Yep... I'm still alive...

I know it has been ages since I posted anything. So let me try to catch everyone up on the basics...

1- James has gone MIA...(Please dont say I told you so...) I am not sure what happened except I have not heard from him since about 10 mins before he was to board a plane in Istanbul heading to New York and then here in Ga. I truly don't know if he is dead or alive, or if he was just the greatest illusion ever, but I knew going into the relationship that one of the possible outcomes would be that he wouldn't show up at some point. I am really okay with everything.... Now I know why I have been through so many different endings to my different loves... However, I will never give up hope that God may yet still send me a miracle and that would be a man (alive and breathing) who will love me unconditionally for the rest of my life... Anything other than that will just be icing on the cake... I think I am a good person and deserve to be loved deeply by someone....

2- A week before James' expected arrival, I was diagnosed with a huge hernia...However, the doc says it was probably caused by my weight loss (as of today that is a total of 54 pounds) and since I am not done yet, he doesn't want to operate on it. Also, the expected recovery time will be about 6 weeks and I don't have 6 weeks of free time to give to this problem at the moment.

3- A week after James was supposed to be here, I got word from my landlady that she had intentions of selling her house and I needed to move..... in 5 days!!! Well, with the help of Jimmy, Tabi and a volunteer/good friend who had an 18 foot trailer, I did it... I am now regally installed in the "spare?" bedroom at Jimmy's house for the time being...

4- I keep getting impressions that something phenomenal is just around the corner for me in my life... I am not sure if it is a new love, a new job or a new place to live that is not in Tifton... I have been thinking seriously recently about where I might like to move to maybe this summer....Too long to go into the reasons why here, but I really have no reason not to think about things such as these...

Stay tuned.. more episodes later from the "boring life of Susan..."

Just a reminder...

This will be a short post... Just a reminder as to one aspect of my personality that may not surface many times...
When I am really quiet...it usually means that
1- I am not feeling well at all or
2- I have some problem, situation, worry, whatever you want to call it on my mind or
3- A combination of both...

Right now, I am really, really quiet and that is why this post is short....

Things are good, in fact, wonderful overall, but there are a couple of major pockets of trials I still have to get through...

I just ask for your prayers to be added along with mine...

Talk to everyone later... when this trial is through

Update...

This week.... better week in most ways... Getting to love my students more each day... if I could just remember their names... I keep getting someone added everyday!!
Serious story... Too sad not to be true...
Chapter 1 in our book is about the Geography, physical features, etc. about Ga. There are a couple of Indian Words that are pretty cool, and I know my kids are familiar with at least one of them... Okefenokee Swamp...it means "Land of the Trembling Earth...Piedmont...At the foot of the mountains... WELL... Thursday, one of my darlings comes up to me and said...Ms. Tucker, there is a cuss word in this book... I looked at her and said.. really, show me...so , she pointed to a picture of one of the rivers in Ga...As I stared in amazement, I was desperately trying to figure out what the heck she was talking about!! Finally, i asked her to show me the specific word...She said...it's right here... It doesnt have the meaning right beside it because i guess the people who wrote the book didn't want people to get mad! I STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT ...when she suddenly says, "Doesn't this mean ...Hoochie who talks a lot...The river's name is the Chattahoochee River!!!!! I almost lost it!!!!
And it is only week 2!!!

Realizations

This weekend has been a series of realizations...
My parents are getting older...
My "free" weekends have officially ended
My classroom is too close to the nurse's office at school
No matter how hard a person tries, there is no way everyone is going to be happy by a decision made
The decisions we make when we are younger really do have a lasting affect on those we love.
No matter how close you are to someone, there are things about them you never really know bother them.
It is impossible to describe an abstract feeling to someone who has no idea of that feeling.
I wish that physically not feeling good were not so closely related to mentally not feeling good...
I wish there were less people in the world who judge and more who love unconditionally

One of those rare days...

