The True Meaning of Christmas by---me!

The True Meaning of Christmas


By

Jennifer Martin

List of Characters:

Narrator-any age

Santa Claus

Kayla-7-10 years of age. She is our main character trying to

understand what Christmas really means to her

Helen-Kayla’s mom.

David-Kayla’s dad.

Shopper #1

Shopper #2

Sarah-small girl from the soup kitchen

Tommy-cancer patient-child

Jamie-cancer patient-child

Bella-cancer patient-child

Suzanne-retirement home resident



The True Meaning of Christmas



(Enter---Narrator)



Narrator: In a world filled with shopping malls, instant

messaging and black Friday, it is hard to find what Christmas is all about. What is this day? This time of year? What does it mean to us? To you? So, let’s sit back and watch this story unfold and hopefully you too will see what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. The scene starts in a mall, music is playing. We see Kayla sitting on Santa’s lap. It is Black Friday.



Santa Claus: Hello little girl, what would you like for

Christmas?



Kayla: Hello, Santa. I want a PlayStation 3 and I want new games

for it including the LEGOS Indiana Jones and Harry Potter.



Santa Claus: Wow, that is a list. Is there anything else you

would like for someone else?



Kayla: Well, no, that about sums it up.



Santa Claus: Okay, well Merry Christmas to you!



Kayla: You too Santa!



Helen: Now Kayla, remember that Santa can’t possibly get all of

those things for you. He has other children to get presents for too.



Kayla: Why not? I didn’t ask for much.



Helen: A PlayStation 3? Do you know how much those cost?



Kayla: Well, no, but Santa can get those things for me, isn’t

that his job?



Helen: No and well, yes, but Christmas is so much more than just

getting presents.



Kayla: Okay, well then, why are we at this mall? And, why is

everyone looking angry if they are so happy about Christmas?



David: What your mother is saying is that Christmas is not just

about getting presents and that it is about spending time with family and…



(voices cut their conversation off)



Shopper #1: Give it back! I had it first!



Shopper #2: No you didn’t! I grabbed it before you even touched

it! My son has to have this toy! I’m not gonna let go! It’s mine!



Shop clerk: Now ladies, please…I don’t want to…



Shopper #1: Tell her to let go of this toy or I am gonna start

throwing punches!



Shopper #2: Oh yeah? Well, I can take you!



Shop clerk: Security! Security, please!



Kayla: You were saying, dad.



David: Okay, so maybe we have our priorities messed up. I mean,

yes, if you look around today, everyone looks a little angry. Maybe they promised their child that they would get the latest XBOX or the newest IPOD, so, yeah, they’re stressed out.



Helen: But, honey, we’re not like that. We value time over

things, okay? I mean, we go to museums together and plays, we spend our free time together all the time and, Oh wait, I have to get this call, hello? Yes, okay…



David: I know, bad example, but what if I could show you people

who truly have the Christmas spirit.



Kayla: That would be great, because, so far, all I see are angry

people not being very nice at all.



David: Well, I was going to wait until you were older to use

this, but now is the perfect time.



Kayla: Dad, what are you doing? Hey! That’s that compass you

always carry around! What is going on?



David: Kayla, I was given this compass by my father and he was

given it by his father. It showed me what Christmas was all about when I was your age and now, it is time for me to show you. So, hold onto me and close your eyes and you will get…



Kayla: Yeah, yeah, a big surprise…What? Wow! Let’s go!



Narrator: Kayla and her dad traveled through time and space to

another place filled with many people. It was a soup kitchen and the line out the door was long. Let’s see what happens next.



Kayla: Well, this is definitely different than the mall. Hey!

Why are so many people in line? Why aren’t they at their homes eating?



David: Well, sweetie, these people lost their jobs. They might

not even have a home. They are here because they are hungry and can’t afford to buy food of their own.



