• 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

    • 195,707 hits

Senior Night

Posted on November 7, 2011 by auburnchick

Last Thursday night, Podunk High School had its last home football game for the season.

As such, it was dubbed “Senior Night.”

The school would be honoring the senior members of the football team, cheerleading squad, and band.

As you know, Rooster is a senior this year.

I wasn’t sure how I felt going into the evening.  I figured I would be a bit emotional.

The presentation was held right before the game started.

It was very well organized.

Moms were given beautiful corsages to wear…

The football players were announced first, followed by the cheerleaders.

The band went third.

It was obvious that they had saved the best for last.

😉

We were lined up alphabetically.

Band members were dressed in their formal uniforms.

At nearly six feet tall, Rooster towered over the Mr. and me.

We enjoyed some light conversation as we waited on the sideline.  We even joked with other parents about performing silly antics when it was our turn in the limelight.  After all, it was our time to shine.  We’d waited for this moment for a long time.

There were people posted along the way.  I think they were there to direct us, but as we paused at each stopping point, we were congratulated with warm words and firm handshakes.

We made our way to the 40-yard line.

We paused.

We walked from the sideline to the middle of the field and paused again.

I put my arm through Rooster’s crooked elbow.

As I laid my hand on his uniform-clad arm, I felt the seriousness of the moment.

We moved forward to the 50-yard line…the center of the field…and made a sharp turn left.

We were facing the ROTC members who were lined up with their swords held aloft to form a canopy…

That's not us, but I wanted you to see what it looked like from the stands. I took this picture after we had finished our turn.

We took a deep breath.

I prayed that I wouldn’t do something dumb like trip over my own feet.

The administrator doing the announcing was my sweet friend, Carol.  She’s been a big supporter of mine.  I knew she would say my name properly (silent “h”).

It seemed surreal…making that short walk with Rooster.

I felt such pride in the amazing young man standing beside me.

His strong arm propelled me forward…toward a future that will one day see him leaving home to begin his new adventure as a college student.

We stopped for the “official” picture…the moment captured for posterity…our smiles reflecting our joy…mine masking the bittersweet feelings inside.

I didn’t have much time for musing though.  The ROTC presented colors after all of the seniors had been recognized…

The football team ran through the spirit banner…the last time many of those guys would play as the home team…

The rain that fell during the opposing team’s halftime show did nothing to dampen spirits…

By the time Podunk High School’s band took the field, the rain had stopped.  However, the woodwind section had put all of their instruments away to protect them, so they hummed the notes while they marched and held up invisible instruments.  I wish I could show you photos, but I don’t want to post pictures of the students’ faces.  It was quite a sight though!

After halftime, the drumline settled in on the track and played various cadences.  This has always been one of my favorite portions of the games…

Look at those wet drums!

I didn’t arrive home until after ten o’clock.

It had been a long, emotional day.

I was beat.

It was my last Senior Night.

I wondered, as I do even now while I’m typing this, where the time went.

It seems like only a few days ago when Chicky was walking across the soccer field for her Senior Night.  Now, she’s a sophomore in college.

Soon, I’ll be bidding adieu to my boy…my easy-going (most of the time) child who seems to genuinely enjoy hanging out with me.

The formality of the evening…uniform, corsage, ROTC swords…made everything seem so official.

And it was.

And it continues to be.

I can’t turn back time.

I can’t even will it to slow down.

All I can do is march along with it, do the best I can to keep up, and enjoy every moment.

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

The Best Laid Plans

Posted on October 30, 2011 by auburnchick

When I was pregnant with my babies, I sang them a lot of songs.

One of them was the following…

Well, my efforts were not in vain.

Today, Rooster informed us that he has decided to attend Auburn.

We took him out to celebrate.

We couldn’t be more thrilled. Orange and blue run through this family’s veins with several graduates among us.

Rooster plans on trying out for Auburn’s band. We’re keeping our fingers crossed. How neat would it be to attend football games and watch him play?! Perhaps my days of being a drumline mom aren’t over yet!

