Christmas Eve Gift

It was a tradition I definitely was not accustomed to.   As soon as the clock struck 12:01am, on Christmas Eve, my husband’s grandmother would begin calling family members and simply saying “Christmas Eve Gift” which would be followed by a giggle and a thought of “Gotcha” before hanging up the phone.  After her passing, my husband felt it necessary to continue the tradition. 

Each year, he begins the lengthy task of preparing his list of numbers to make his annual “Christmas Eve Gift” calls then he sets his biological clock to get up way too early for me.  I now understand why some received calls at 4am…it takes that long to go down the list. 

Well guess what?  This year my husband got a new smart phone and the first thing our youngest daughter said was, “do you think we could just get a text this year”?  LOL!   I then said, “why do you think he does it”?, too which she replied, “It is just something that has stuck around. Some traditions are just that. No reason but it is there”.  WOW! 

As I began to set goals for the New Year the thought struck me,  “Am I doing things that have NO reason, can I do things differently, can I make sure what I do is effective?  The answer is simply YES!

So, on Christmas Eve, I took the time to help my “technologically challenged” husband set up a group message to go out at a certain time and... ALL OUR FAMILY WILL THANK ME LATER!

Happy New Year!  

Now What Were We Celebrating?

How can something so meaningful have everyone in such a tizzy?  Parties, parades, family get-togethers and, of course, there are the college bowl games… just to name a few. But how did it get to be so hectic? 

Maybe it is the “people pleaser” in all of us, or maybe just maybe the holidays really do bring out the “giving” in all of us.    There is something about this time of year that makes me a little more “giving”…giving of my time, talents and money.

My heart seems to yearn for my family and friends more. I cherish the time I spend with my husband enjoying the things he loves. I then get so stressed each year preparing for the annual Christmas parade, just to be consumed by the fun I have with my coworkers as we throw-out candy and wave as if we were kings and queens.

Then there are the parties!  You know the company party that NO one really wants to attend, but feels obligated to do so. Especially when the marketing director adds “tacky sweater” to the invite!  Oh and lets not forget the church dinner, the Christmas Cantata, play practice and then throw-in your parents 50^th wedding anniversary party, decorating the house, purchasing and wrapping the presents.

Shew, now what were we celebrating?  Oh yeah, the sweet Christ child that came with no parties or bowl games, just a lowly manger and one happy and blessed mother to have her little family in one little place. We could blame the Wise Men for the tizzy; after all, they started the gift giving. But then they were “wise” and maybe on to something!  You see, “giving” is part of who we are and what makes our homes, communities, churches and businesses so special.  So, enjoy the tizzy and remember to keep the spirit of Christ in your Christmas!

Is Respect Lost?

The inappropriate language and dress, faces buried in a phone or ears plugged with earphones. Do they notice or even care for the people walking around them? 

I recently learned the answer, as I stood in line at the local market.  Although my mind had recently been filled with stories and first-hand accounts of “children” using obscene language, being disrespectful, stealing, lying, alcohol abuse and even striking an adult, I felt a renewed spirit in me while standing in that store. 

In front of me, at the local market, was an elderly lady using what seemed to be a food benefits card.   What caught my attention was not the card, but the young lady behind the counter.  The elderly lady had apparently purchased some items not covered by the card and had to reach in her wallet for additional money.  I could see the embarrassment on her face, or maybe I was misjudging and it was sheer frustration.  Whichever the case, the sweet young lady was being very patient.  She then was joined by a kind young man saying “It’s ok mam, just press that button and I can get that for you”! 

My recollection of all the negativity of last few days seemed to vanish in that moment. My renewed spirit spurted our, “what a blessing you two are and that is why we love our community and shopping local”, to which the elderly lady replied, I agree these young people have to keep us old people straight!”

So, behind what seems to be all that is wrong is a beautiful piece of art, perfectly shaped by a master workman  and yes there is still respect going on!

PEPPA PIG

I recently had the opportunity to watch several episodes of Peppa Pig with my twin grandgirls. Now I really need to emphasize several, because that is currently their “favorite” show.  I also need to tell you I was thoroughly impressed and understood why they liked it so much.  One of the episodes really caught my attention due to a recent conversation with some senior adults concerning “young people” and “thank you” notes.

The storyline showed Peppa Pig responding to a birthday invitation.  She didn’t simply toss it aside.   Peppa immediately looked at her calendar, and then sent a reply, thanking her friend for inviting her and stating that she would be in attendance.  WOW!  What a novel idea… sending a response and thanking someone for inviting you to a party.   Now I don’t know about you, but there seems to be a lack of Peppa’s habits among many of us today. I have received numerous birthday invitations through the years for my children and I am certain I never took the time to respond and now I feel bad.  I also have sent invitations with an RSVP and received only a few calls, but people showed up and I am so glad they did.  