Kayla: Well, why has this happened to them? I mean, that girl

there is around my age and, and, she is in line. Why are there kids here too



David: Because, when their parents lost their jobs, they might

have lost their homes too and their kids had nowhere to sleep. So, they came here.



Kayla: Oh, so, can they see us? I mean, can I go talk to that

girl?



David: Yes, they can see us. Go ahead. Don’t be afraid.



Kayla: I’m not. I will. Um, so, hi, I’m Kayla.



Sarah: Hi, I’m Sarah.



Kayla: So, um, why are you here? I mean, what happened to make

you come here?



Sarah: What? You don’t like our new digs?



Kayla: No, it’s not that, I just was wondering, ya know…



Sarah: Well, my dad’s work hours were cut and then, he got

laid off. We couldn’t pay our bills, so we lost our house too. That’s why we are here, we had no place to go.



Kayla: Oh, sorry. I mean, so where do you live?



Sarah: We live in the homeless shelter next door. It’s okay.

The people that run it are really nice and there are other kids there.



Kayla: Really? I, I didn’t know.



Sarah: That’s okay. I don’t mind much. At least I am with my mom

and dad. We’re together and that’s all that matters. I mean, I miss my old friends and my toys and stuff, but, since I have my family, I’ll be okay. Is that your dad over there?



Kayla: Um, yeah.



Sarah: He looks nice. Well, I gotta go. Nice talking to you!



Kayla: You too.



David: Well, how’d it go?



Kayla: Dad, I, um…I had no idea that there were people who

didn’t have homes and I feel really bad that I can’t do anything, I mean, shouldn’t people be helping them?





David: They are. Thanks to places like this soup kitchen and

homeless shelters along with Habitat for Humanity, people are getting help.



Kayla: But, I want to do something! I feel…



David: I know Kayla. I know…Are you ready for our next stop?



Kayla: Yes, I’m ready, I guess…



Narrator: So, Kayla held tight to her dad as the compass whisked

them through time and space to the children’s ward of a hospital.



Kayla: Dad, why are we in a hospital?



David: You will see, you will see.



Narrator: Kayla watched as kids were laughing and playing, all

the while hooked up to IVs and heart monitors. They were like any other kids except most of them had no hair.



Kayla: Dad, why don’t they have hair?



David: Kayla, these children have some form of cancer like

leukemia. They lost their hair when they went through chemotherapy.



Kayla: Are they gonna die?



David: Maybe, but, hopefully not. They have great doctors that

are well trained and do all they can for them.



Kayla: So, if they have cancer, why are they so happy?



David: I don’t know. You’ll have to ask them.



Kayla: okay, um…I will. Excuse me, um, hi.



Tommy: Hi, I’m Tommy and this is Bella and Jamie. What’s your

name?



Kayla: Oh! I’m Kayla. Hi.



Bella: Nice to meet you! So, why are you here?



Jamie: What Bella means is, are you someone’s friend or sister

or what?



Kayla: Oh, no, I am just visiting with my dad.



Tommy: Does he have cancer?



Kayla: No, he is standing over there.



Bella: He looks like a good dad.



Kayla: He is.



Jamie: So, why did you guys come here?



Kayla: Well, he wanted to show me what Christmas is all about.



Tommy: Oh, cool. But, why did he come here?



Kayla: I think it was to see you guys.



Bella: Why? What’s so special about us?



Kayla: Well, maybe the fact that you were laughing and playing

even though you have cancer, I mean, that is probably why.



Tommy: That’s cool and as for cancer, we may have cancer…



Bella, Jamie and Tommy: But cancer doesn’t have us!



Bella: Kayla, we have cancer, some have had it a long time and

some of us are worse than others, but, we are doing just fine.



Jamie: Yeah, talk about having a good excuse not to have to go

to gym class!



Tommy: Yeah, and we get to have ice cream whenever we want!



Bella: Not anytime we want. Anyway, I hope that you’ll come back

and visit us. Christmas is almost here and we love visitors.



