Time for Change

Time for another learning experience -- motherly euphanism for "Oh, my God, what are we in for now?"! Anyone who has ever had kids probably knows to expect the unexpected and my daughter Keri will probably be re-teaching me that lesson for the next 30 years, should I survive that long.

Having departed a teaching job at a rough middle school in Dekalb County, we were delighted when she secured a position teaching fourth grade at a nearby school in August. My sighs of relief were replaced by stomach-clenching nerves recently as I witnessed her anxiety and despair over the stress and pressures of the educational system. Not one to wallow in misery for very long, Keri is in the throes of pursuing volunteer work in a foreign country. She isn't one to allow lack of income to deter her. At least it is with a missionary group that I'm familiar with since they are headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, where I'm from, and located across the street from where my dad worked for many years. "Danger" never flusters my daring daughter, while I can't even watch "24" by msyelf because I get scared to death.

The good thing about all of this frustration is that both Keri and I are feeling at peace now and are experiencing some "meant to be" moments. Of course, there are many details to be worked out, such as acceptance, and money to be earned in order to fly to training sessions in California and the actual mission site which could be Bolivia or one of various points in South America and Africa.

A couple of days ago, I read a quote from a prayer by St. Therese about not worrying, because "You won't abandon me." Amen.

Autumn is here!

Wow, September flew by before I truly appreciated it, but October is beautiful. What bad things can you say about a month that starts out with the feast day of St. Therese, the Little Flower, on the first and of the Guardian Angels on the second? My Catholic school roots are showing as much as my gray ones!

My son Eric loves October because it's synonymous with UGA football and every other team, college or pro, that ever crossed a field. Keri, now a fourth grade teacher in Snellville, is excited that the first quarter is almost done and can't wait for the Beer Festival in Decatur. October makes me remember various foods: apple cider, pumpkin pie, the turnips (frozen) my mom used to mash with potatoes, and the best apple pie I've ever eaten that we'd get at Wallabee Farms in Pennsylvania when we lived there. We even gladly endured the smell of cow manure as we trudged to the barn/shop where they sold wonderful, home-made ice cream as well as the pies. My dad was just telling me last week that he loved going to my brother's youth football games on Saturday mornings and now goes to watch his grandson play.

October is a time for memories, pretty flowers and yummy foods - not too bad a reputation for a month.