However, I must admit that when I go out of my way to purchase a gift for a birthday, new baby or graduation, I do expect to get at least an acknowledgement (which also doesn’t happen a lot). 

Although, I am trying to be better at responding to RSVP’s and sending a thank you in a timely manner, I am not certain I will ever meet Peppa Pig’s standard of etiquette.   But Thank You for reading my blog!

LOVE OF MONEY

With each new group of young people I have the opportunity to work with, comes excitement as well as anticipation.  As a leader, banker, resource and mentor, I become like a child on the first day of school.  Will they have any knowledge of basic finance?  Have they even considered saving money? Have they been exposed to money matters or ever been given money or earned a dollar?  Some of this seems so basic, yet in my experience many children have no concept of basic financial education.

What has been the most surprising is that socioeconomics doesn’t necessarily play as much of a part as you might expect.  Some children in poverty and some from affluent homes understand that in order to succeed financially you need to work hard, don’t overspend and save money.  However, you also have children from both groups that have no concept of basic financial matters. This could be as a result of many factors. One might assume that the lack of money or parents choosing just not to expose their children to household finances is a factor. Regardless of the why, there is definitely a lack in financial education in most of our youth.


Although I firmly believe, “the root of all evil is the LOVE of money”, and that while the most important things in life are free…I am fully aware that it takes money to keep the lights on and food in your stomach. With that in mind, I can’t wait to meet the group of selected individuals who will help lead the way in the financial education of the next generation and I am so very thankful I get to be a part of it. 

Hippocampus Deficiency

My belief system tells me that when you believe in someone and tell them often, it usually brings the best out of people. I also have learned recently that I am lacking in “hippocampus”, the portion of the brain responsible for navigation.

So, right about now you are saying, “and what does that have to do with anything”. Well that is just the way my mind runs.  So Go With Me!

As I have been saying “see you soon” (my papa said never say goodbye) to the class of 2014 heading off to college, I can’t even begin to comprehend where life will take them.  I have spent the last 4 plus years encouraging, supporting, listening, teaching and, most recently, crying with them over the loss of someone dear to many of them.

Many are attending college, some have joined the armed services and most of these students have never been away from home for more than a few days at a time. Some have chosen the path of least resistance by simply deciding to “just be” for now. Regardless, each one has chosen a path and I have started to think “Will they find their way”? 

As a person who apparently lacks “hippocampus” I still get turned around in my hometown.  Get me off track and its hilarious how I can get so mixed up.  Now what you may not know is that my daddy always was my navigator.  As a lifetime truck driver, I could call him from anywhere and he would direct me exactly to where I needed to go.  Therefore, I never really utilized my “hippocampus” for directions.  However, as my dad gets older and road signs change, I am thankful for my GPS and my mother’s voice in my head reminding me “I can do this”!

Does The Aim Matter?

I recently read that success is defined as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose”. Although I think that success is truly defined by an individual’s perception, I was intrigued to see the word “aim” used.  This became even more of a “there you go” moment with the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2014.

As we stood on the platform presenting each student with the promised $100, I thought about what the future held for these young people. Walking across the stage was indeed an accomplishment for the 117 out of the 130 smiling eighth grade students that started this journey with me. However, getting to this stage took many different paths.

While some breezed their way, others struggled and a few even tiptoed, barely making it.  Yet, each one received a similar diploma and all the $100 bills looked the same.  So what was the difference?  Could it have been their aim?

The valedictorian stated that she had been working for that moment since she was in Elementary school.  Her goal or aim of becoming valedictorian constantly stayed on her mind.  Several students mentioned their aim was a certain college or career while other’s aim was to serve our country in a particular branch of service. Yet some students’ aim was simply to graduate.

Now, do I feel that one student’s aim made him or her seem more successful? If honest, our society, would say yes.  But, you see I know some of the story’s behind the stories. Many of those whose goal was simply to graduate did so with much adversity. A few walked across the stage as the first family member to do so and that was truly a success. And some of those who “breezed” through had no more ambition than those who tiptoed.

What I do know is that we made a commitment and that commitment was kept. I also am 100% sure that our aim or purpose was to encourage and support our local school while helping to increase the high school graduation rate.  What we witnessed was the largest graduating class in the school’s history.  Did we aim high?  You bet your sweet bippy. Were we successful?  It depends if you are looking through the eyes of the 117 or the tears of the 13.

It Takes A Community

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We often hear a mother’s job is never done.  As a mother and grandmother, I completely understand this statement.  I believe it was former first lady, Hilary Clinton that said, “It takes a village to raise a child”. Although we use the term “community”, I completely agree with the statement and over the last two weeks I have played this statement over many times in my head as I have witnessed it first-hand.

It began as I became aware that several students of the class of 2014 simply didn’t have the money to attend prom. But thanks to a few generous individuals and through the help of social media, we were able to help each student that wanted to attend financially.  We all felt like proud parents as we watched over 100 young people take their “senior walk” the night of prom.

