• Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 78 other subscribers

  • “Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers” — Isaac Asimov

  • Recent Posts

  • Pages

  • Categories

  • Archives

  • Blog Stats

    • 195,070 hits

Death Has Lost Its Sting

Posted on June 30, 2012 by auburnchick

In a few hours, my community will bid farewell to Madison.

Her funeral will be difficult to attend, still surreal is her sudden departure from our lives.

I want to share a few personal memories I have of Madison.

I don’t remember the circumstances surrounding my first introduction to her mom, but I remember that as soon as I told her that I was Chicky’s mother, Madison’s mom gushed about how much Madison loved my girl and looked up to her.  There’s a two-year age difference between the girls.  Madison and Chicky were active in my church’s youth group.

So forged the connection, and every time I ran into Madison’s mom, we discussed our girls.

I remember when Madison first tried out, and made, the Varsity cheerleader squad at school.

Chicky told me how hard Madison had worked…how much she had practiced…to prepare for tryouts.

Chicky was so proud of her.

Madison had shown how determined she was…how brave she was, too, to go after something she wanted.

I watched as Madison blossomed during her two years of performing for scores of crowds.

Her smile and enthusiasm were infectious.

During football games, the cheerleaders would line up on the track that circled the field.  The girls took turns doing tumbling runs down a short stretch.

Most of the girls were dancers and gymnasts.  They did back flips, back handsprings, and round-offs with ease.

Madison always stood in line, waiting her turn.

Then, she’d rev her engines, make like she was Mary Lou Retton about to attack the vault, and then slow down and do a somersault on the ground.

Hysterical!

She loved having fun, and she made sure we were all having fun along with her.

As a substitute teacher, I encountered Madison a few times in my classes.

Lord help me, but that girl could not sit still or be quiet!

She wasn’t a whisperer, either.

Oh no…Madison had to make sure the entire class knew what she was talking about, when she wasn’t bouncing around the room visiting everyone.

She was very social.

I imagine she’s up in heaven right now talking off some angels’ ears.  Regardless of what she’s doing up there, I can bet that she’s having a grand old time!

Meanwhile we got left behind with a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.

I am praying for her family…that they will find a way to put one foot in front of another during what will be some difficult days, weeks, months, and years ahead.

I pray that they will find comfort in the fact that Madison has been made whole again…that joy floods her soul because she is in the presence of Jesus right now.

Yesterday, my mind kept hearing the following song.  I kept thinking that God is good, He is hope, love, and truth.  I kept imagining, when thinking about these lyrics, that at the moment of her death, real life began for Madison…that she ran to God’s arms, and that’s where she is now…where those who put their hope in God and faith in Jesus will be one day.

I cannot wait to see Madison’s huge smile again one day, watch as her eyes light up as she loudly shares a “secret” with someone standing close by, and maybe catch her performing somersaults down one of those golden streets I’ve read about so often.

Praise the Lord…death has lost its sting!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRBQtIEEkrU

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Decompressing

Posted on June 29, 2012 by auburnchick

This past week has been so sad.

I’m so grateful that I have this blog to pour my heart into.  Thank you for all of the supportive comments and prayers.  We have definitely felt God’s presence!!!

For today’s post, I decided to be more whimsical…a little random.

First, I thought I’d share a picture of my latest shoe acquisition…

I found those at Kohl’s.  My cashier was a real piece of work, though…rude to the hilt…wouldn’t let me use my coupon…nasty to the lady behind me in line too.  I put the shoes back, found a coupon online on my phone, and walked to the other set of cash registers across the store where one of my former students was working.  I mentioned what had happened, and he and a manager rang up those shoes for me, using the online coupon code.  I suspect the other cashier got an earful from the manager after I left.

The next picture is one that I drew in the game Draw Something.  I’ve got a long game running with a knitting friend…almost 400 drawings thus far.  I am not an artist, so I was a little surprised and, yes, proud of myself when I wound up with this little sketch…

I got the stitches out of my mouth this week…thank goodness!  It felt like I had hair growing in my mouth!  I’m pleased with the results.  The skin is still growing, but I’m so thankful for medical advances that allow little things like teeth to be saved!