Rooster also received notification that his grades qualify him for the Honors College.

Smart child that the Lord has blessed me with. I’m so thankful and humble.

Please pray that, as we begin making preparations for next year, the pieces will fall into place…that he will find out about the Christian organizations on campus (I know there are quite a few) so that he will keep his goals focused on God’s will for his life.

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

A Mini-Vacation

Posted on October 23, 2011 by auburnchick

I realize that I’ve been quiet the last few days, but I had a good reason.

You see, I went on an impromptu mini-vacation…sort-of.

I drove down to Lakeland on Thursday after I finished teaching first period.  I was going to be attending training on Friday…

My training was scheduled smack dab in the middle of two of Chicky’s games, so by going down early and staying an extra two days, I squeezed in a lot of fun!

Because I had left home so early, I was able to attend Chicky’s game on Thursday night, where I snapped off this photo…

I spent the evening in the hotel with the other teachers who had also gone down for training.

We got up early the next morning and proceeded to have loads of fun at our Kagan training (more on that in a different post).

We got finished early enough that I was able to attend Guy Friend’s soccer game.  The girl’s team had fun cheering on the boys…

That evening, I stayed with Chicky in her dorm room.  I had asked if I could, and her roommates had given the okay.  I had promised not to be in the way and crimp Chicky’s style.  Chicky went with her teammates to her coach’s house to watch game footage, so I stayed behind.

I was one tired puppy from my day of training and crashed at 10pm.  I was dead to the world when Chicky came in later that night.

The next morning, she was up early to take a friend to a hair appointment.

I had the morning to myself, where I ran to Starbucks for hot chocolate and then had a knock-down, drag-out yelling match with my GPS, who decided to take me, unbidden, down a toll road in my quest to purchase gas at a Sam’s Club.

I was ticked off, let me tell you.

You should have seen me throwing things out of my glove compartment, desperate to find my SunPass, which emitted a low, ominous “Low Balance” double honking sound.

Grrr.

I went back to the college a different way and threatened the GPS within an inch of her electronic life.

She obeyed.

Chicky returned to her room, but I stayed out of her way, as promised.  I was content to sit in her room and knit while I listened to the idle stream of chatter in the main room.

My heart swelled with longing.  It’s been too long since I’ve heard females giggle as they gossip in whispered tones.

It was interesting to observe their pre-game preparations as well.

A few of the girls headed to the locker room an hour early to have a “party.”  Chicky decided to go along.  I was proud as I heard the girls say, “It’s not a party without you there.”

I’m so happy that she’s accepted and loved.

Eventually, I made my way out to the field…

It was a cool day.  The sun was shining brightly though.  It was glorious!

I always love watching the girls pray before their games.  In a world where Christ is often shunned…where students and teachers aren’t allowed to mention God’s Word…this sight is both refreshing and soothing…

I smiled as I watched the girls go through their he-woman pump-it-up chants…

Saturday was the last home game, so it had been designated as Senior Day, when the two eldest (*ahem*) players on the team were honored…

Chicky and her teammates played their hearts out, and they won Saturday’s game (not as great an outcome on Thursday night, I’m afraid).

I returned to Chicky’s dorm, opting out of dinner since the group was going to Five Guys.  It’s not exactly a vegan-friendly place.

That was fine with me, though.  I can be somewhat of a loner, so I sat, instead, with the second installment of The Hunger Games.

Chicky came back after dinner, and we watched Chopped together before she headed to another teammate’s house to watch a movie.

As I said, I didn’t want to crimp her style.  I’m trying to mend my relationship with Chicky, and getting in her way wasn’t about to be a part of the night’s plans.

I went to bed around 11:30 and heard her come in around 1am.  Gulp.  She’s almost an adult.  I didn’t say anything except to ask if she’d had fun.

I got up this morning at the early hour of 6am and, after giving Grumpy Girl a kiss, headed home…

My mini-vacation was over.