Today, I have had the luxury of doing absolutely nothing if I chose not to! However, I did do my laundry... all two small loads, my dishes...all 18 pieces of unwashed miscellaneous dishes used this week, and gave Lacey a bath...probably the last one she will get between now and December break. I didn't make it to bed at my regular hour yesterday... I actually feel asleep at 6:00 on my love seat and in my school clothes... I did stay awake from 8:30 till around 10 and then was back in bed... Such ended the first week of school! Today, James surprised me by leaving early from his work site and getting online about two hours earlier than he normally can. We were able to talk on IM for quite a while which was really nice. Because of the 7 hour time difference, it is difficult to get a time when either he or I are not sleepy and ready to go to bed. He is getting worn out after over three months working 12-15 hours a day/7 days a week and is really ready for a break. We are waiting on the company in New York for paperwork and second installment of funds and then he can come back here for a well deserved break. The best part is that we actually get to meet in person! Quite frankly, since my summer was consumed with classes and getting ready for the upcoming year, I could use a break too! I am learning to be grateful for the little things in life. The power of prayer and tithing is working miracles in the lives of my children and I am praying that some of that spills over into my life at the moment. Limbo is not a place I like to linger long... Till later..

Bring it on!!

Okay...so I have more students this year than I ever have before (110)...so about 10 of them are special education students...so what if I am just days away from taking two "less than exciting" online classes.... I AM A TEACHER !!! BRING IT ON !!
Seriously, I think my students this year will be a really fun group. I had my "come to Jesus meeting" with my second period, so I think I might have nipped potential misbehavior in the bud in that class, but the others already have their own personality. Most of them stated that they don't like History. So I told them I was going to give a lesson next week where I would show them that "Mrs. Tucker "sees dead people!" Actually, it's my now almost world famous CSI lesson, but at least I got their attention until next week. :-) Parental support seems good at the moment. We had about 60 show up for Open House. I have the son of the lady who does my hair in my class, I have a cousin of one of my former students (the cousin said I was really cool) and I have the sibling of one of my first year students. I guess I have been teaching long enough now to say I feel comfortable doing it. For those of you who don't realize it.... this is my 7th year teaching!! Whatever is in store for this year...BRING IT ON !!!

Farewell, Summer...I wish I knew thee well....

I have no idea where my "3 Free Month's of Summer Vacation" went... Probably the same place that my "3 free days off without pay before December"..Anywho...
I will just take a moment and tell the world as I know it...Hasta Lavista...until about December anyway...Although officially, we teachers don't go back into the classroom until Tuesday, Aug 4th, it is surprising (not) how many cars have been up at the school for the last week or so...I must confess I have spent far less time up there this year than in previous years...I just can't get mentally "into it" at the moment. Could be that I am burned out, brain dead, tired, pooped or all of the above from my "restful" summer. I love my job as a teacher... just have a problem with "cookie cutter teaching", "teacher pay based on standardized test scores", "playing politics", "eye candy teachers" and several other small issues like that. I think I would have made a wonderful teacher in a one room schoolhouse...Wait ! I would have had to teach Math! Forget it! I learned several new things over the summer that I am anxious to put into practice in my classroom and all the above mentioned issues be D---ned!
Couple of side notes... I have been asked to be the guest speaker at the DAR's Constitution Celebration supper on September 22nd. My topic will be "Why the Constitution is still an enduring document." Whew!! Heavy topic!
I was approached by the Assistant Chief of Police (Former Marine, survivor of Iwo Jima and good friend) about the possibility of having my History Club youngins at the Veteran's Day Observance for the City of Tifton this year. Purpose- they will be laying a plaque for the Marines at Veteran's Park and they He and the Chief, along with several of my veteran buddies wanted my kids to witness it and be a part of that history, also. I told him that chances were slim to none because it would be during the school day. He said that he and the Chief would see what they could do.
My third of five semesters of my Graduate classes also begin in August. The 17th to be exact..These will be research related classes...Yuck!!!! They will not end until December 11th. Then I will be on the downhill slope to my Specialist Degree!
Sometime during all these fun activities, I will be trying to find my "life." So, if you don't see me...don't despair! Just look for me at one of four places...
At home, at school, online or at church!! See Ya!

Jennifer's 5 things....

AUNT SUSAN:

1. Overcoming trials- Wow... I really don't know what to say about this one...If I had planned my life when I was younger, I would have certainly given myself some different "situations" to deal with in my life than the ones the Lord has blessed me with. I am now at that point in my life that I do consider my past trials "blessings." Over the past 10 years, I have had a couple of major growing and learning experiences that I would never wish on anyone. At the same time, I have been forced to do a lot of soul searching, revamping of my priorities, learned to genuinely listen for an answer to my prayers and to take one day at a time and live it to the very fullest. Many times, those days have been broken down to "if I can just get through the next 30 minutes" type days. I am a much stronger person in my personal goals, my spirituality and also am in a unique position as a teacher to teach my students from my lessons of my trials and to truly empathize with my colleagues/church family members upon the death of their spouse (Pat Davis comes immediately to mind) and to have truly felt the power of Satan intrude right into my home... Without the support system of the church/family/friends and especially my children, I would have collapsed years ago...But I was taught early in life by Mom and Dad to do my very best in whatever I wanted to accomplish. I am not perfect by any means, but I consider myself at a point in my life to where I think I can survive just about anything---because I already have...
Thank you Heavenly Father for loving me enough to send me through the refiner's fire and protect me as I came out the other side...
2. Girls Camp- This was not one I would have expected!! It seems like a lifetime ago, but I must admit that although I had no clue as to what I was doing, the Lord, once again, proved that He takes care of Fools and Children...! I remember every aspect of the planning and the miracle of watching something from my imagination come to life... Would I want to repeat the experience...I take the 5th on that one!!!
3. Calligraphy- Oh, how neglected this particular skill is in my life. Funny, though, I do have a project I am working even as we speak for a special friend and it is the first serious calligraphy project I have worked on in several years! I have felt a real reawakening of interest in refining this talent(?) I would love to know why you chose this one, Jen....
4. History- If I have one passion in life, it is this topic. Believe it or not, there are some parts of history and some country's history that I could care less about. But those other ones....WOW... Why I feel so alive when I am learning about things, people, events of times past, I have no idea, but I cannot seem to get enough knowledge of this topic to quench my thirst...so on I go.. I also have been blessed to see the effects my passion have had on my students when they start to hunger to know more of this subject they had always hated!! Yep... that is one reason I teach!
5. Pizza Hut- Until I start back to school in one week, Pizza Hut was the one job I held the longest. I worked in 3 stores in two states. It has changed so much now that I hardly recognize the products I worked with or helped introduce. Man, the hours, the lessons learned, the skills honed, the free left overs that helped me feed Travis and Sarah when I had no other way, the love of waiting on the customers--this job truly had an impact on my life and that of my children....

Thanks, Jen for this topic...

Well... the time is fast approaching...

In 3 weeks, I will be knee deep in Pre-Planning. In fact, I will be getting ready for Open House...the one thing I can't quite figure out with my Principal is why the kids know where they are going about 2 weeks before even the teachers know who we will be teaching... Kinda makes us look stupid when we meet the parents two days before school actually starts and we say... Oh, let me look at your schedule to see if you do indeed have me for a teacher...Rumor has it that this year we will have no "gifted" students on our team...I am actually kinda glad. It seemed like the majority of the ones we had last year were too lazy to use their gifts or their parents were concerned why their darling angel had a 99.9% average instead of a 100%.
Anyhow, I was in my classroom today trying to get it ready for this next year. For those of you who might have forgotten (or really don't care) I will be starting my 7th year of teaching in three weeks! Only 23 more to go and I can retire !!!
Just for the record, the door to my classroom remains unpainted, the blinds have not been touched for two years now and the 7 layers of paint on my walls continue to flake off...But we do have a jam up great weight room for the kids... Ah, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Did I say I taught because I love to teach...not because I am dazzled by my opulent surroundings!

New people...

This was the week for me to meet new people...
First, Travis and Sarah brought a friend home with them this weekend. Actually, Lindsea is more Travis' friend than she is Sarah...although she like Sarah too! Anyhow, she is the first girl that Travis has brought home to meet Momma-so that makes her special...

Then, this afternoon, I got to hold the new little addition to the Vicars family...It was kinda hard to tell what she looks like except that she seems to be a combination of Nathan and Samantha and has black hair and it is currently a copy of Ryan's hairstyle ! Of course, in my conversation with the little one- as then un-named-I told her that her Aunt Susie was the best Aunt she could have and she didn't differ with me... In fact, she remained perfectly silent so that automatically means that she started out her life agreeing with her "bestest Aunt." Smart youngin...!! She was truly a beautiful little angel and my congrats go out to the Momma and Daddy...

Journey of self re=discovery continues...

I knew I was addicted and needed some major help when, the last week of the summer institute class, I found myself counting the hours till it was over and I could get back to a normal routine of walking and exercising!!! OH, MY GOSH!!! What is wrong with me..
NOTHING!! I have just discovered that in the past year, my health has improved tremendously due to my weight loss
I discovered that my self-esteem is growing every day..because I am proud of the hard work and effort I have done to get to where I am now...
it was actually fun?? shopping for school clothes this year... I am wearing clothes 4 SIZES SMALLER THAN THIS TIME LAST YEAR!!! AND I AIN'T DONE YET!!!

any of you who want to join me...please feel free...