Now, it’s time for pictures of my pups.  How dearly I love these four-legged critters.  Throughout the week of tears and sadness, these little ones never failed to bring smiles and joy to my heart.  They are so affectionate and always up for a game of ball or tug of war.  They always wait anxiously for us to wake up…their little tails wagging when they see our eyes open.  I sure don’t know what I’d do without my fur babies!

Sweet Aubie…old girl that she is…hearing on its way out…still happy-go-lucky…

Comfy dog…he thinks that rolling on his back, looking cute, will get me out of bed…

Filed under: Pets, This-n-That | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Leaving a Legacy

Posted on June 28, 2012 by auburnchick

Yesterday, at 5am, Madison’s family bid her goodbye as she was wheeled to an operating room where teams of transplant surgeons awaited her arrival.

According to those who knew her best, Madison wanted to be an organ donor, and her parents honored her request.

Thanks to their selfless decision, six people in six different states will benefit from this tragedy.

Can you believe it?

Six lives changed…improved.

Six families that won’t have to bid farewell to their own loved ones.

Six families that will celebrate holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions together.

Because of one young lady.

Many people become squeamish when they think of organ donation.  Some cannot fathom the thought of their bodies or that of their loved ones being cut open in such a way.

Let me tell you that I witnessed Madison’s parents going through various stages of shock and grief, and one of the few bright spots on the early, darkest days, were when they discussed donating Madison’s heart and, possibly, other organs.

They longed for good to come from their loss.  They wanted Madison’s generous heart to give life to another person.

Madison’s family was able to donate much more than her heart.  Mr. W captured the following shot of an ambulance carrying the first of her organs to the airport…enroute to another hospital…another patient awaiting the answer to a much-longed-for miracle…

Did you just get chills?

I know that I did when I saw it posted on Facebook last night.

I can almost picture God’s angels accompanying the ambulance, flying alongside keeping silent watch.

If you haven’t given serious consideration to becoming an organ donor, please stop and think about it.

You can designate yourself as an organ donor on your drivers license.

Some states, including Florida, have registries.

Put your heebeejeebies aside and sign up.

You’re not going to need your body where you’ll be going anyhow.

Might as well put those parts to good use, eh?

Thanks for honoring Madison’s life.

Let’s let this be her legacy.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 7 Comments »

Wednesday Hodgepodge – 4th of July Style

Posted on June 27, 2012 by auburnchick

It’s time for the Hodgepodge…a bit early with 4th of July type of questions, but Joyce is taking next week off, and it’s too good a theme to pass up!  Play along by answering on your own blog and linking up with Joyce.

1.  What do the words ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ mean to you? Does your mind go more in the direction of not being persecuted or discriminated against or does it head in the direction of doing what you please?

The first thing I think about when I hear the words “freedom” and “liberty” is freedom to worship the Lord without being persecuted.  There are so many Christians who are being persecuted in this world.  Christians are being killed in other countries simply for proclaiming the name of Jesus.  I am so thankful that I live in a country where I can talk about Jesus without fearing for my life.

2.  Nathan’s sponsors a hot dog eating contest every 4th of July. Last year over 40,000 people attended the event and almost 2 million watched it on TV. The winner ate over 60 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. How do you like your hot dogs?

I quit eating hot dogs when I quit eating meat.  However, when I ate them, I liked them with mustard, ketchup, and onions.  I also enjoyed eating chili dogs.  Sauerkraut was also a delicious topping that I enjoyed.

3.  If you were going to enter an eating contest what would be on the menu?

I would enter a chips and salsa eating contest.  I think I could eat my weight in the stuff!!

4.  Do you run your house more as a dictatorship or a democracy?

I am Queen Dictator, and those who enter must follow my rules.  That sounds bad, doesn’t it, but I’m just being honest.  I like things done a certain way, and I’m not usually happy if the opposite happens.

