In this time of crazy uncertainty, insecure emotions and thoughts are at a peak. Bandaid usage is at an all-time high as we are in constant “fix this, make this work” mode. Anxious behaviors have become the new normal. Fresh and new for some, while a constant for others. 

Throughout my career of working with teenagers, parents, and fellow educators, doom and gloom was just a sidestep away. Those moments of near defeat, however, were a mere drop in my bucket of life compared to the fulfilling gratification I received for my efforts.  No matter the situation, I greeted each new day with positive energy and a simple smile. Often, that was the impetus in facing the battle for these students and families. 

The following poem, “There’s Sunshine in a Smile”, has given me strength and empowerment whenever times have seemed overwhelming and bleak. Uncomplicated truths, it has followed me to countless places and situations.  A continual reminder that something so simple may be all someone else needs.  

“We are in this together. We’ll get through.” Enjoy!

THERE’S SUNSHINE IN A SMILE…

Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain,

Laughter and pleasure, teardrops and pain,

All days can’t be bright, but it’s certainly true,

There’s never a cloud the sun didn’t shine through.

So just keep on smiling whatever betide you,

Secure in the knowledge God is always beside you

And you’ll find when you smile, your day will be brighter,

And all of your burdens will seem so much lighter.

For each time you smile you’ll find that it’s true

Somebody, somewhere will smile back at you,

And nothing on earth can make life more worthwhile

Than the sunshine and warmth of your beautiful smile.

A quick fix when I’m feeling insecure, uncertain, or just pitiful. Too, “Sunshine”  has provided comfort in knowing how important MY smile is to another.

No matter the time. No matter the place. No matter the circumstance. Be that someone today. Help yourself and others to placate, soothe, and move forward. Your smile will help mend, console, or support those broken thoughts. 

Deep breathe, exhale, repeat. The return on your investment will be priceless! 

I engaged in a 35+ year career as an educator of high school students.  Located on the fringes of Flint Michigan, this factory based neighborhood enrolled anywhere from 1,000 to 1,300 teens. With a staff of over 75 adults, my “little red schoolhouse” in this quiet, blue collar community became my home away from home.  

Working primarily with those diagnosed with specific academic, emotional, and physical handicaps my room was a hub of learning, entertainment, and a pinch of anxiety. Serving this silent minority, I spent minimal time knowing or teaching the general population. 

To acquaint myself to the vocal majority, I often took to sponsoring various student organizations; Student Council, Junior Honor Society and the like. Energy-filled, driven, and focused, these students offered me a positive change up. In addition, many of them often stopped by my room. These brief interactions provided positive relations my charges had with peers. A win-win for acceptance and communication. Good as good could get for all.

Along with student interactions, I continually honed my skills to effectively communicate with fellow teachers and administrators. If I offered the proverbial olive branch, these comrades would more readily accept “my” sometimes “difficult” students into their classes. Once again, good as good could get.

Twenty or so years into my career, I was truly “at home”.  I was fully accepted as an  expert of special needs teens. Administrators and teachers alike sought me out to assist in solving behavioral and academic alternatives and simplified classroom management.  I’d advise here and there, they’d accept, educate, and favor me and my tribe. Good as good could get.

“Ah, Josie, I need a big favor from you. Stop by my office by day’s end and we’ll chat.” With his teamwork ethic, Principal Larry had successfully led his teachers and staff. I was ready and willing to hear him out and assist. 

In essence, I agreed to chaperone a group of 30 seniors to Stratford Canada. Leaving school before dawn, we would ride a chartered bus several hours to tour, dine, and attend Shakespeare’s Macbeth. I was assured these students were bright, mature, and well-mannered. Each was responsible for my instructions and words. A break from my classroom, a visit to Canada, and a play to boot was a welcome trade off. I would solely manage this senior troop and at the same time, gain a bit of knowledge and culture. Good as good could get.

Tomorrow came very early. Around the dark hour of 6:00 a.m., students began arriving. Yawning and stretching, they quietly boarded the bus. By 7:00 a.m. we were on our way to commence adventure with Shakespeare. I knew NONE of them!