DON'T READ THESE POSTS OUT OF ORDER.. !!!.

If you read these last three posts out of order, you will only have yourself to blame for the confusion because I warned you....

Random Thoughts....PART 3

in reading this post remember something...UNLESS YOU HAVE WALKED THE SAME PATH MY LIFE HAS TAKEN...DO NOT JUDGE ME...I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THAT IN MY LIFE...

I am sharing this next series of random thoughts because not only are they important to me, but because i want to quietly share what I consider to be a miracle...
Toward the end of May, I was sitting on my love seat at home. I was home with a severe case of laryngitis...I received a message saying that I had a flirt on my profile on the singles site. When I read the flirt, it was not the usual one... It said "You made my day..." Please see my message to you..So, I read his message... It said "I have read your profile and I think it is incredible. I also think you are gorgeous...stunning even." Of course, by the time I read those words, I knew this guy was some sort of nut case.. Because I tend to be belligerent with people when I do not feel good, I sent James an email back asking him to check a couple of things for me... #1= his age (he is 48) and #2 HIS EYESIGHT !! He immediately sent an email back that said that age was just a number and that after checking, double checking and triple checking his vision, it was just fine--and I needed to move on from there.
Thus began what continues today a wonderful, developing relationship between James and myself. Two days after our first contact, he flew to New York to present a proposal for an international building project- 12 12 story hotels on the island of Cyprus. He felt he stood a good chance of getting the project for a couple of reasons... He is half European and he has been in the construction business for over 20 years. Long story short... out of 26 presenters, he was awarded the contract. He had to be in Cyprus 3 days after winning the contract. So, he has been in Cyprus since the first week of June. So, NO, we have not met in person yet... NOW... STOP RIGHT HERE IF YOU ARE THINKING OF JUDGING MY ACTIONS OR EVEN HIS...

I say those words because I tired of people presuming that I have not thought out, prayed about, talked out with trusted people, prayed about and prayed about this situation. There are a hundred reasons I could list, but won't why I continuing a relationship with James...It is even blossoming into one that is quite special...on both of our parts... I look forward to meeting this special and unique person, That should happen around the first week of August... If it doesn't it wont be because of a lack of effort on both of our parts. Do I know exactly what will happen with this relationship.. NO... Am I cautious.. yes, but have sought guidance from my Heavenly Father many times since "meeting" James... Have I examined what would be the worst that could happen in this situation... YES... He could be less than he appears to be and could end up breaking my heart... WAIT... that has already happened to me....and I survived.... OR, He could end up dying on me.. WAIT...that has already happened to me also... OR, HE could be an axe murderer and be intent of taking my life.... WAIT! if I am dead... I wont worry about how or who!! WHAT IS THE BEST THAT COULD HAPPEN IN THIS SITUATION.... I COULD MET A MAN WHO HAS THE POTENTIAL TO MAKE ME HAPPEN FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. I know he does now. His project in Cyprus should take about a year. Just about the time I have left on my Specialist Degree....who knows what will happen...NO ONE! But I am continuing to take one day at a time and listening for guidance and trusting my feelings....isn't that what we are all supposed to be doing???

Random thoughts....PART 2

Same disclaimer as for part 1...

I put my profile on the LDS singles site in about April. By the middle of May, I had had some nibbles but no serious bites...
Then within the course of one week, I was contacted by two men-both from areas around Atlanta...Thus began my summer into dating again.
Now, every time I have ventured out into the dating world, I have broken some kind of ground or done something that has not yet been done in the family... Well, the unwanted tradition continues...
Alan and I had our first date on the day after Memorial Day. I will say that we had a wonderful time. The best part of the day, besides the fact I actually was on a date, was the fact that this particular date helped to push out unpleasant and heartbreaking memories of a year ago on the day after Memorial Day. Instead of obsessing that it was the anniversary of the day I thought my life had ended. I had a wonderful time and many pleasant memories of that date with Alan. He visited Tifton a couple of times before he moved. He is now in Houston, Texas about to begin his new job there. We have developed a very unique friendship that is built on honesty and the knowledge that we were not "marriage" material for each other, but instead friends who are in the same thought process about their futures.. We talk frequently.