5.  Where was your favorite summer place when you were a kid?

My favorite summer place when I was a child was on the couch or a comfy chair in front of the TV watching Days of Our Lives.  I lived for the relaxing days of no schoolwork and lots of vegging out time.

6.  Do you have a guest room? Would you want to stay there?

We have an extra room in the house, but it’s not really a guest room.  If I were a guest, I wouldn’t want to stay there because it’s full of dog hair because it’s Molly’s room.  She sheds…a lot!  I’m not much of a cleaner or a decorator, so I can’t say that this room is very inviting.  Oh well.  I don’t usually have company, so I’m not stressing about it.

7.  Next Wednesday America celebrates her independence. Do you have any special plans for the 4th of July? If you live outside the USA when and how does your country celebrate its own patriotic holiday?

I’m grateful for the sacrifices made by our forefathers as they risked their lives to establish a country in which Christians were free to worship the Lord the way they wanted and in which we could conduct business free from foreign taxation.  With that said, I won’t do anything special.  I’m not big on socializing, preferring instead to stay home and lie low.

8.  My Random Thought

Some of you aren’t regular readers of my blog.  No worries.  I forgive you.  😉

As such, though, I wanted to use this space to remind everyone to hug their babies and their friends a little tighter.  My community lost the most precious nineteen year old, Madison, two days ago.

Those of you who have followed my posts know that Madison broke her neck in a car accident on Friday night.  She never regained consciousness, and she officially passed away on Sunday at 3:38pm…the same time of day she entered the world.  Her loss has brought hundreds of people together, and I have even found myself, not usually a mushy kind of person, hugging my own children and the teenagers my kids grew up with, a little tighter.  Heck.  I’ve hugged my friends more in the last three days than in all the time I’ve known them.

Our sadness was compounded when Mr. H, our school district superintendent, a fine man, lost his son-in-law on the same day that Madison passed away.  Mr. H’s daughter and her soon-to-be baby girl girl survived.

We have been reminded of how precious life is, and that it can be taken from us without warning.

Make sure you’re right with the Lord and have accepted Jesus as your Savior.  You won’t get a second chance.

If you know Jesus already, share the Good News whenever you can because you don’t know when the person you share it with might be the next to depart this world.

Please pray for these families.  Mr. H’s son-in-law will be buried on Friday afternoon, and Madison’s funeral will be held on Saturday.

There’s a lot of grief around here, and we’re all hurting something bad.

We’re finding joy, though, in the blessings of youngsters acknowledging Jesus as Savior (three were saved on Sunday night).

We’re drawing comfort from knowing that Madison’s organs are going to needy individuals who will live on through her death.

I’m reposting a video that a local artist created after reading a newspaper article about Madison’s accident.

One girl.

One life…

That touched someone enough to write a song for her.

Our lives matter.

Live every moment to its fullest.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 11 Comments »

Unbearable Burdens

Posted on June 26, 2012 by auburnchick

Dear Heavenly Father,

This is your not-so-perfect yet ever-so-faithful servant, AuburnChick.

Honestly, I just need to have a frank talk with you.  I hope you don’t mind.

See, my community was thrown with a huge curve ball when Princess Madison’s life was cut short.

Oh, but the blessings I’ve witnessed have been a huge comfort.

Still, I’ve gotta tell you that I’m at a loss for words (and You know this is huge for me) regarding the latest sadness to hit my community.

Our school district superintendent’s daughter and son-in-law were in a car accident while returning home from vacation.  His son-in-law did not survive, and his daughter, who is expecting a baby in six weeks, are in the hospital, being monitored closely but otherwise okay given the circumstances.

Dear Lord, you know how small this community is.  We’ve either taught or been taught by or had children taught by those involved in the accidents, and our hearts are hurting more than we ever thought possible.

I am so thankful that though the burdens are too heavy to bear, that You are a God with large shoulders, and You want us to lean on You right now.

I’m not sure why so many sad things are happening around here right now…why You’ve allowed the storms to stall out, literally and figuratively, above my little corner of the world.

