Life According to Seuss Part 4

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”

-Dr. Seuss

That Dr. Seuss who knew he was so wise! I love this quote!! I think this should be my life motto. Lots of things in our lives have ended...death of a parent, death of a business, moving nine times, changing schools, children moving and getting married. All are very sad events, but what a joy the memories were.

Today driving home from Madison I saw a horse trailer. A smile came over my face as I remembered hauling two kids around the country. What a time we had. Sometimes it brings a tear to my eye that God never saw fit to give Dan the success he sooo deserved. However, at the same time a smile crossed my face because it happened.

I've seen death and lived with it...it holds no fear. I've had a promising business, stayed at home and raised a family to see it all end in bankrupcy. I've left wonderful schools and friends and thought I'd never have either of them again. I've watched two boys go off to college, and one get married and regretted that we were so tied to that business that failed. Yet, they have life experiences that others will never get.

So yeah I think I'll smile because it all happened.

Life According to Seuss Part 3

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”    -Dr. Seuss

Okay, perhaps in your day this was true, but I don't know about today. I think we've got to many people in the world saying what they think...movie stars, politicians...with little thought to the fallout.

The Bible has a very different take on this thought.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.

James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

1 Peter 3:10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

Yes, Dr. Seuss there is are times when we should speak our minds, but those times are few in between these days. We now live in a society of people who believe it is their right to speak whatever pops in their minds and it is okay.

Oh, be careful little lips what you say...

Life According to Seuss Part 2

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

-Dr. Seuss

After 26+ years of marriage I think this is definately true. One thing about Dan is he is exactly what I prayed for as a single woman of 22. We met when I was 23 in Sunday School and for me it was love at first sight. Which was a very strange experience, considering I didn't see him again for about 5 months because of job obligations. I remember coming home from our first offical date in September 1983 and praying that if he wasn't the one I never wanted him to call again, because I knew it would be too painful to date and then have him move on. By March 3, 1984 we were married!

I wish I could say that the years have all been easy, but they haven't. However, there is a comfort that comes in knowing that I go to sleep at night and wake up the next morning with someone who loves me (in spite of all my faults) and I love him. The other day I made a comment about the fact that he starts the dishwasher and never has all the dirty dishes in it. He looked at me and said, "You know when I look at you I never see anything wrong with you." That pretty much sums up true love. Love is the ability to see on the best in the one you love.  It  is also the security of knowing that the one you have is the only one you'll ever want.

Life According to Seuss Part 1

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

-Dr. Seuss

Hard to believe the first of July and my thoughts are already turning to a new group of students I've never meet. However, one look over the class role and I know I'm in for a long year. Again I will have the struggling students. Those barely reading at a 3rd grade level. Yet, I wonder how would their life be changed if they really believed the simple wisdom of Dr. Seuss, that they are unique.

When I was growing up my Grandmother always said things like, "You'll be the first woman govenor of Oklahoma, or the first woman president." Then she'd always say you can be whatever you want to be. And guess what...I believed her.

I remember when I was ready to start college, my mom had died, and her boss Sam Noble came for a visit. He said college was taken care of and if I'd go into computer sciences I'd have a job with his company the rest of my life. My grandmother thought I should take the offer. Then I looked at her and said, "But I really want to be a teacher." She truly believed it didn't matter, just be the best you can be. So of course I believed whatever she said.

Wonder if my students ever hear that anymore.One day in a meeting I was discussing how many of my babies were below grade level and what was I going to do. That's when my principal said, "The difference is when they are with you they think they can do it, because you think they can do it."

And you know what..I do!

If they could only see that they are unique and full of possibility and potential. That they are the only "you" that God made. Wonder if there lives would change. Folks it is a class list that would could make a grown woman cry, or become an alcoholic! But for some reason I believe we are all going to be brought together for a purpose. I will need them as much as they need me.

We will be makin' each other into just what God intended.