Jamie: Yeah, and we always get a visit from Santa! You gotta

come! It is so much fun!





Kayla: Okay, well, I will try. It was really nice meeting all of

you.



Bella, Jamie, Tommy: You too!



Kayla: Dad?



David: Yes, Kayla?



Kayla: I hope that Bella, Tommy and Jamie are going to be okay.

They’re really nice and seem like a lot of fun.



David: I hope so too sweetie, I hope so too.



Narrator: David pulled out the special compass and he and Kayla,

once again, whisked through time and space to another place that would help our young Kayla realize what Christmas was all about. It was a home for the elderly and David and Kayla landed in their community room where many of the elderly were playing games, watching television and knitting.



Kayla: So, where are we?



David: In a retirement home, Kayla.



Kayla: There are so many grandparents here. Why do they live

here, Dad?



David: Well, Kayla, they live here because they need a little

help from nurses or doctors or, they just need to be in a community of people there age.



Kayla: Why?



David: Well, you know how my mom needs help with mowing her yard

and there are things around the house that she can’t do anymore.



Kayla: Yes…





David: Well, if she ever needed even more help, she could either

move in with us or move in a place like this.



Kayla: Oh, okay, I think I get it. So, people choose to come

here?



David: For the most part. But, some might not have another place

to go or might not have family.



Kayla: Oh, that’s sad.



David: Yes, it is. That is why, now that you are older, I wanted

you to see that there are a lot of people who would love to be adopted as grandparents.



Kayla: Adopted? Like as in a baby?



David: Not exactly, it just means that there are a lot of people

the age of your grandparents that don’t have children and family to visit, so we could visit them in a place like this.



Kayla: Oh, that makes sense. Hey! Look at that woman over there

in the chair by the window.



David: Yes? What about her?



Kayla: She looks so lonely. I think she might need to be

adopted. Can I go talk to her?



David: Be my guest.



Kayla: Um…hello, my name is Kayla.



Suzanne: Well, hello young lady. My, you are pretty as can be.



Kayla: Why thank you. I just noticed that you were sitting here

all alone and thought I would say, “Hello.”



Suzanne: That was so very sweet of you. My name is Suzanne and

yes, I was just looking out the window at the beautiful trees.



Kayla: Oh, that sounds nice. So, do you have a family?



Suzanne: Well, no, I just lost my husband recently, thank you

and I never did have any children. My sister tries to visit me once in awhile along with her two kids, but they are always so busy it seems.



Kayla: Oh, I am sorry about your husband. Um…would you like to

talk about it?



Suzanne: Well, thank you. You are a sweet girl. But really, I’m

fine, I just miss him and am so happy that he was a part of my life. Family is precious. Is that your Dad over there?



Kayla: Why, yes it is.



Suzanne: It was nice of him to bring you here. People like me

get lonely once in awhile and it is so nice to see young children like yourself to remind us of what it was like to be a kid.



Kayla: Well, it was nice of him and I, I think I know why he

brought me. But, I better get back to my mother and start working on my Christmas presents. I am going to make them this year.



Suzanne: Really? Why, the best Christmas presents are homemade,

you know. What are you going to make?



Kayla: Well, I like to weave potholders and I’ve just started

to learn how to make beaded necklaces and bracelets. I also can make pretty bookmarks too. My mom likes to knit, so she makes me scarves and mittens. It is really nice. It was great to meet you and I will try to come back sometime.



Suzanne: That would be just lovely. Take care and don’t forget

to hug your mom and dad. They must be pretty amazing to have such a nice daughter like you.



David: So, how’d it go?



Kayla: It was great. Her name is Suzanne. I think I just adopted

her, Dad.



David: Well, hold on tight, it’s time to go see your mother,

sweetie.







Narrator: And with that, David took out the compass and they

were whisked away to the place they had started, the mall, where Kayla’s mother was sitting on a bench near the Santa display.