But I choose to trust you, even in the midst of the tears I shed.

I trust that You will continue to create blessings from the muck that my community seems to be stuck in.

Just as pebbles of sand are turned into beautiful pearls after friction, I trust that these difficult times will result in lives that will be worthy of being presented to You one day.

Please comfort Madison’s family as well as Mr. H, his daughter, Allison, and her husband’s family.

Please give them strength to carry on.

Please use these tragedies to draw us all closer to You.

Thank you, Lord, for always loving us and knowing what’s best, not only for us as individuals but us as a community.

Love,

AuburnChick

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , | 5 Comments »

In Her Own Time

Posted on June 25, 2012 by auburnchick

Wow…what a weekend!

As you know, one of my town’s young ladies, Madison, was involved in a car accident on Friday evening.

As of this writing, her condition has changed very little, and the prognosis is still very grim.

I visited her family in the hospital yesterday…spending a few hours there.

Her parents are holding up as well as one can expect given the tragic circumstances.

There have been a few chuckles, despite the intense heartbreak.

Madison’s mom walked into the waiting area and announced that Madison came into this world two weeks late, and it wouldn’t surprise her if she held on a couple of extra weeks before departing.

I’ve also heard stories about how Madison was always late to everything, so it’s no surprise to those who know her best that her timing now isn’t any different.

The waiting is so hard, and the painful moments more intense than any I have ever witnessed.

The cries of anguish that I’ve seen and heard are heartbreaking.

Sigh.

I watched as Madison’s parents comforted one another in a corner of the waiting room.  I pulled my eyes away in an attempt to respect their privacy.  I cannot imagine having to live out their darkest hours in front of so many people…such raw emotions.

These are incredible people, though…so generous to share Madison with all of us.

Last night, my church held a service for the youth group…a time for them to honor Madison by sharing their favorite memories of her…a time for praying for her and her family…a time for comforting one another.

Like the previous night’s prayer vigil at the school’s gymnasium, the Gospel was preached by one of my church’s youth pastors.

It was INCREDIBLE!

I sat and watched as a room full of students sat in rapt attention as the Gospel of Jesus Christ was presented.

Three youngsters gave their hearts to Jesus during this time.

Tears rolled down my face as I considered that Madison’s accident may have been the catalyst for three more souls joining the family of God.

After the service, I watched as Madison’s friends wrote messages on posters…words that will one day bring comfort to her family…

It’s difficult to watch these youngsters grieve.

As we know, though, grief is a part of life, although it kind of stinks to have to grieve over someone so young.

What amazed me as I watched these students after the service was the way they comforted one another.

I watched as a group of five gentlemen gathered into a huddle, put their arms around each other, and prayed.

In fact, my jaw dropped.

I wanted to pull out my phone and snap a photo (blogger that I am), but I didn’t.

For two reasons.

1)  My battery was almost dead, and

2)  Despite the public venue, it was one of those private moments that a photo would have intruded upon.

Still, the image is burned into my mind.

As the minutes ticked by, I watched as these kids’ tears turned to laughs and, in true teenager fashion, they left…many of them smiling.

That is what Madison would have preferred because, as I’ve already mentioned before, she is a child with a quick smile and a hearty laugh.

As so we left…returning to our homes to continue praying for this young life that has touched so many…waiting for the Lord to do His thing…smiling to ourselves at the distinct possibility that Madison is choosing her own time to meet Him…probably using this time to plan her grand entrance into Heaven…true Madison style.

Oh, and before I forget, I want to share this song, which someone in town wrote and recorded in honor of Madison.  He wrote it after reading a newspaper article about her accident.

This song bespeaks of how one life can touch another…especially a life as vibrant as Madison’s.

Filed under: children, This-n-That | Tagged: , , | 5 Comments »

Can We Donate Her Smile Too?

Posted on June 24, 2012 by auburnchick

Thank you for the prayers you’ve been offering for Madison, the young woman I wrote about in my previous post.

As of this writing, her condition is about the same.  I visited the hospital yesterday morning and received a grim greeting from her mother.  The prognosis was still dire, and nobody was sure if she would make it past the day.

