way with all her great-grandchildren. She knew them well and attended to their different personalities and needs.

A Good Person

One day, probably twenty years ago, I was having a conversation with someone who was not a church-goer.  They were questioning the Bible. He asked me, “The ten commandments are the rules you should follow, but does the Bible even tell you what kind of person you are suppose to be, besides ‘good’?”  I replied, “Yes, you should have the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” He looked at me saying, “I only know one person in this world who is all that, and it’s Mamaw.”  No truer words could be said.

As a grandson said at her funeral (and I’m paraphrasing), “She isn’t gone. She is here now and will always be here” and he pointed to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren “because a part of her is in all those she loved.”  

Because she took the time to be a part of their lives, to love them and show them God’s love, her legacy will live on.

Ezzie Augusta Fuller Holdbrooks

 April 1, 1920-April 12, 2018

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Survival: The Fight – By Karla

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The Fight From Our Youth: From My Perspective

Of course, the words that will follow are from the older sister perspective, but I think they are pretty accurate:

Relaxing

Sitting in the apricot-colored chair, I relaxed watching some rerun after school, probably The Brady Bunch. I calmly sat, eating my normal after-school snack of two fried eggs and two pieces of buttered toast smothered with Nana’s applesauce . 

Julie, my younger sister (by two and a half years) came be-bobbing in the room holding her basketball. She asked me to come play. Having a satisfied belly, I shrugged feeling a bit lazy. She repeated her request, but I refused stating that I was busy watching TV. As if I had not see that episode 15 times.

Interruption

I am assuming she was not happy that I refused to play with her. The hard ball smash into the rim of my glasses which jarred my nose. Anyone with glasses knows that incredible pain associated with a blow of that type. To Julie’s nine-year-old credit, I do not think she meant to hit me in the face. However, I am not sure where she thought the ball was going to hit me.

I lunged at her out of shock and sheer pain from the flying orange sphere. Taking a swing, I hit her in the arm and tried to bolt out the door before she could come back after me. I was not swift enough! She grabbed the back of my shirt. Her hand unintentionally had ahold of my add-a-bead necklace! If you lived in the 80’s, you remember the pride you felt sporting this fashionable piece of jewelry. The twisting of her hand unleashed the golden balls, and they shot in all directions.

Here Comes Mom

I was so proud of the 14 karat golden balls I have collected over time. It must have had 20 beads, and went sailing into the hallway in 20 different direction! The pinging sound, bouncing off the walls, signaled a warning to Mom, and she came running. And that was the end of the one and only fight we ever had.  

Praise the Lord, we got off with only a scolding. Though, I am sure the guilt of our actions (and the mourning of the loss of my necklace) caused us some serious shame when Mom got through with us.  

Julie’s Fight

Last week was spring break for me, and I had the privilege of taking Julie to physical therapy.

Seven and a half years ago, Julie was hit head on by a truck doing 84 in a 35! She had a knee replacement on March 21st, which was her 16th surgery, tolerating more than one person should have to endure.

Amazed By Her Attitude

Distracted from the book I brought to read, she started the repetitive exercises. The therapist set the stationary bike to allow her to only pedal back and forth, not complete circles. She moved from one machine to another, smiling and even making little jokes now and then. I began reading off and on trying to let her concentrate on her progress and not on me watching her.

Sickened by Her Pain

However, when she sat on the bench and began lifting her leg with a very minimal weight, I happened to look up. I watched her in intense pain as she pierced her lips together. She balled up her fist and hit her forehead several times fighting through the pain until the timer rang to signal her release from the agony.

I thought of our fight that was almost 40 years ago when I considered her to be one of my biggest annoyances in life. As I have watched Julie fight through the continuous pain of the last seven and a half years, I stand in awe of the amazing woman and true fighter she is.  

She is a survivor and a thriver.

To God be the Glory.

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Negativity: Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! -By Donna

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Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!

In Dr. Seuss’ book, Horton Hatches an Egg, we see Horton the Elephant wronged by everyone. He is ridiculed, imprisoned, and left responsible for what doesn’t belong to him. But Horton chooses his “thinks”. The sour kangaroo comments on Horton, “Someone is thinking different than us!” But no matter what, he doesn’t change his thinking. He continually chooses to be positive. “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful one-hundred percent.” In the end, Horton’s path, though unpleasant, leads him to happiness.

Has anyone ever done you wrong?  Sure, they have. If it’s someone who has been in your life a while, they may have mistreated you for years. It may have been a spouse, a friend, a sister, a brother, a cousin, a parent, a child, or a co-worker, and the list could go on and on.

It’s easy to let your mind dwell on the past. I could sit around and tell you every way in which I feel I have been wronged and how unfair it is. But will it really change anything?  During hard times I realized that if I let my mind become cluttered with negative thoughts, it only led to me being unhappy and angry. I would rather be happy.

Stones

Negative thoughts are like stones. A stone tossed into a lake causes a rippling effect. Your mind is much the same. It doesn’t just stop at the one thought, it brings wave after wave of negativity. Soon you are thinking about and remembering everything that person has done to hurt you. Does it make you feel better to recall those events?