Helen: Oh, there you guys are! I was wondering where you

wondered off too.



Kayla: Mom! Mom! We went to a soup kitchen, a hospital and a

retirement home! I met so many nice kids and a nice woman named Suzanne who I am adopting as a new grandparent!



Helen: David? What is she talking about?



David: It was time, sweetie…it was time for my Dad’s compass.



Helen: Ohhhh…really? Well, I guess she is the perfect age for

it. So, Kayla, what did you learn?



Kayla: Well, Mom, I learned a lot. I learned that some people

don’t have homes and they go to soup kitchens, but…the people I met or saw were happy. I learned that there are kids that have cancer, but they laugh and play like normal kids. I learned that there are grandparents out there that don’t have families and they need kids like me to visit them.



Helen: Wow…it sounds like you learned a great deal. I am very

proud of you.



David: Yes, Kayla, we are both proud of you.



Kayla: Mom?



Helen: Yes, dear?



Kayla: Could I talk to Santa one more time?



Helen: Of course you can.



Narrator: Kayla stood in line and waited amongst the many

children waiting to talk to Santa Claus. Finally, it was her turn to talk to the big guy.



Kayla: Hello again, Santa.



Santa: Well, hello. Did you forget something?



Kayla: Yes, yes, I did.



Santa: What was it?



Kayla: Santa, I really don’t need anything, what I need is if

you could help those people in the homeless shelter and at the soup kitchen and also visit my friends Tommy, Bella and Jamie and maybe even cure their cancer. Also, can you find some adopted grandkids for people like Suzanne and her friends at the retirement home down the road. Could you do those things?



Santa: Well, Kayla…you have been busy thinking of quite a

special list of things that would help others. I will see what I can do. My suggestion to you is that you pray every night for God to help those people and maybe, just maybe, your prayers will be answered. The world is filled with so many people that need prayers from children like you. Take care and here is a candy cane.



Kayla: Thank you, Santa. I will pray. And…well, thanks.



Santa Claus: You’re welcome.



Kayla: Dad?



David: Yes, Kayla?



Kayla: Can we go to the soup kitchen for Christmas and help

serve people food?



David: Sounds good to me, what do you think, Helen?



Helen: I’m in. That is a great idea, Kayla.



Kayla: Um, can we also go the hospital and visit my friends?



David: Yes, we can do that. Why don’t you go through some of

your toys that are still good and we can deliver them to your friends.



Kayla: That’s a great idea! Oh, also,…I want to visit Suzanne at

the retirement home, can I mom?



Helen: You certainly can. Now, let’s go home, maybe we can make

some cookies for all of your new friends.



Kayla: I think Suzanne would love some homemade cookies. She

says that homemade presents are always the best.



David: And some presents are ones that truly keep giving every

day.



Kayla: What do you mean, Dad?

David: I mean, you. You are the best present your mother and I

have ever received.



Kayla: Awww…that’s cool. Well, let’s go, we have a lot to do

before Christmas.



Helen: Yes we do.



David: Yes, we most certainly do.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

     What can I say, I have strayed in the land of blogging. I have not been a good blogger, but rather, a good parent. I have been homeschooling Heather like it is going out of style! I am raising the next Marie Curie, the next Julia Childs or maybe even the next Jane Goodall...but, back to Earth...I am happy. I am happy in my life filled with lessons both riding and guitar lessons. I am happy that we have our Kevin back with us after a long run of shows, the final one being the Quarter Horse Congress. I am happy just being me and being the best me I can be....watch out Army Ads! Here comes momma! But in summary, I am doing really well and enjoying my time reading up a storm! I am so blessed to have the family I have and have even written a play that I will put in my next posting! It is open to all and will be performed on December 13th at Mary L. Cook Library! So, to some up, this love thing is a wild thing, love of life, of family, of creating and cooking. Love of learning new things. I love it!

