Perspective

My friend Mike, over @ http://www.mmbeachbum.blogspot.com/ usually posts something at the beginning of each football season about keeping things in perspective. I sort of touched on this in my post yesterday, but  I wanted to revisit it. Mike does an excellent job each year with his post, and I wanted to give it a shot myself.

It seemed like this off-season was filled with a hate like never before. After so much has gone on, I thought MAYBE some of the hate would die down a little, but I see that isn't going to happen. Now, I love football. I love it more than any girl I know. However, I also feel compassion in my heart for other people, not just my team or the rival. I have witnessed a spreading of hatred for each other's teams like I have never seen before. I don't know if it's media hyping up the hate, if its social media, or if society is really losing a grip on humanity, but I saw things I didn't think I'd EVER see. It makes me sad, and I think it ALMOST ruined me on the sport. I did decide though, that I wouldn't let someone else's words, actions, or thoughts change something that I have loved all of my life.

There are people struggling in the aftermath of the tornadoes in AL, MO, MS, and many other areas. Folks lost everything they owned. People lost loved ones. Yes, football can take your mind off of these problems, but spreading hate isn't going to help any either. Personally, when I feel that sort of ugliness in my heart, it just leaves me upset with an empty feeling inside.

Then again, a rivalry can bring out the best in us, too. After the trees were poisoned, fans from the other school jumped in to help us. We all jumped in to help anyone who needed it after the tornadoes. It's too bad that we can't keep things this way.
My friend Teresa lost her grandmother and her dad within a short period of time.

My friend Robert lost his mom.

We have had THREE! teachers at school have miscarriages.

A lady I used to teach with has been diagnosed with a blood cancer and she is now waiting on a bone marrow transplant.

A young man named Garrett and his wife both died in a tornado in Birmingham. A friend of his dad's maintains a site for prayer for others. There I learned about Chelsea, a young lady who almost died from a drug overdose. She is struggling to get back to daily life, dealing with some brain damage and some emotional damages. I learned about Tyler, a little boy who has a cancer that will probably get the best of him.A rivalry in football seems minor compared to these problems. It goes on and on.

So many people are hurting. So, as the season goes on, cheer for your team!!! I know I certainly will! I think even a friendly jab is ok. Before you decide to be HATEFUL, think of the people who have lost everything. Root for your team, but let's keep things in perspective. I don't have any nifty, clever sayings to go here, but as a man I admire said in his book, 'Wins don't validate us and losses don't define us. How we respond to things is what matters.'

So, I am challenging myself and anyone else who reads my blog and is a lover of college football, let's preserve this game. Lose the hate for the other team and root for your team.

This and That

Football starts next week!!! College football, anyway!! I am very excited for the season to get kicked off and all of the offseason garbage to get taken care of by the game instead. I LOVE college football. I mean it. The media ALMOST ruined it for me this past year, and I don't mean just the stuff with Auburn. They are so bent on getting a story or getting even, they don't even care about the people that are being affected.  I have decided that they won't steal my joy of the game.

So many people are struggling with so many things right now. A lady I used to teach with has been very sick. She has finally been diagnosed with a blood cancer. She needs your prayers. Her name is Lisa. So many people are hurting. Young children are sick. People who work can barely pay bills. Things are more important than breaking a story or getting a W.

I just hope as this season comes along, we can all keep in perspective the things that are really important.

First Days of School

OK, I needed to tell this story, but it would be too hard to tell it with multiple tweets, so I will put it here.

This year, I am not doing inclusion. I won't be so consumed with state testing prep, although I will still be administering the tests every time. We operate on a 4x4 schedule, which means we have 4 classes a day that are 95 minutes. They take 4 classes in semester one and 4 classes in semester.

My first period class is called 'Comprehensive Reading and Math, and it was created for students with IEPs working on a regular diploma who might need a period with a tutor teacher to help them with homework, test reading, and things of that nature. That class is an INTERESTING mix of kids. I have about 8 kids in the class as of now. There is one student with hearing impairment. We shall call him *Matthew. He attends class with an interpreter. There is another student named *Donald. Donald has a genetic disorder. He is in a  wheelchair. His brain works fine, but his body doesn't work. Donald has a personal aide that attends class with him because he cannot write (hands wont let him), and he cannot get books out or things like that. Donald's aide is named *Carla.  There is another student who has autism. The rest just have learning disabilities. Only the student with autism is not on a regular diploma program.

Matthew also uses an FM System. He wears a receiver and I wear a transmitter. This is a battery pack type thing with a cord that goes around my neck and a microphone clipped to the top of my shirt. Matthew has never heard much at all, so he is sensitive, even though the FM system isn't loud.

On Thursday, the first day of school, Donald's aide stepped out to go to the restroom. No problem whatsoever. While I was reviewing the new bullying protocol, Donald raises his hand (just a little) and tells me he has a nosebleed. I walk over to move his other hand, and he has a GUSHER of a bleed, not a small one. So, I grabbed a wad of tissues and applied pressure. The interpreter came over to help me. She was holding the tissues to Donald's nose so I could get help. Meanwhile, the student with autism is FREAKING out. He was hopping around the room. He also got some tissue paper and wadded it up in little rolls. He walks over to Donald and tells him to stick it up his nose to stop the nosebleed.

I had gone to the door (didn't want to hit call button...yet) to see if Carla was on her way back. Sure enough, there she was. So (forgetting I was wearing the FM system!!!!!!), I YELL into the hallway, 'CARLA! DONALD'S NOSE IS BLEEDING!!! At this moment, Matthew is doubled up with his hands over his ears. Oops.

So, we finally got Donald's nose under control, cleaned up, and ready to go. Matthew has moved past hte loud sound he was not used to hearing. The student with autism had settled down. We were back to reading the handbook policies. At this time, our new principal got on the intercom to announce we were about to have our tornado drill. He told the kids what he told us...about with all the things that had happened weather wise this year, he didn't feel comfortable with anyone going one day without knowing what to do. He then adds that it isn't tornado season, but we were going to do it anyway.

So, we moved to tornado drill position in the hallway.  Right after we returned to the room, it was time for the bell to ring. That was yesterday, then last night we had the insane weather. It wasn't a tornado, but if someone looked at some of the damage, they would think it was a low-level tornado.

So, all of that happened between 7:55-9:00. Ahhh, so is life. :) Today was just as nutty, but we got through it!
** Names have been changed to protect the...well, protect people. :P

Christy