The emotions took a dip as two young men made some decisions that not only will impact the rest of their lives, but left many of us who know and love them in a bewildered state of mind.   

However, the highlight for many in our community came this week as the senior’s presented a slide show of their time at PHS. As we watched many of us laughed, rejoiced and even cried a little. They also received their final high school yearbook and much to my surprise (truly was a surprise), I received the honor of having the 2014 yearbook dedicated to me for my “support”.  As I stood to accept the recognition, I looked over the crowd and at that great group of young people.  It was at that moment, I knew that we as a community had earned that honor.  So many people had helped make this day possible for them, parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, pastors, neighbors and yes maybe even a banker. All I could do through the tears was say, “thank you Jesus”, for our Community!

Shark Tank Experience

Have you ever wondered what the next generation can or will discover?  I recently read that the Polaroid camera came out of a 3-year-old girl's asking, "Why do we have to wait for the picture?"

I was mesmerized this week as approximately thirty seniors from our class of 2014 participated in a “Shark Tank “project lead by an “out-of-the box” economics teacher.  Team after team wooed me with their business plans, energy and creativity in hopes that I, the “Shark Tank”, would invest in their   pseudo company.  I was also intrigued by the sheer imagination of each team.  However, what really caught my attention was the correlation between the “idea” and passion.  Sports enthusiast’s creative ideas came as a result of their love of the game and electronic savvy students created gadgets that aided in their fascination of technology. Those obsessed with the appearance created products to enhance their beauty and those that thrive on high power and speed created “superchips” in hopes of pushing the envelope.

What I really learned was that these days creativity is a more essential skill than ever.  I also learned a valuable lesson. When we as adults encourage creativity and passion in our children, grandchildren and the young people we come in contact with, they will not let us down. They will invent and discover more than our souls can imagine and…remember they will shape and create our future.

Fruits & Gifts

I was taught that each of us is born with unique gifts and talents. I repeatedly heard that our gifts are like a fruit which allows other people to taste, smell and experience a greater good when we use our gifts to help others.

After four years of getting to know the class of 2014 at the local High School, I have been amazed and delighted as I witness the special gifts and talents each one possesses.  Some you recognize immediately, like the gift of leadership. The leaders are the captains of teams, presidents of clubs and of course the class president is definitely a leader.

The less flashy gifts like compassion, are the ones that just hit you when you least expect it. The kindness of one student helping another one tie his tie for the first time or another student offering a ride to a student that couldn't stay for a meeting because the family has no car.

I've also been fortunate to witness the gift of discernment.  This was especially important when a student stated, “they didn't go there because it was wrong”. To which I immediately said AMEN and good for you.

However, this month the gift of exhortation or lifting someone up has been my favorite to witness from this group of young people.  Just today, as only a young person can do, a student loudly proclaimed to me “listen to that big word he is using, he knows he is brilliant” and of course the other young person just grinned from ear to ear. I also had the privilege of being present for the senior superlative’s photos.  I simply was amazed as the young women said to the young men, (many wearing a coat for the first time) how great they looked. I also enjoyed hearing the young ladies complement each other.     

As I left I was reminded about the fruits of the spirit and it occurred to me that even though we are born with gifts, like any gift, it has to be opened, enjoyed and used. A gift unwrapped is of no value.  So today, I prayed a little prayer that each of these young people will not only use their gifts but enjoy them on their journey.

What's Next!

Have you ever wondered if the time you spend trying to make a difference in others’ lives is really worth the effort?  Sometimes I simply have a “pity-party” and even make remarks to myself that sound like this, “I swear I am just going to stop doing anything!”  

However, this past week was not one of those times.  As we begin the final months of preparation before the graduation of the class of 2014, students, parents, teachers and mentors, like myself, are eagerly anticipating the “what’s next” for these students. 

This past week proved that when we look outside of ourselves at the children in our community and remember it is our responsibility to help them along the way, we take pride in the successes of their “what’s next” in life!   I delighted with joy this week as I learned that several of our seniors were offered scholarships, several had been accepted to prestigious colleges, several will soon finish their first year of college while still attending High School and we are on track to graduate the largest class of seniors in our schools history.  Now, I realize most of these students have others in their lives that have been instrumental in their success.  Maybe even more than me…but don’t bust my bubble!

You see, I witnessed as one student boarded a plane for the first time and I was moved to tears as several adults gave him advice.  One teacher even helped him download an app on his phone and showed him how to view his boarding pass. I think we all felt as if a part of us was boarding that plane with him. Another senior received the “Young Citizen of the Year” award and just like a proud mother, I caught myself pushing through the crowd to take pictures and glowing with pride. One student was accepted at the school of her dreams to study swine reproduction and yes, I rejoiced with her even though it seemed so far away.   You see, it doesn’t matter that they don’t share our last name or live on our street.  But what matters most is they are all encouraged and given the opportunity to become the best they can be. And with that I say AMEN!