Homeschooling with Heather

     It has been quite an interesting ride this past "almost" month of homeschooling...I truly cannot describe how much fun I have had. Teaching my own daughter has taught me a great deal about myself and also taught me how much I need to learn. As a person who attended some private and public school, I thought that I had a good overall education. I got my bachelors from Wittenberg, a Masters from EKU along with halfway to a doctorate from EKU. I feel shortchanged by my school experience in the elementary, middle and high school years. I am learning so much more than I did then and really enjoying it! I am reading books that I should have been taught in high school and college, but was never taught. I am learning things about American history that I never knew.
     I am pleased with Heather's progress and we have a full fledged classroom at home. It was wonderful to be outside today and enjoy a walk along with reading on our deck with Heather in the hammock and me in a comfy chair. School is a word that can apply to many places and school outside was wonderful. So, in my world of learning and teaching, tomorrow is a glorious thing.

So much to say, so little time

     It amazes me how quickly time passes and how sometimes, it feels like forever. Time is so weird and I am constantly amazed that Heather is seven. This summer has been a whirlwind filled with traveling to Kentucky and Pennsylvania along with camps for Heather and Antioch Writer's Workshop for me. It has been fun and hard in some ways, but overall, a good summer.
     I go through this thing where I think about my disease and how much I truly hate giving myself shots. I find myself trying to rationalize not giving myself the shots, but know that they help me through any stresses. I just know that after every shot, I am tired and have overall fatigue versus right before the shot where I feel energy for once and then have to go through the fatigue all over again. I know that this is just a way of life I have to deal with, but feeling like a pin cushion gets old and the red hard splotches on me look horrible and remind me that I have a disease. I have no answer for my feelings except to say, it is what it is....
     Between disease and the heat, I cannot wait until it cools off outside. Sometimes I feel like a shut in who is running from the car to the house or the house to the car. It is frustrating, but I deal. I know that it could be worse, but I am truly looking forward to fall, soon it will be here. My favorite time of the year has always been fall and also, it is the hardest time in reflecting on my previous husband passing in October 2007. But, I just think every time October comes my way that we are fine and well and that every single October, while Linn was alive, our neighbors thought the house was condemned due to his working on his Halloween displays starting October 1st. We would have boards over the windows and caution tape throughout the yard, he wouldn't rake the leaves for extra effect and built various monstrosities on the lawn. It was fun and he was like a small child come October wanting to make more displays for our yard. Good times.
     Fall is still my favorite time of year filled with leaves that change their color and the reality of what I have been through, the smell of the cool air and the beauty of the trees holding onto their leaves...I look forward to seeing my breath in the cool mornings to come.

Virginia Woolf had it right---A Room of My Own

     Well, today we changed the guest room into Heather's schoolroom ala my writing and reading room. It is truly delightful! I love the look of it and it feels very creative and fun. I am sitting here surrounded by beautiful artwork, some mine, other pieces are Heather's, and some by professional artists. It is delightful and I can't help but smile. I purchased a lovely antique desk, perfect for writing my literary novels to be....it is quite lovely and exudes the passing of time. What a treat. I pride myself on trying to only by recycled things and preferably, things with stories. I love that I have changed my house around to truly reflect me as well as my husband and it does feel like home every time I walk through the door. Thanks to my various connections in the reselling of furniture and Kevin being an auctioneer, I now look around my house and can smile at the fact that I didn't buy anything new that created more landfill items. I did my part and in doing so, I found a desk. Not just a desk, I found THE desk. How to explain....hmmm...well, you know how you create the image of something in your mind of how something should look and if you ever found that item, it was suppose to be yours? That's how I felt about this desk the first time I saw it. I could tell that it could be part of something big within me and thus, it is my desk now. Along with getting a desk, I rearranged items in my house so that they felt new again and they do, they really do. It was exciting to come home tonight after fun with Heather and Kevin and see our home---different, but the same. In a world where people build addition after addition, I am happy with the space I have. I love that it is "just right." This not-so-Goldilocks loves this house and I will own it forever. It suites me and it suites my family. I am blessed.
     Virginia Woolf always said that we should all have a room of our own and believe me, I couldn't agree more. Hope you all have a great evening and sweet dreams.