No. We all get hurt. We all get wronged. It starts in preschool and continues our entire lives. But is it worth your happiness?  Even if you are in the right and they are in the wrong, sometimes you just have to let it go. Did Jesus ever become upset? Yep, one day in the temple. But do you think after that day, he sat around time after time and thought about their actions and became angry again and again?

It’s like carrying around a basket full of stones. Each stone represents a negative thought you had about that person. The more bad thoughts, the heavier the basket becomes. Sometimes others contribute to your basket. They toss a new stone in with their opinions and comments. You will weigh yourself down. Soon you are dragging, mentally, physically, and socially from the load. It’s a load that we aren’t meant to carry.

God Knows

God knows exactly how much it hurts us. How can we live as the person God created us to be and follow the path he has planned for us? Friends, we are perhaps without even realizing, turning around and going in the opposite direction. In that other direction is Satan–waiting. He says, “Oh keep thinking that way, keep thinking your way farther and farther…because that allows me in to take over.” The most important thing to remember, and to remind ourselves, is that we must choose. The direction we take and which way we choose to think is up to us. When the negative thoughts first enter our minds, we must stop and immediately give those stones with their weight over to God. He wants to take them from us, but only if we allow!

“Oh the places you’ll go” …. because of the “thinks you can think.”

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Acceptance: She’s My Kind of Girl -By Karla

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“I’m a nut; I’m a nut.  I go to the movie just to hold my hand. I wrap my arm around my waist, and when I get fresh I slap my face.  I’m a nut.”

That is a little ditty that my Mom used to sing sometimes.  I have NO idea where it came from, but it has always made me laugh!  Now, while I have never wrapped my arms around my waist. I am a nut.  A certifiable one.

These are just a few examples:

  • Once I asked Donna how many legs a chicken has.  Now, please know I was young and have a habit of talking before I think.  I might add that there is a little Tom T. Hall song entitled The Song about the One-Legged Chicken that messed with my mind, but nonetheless,  I did ask her.
  • Recently,  I wore my dress to school backwards.  I promise it is not as bad as it sounds.
  • About ten years ago, I was trying out a video chair in Walmart as possible gifts for Donna’s boys. It collapsed jerking me backwards and sprawled out in the middle of isle five! Donna was of no help. She was doubled over about to split her gut laughing at me even though I was checking out the chairs as possible presents for her boys
  • There has been more than one year in which I have swigged a cup of hot pink vinegar water.  You see I often do things like Mom did.  She always used coffee cups, food dye, and vinegar water to dye Easter eggs.  I love hot tea, and I drank it morning, noon, and night.  You can imagine my facial expressions and the laughs of those watching as I have run to the sink more to spit it out! I need to find a cup that does not resemble the rest of the Easter-egg-dying mugs.

Yep, I am a nut, a loon, and a goofball all rolled into one. It used to really bother me because I tried to be perfect seeking the acceptance of others.  When that did not happen, I felt inadequate and frankly at times a failure.

The book Jesus Calling helped me understand.  Day after day, Sarah Young shares how much God loves us all.  She provides scripture after scripture to explain how we are designed with weaknesses so that we can dependent on God more and more. I learned how to focus less on my  imperfections, but rather to gear my thoughts on serving others through His love.  Reading my Bible daily, has changed my life.

Sunday is a most glorious holy-day!  Easter.  I have so many wonderful memories of dying eggs, eating coconut bunny cakes, four lavender Easter dresses, and worshiping a risen Savior!

How incredible to think the depths of God’s love.  He sent Jesus, His one and only Son, to earth.  Jesus was betrayed by his own people. They spit on him, beat him, and hung him on a cross to die for me.  For me–to take away my sins, so that I could have an everlasting-life!

What a wonderful feeling to know that I am so cared for that I can accept a free gift of love from God to become His child.  He created me, forgives me of my shortcomings, and probably smiles at my goofiness.  And as I strive to serve Him, I choose to believe he often thinks “she’s my kind of girl”.

 

I serve a Risen Savior.  He’s in the world today.

I know that He is living, whatever men may say.

He Lives; He lives. Christ Jesus lives today.

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Influence: Hand-Me-Down Genes -By Donna

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While walking down the hallway with my kindergarteners yesterday, a little girls grabbed my hand, looked up at me, and said, “Mrs. Tumlins, teach me to be just like you.” I laughed to myself and thought, Why would you want to be like me? Then I thought, who am I really? What makes me, me?

I came to the conclusion that  I am a bunch of hand-me-down genes. They say I look like my great-grandmother on my mother’s side. I have her olive complexion and dark hair. But others say I look like my Aunt Hattie on my daddy’s side. I know I have my mama’s pointy nose and small stature. The dimple on my daddy’s chin also graces my face.

Personality wise, I have my daddy’s easy-going temperament. My mother’s feisty disposition is buried deep inside me and rarely gets to rear its head. I am not sure where my quiet side came from, but I think I was given a double dose.  

My granddaddy was a school teacher and loved children. I follow in his footsteps. My grandmother loved to read and write, as do I.  She was always humming a tune in the kitchen, and there is always a song in my head.  