As I write this, I feel inspired from the training and refreshed from seeing my baby girl, who doesn’t have a clue how desperately I long just to be in the same room with her.  Words don’t have to be exchanged.  Simply being is enough for me.

It must be a mama thing.

Filed under: children, Vacation | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

The Migration

Posted on October 20, 2011 by auburnchick

Dear Chicky,

I’m not sure if you remember your science lessons from of old.

If not, please allow me to refresh your young memory.

When the weather turns cold, birds migrate to the south.

Well, your birdie of a Mama (AuburnCHICK)…and don’t you start saying that I’m flighty and all…is heading south.

That’s right.

I’m heading your way…

To your little ole college town in fact.

Though I’m going down to attend an educational seminar, the timing could not have been more perfect.

You see, I’m going to be able to watch not one but two of your games!

And so, while I’m there, I hope you won’t mind welcoming me into your home away from home (or nest away from nest, if you will).

In between games and educational training stuff, we can spend some quality feather-to-feather time.

I’m sure you’re looking forward to this as much as I am.

If not, play along.

Christmas is right around the corner.

😉

See you soon!

Love,

Mama

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

The Results Are In

Posted on October 13, 2011 by auburnchick

If you read yesterday’s post (Question #8 – Random Thought), you saw that my Chicky was awaiting the results from an MRI that she had undergone on her shoulder.  The concern was that she had torn a ligament or tendon or something that’s inside that part of the body.

She was scheduled to get her results first thing in the morning…

I had to teach, but I told her that I’d call her as soon as I got out of class.  I have second period planning, you see, and so I wouldn’t have to wait long.

I nervously called.

When she answered the phone, I listened for clues as to how she was feeling.

You know the drill.  If you care about anyone (in other words, if you’re breathing), you always look for ways to determine how your loved ones are really feeling…especially if you’re communicating long-distance.

I didn’t even have to ask a question when she answered:

“Mama.  Nothing’s torn.  I probably have a strained ligament.”

Oh my gosh.

Tears filled my eyes.

I told her this, and she chuckled.

I assured her that I had not been worried and had accepted the fact that we would get through whatever came our way.

Still, she understood my tears of happiness.

She told me she was, of course, relieved as well.

This is a girl who LOVES the game of soccer.

I know I’ve only said this a time, or two, or three, but she really does.

I’ve seen this girl child play with bronchitis (don’t be a hater, but the girl was going to walk across the state if I didn’t drive her to the tournament).

She’s played with a 104 degree temperature and the stomach virus.

So, she’ll resume her play, but she’ll be sporting a shoulder brace, specially ordered (thanks to a teammate’s father).

Chicky will work out with the team’s trainer to get full range of motion, and God will do the rest.

Thank you so much for your prayers.  I am POSITIVE that God heard each and every one of them.

Filed under: children | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

Another Busy Weekend

Posted on October 2, 2011 by auburnchick

Yeah, I know…I’ve been MIA for a couple of days.

Here are your clues as to why…

Ok…so, Friday night found me on the football field, watching THE rivalry game between Rooster’s high school team and the school where I teach.

Although I rooted for Podunk High School to win…consider that I’ve got seven years vested in this school…seven years of my own children’s education invested there…my hurt lurched with an abundance of love for the other team, fans, and fellow teachers and staff.

I’m proud to say that Rooster’s school won on the field.  The bands, though, BOTH came out winners.  They played their hearts out, kept the crowds entertained, and conducted themselves with class.

My weekend wasn’t over, though.

More clues…

Yep.

The Mr. and I drove down to watch Chicky’s team play a game.

Chicky was having a good game…doing her thing…

Until she went down.

My hurt nearly stopped in fear, and my stomach began to turn.

She tried to get up but couldn’t, trying to crawl on all fours.

I looked at the Mr. in concern.

Sigh.

I hate being a soccer mom sometimes.

It only took a minute before she got up and walked down the sideline.

Praise the Lord!

However, all was not completely well.

She went back into the game and played.

As the second half started, and she began her run down my side of the field, she turned to me and said that her shoulder had popped out of its joint, but it had gone back in.