I feel a great sense of FREEDOM!

     I went into Verizon today and waited up to 45 minutes to be waited on and then, I turned in my phone. It was liberating! No more will I have to deal with upgrades and hidden costs! No more, "well, don't you want Internet access?" or stupid questions about apps. I am FREE!
     It is nice, I must say, to be without a cellphone. I know that I have just heard way to much about how they could be a part of possibly causing cancer, though I realize that everything seems to cause cancer these days. I do know people that have had cancer in the same region that they always held their cellphones, but I am not a doctor...so, I will just do my part in trying to be preventing further techno trauma...hehehe...I like that, "Hi, my names Jen and I am a woman recovering from techno trauma." Sounds like something we might have faced in the eighties with techno music.
     Now, all I have to do this afternoon is be a good mom, enjoy time with Heather and try to come up with a chimney sweep outfit for her Dancekidz production on Friday. Yes, they are doing songs and dances from MARY POPPINS and Heather is loving it! So, with me luck and don't forget, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!"

It is early and I am at peace

     It is the wee hours of the morning and I am awake. It seems that, knowing full well that I should or could be sleeping, my body says, "nope! Let's get up!" It always amazes me how this seems to be a daily happening and I thought that I better be good and do what I am suppose to do and that is write. As you probably noticed, I am getting rid of my cellphone and can't wait to hand it over to Verizon today and say, "see ya!" due to the amount of time spent on the phone with them trying to figure out why I can't get proper service where ever I am. In my house, I have had to lean up against a window to get reception or, I have had to walk outside, which is not good when it is super hot for this lady with MS. So, land line is the way of my world now and I am at peace. Also, for all of those people who are attached to their cellphones like they were their life force...take a day without the cell, see if you can survive...who knows? It might be good for you? People have asked me, "what will you do if you get in an accident or you break down on the side of the road?" My answer is---ON STAR. Just resigned up yesterday and it only costs me $12.99 a month compared to an astronomical amount for phone service that is inadequate. And, amazingly, before cellphones, we survived.
     I might be going backwards, but I don't think that we need to be tethered to technology. I have a problem with the sound of a phone interrupting time with my husband or daughter. We might be mid conversation and the phone rings while we are out doing something fun. Now, I do need to get use to the sound of a phone at home and am not too excited about that, but I will get use to it. Also, I can always ignore it if Heather and I are reading together, learning or spending quality time. She is getting older so fast and I refuse to have technology come between us.
     As for my feeling about other technology, obviously, I like computers as I am blogging on one right now, but I do not like the idea of KINDLES, IPADS and other devices that you can read books off of. I can understand their convenience, but this book lover has to have the tangible book in my hands wherever I go. People tell me, "you can actually turn the page on the computer and it is like a real book!" To this, I say, "buy a real book!" or better yet, frequent your local library. Now, in cases where you have audio books read to you, that is great, especially for my Granny who needs it read to her due to her Macular degeneration. But, do we really need more technology that takes the place of the earthy feel of the tangible book? I don't think so.
     This week, I reorganized my guest room and started setting it up to be my writing and reading room. Heather will also share this room as it will be her schoolroom. We are both so excited to have this room as our own and Heather understands the value of quiet and a space to read and learn. In the process, I put out all of my Harvard classics that where my Grandpop's first purchase after he married my Granny. It was so nice to see all of these beautiful books laid out for all to see and it help to remind me of the importance of the written word.
    My next endeavor is to read the classics along with Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winners in literature. This is a life long goal and will help me have a better understanding of history as well as become a better writer. I look forward to the challenge and am happy that Heather will see me continuing my education and realize that you are always learning.
     So, to sum up, think about your cellphone, your KINDLE, your IPAD. Think about the fact that maybe you are alittle too attached to it or them. Step away from it for a day, maybe two. Try having a day or a week without any television. Go outside or spend some time with a good book in a hammock. Have a tickle fight with your children or play tag. Life is too short if you are always plugged in.