As such, the hospital began allowing those outside of her immediate family to visit her ICU room.

This ranks as one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.

Saying goodbye to her mother as I left that room was equally as difficult.  She and her husband were trying so hard to be strong, and she told me to, “Take care of Chicky and Guy Friend.”

Once again, she was thinking of others.

What do you say in response to that?

“I love you.  I’m praying for you.”

That’s about all you can say.

Conversations flew back and forth in the waiting room and via phone calls after I’d left to spend time with my own crew at home.

I called my friend, Barb, who is very close to Madison’s family.  She said that Madison’s mom had asked the organ donation specialist if they could donate Madison’s smile because it simply lit up a room.

Such a fitting thing to say.

Madison didn’t just smile with her lips, though.  Her entire face lit up.  Being quite the energetic child, her face could have lit up an entire city every time something struck her fancy!

Barb’s son made the comment that whoever gets Madison’s heart better have a huge chest.

True statement.

Madison is generous to a fault.

A prayer vigil was quickly organized, and all were welcome to attend.  It was held at the high school Madison attended…where her parents teach.

The gym was full…to overflowing.

What a wonderful service as we were led in prayer.  The Gospel was also presented.

There were a lot of hugs and tears as we reached out to one, drawn together by our collective love for Madison and her parents and brother.

If she could have seen it, she would have smiled…probably jumped in the middle of the floor and asked, in a loud voice, “Who started the party without me?”

Please continue to lift her family in your prayers.  They still have some hard decisions to make but are trying to let things naturally play out.

Please pray the God will give them the strength and endurance they need to get through the next several days.

Filed under: children, This-n-That | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Please Pray for Madison

Posted on June 23, 2012 by auburnchick

Yesterday evening, one of our town’s young adults got into a terrible car accident.

Chicky had just come home for the weekend, and the family was headed out to dinner when we saw two ambulances pass us by, sirens flashing.

We had no idea they were on their way to the accident.

It wasn’t until a couple of hours later that Rooster texted me from church and told me that this young lady, Madison, was in the hospital and the prognosis was not good.

Madison just finished her first year at our local state college.  Her parents are teachers at the high school that Chicky and Rooster attended.  In fact, both of my children have had them as teachers, and I subbed for them frequently.  They have a son who was in Rooster’s graduating class.

Chicky and I prayed for Madison before I headed to the hospital.

When I got there, it seemed as if half of the school and faculty were there.

Madison is on a ventilator.  She broke her neck in the accident.

The situation is dire.

Her parents came into the waiting room and made their way around.

As I hugged Madison’s mom, I was astounded when I heard her first words to me, “How’s Chicky?”

Instead of thinking of herself, she asked about my girl.

That’s how she is.

That’s how Madison is.

Then, her mom asked, “How’s Guy Friend?”

Those have also been the questions she’s greeted me with ever since the kids graduated.  She adores them both.

She puts kids first.

My heart is breaking for this family.  Watching Madison’s parents try to be strong during what is the most gut-wrenching experience is difficult.

Please pray for Madison.

I’m not a doctor, but I am a gal who has faith that God is bigger than the circumstances that are surrounding this precious girl and her family.

Please pray for them…for healing…for strength…and for trust in whatever comes to pass.

Filed under: This-n-That | 2 Comments »

What Keeps a Reading Teacher Busy During the Summer?

Posted on June 22, 2012 by auburnchick

Ever wonder how a new reading teacher spends his or her summer?

Taking classes to become a better teacher, of course!

I’m enrolled in the third of five 60-hour reading classes.  The classes are online, which is very convenient.  I’ve created screen captures of the course information…

How the program works is that the classes are divided into nine or ten “sessions.”  The classes are sort-of self-paced.  What this means is that you need to maintain regular progress, but you can work ahead.  The classes run for ten weeks, and you’re only allowed to take one class at a time.

There are assignments associated with most sessions, and, with the exception of the quizzes (there’s usually one per class), the assignments must be approved by the instructor of the course.