Humor? Well I believe that comes from almost every single member of the family, as does the love of food. I have a plethora of good cooks in my extended family. My compassion for animals may come from my Uncle Lynn. Being kind to all people, maybe Aunt Marlene. The desire to do for others, Aunt Kathy. And well, Aunt Carol, I too enjoy acting like a fool when I am with those I love

Influence

Over the years, my genes were influenced by my families’ behaviors.There are some things about me I was not born with, but have learned from my family over the years. Kathryn, Karla’s mom, influenced me to always look my best. I never saw her looking slouchy. Even when she was ready for bed, she was dressed to a T, in her satin pajamas. I have surprised people with my knowledge about car parts, thanks to countless hours watching and listening to my daddy. And I know a lot about clothes, from the material to the stitching. I think my mom could have sewn the Emperor’s New Clothes.   

However, my family members failed to pass down musical talent to me. I missed that gene. I sit at family reunions and listen to the banjo, guitar, harmonica, spoons, piano, and other instruments wishing I could play. But what they didn’t fail me at was planting the seeds of faith in my heart. Generation after generation passed down their faith in God.


To my little student I could say, “to teach you to be like me would be impossible. I am one of kind. God made me and surrounded me by people to mold me into who I am today. How lucky I am.”

And thank goodness, they handed down their genes and not that bonnet!!




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Violence: Sick and Tired! -By Karla

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Mom’s Words Were True

Truly, I do not know if that is a Southern saying or if it is just one Mom used on a regular basis. She certainly had the right to express it to us—raising four girls! “I’m sick and tired of the way this kitchen looks after y’all get a snack,” or “Girls, I am sick and tired of you putting a wet towel on top of my good clothes. If you do it one more time, I’m gonna pinch your heads off!”

On the skirt tails of the Parkland, Florida shooting on February 14th, our school system experienced several threats, as did several systems near me. Well, let me tell you: I am sick and tired of this madness! Rarely am I as vocal as I am about to be. In my opinion, school shootings has become major a crisis! Something has got to change!

Laws to Protect

In 1901, Connecticut became the first state to pass a law to limit the speed at which a motorized vehicle would travel. (12mph in the city and 15 in the countryside!) The USDA, founded by Lincoln in 1862, became vital for consumers when growth of the meat packing industries began booming after railroad transported meat to other areas. It seems to me that when a crisis arises, public awareness awakens. This attention then creates the need for protection, which often takes the form of a law.

I believe in the second amendment stating that we have the right to bear arms. It is wise to protect yourself. Hunting is a part of our heritage and is still useful to many.

Limits Needed

Boundaries! Seriously, why does any civilian need an assault weapon. The key word being need. Yes, people will find ways around the system to purchase these weapons anyway. But, that does not mean a law should not be made. It would become a criminal act if they went around the system.

Gun at School

Last week walking down the hallway at school, I heard a teacher spout the words, “gunshot, high school, kids running…” I tried to process but no quickly enough.

“Have you heard? Can you please go to —- class for a bit? She is trying to check on her husband (who works at the high school).” Someone grabbed me to provide assistance.

Warranted Panic

I stepped into the room and was almost frozen at what was happening. Another teacher came in and asked, “Should we divide the kids and put them in the other classrooms on the hallway?” Hesitantly, I whispered that I did not really know what was going on. Soon I discovered the gravity of the situation. This teacher had a son at the high school.

Comforting with a Prayer

We stepped into the hallway as fear shown in her eyes and asked her if I could pray with her. I petitioned God for His protection over students, teachers, and emergency responders. Then I told her I would stay with the class. Rounding into the doorway, I tried to keep normalcy. I told them their teacher had to step out for a few minutes and asked the kids up get out a book to read. Within minutes, a student in the hallway spouted the words, “Shooting at the high school!”

Almost Every Student Had a Connection

A girl mouthed to her friend that her mom was a teacher there. I saw her eyes as if the scene were from a fictional movie, but I snapped into the realization of truth. I took a deep breath. Sharing with the class, I reported shots were fired. but I did not know any details except that the high school was on lock down. Several students began frantically searching the room for their friends making eye contact. I asked who had siblings there, and five responded. Others said, “I have a cousin.” “I have an aunt.” One boy in the back of the room had eyes filling with tears. I tried not to call attention to him, but walked toward him and asked who he had there. He too had a mom teaching. I gently patted his back as I attempted to keep us all calm.

Helping Students Calm

“Guys, I always think it is best not to think the worst or to go into a panic until we know facts.” I shared that in times of danger and stress it is good to have a friend, so we rearranger our desk, allowing them to sit with friends.

Over the intercom twice during the afternoon, we heard updates. Eventually, we learned that a high school teacher had brought a gun to school. He had barricaded himself in a classroom and fired shots toward the window. Praise God no one was physically hurt. But, the emotional damage of the day will be forever etched into our minds. For almost a week, every time I closed my eyes I could still see the terror in those innocent faces.

A Needed Change

I do not pretend to have all the answers. But, I do know that one by one we should be standing up asking for some legislation to be passed soon. Houston, we have a problem, and something needs to change!

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