Ode to my Cellphone

Alas, poor pitiful thing,
more often than not,
you would not ring.
I would lose calls
and had not moved.
At no point did it seem
that this had improved.
So now, I throw you
into the proverbial air
with reckless abandonment,
Because, "I don't care!"
In a land of leash technology,
no more I live,
For I truly do have
too much to give,
so Verizon, I bid you,
goodbye one and all,
Because mom always said,
if you can't say somethin' nice,
don't say nothin' at all.

I am exhausted, but happy as can be

     Well, ever since Saturday, I have been at the Antioch Writer's Workshop and having a good time with fellow writers, published and unpublished. It has truly been a good week and tomorrow is the last day. Between time with Crystal Wilkinson to Sigrid Nunez, along with fun with my friends, John and Nancy, I am pleased to say that I learned a great deal about my writing and about myself.
     I am a writer and I have always been a writer. I use humor to cover up tough topics, a typical mechanism for many people. But, the biggest thing I learned is that I do need to write the books about the tough topics, just that I can approach these tough topics through third person. SO, this writer is going to continue to practice her craft and practice and practice and practice. They say that the first million words is just practice, so, I just want to apologize to all the trees that I have killed, I will do my best to leave behind a legacy of good writing.

Heather and the Computer

So, a most amazing thing has transpired this summer! As I was taught by my mother and father, you learn to treasure things more if you must work for them. Well, this is the case with my dear Heather. She has been working since the beginning of June to raise money for a laptop to use for her home schooling. Kevin and I put up a chart and wrote out the overall rules, which were as follows: for every book she read that was around fifty pages, she got a sticker on her chart. Each sticker was worth $1 towards her computer. For every 50 pages she completes in her various summer workbooks, she receives $25 towards her computer and her weekly allowance is $5 if received in hand or $10 in the bank if it goes towards the computer. After she reaches her goal of $250.00, her Kevin Daddy and I will match that $250.00 and purchase a reasonable computer of her choice.
So, what is so amazing about this is that, by her own saving of money, she is only $39 away from her goal! She worked for Kevin several times so far this summer and he said that she was an awesome and driven worker.
So, I truly can say that I owe my parents so much for instilling my work ethic in me that I may now pass down this same work ethic to my daughter and I couldn't be prouder! The best part of this whole experience is that Heather is telling me how much she has and rattling off quickly what she needs to do and how many weeks it will take her to raise the money. She is my little mathematician who wants to be a scientist! So, watch out world! Here comes Heather!

In the land of Cobwebs, I Return!

Hello to all of my wonderful readers! I have been neglectful of my blog, but have been spending time writing privately, so sorry I wasn't sharing. I suppose you might want to give me a bad report card, "does not share well with others." It has been a bumpy roller coaster of this thing I call "life of Jen" and I am so happy to say that I now smile every day. I am retiring from teaching and am merely waiting for the paperwork to go through. The reason for my retiring is due to my MS and the fact that I get very fatigued, sometimes walk with a cane and overall have no life left in me, after teaching 150 students, to share of myself with my family. After nine wonderful years of teaching along with years of being a preschool teacher, youth theatre director and assistant youth theatre directors and teaching students at various schools in the summers, I am ready to teach the most important child---my daughter, Heather. I will be home schooling Heather this fall and look forward to what truly starts every summer in the form of "Camp De Mommy." Between this, spending time with my husband and writing, writing, writing, I am very happy with my choice.
I am happy to say that I am, once again, attending the Antioch Writer's Workshop this week and am so amazed by how wonderful it makes me feel. The experience is truly immeasurable and the time spent with writers is worth so much more than anything else I can imagine. I am blessed to have an understanding husband who allows me to follow my dreams and supports me and my writing in every way. Heather also loves the fact that mommy is a writer!
Tomorrow I embark on the journey of pitching my work to an agent and, once again, I am so excited. The difference between last year and this year is that---I have a book---in hand. No lofty ideas that need to fill a page in the future. I have a project worthy of print. For me, the goal is merely to be consistent, to write daily and to be true to my craft. I wish for no fame, but will do whatever I can to have my voice heard by many. So, I will write and write and please, write me and get on my case. As my friend, as my reader, question me, pester me and ask those lovely words, "So, how's the writing?" I will answer you and I will blog again---often....for nothing stands in my way now.