If an assignment isn’t approved, the person taking the class resubmits the assignment after making the required changes.

The goal is mastery…exactly what we, as teachers, strive for in our own classes.

Here’s what my course log looks like right now…

As you can see, I’ve completed all of my assignments (only two weeks into the class).  I’m waiting for approval on three of them and keeping my fingers crossed that I won’t have to fix them.

While this may seem like a lot, and it can be during the school year when one is teaching and trying to take these classes, the experience, overall, is positive because the information presented in the classes is both practical and insightful.

For all of those naysayers who claim that teachers have it easy…that they have holidays and summers off…I say HA, HA, HA!

Yes, the summer is time for us to relax, a bit, but the learning increases as teachers continue to take classes, attend inservices, and reflect deeply about what they want to accomplish during the upcoming school year.

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Dementor’s Kiss

Posted on June 21, 2012 by auburnchick

I’m slowly reading my way through the Harry Potter series.  I’m about halfway finished with the third book…

Monday evening, as I neared the end of Chapter 12, I had to pause and do some thinking.

This is the part of the book in which Harry is trying to find a way to fight off the dementors that have been torturing him.  The dementors serve as guards of Azkaban, the prison where wayward witches and wizards serve out their sentences.

The dementors are, true to the definition of the word, demented…torturing their charges in unimaginable ways.

The dementors have been sent to Hogwarts, where Harry attends school, to hunt for an escaped criminal, Sirius Black, who is supposed to be after Harry.

Every time Harry comes across a dementor, he hears his dead parents’ voices and faints.

Professor Lupin tries to help Harry fight off the dementors with a charm, and in the process, the professor explains the ultimate effect of the torture…the Dementor’s Kiss.

“They call it the Dementor’s Kiss,” said Lupin, with a slightly twisted smile.  “It’s what dementors do to those they wish to destroy utterly.  I suppose there must be some kind of mouth under there, because they clamp their jaws upon the victim and – and suck out his soul.”

Harry accidentally spat out a bit of butterbeer.

“What – they kill – ?”

“Oh no,” said Lupin.  “Much worse than that.  You can exist without your soul, you know, as long as your brain and heart are still working.  But you’ll have no sense of self anymore, no memory, no…anything.  There’s no chance at all of recovery.  You’ll just exist.  As an empty shell.  And your soul is gone forever…lost.”

Lupin then explains that this is the fate that awaits Sirius Black.

Harry sat stunned for a moment at the idea of someone having their soul sucked out through their mouth.  But then he thought of Black.

“He deserves it,” he said suddenly.

“You think so?” said Lupin lightly.  “Do you really think anyone deserves that?”

“Yes,” said Harry defiantly.  “For…for some things…”

I read those words and could not help but think about what awaits us at the end of our lives.

For those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, heaven and eternity with God is what we’ll be privileged to experience.

However, those who die without faith in Jesus Christ as the risen Savior, will be like those prisoners of Azkaban…living as if their souls have been sucked out of their bodies…living only as shells for all of eternity.

Perhaps there will be memories…of loved ones who did commit their lives to serving Jesus Christ and are, thus, living out eternity in heaven.

Perhaps there will be memories of lost chances…times when the Gospel was presented but the truth rejected.

I cannot imagine living out eternity in such a way, and it saddens me for those who will.

While I do not judge, my heart feels as if it’s been ripped in half as I consider that, most likely, my own dad will be one of those who won’t be in heaven to greet me one day.

To my knowledge, he never trusted in the Lord and even outright rejected God’s Word (the Bible) during a conversation we had.

It broke my heart to hear it, but it was his choice.

Just as it’s everyone’s choice.

Hard truths but sound theology.

God demands payment for sin.

There was only ONE who fulfilled that requirement.

Do we, as Professor Lupin asked, deserve our fate?

It doesn’t matter what we think.  It’s what God decrees, and He’s in charge.

Food for thought…

Via Harry Potter.

Who would have thunk it, eh?

Filed under: Books | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Next Page »