Her brave smile masked her pain.

She came off the field after the game with her shoulder wrapped in saran wrap…a huge bag of ice secured to her right arm.

Sigh.

She was crying too.

My eyes nearly filled with tears.

Oh, you think she was crying from pain?

Not my tough-as-nails girl.

Nope.

She was crying because she blamed herself for two of the goals that the other team had scored…all because she couldn’t lean into people and get in their way like she normally does.

Sigh.

This child…um…nearly grown daughter of mine…is driven…determined not to let her team down.

Over the years, she’s played with a 104 temperature, bronchitis, and other ailments.

This child rarely allows herself to be pulled from a field…for any reason.

She changed her clothes while we watched the men’s team play.

When she returned, she sat with her teammates, and she began to recover emotionally from the let-down of the game.

We wound up having some fun…all while she sat with that bag of ice on her shoulder…ever the reminder that she was hurt.

I can’t tell you how hard it was to leave my girl behind as we drove home today.

Tomorrow, she’s going to be evaluated by the team’s trainer, and a course of action will be determined based on his findings.

Please pray for her.  God is the healer.  I know this.  I’m praying, though, for wisdom and, ultimately, a full recovery for my sweet baby girl.

Please say a prayer for Guy Friend as well.  He came off the field sporting his own bag of ice, saran-wrapped to his ankle.

Quite the couple, let me tell you.

Filed under: children, soccer | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

One-Sided Phone Conversations

Posted on September 6, 2011 by auburnchick

Last night’s phone conversation with Chicky went something like this:

“Hello.”

“Hello.”

“What’s up?”

“Just got home from the game.  I’m waiting for the shower.”

“Ok.  How was the game?”

“We won, 3-0.”

“Yes, I heard the first half wasn’t good.”

“No, we were a little lazy.”

“I heard that you hustled.  Did you have an assist?”

[insert a brief description of a possible assist]

“How’s your week looking?”

“Fine.  We leave on Thursday for games next weekend.”

“Good.”

“The shower’s free.  I’ve gotta go.”

“Ok. I love you.”

“Bye.”

That was it.

This is fairly typical.

I often wonder when the conversations will change…when they will become two-sided…a little about her and a little about me.

Call this selfish or indulgent if you want, but it would be nice to have this almost-adult child of mine express an interest in my life.

Sigh.

Hormonal?

Perhaps.

Still, the desire lingers on.

Maybe one day…

 

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

Pele Misses His Mama

Posted on August 9, 2011 by auburnchick

Dear Chicky,

I know you are away at school, having a grand old time during preseason activities; however, I felt the need to tell you that the house is empty without you.

Everywhere I go, I feel your absence, and that includes the bathroom, where I don’t think your sink has been this clean in years…

Even the dogs miss you…especially Pele, who spent part of the day waiting for you outside of your bedroom door…

Of course, your brother misses you too, feeling the need to spend time in your room…

He misses you so much that he set up his drums at the foot of your bed.  He feels that being near to the place where you placed your head and dreamed sweet dreams each night will inspire him to play his music with a finesse that even Ringo Starr would admire.

Keep on having a good time.

We’ll just stay where we are…pining away for you.

Love,

Mama

Filed under: children | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

The Verdict

Posted on June 17, 2011 by auburnchick

Chicky went back to the doctor today…for a follow-up appointment…and to hear the results from the blood work she had done on Monday.

Guess what she has?

Not mono.

Not Lyme Disease.

The Strep culture is still out, but the doctor doesn’t think she has that either based on her other blood component levels.

Basically, she had a really nasty viral infection.

Go figure.

Chicky has now been given the green light to stop taking the antibiotic, which means that we now have three of them sitting in the cabinet.

When we got in the car, I teasingly told Chicky that I believed she had faked the entire illness in her desire to get attention.

She’s like that, you know.

I further reasoned that she also needed a new reason to grump at me, and she probably knew her actions would be forgivable because she was “sick.”

She laughed as I shared my revelations with her.

