Jesus Loves Me

To the tune of the REAL Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me this I know.
He cares when I'm down and low.
He knows I don't remember real good
And leave my iPad on my hood.

Yes, Jesus loves me.
He knows just what thrills me.
Yes, Jesus knows me
I'll tell you how I know.

When I was driving home at last
I saw something black fly by real fast.
My heart stopped and I screamed,"Nooooooooooooooooo!"
My poor iPad is in the road.

Yes, Jesus loves me.
He knows just what thrills me.
Yes, Jesus knows me.

In the turn lane there she lay
I felt all hope slip away.
Jumping out I ran to her
She was shattered, I was sure.

Yes, Jesus loves me.
He knows just what thrills me.
Yes, Jesus knows me
I'll tell you how I know.

Even though so far she flew
My iPad was good as new.
Jesus knew this month is bad
So he saved my sweet iPad.

Yes, Jesus loves me.
He knows just what thrills me.
Yes, Jesus knows me
I'll tell you how I know.
  
This really did happen.
The month of April is really bad for me.
My iPad really did survive!
And I really do thank Jesus!


Just sayin'...........................

Monday, Monday

Today I had to come straight home from work
to bow my head in prayer for a better attitude.

And that is all I have to say about this day.

 Just sayin'....................

The One Who Speaks the Truth

We sat together at the small round table.
Our heads were close together as we both looked at the work she never finds as engaging as say...
the sound of someone else breathing
or...
the hem of her pants.

I'm gonna help you get finished so you can have some free time, I say in my special-I'm being ever so patient with you-teacher voice.

Nodding, she sticks out her tongue in the position required for hard work.

I watch as she carefully writes letters.

Keep going, don't stop I urge. Pay attention I admonish. Focus on your work, look back at your paper I say in my super fancy slightly high pitched-I'm hanging on to my patience by a thread-teacher voice.

Finally, the last letter is painstakingly written and she looks up at me as I wearily cheer for her.

She gazes into my eyes for several moments and I wait for the heartfelt thanks that must be coming.

Your eyes look red and bad, she says.  Maybe you need to get a little sun.

Clunk.
That was the sound of my head hitting the table.

She keeps me humble, that one.


Just sayin'......................

  

Nature is Sometimes Highly Over-rated

A few days ago I headed down the stairs leading from the back porch to the yard. I generally take my time walking down these stairs. Our house by the lake sits so high on a hill that the view is always worth a few extra moments.

This time of year I can see turtles in the lake and the ducks and geese that fill our days with noise honks and quacks.

Sounds a lot like my day in the classroom.

Smile.

The tree that grows beside the landing is so beautiful to me. I love to see it's dark branches silhouetted against the winter sky as much as I love to watch the limbs transform into luscious blooms and deep green leaves.

This is what it looks like as I descend the stairs.


One day during my Spring Break

I was more than a little

surprised to see this

fellow staring at me

from it's hiding place.

He was apparently digesting the TWO! large bulges visible along
it's thick, long, intimidating body.

No one ever told me that SNAKES! grew on trees.



It's worse than snakes on a plane.


Frankly I would prefer that all snakes live....I dunno...
at my neighbors.

Just kidding.

Kinda.


Just sayin'......................................

Uncle Fermor

On April 6, 2012
my father's beloved older brother
Fermor Robinson Hargrove, Jr.
slipped away from this earth and flew
to heaven where he joined his sweet wife Mattie Beall, his baby boy Robbie and his daughter Sue.

Uncle Fermor was one of those people that others loved to be around. No one is happy all the time but I cannot recall a time when I saw my Uncle frown.

He wore a string tie everyday, drove up until a few months ago
and had an amazing memory. In fact, he had a better memory
than most people I know!  

While Uncle Fermor certainly had his share of life's tragedies
you were guaranteed a smile and a hug anytime you were in his
presence.

He buried a baby boy and a daughter.
Both taken suddenly and far, far too soon.
He also buried a wife he loved very much.

In the eulogy my daddy gave this afternoon he said that
he had seen his brother beat up by life a few times but
he had never ever seen him bitter.

That is a trait we should all aspire to emulate.
This afternoon my daddy stood in one of many pulpits
he has stood in and spoke as he has so many times before.
We southerners call it preaching a funeral.

This must have been one of the hardest funerals he has
taken part in but he paid great homage to his brother.

I know that all of my daddy's children were proud of the
strength and courage he exhibited today.

Daddy spoke of love and loss and hope.
He spoke of the peace and the eternal life we
are promised.

He spoke of the love and friendship
shared by two brothers.

He spoke of a man who will be missed by so many.


Just sayin'......................

You Might Be A Teacher If.........

One lesson I have learned while spending most of my time
hanging out with five year olds is that sometimes it is best for
the teacher to face some issues (pun intended) openly and honestly.

Sometimes those who live mostly in the world of adults
and politeness
and good manners
are very surprised at what some of our classroom
discussions might include.

You might be a teacher if
you can say any of the following without flinching.

Everybody passes gas.

Passing gas means......um.......poot.

Yes, lots of people do say fart at home but at school we try to remember to say pass gas.

I did not just say a cuss word I just said an impolite word.

We don't have to scream or act crazy every time someone passes gas.

We are not going to argue about who just passed gas.

We do not yell out DANG! when one of our friends passes gas.

I am NOT laughing because someone passed gas I just have a tickle in my throat.

Please do not say ewwwww and try to change seats with someone else during group time.

Yes, I know something smells bad. Let's keep reading.

And finally, when the situation is unbearable....
Okay, whoever is passing gas needs to go to the restroom.
As a matter of fact, let's all go.


It's a smelly job
But it's still the best job in the world.



Just saying'...........

About the Dream I Dreamed Last Night

Last week a student asked me if I had a mama.

Yes, I do, I answered. But she lives in heaven now.

Oh, and you're sad?

Yeah. When I miss her, I'm sad.

Oh, she said.

And when she leaned her head against mine
it was as soothing as cool water on a burn.

We stayed that way, her head against mine and her little
hands patting my back in silent sympathy until
she darted off to finish an activity.

I think my mom sent her to love on me.

I dreamt of my mother last night.
She came to me in my dream but I left
before finding out why she was there.

She walked in as I was changing clothes
in a room that was dim and crowded.

I was glad to see her but admonished her
for carrying a heavy laundry basket.

Mama, give me that, I ordered. You know
I dont want you carrying anything that heavy.
Sit here. How are you? I asked.

I'm okay, she answered.
But her voice was tired and in my dream
I was worried.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

Then I woke.
Gasping. Sweating.
Immediately sorry.
Sorry for leaving
my dream too soon

I miss her so.
I am still not ready to be a child without a mama.
Sort of a half orphan.

With her, I could be a child again if I needed to.

Her child.

She would listen to me alot, advise me just a little 
and then she would pat me on the butt
and send me back out into the world again
a little stronger.

That's what mamas do, you see.
They help us grow up.

Sometimes with kind words.
Sometimes with a swat on our rear ends.
But in their hearts
we remain their babies.

I just miss being her baby.


Just sayin'...............................