As the bus slowly crept from the parking lot, I rose from my seat to officially greet and advise these sleepyheads. I suggested they pair up or form small groups. No one was to venture out alone. Because we were traveling to Canada, there would be the mandatory stop at the U.S./Canadian border. Students would have to provide their student ID and answer questions asked of them. Not a time for joking or teasing. Firm and direct, I did not pause for possible mishaps. Best behaviors = Fast entry to Canada. Good as good could get.

Minimal disruptions provided an almost seamless trip. By 11:00 a.m. we had arrived in quaint, charming Stratford. Modeled after the English town, this Shakespearan village was bustling with busses and tour groups. Spring air had a chilly briskness as we inhaled its freshness.

Everyone parted for a short stroll and bite to eat. With tickets in hand, they were advised to promptly be at the Studio Theatre early for the 2:00 p.m. performance. Off they scattered as I took in a deep breath of gratitude. A coffee and light lunch sealed my fate with an afternoon with bards Mac and Lady Mac. 

As expected, my 30 charges arrived at the theatre in a timely fashion. Loads of chatter as they compared foodstuffs, trinkets, and the exchange rate of the dollar. I was a proud momma with her brood of nameless chicks. Good as good could get.

As a side note, knowledge of Shakespeare’s works often prove to be rather basic and rather grim. Deception, greed, fractured ambitions with dark consequences. These factors play well with Good vs Evil. However, in most cases, good does not always prevail, as was the case of Macbeth. We were prepped and ready thanks to a Cliff Notes review. Good as good could get.

The Studio Theatre was a massive replica of London’s original Globe Theatre. Seating was rounded in fashion. Our particular viewing was center front, ideal for up close and personal. At 2:00 p.m. sharp, the lights lowered and the stage was ours.

Grim, dark, dusty, shades of gray appeared. Minimalist scenery consisted of primitive, drab, cement-ike pillars oddly placed among a few benches of the same. Out of the dark came thunder claps and wretched screams. Several of us jumped in our seats as the witches echoed their forewarnings. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair…” 

Within seconds, four actors were visible to the audience. One bantered while the remaining three ran in frantic circles. Vicious tones secured their paranoia. Hoping to make sense of this, the speaker took an aside to speak. With his intense British brogue, his spittle flew in all the wrong places! Fast moving, the three witches changed tones and morphed into another character! 

This interwoven predictables of ambition, greed and untimely death continued as the four actors each played four additional characters. Excessive tirades and spittle persisted. No costume changes, including who impersonated who was not clearly distinguished! If that was a taste of knowledge and culture, good was not as good as it could have been.

All in all, I had learned little of this tragic tale of ambition gone wrong. Cliff Notes and tidbits gathered from these seniors helped gain minimal understanding. The best of this experience was the lasting impression these young adults provided. Mutual respect, maturity, and a few giggles they shared had me hooked as a believer of good. Yes, it was as good as good could be. 

Lessons Learned

Make life as good as good can get. Dwell on the positives and let the negatives fade. You’ll be better for it!

Kids are kids, no matter the age, no matter the size.  Although I had initially feared  my “older, wiser” charges, these responsible seniors made me proud and honored to chaperone this memorable trip.

Thanks for reading!

With the annual tribute of Mother’s Day just around the corner, I am continually reminded of who helped develop my confidence, perseverance, and kindness. Endeared and revered, Mom was the power to be throughout childhood and well into my adult life. She worked endlessly to protect, feed, and nurture her Crazy Eights. It is with deep love and respect that I honor Miss Tootsie, a predictable strength when life was so unpredictable. 

My momma, Tootsie for short,  was a sane and sensible woman. God so cultured her emotional strength and reserve to manage eight children, a loving husband, and a small farm filled with good crazy. A commander, comforter, and comrade, Momma T. so often put others’ needs before her own. 

COMMANDER. 

I’m not certain this woman of strength ever slept! It seemed Momma easily hatched plans to keep her kidlets outside so that she could tend to the business of inside. The garden needed tending. Eggs needed to be gathered and cleaned. Take baby sister to the swing/sandbox/for a wagon ride. Her mind stirring activities were endless. 