Random thoughts that have been on my mind...PART 1

Disclaimer....this is one of those posts where if you are offended by what i write let me remind you that it is MY thoughts and blog and you can choose to disagree....READ AT YOUR OWN RISK !!

As I have only 3 weeks and 2 days left before I begin my 7th...YES!!! SEVENTH YEAR of teaching, i have taken this opportunity to think back on my summer non-vacation. Yes, I said non-vacation because I have worked every day since getting out of school this year on something school related....
I was privileged to participate in the South Georgia location of the National Writing Project Summer Institute program... 2000 teachers were scattered about in various locations throughout the country in a VERY INTENSIVE 4 week learning seminar. It was one of the most grueling academic tasks I have undertaken thus far in my professional career in Education. I barely survived physically and my mental seemed to have left me the middle of the third week...but I did earn 6 Graduate Credit hours for my Specialist Degree. Instead of earning them in the normal 15 week semester, by taking this summer institute, I earned them in 4 weeks!! NEVER AGAIN AND I DO MEAN THAT!!!
About the middle of May, I saw Don for the last time... I feel quite sure that it will be the last time. I know that my heart has healed from that trauma because of several things. On the day I saw him, he came to the school, just before the beginning of one of my class periods. I actually experienced the "dropping of the jaw" syndrome when I watched his reaction to me when I walked out the door of the school. Something had told me that day to dress really professionally instead of the "end of school" mode dressing teachers have when we are cleaning up for the end of the year. That day, I was wearing a black dress, white jacket, white sandals, my hair was actually looking good and my tan was pretty well visible. I felt I looked pretty good for me... Apparently it wasn't lost on Don, because after he picked up his jaw, he told me I looked good. I told him that i felt wonderful... (Then he mentioned that Sharon would be in a wheelchair by the end of the year-because her knee is totally "blown" and that she was developing heart problems...) Was I sorry to hear about her health problems... I take the 5th on that one!!! Anyhow, I realized I was healed totally when I was looking at this man who I was once married to and although he looked physically pretty much like the man I married, there was no life or sparkle in his eyes...and I kept thinking "I've got to go back inside--My students need me. This person doesn't. So, for those of you who may have been worrying about me.. by the process of hours on my knees and intense soul-searching, I have survived and live to perhaps love another day...
Toward the middle of May, I met two different men by means of the church's singles site. Both of them were in the Atlanta area when we first established contact. Now, neither of them are even within the state of Georgia's boundaries. Alan, who I met first is now employed in a town just outside of Houston, Texas. His purpose in my life was to provide for me some special companionship at a time that was desperately needed. He did not know this, at first. We had our first date on the anniversary of day that I found out that Don was leaving me. We had a wonderful date. So, now my memories of the day after Memorial Day are now pleasant and the other memories no longer have the power to hurt me. Yea, though I walk through the valley of Death, I will fear no evil... for the Lord, My God am with me...

LOOK WHAT I LEARNED TODAY

Picture Day

June 24, 2009
Picture Day

I absolutely hate having my picture taken. I know hate is a strong emotion, but that is my verb I am using and I’m stickin’ to it. I know they are unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean I have to like the process. In my 6 years of teaching, I have managed to avoid getting my picture taken three of those years. I had enough pictures taken of me the last five days of October of last year (when The Moving Wall was in town) to last me the rest of my life and my children’s lives. Although I know that I have lost fifty pounds in the past year, when I look at a picture of me, I can’t see where I have lost any. I think I can now understand how people with eating disorders can be skin and bones and still think they are a tub of lard. We do have the yearly ritual of having family group pictures made at the reunion we have every year. I consider the photographer of those shots (usually a cousin) to be a professionally paid redneck photographer. We actually counted the double chins on family members in one of those pictures from a few years ago and we stopped when we got to 24! I used to think that I was developing a horrific case of wrinkles. Then I replaced the mirror in my bathroom and discovered that my wrinkles were actually the cracks in the glass-the result of the obligatory perusal of myself in the mirror just before I leave the house. When one of my students ask me if I have a mirror, I just get this hysterical laugh and look at them as if they have asked me if I have a million dollars!

Free Writing Topic for 6-30

Things I carry....

