I am Thankful...

     This morning I received an e mail from a person who I see as a friend as she does me, yet we haven't seen one another in about five years and she only lives an hour away. We vent to one another, celebrate and think things over to one another. At the end her email said, I am Thankful. Like many others I too have used that phrase. But we lead such busy lives we forget what others are going through and if we can help.
     About a week ago a much older woman stopped me, asking to talk to me outside. She explained her car trouble. I went to see her mechanic and asked if I can make arrangements to pay or pay part of it. He then told me, she just wants it fixed, a minute' oil leak which entails a lot of things having to come apart, and that it isn't  a need. The next day I took my car in for inspection and the owner took me outside to let me know that maybe I could buy that woman groceries. I did. I bought her a gift card at a local market asked the post lady to put in in her box, not saying it was me. Okay one thing done. What bothered me was this woman has a grown daughter living with her who doesn't help one bit. So is she just hoping mom dies and she'll get the house and car? What to do?
     Today I walked into a local convenience store and asked a young lady how things are going, knowing her situation. It's gone from bad to worse. What to do? In her situation, I do know I can find different kinds of help for her. So that's on my agenda for today and tomorrow before she becomes ill with all that has fallen on her.
       Then I think of my own grown kids as my friend said in that e mail. They never went through what I know many have gone through. Healthy, happy, bust with careers and families, friends and volunteering, from my children, I am thankful, so very, very Thankful.
     I am also thankful for what I have, where I've lived, people who I have known and befriended me, people who live close by me and have been like friends. For all of you I am thankful and I can't go on without mentioning, I am also thankful for three wise men who showed me as a young kid what real men are like. What a coincidence-or was it?

Special Ed. Teachers

       How easily we forget, unless that is we have a child in a Special Ed. Class. We forget that our taxes don't pay enough for these special teachers. Sure our taxes are high and in some areas too high, but it all comes out in the wash. I am thankful to live in America and don't care what other countries have to offer as none compares to my country.

      Soon, school will be out and even more so we'll forget about the patience, the quality, the stress, the love and kindness and education behind these special teachers. So how about showing them, and I know many people don't have money to buy a gift. But think about this; Do you have a special talent you can share with a class to take some stress off a teacher for an hour. What about materials such balls, paper, glue, small scissors and cloth materials. Go in for a morning of teaching as an "expert" in your hobby.
     Here's another suggestion. Is someone in your family a chef, an auto mechanic, a carpenter, an electrician, a plumber or some other skilled profession. Ask them to offer a car check-up, or some kind of repair which takes the place of money, but if you are able to, buy a gift certificate to a nice restaurant. First find out if that teacher had kids, so make it a family time. You don't know if they can get a sitter, so what about a nice night or Saturday afternoon at a local family eatery? What about it? Show your special Ed. Teacher he or she is special too.