Home again, home again, jiggity jig

Sigh...
On my own comfy couch, on my own friendly living room, with my dogs curled up on the cold tile floor....there is no place like home.
NOW BACK TO MY STORY....where was I...oh yeah...dinner....orientation...sweet deal
My boy is going to study athletic training and despite his not so great academic standing was referred by his high school Training Coach to the Coach at Howard College, Big Spring.

"The college offers an Associate of science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training to better care for the Howard College athletes, enhance the Outreach Program, and prepare the student athletic trainers for a possible career in athletic training/sports medicine or other allied health field. The student athletic trainers will be eligible to obtain required supervision hours toward taking the state Licensure exam while under the watchful eye of Overton.

Academics are very important. Overton said, “ I believe that the student athletic trainer should, need, and will perform to the best of their ability in the classroom. They need to understand that just an education will not always get them by in today’s world. They need to get the highest education and grades possible so that they can get that good job and keep it.”

Competition is fierce for student athletic training scholarships at four year universities and colleges. Many times academics is the deciding factor as to who receives a scholarship. Student athletic trainers are required to attend classes regularly and perform to the best of their ability in the class room.

Howard College’s athletic training program is an apprenticeship type of learning. Athletic Trainer John Overton believes in and provides a hands-on style of education for his student athletic trainers.

“As soon as we cover a certain area of athletic training, and I am satisfied that they can perform in that area, I let the student handle a lot of the actual activities. I am there for observation and recognition of possible injuries, to provide guidance as needed, to see that the student athletic trainers work for their full potential, and to ensure the athletes are taken care of properly.” Overton explains.

Student athletic trainers enroll in specially designed classes that cover injury prevention, recognition and management of injury prevention, recognition and management of injuries, taping, wrapping, first-aid, rehabilitation, and the business organization of athletic injury management."

This sounds absolutely perfect. I believe that my boy will thrive here. Now...I just need to find a way to get along without him....

Fruit...Home...& Moving the World

It seemed like it would last forever. I wasn't ready when the day arrived. I didn't even show up a day late. It took years before I was finally comfortable with the task. Some days it seemed like nothing changed. I was trapped forever, up before I thought I had gone to bed and dragging my feet, the days lingered at an unholy crawl. I wondered what the heck I had been thinking when I signed up. Others danced like twinkling lights filled with joy and wonder. These days I'd hardly noticed I'd showered before I was nestled, happily spent back in my bed. What a joy life could be. Now the task is done, like a humongous quilting project. I've both loved and hated the journey, but I wouldn't trade it now for the world. Time to sit back and enjoy the fruit of my labors.

That is exactly what it is, "fruit of my labors". Like a quiver filled with arrows, or a jar filled with freshly baked cookies, or a humongous quilt, my grown son is the result of many years of labor. I'm not saying that he is "done". Done is a place of mythology that we dream about when we're tired of the journey. We all hope and pray to arrive one day at the end of the road... a place where we can sit in the shade and sip something cool. A place where we can stop and tell stories about the amazing adventure that we have had. Maybe that is what heaven is like, but I don't think so. I believe the adventure keeps going. What I'm saying is that the work of parenting a boy from infancy to manhood is complete. Noah will never again be the little blue eyed boy that held my hand and told me funny stories. (Did you know that the end of your nose forms a lower case m? Or that you can strike out in air ball?).

He is a man. It sounds funny, but it is true. He could join the military and be stationed in a far away place - he'd be handsome in uniform, but he would hate it. He could decide to get married - he'd need a girl first. He could pack his bag and walk out the door, like a hobo from the 30's. He can do anything that he sets his mind to do.

In a way I'm jealous. It has been along time since I felt like the world was my oyster, like any thing was possible - as if I, like Archimedes, could move the world if given the place to stand. I know that is just hormones, or low blood sugar, or fatigue talking. With God all things are possible. When Moses was my age he was a nomadic outlaw watching sheep in the wilderness. You never know where the road may lead you. I pray that it always leads me home. I pray the same for my boys.

Maybe that is what parenting is all about. Home. Loving and protecting and nurturing a tiny squalling infant to the point where he or she could move the world. Home is the place to stand. Family is the crowd, loving and encouraging you to try. It doesn't matter if you succeed or not. The world is a very big place, and although your efforts may not result in a global shift, you will surely make an impact.

Oh my...

They were right this time...


View from my laundry room



Living in Texas for the past 34 years I've gained a huge respect for the local weather men.  Not so much because of their brilliant insights into the weather, but because it takes guts to do what they do.  These men and women stand before the public eye and prognosticate day in and day out with a very slim record of accuracy.  It isn't their fault - not really.  Where we live it is a matter of which wind is strongest, or fastest.  Does the Arctic blast beat out the tropical breezes?  When they meet which one will dominate?  Will one of them stall out before it gets here?  Yes, it takes a lot of nerve to stand up and attempt to predict what is going to happen.  Today they got it right.



View from my "studio"

 For several days now they have been telling us that a big winter storm was coming.  For my friends in the North, winter storm means anything from freezing rain, ya - you wake up and everything is covered in slick ice, to sleet and snow.  Sometimes it all happens in rapid succession.  Driving in it isn't as simple as driving in the snow.  You can't throw some chains on your car and forge ahead.  I'm the first to admit that Texans are particularly poor at driving in this stuff, but I've yet to meet anyone who is particularly good at it.  What appears to be fluffy snow could very well be just that, or not.  More often it is a wicked ice and snow lasagna waiting for an unsuspecting traveler.  When these storms hit, people stay home.   Today I am blessed to have all of my family about me. (Thank You God!)

My husband is in the middle of a meeting - video conferencing rocks, even when it is only audio and you turn the clock chimes off so that it doesn't disrupt.  He is safe at home, working from the kitchen.

Number 1 son is still asleep - what else would an 18 year old be expected to do on a grey morning?  In a little while he will wake up, shower, and begin to forage.

Number 2 son was the first to get up.  Up and showered and ready for school at the appointed hour.  When he found out that school was cancelled he quickly went to tell his brothers to get the heck out of bed because they were going to be late.  I wish I could have seen their faces...but I was still in bed!

Number 3 son is busily conquering the world of Donkey Kong.  I occasionally hear him yelling at the game, something about banana guns and jungle juice.  Maybe I'll play it with him later.

As for me - I'm still doing laundry, contemplating the completion of swap projects, and thinking I really ought to go make the bed.  All of that will keep for a little while...I'd rather be visiting with you.

Have a great day & stay safe and warm.