As night time drew, Momma would draw the tub with hot, soapy water. Two at a time for baths, no questions of who bathed with whom. Within a few minutes of wet, came the call to scrub each other’s back, rinse, and exit for the next pair of dirty. Gathering the usual dinge and grime of the first four, the tub would be emptied and refilled for the remaining four.  A quick in, scrub, rinse, and out; eight squeaky cleans in less than an hour. Momma commanded the troops and we answered her call. 

The nightly ritual of bedtime by 9:00 p.m. was accompanied by prayers and “Goodnight Mommas” as they echoed through the house. Once in bed, a few giggles here and there were often interrupted by Momma’s directness,  “It’s time to settle and get to sleep. Your dad doesn’t need to be woken up. Goodnight, Goodnight, Goodnight!” That was that. Her customary tone assured us who was in command. 

Was it time for Momma T. to find slumber as well? Not by any means. This was HER time to wash floors, sew new dresses, or sit solo with a hot coffee, cigarette, and enjoy the quiet of drawing up grocery lists, entering contests, or catching a bit of late night with Jack Parr. Limited as it was, bless the time Momma found for herself. 

COMFORTER

Although Momma seemed to rule with her stern voice, she provided doses of comfort. Funny as it seemed, being sick had its benefits. One on one time with Mom was limited until our ills demanded her attention. Little brother Johnny recently recalled a day home from school with Momma was the best get well medicine. Pulling cans of Fresca from outside snowbanks assured him of wellness and her undivided attention. 

I, too, remember the good of being ill. Home sick with something or other, Momma and I  cuddled on the sofa watching the “Price is Right”, Jack Bailey’s, “Queen for a Day”, and her favorite soap, “As the World Turns”. The comforts of Momma with toast and a dish of canned peaches soothed my heart and  tummy. Warm Jello water or Vernor’s sufficed as hydration for queasy. A noxious cold, however, was soothed by hot water laced with honey and a half shot of Kessler’s. Tootsie’s comforts for a bad day.  

COMRADE

Being the second of four sisters, I was the most likely to be without a Friday night date. Momma T. filled in as my counselor and comrade. She was the know-it-all advisor and guide. My spirited soul for popcorn, hot cocoa, and rounds of Scrabble, she made good for my sense of empty.  In reflection, those precious “dates” with her were by far, superior to sitting on cold football bleachers or the like with a boy and limited conversation.

Taking time from school to help Momma with home duties was a rare treat we shared.  Having above average grades, she often inquired, “How’s tomorrow look for you? I need to get bedding washed and dress out about 30 chickens to sell. You wanna stay home and help?”

How could I refuse? Regardless of these despicable tasks, I had Momma’s attention, wisdom, and heart ALL TO MYSELF! We made a great team as I learned many of her survival strategies while at the same time how to defeather, dress out, and cut up a chicken for dinner! Laundry, chickens, chores became delights as I enjoyed Mom’s individual, precious time.

As an adult, Mom continued to impact my life as a wife, mother and teacher. If I was at the end of my thread of patience, thoughts of her strength and calm often emerged. She had raised eight children the best she knew how, while managing a home, husband and farm. She succeeded day to day with her proverbial, “It is what it is” attitude. What was I to fear in my own abilities to juggle life? 

Free counseling and limited advice, Momma style, built up my independence rather than encouraging my negative banter. She was only a phone call away. In retrospect, my life was doable compared to her continuous life as a wife, mother, nurse, gardener, you name it. Her home and children were priority. Her work ethic, a true model. Her support, immeasurable. 

Although she has been gone for nearly ten years, I am in constant reminder of this lady of empowerment. Whenever I need a listening ear or a shot of patience to get through the next hour of crazy, Mom’s face often appears. “It is what it is” echoes in my heart. Yes Momma, YOU will always be my imprint of strength, calm, and good. 

Lessons Learned

Beauty is not who you are on the outside, it is the wisdom and time you give away to save another soul. S. Adler.  Momma T. did this for not only her family, but so many others as well.

All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.  A. Lincoln.   No truer words. 

Thanks for reading!