Another day and more acupuncture

Well, what can I say, today was rough and I am exhausted. The one saving grace of the day was my acupuncturist, Glynda, who made me feel myself again. She truly is a Godsend. So, tired, tired, tired, but spring break is soon to come my way. Between that and Heather being so excited to go to Clinton Massie, I am so happy. I am happy to see a light at the end of the tunnel. That combined with attending Antioch Writer's Workshop for the second year in a row in July truly give me things to look forward to. I love writing and I love being surrounded by like minded writers, It is such a blessing. Well, I will keep this short as it is time to play with my daughter before she has to go to bed. Take care and I will meet you again in the land of the blogs.

So, I have been a neglectful blogger---time to repent:)

It has been a trying school year and I decided to get back in the land of blogging, thus, my voice is once again in "blog form" and can be heard by all of those who know and love me. A great deal has gone on this school year, from a miscarriage to most likely having the swine flu to a debilitating amount of fatigue that won't relinquish its nasty hold on me. A life filled with being tired and medicines that made me itch to trying out acupuncture and feeling a sense of self once more. I am happy in my skin, fatigued, but happy. I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life that is just around the corner.
Heather is turning seven on March fourth and I am truly amazed by her. I love everything about her and am so happy to call myself her mother. She is so well behaved and so kind along with being old for her age. I love that she and I are so close and hope to keep that closeness forever if at all possible. The exciting news for Heather is that she is going to attend Clinton Massie School district starting on Monday as this will help me and she will be with all of her friends in the neighborhood and be able to actually sleep in. Kevin will be in charge of getting her on and off the bus and I will be able to go to school without rushing Heather to school and trying not to be late.
So much in my life is happening and sometimes it feels like the world is having fun all around me but I am too tired. Just in case you didn't know, I am actually going to be retiring at the end of the school year under disability. I am very happy with my decision and know that I will finally be able to give of myself to my daughter and husband. I feel that they have truly missed out of the "true me" that only my students get to see. After much thought and realizing that I was too tired to teach and be a good mom, I am proud to say that I will be a stay at home mom, a good wife who helps her husband with his business and a writer. I am going to focus on my family and, if I am lucky, adopt a child. Kevin and I have talked to my doctors and all of them agree that the best thing for me is not to get pregnant due to the possible complications with my MS. But, as a woman who has MS, adoption is feasible. So, with a few prayers and saving my hard earned dollars, Kevin and I hope to adopt sometime in the next few years. People, mainly family, have looked at me and asked me if I truly think I am capable of taking care of another child and my answer is, "yes." I have way too much love in me and am totally capable of being an amazing mother. I have already proved that with Heather. She has turned into such a wonderful young lady.
So, for now, love to all of you and I will get back in gear, but mostly, I am tired and looking forward to summer. My doctors keep telling me that if I need to, just take a day off due to fatigue and even take off a week if I need to. As most of you know, I am a teacher and teachers can't just take a week off due to the children needing consistency. So, thank you for reading and hugs all around. Thank you for sharing in my world.