Then she grumped at me about…well…who knows exactly.  All I can remember is that she has fussed non-stop since we left the place.

My Chicky is back.

I could not be happier.

By the way, we want to thank everyone who prayed for her during the course of the week.  This was the sickest I’d seen Chicky since she was a baby.  Her symptoms were quite frightening as well.

The Bible promises that there is power in numbers, and your prayers certainly were heard.

Thank you all!!

Filed under: children | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

One Tired Mama

Posted on June 14, 2011 by auburnchick

I am one tired mama.

Last Friday, Chicky came home from work sick.

I got her into the doctor’s office that afternoon.  You probably remember my post about that.

Well, Chicky got through Friday night.

Saturday night was a different matter.

Chicky’s body started hurting…badly.  She called me into her room, and she was crying.

Beyond giving her two Motrin, there was nothing I could do for her.

It was a very frustrating feeling.

I decided to sleep on the floor in her room.  I needed to be near her.

She slept okay, despite the pain.  We slept through church.  I’m sure God understood.

Sunday started out alright, and Chicky had a decent day.

The nighttime was something else.

Her joint pain started early in the evening.

It got worse as the night progressed.

I had stayed up until 1:45 knitting (yes, I’m getting in my fix although I’m so busy doing other things).

When I went to bed, I put my phone on my nightstand.  I usually turn it off and leave it in the kitchen, but I was concerned that I would sleep too late the next day and miss phone calls.

Thank goodness I left it on.

Around 3:30, I got a text from Chicky:  “Mama, my legs hurt really badly.  I can’t sleep.”

I hopped out of bed, grabbed a couple of Motrin and Gatorade, and headed in.

She was miserable…crying…uncomfortable.

Sigh.

I went back to bed upset and frustrated.

Unable to sleep, I got up and decided to do some research.  I could not understand why Chicky’s joints were hurting.

First, I checked the side effects of the antibiotic she was on.

Nada.

I decided since I was wide awake, I would hop online.

Now, a mama who jumps online and googles “joint pain” will find herself fretting over a dozen ailments that pop up.

It was ugly.

I couldn’t make myself stop, though.

I didn’t shut the computer down until around 8am, when I finally decided to rest on the couch…only after I had called the doctor’s office and begged them fit her in.  She got an 11:45 appointment.

I dozed off for about an hour before Chicky got up.

She acted like she was feeling better.

Then she started going downhill.

It was not pretty.

We went to the doctor, and he ordered up an assortment of blood tests.  He’s checking for Strep, mono, Lyme Disease, and some other stuff.

He also changed her antibiotic to something stronger and provided her with a prescription for pain medicine.

As soon as I got the prescriptions filled, I gave her the first dosage.

The pain medicine kicked in immediately, and it was a joy to see her smile.  She felt good enough to dye my hair, although I’ll admit that I was somewhat concerned that I would wind up with blue hair.  LOL

The main problem after that became her stomach pain, which became almost intolerable.

Poor girl…the antibiotics were doing a number on her…and I listened to her moan all evening.

We did sleep well, though, but I found myself utterly exhausted this morning.

I spent three hours working in the kitchen…fixing her breakfast…making her take her medicine…refilling her cup every so often with more Gatorade…fixing lunch for her and Rooster.

I finally took a nap on the couch…a three-hour nap.

I haven’t worked on my EPI classes much the last two days.

My brain just doesn’t have the energy to function at the level it needs to.

At this point, Chicky is spending her time running back and forth from the couch/bed to the restroom.  Her back still hurts from the virus, but the pain is must more tolerable.

We’re waiting for the doctor to call with the results from the tests he ordered up, and she has a follow-up appointment on Friday.

I am one tired mama, but I am also extremely grateful that this happened during the summer when she could be home with me, and I could be home with her tending to her every need.

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

« Previous Page — Next Page »
  • January 2026
    S M T W T F S
     123
    45678910
    11121314151617
    18192021222324
    25262728293031

  • Currently Reading

  • Books I’ve Read