Starting right here…right now
The baggage from the past
Gets routed to the unclaimed area
I do not want it anymore.
Therefore, I will not claim it.
It weighs me down…
Diverts me from my purpose
On this trip called life.
At one time, my baggage
items seemed so important.
Today, those relics from the past
I no longer want nor have a use for.
Therefore, they are sent to
The special place reserved only for
Unneeded baggage such as mine
Lighter than before and unfamiliar with
The freedom of unwanted baggage,
I step onto the escalator of life
Not knowing where it will take me but
Knowing that it will move whether or not
I am in step.
Apprehensive, yet excited… I begin
The next stage of my journey.

Free Writing Topic for 6-29

June 29, 2009
Whatever happened to...

When did it become socially acceptable to become commonly rude? When did seeing how rude you can be to someone become such a game? It makes it hard to go in public at times because of the effort it takes to deal with the rude actions of people. Who died and said that it was okay to let your kids run wild, whine loudly and bother other people when in a restaurant? If my children misbehaved in public, not only would they lose the privilege of eating out, but of also doing whatever was planned afterward. When did the pendulum change and it suddenly became the thing to see how much disrespect you can show your teacher. One of the most draining aspects of being a teacher is the constantly evolving mind games that kids today play. Do they get up one morning and said “How can I make this day almost impossible for my teachers to deal with?
When did it become acceptable to act like a real patoot to those around you in the movie theater, the checkout line, even on the highway? There is like an unwritten code that the youth of today buy into that allows them to say what they think. What happened to moderation in all things. And appreciation of what you have because you worked hard for it? I am from the “good old days” and although there are many new things in society today that I appreciate and are becoming increasingly difficult to live with… rudeness, last of caring for people and possessions and loss of respect for positions that people hold are not among those.

P.S. Whatever happened to my brain...you know that saying "to just let your mind go...well, i did and it hasn't found its way back yet! I miss it!

My Addiction

My Addiction…
I admit it.. I have a serious addiction…I love children’s books…not all of them mind you because I am a very selective addict. My memory of books begins with a series of encyclopedia type books we have had in our family as long as I can remember. I don’t remember the name of the books at the moment( senioritis) but I do remember that each of them have on the inside cover an onion skin page that covers a beautiful fairytaleish type drawing. Lifting up that page was almost like unwrapping a present. I remember being addicted to the Winnie the Pooh series books to such an extent that Momma forbade me to check out anymore from the school library. There were also a series of biographies of famous people that were written just for students. These books were blue and only about 200 pages long. I think I devoured everyone of those during one of my reading frenzies. How can I possibly forget the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boy books…Yep, read them all, too…! I remember the “Little Black Sambo” books… I know they are not politically correct these days, but the vision of Little Black Sambo running around the tree being chased by the tiger until they went so fast the tiger turned into butter is etched into my mind…for what purpose…who knows! But it’s there. I loved the Velveteen Rabbit story and the Little Boy Blue story poem by Eugenia Price about the boy who played with his toys then kissed them and placed them ever so gently where they belonged…
”"Now don't you go till I come," he said,
"And don't you make any noise!"
So toddling off to his trundle-bed
He dreamt of his pretty toys.
And as he was dreaming, an angel song
Awakened our Little Boy Blue --
Oh, the years are many, the years are long,
But the little toy friends are true!
Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand,
Each in the same old place,
Awaiting the touch of a little hand,
The smile of a little face.
And they wonder, as waiting these long years through,
In the dust of that little chair,
What has become of our Little Boy Blue
Since he kissed them and put them there.
As I have grown older and had the blessing of my own children, I discovered a couple of books that my daughter and I share a love of. In fact, a couple of years ago, on Mother’s Day, she gave to me the book “The Giving Tree” and “Guess How Much I Love You.” As a single mother most of their lives, I always wondered if I had deprived my children of the things most kids their age had. I have discovered as they have grown into adulthood that the things I cherished as a child…the love of reading….books always available…the library card… the quiet times to indulge a passion for reading are part of the legacy I have passed on to them. So… for Travis and Sarah…my little ones now grown big and tall…
“The smaller hare is getting very tired now, it must be way past his bed-time. He looks like he might admit defeat and as Big Nutbrown Hare cradles him tenderly in his arms he is "almost too sleepy to think anymore." Then suddenly as he is tucked up in his bed of leaves inspiration comes to him, nothing after all is bigger than the sky . His last words on the subject are "I love you right up to the moon," As he hears Big Nutbrown Hare's acknowledgement that that is indeed very great he drifts off to sleep, he doesn't hear Big Nutbrown's final reply, "I love you right up to the moon - and back."…. Thanks, SamMcBratney