Please Pray

Hey Friends,

My grandfather is having surgery on Tuesday morning for a tumor that they found in his bladder this week. He had quadruple bypass surgery 6 years ago and almost died, and since then we've been told his heart is too weak to survive any further surgeries. The urologist said there's no option here....the tumor must come out (whatever that means????). Anyway, they've warned us in very blunt terms of the seriousness of this surgery on Tuesday. He's 84 and has had a good life, but I'm still not ready to lose him. It's going to be hard to be at work Tuesday, but since I don't really have the time to take off I feel I must be. If something happens to him I'll need my days then.

Please pray that he'll come through surgery okay....or better yet, that God's will be done. If it's his time, pray my family will be able to accept that answer, too.

Thanks,
Stefanie

RTI

I was tired of looking at that last post, so I decided I just had to update even if I felt I really had nothing earth-shattering to say. Today, work was rough. The new RTI regulations are going to be the death of me. I had quite a breakdown today with the stress of it all. I think I need to get out of my classroom more. In 11 years of teaching, I've always guarded my lunchtime as precious and have taken that time to visit and bond with my colleagues. I've even preached to others about the virtues of "getting out of the classroom" even if just for a little bit. For some strange reason this year I've begun eating in my room and working through lunch. (Actually, I know the reason......)

Bad decision...not only am I more stressed, but I'm also more lonely. I don't feel as connected to my colleagues. I'm missing the comaraderie and support that comes from being with friends. I'm alone half the time when at home, so choosing to be so at work, too, is not very smart. My most recent goal for the new year is to get out of my shell and get back into life. Things will undoubtedly get better!

PaPaw

Today is my PaPaw's birthday, and also the 16th anniversary of his death. I looked hard for a picture of him to post, and was saddened to find I had none. That's one of the many ugly things about divorce...you sometimes lose some of your memories in pictures when that happens. I plan to do something about that!

Anyway, it's so hard to believe it's been 16 years. There are so many things I remember about him. He was a massive man...tall, big, and gruff, even though he mellowed greatly in his latter years. I can still see him in his Texaco shirt (he owned a Texaco station in Mt. Pleasant for years) sitting in his recliner and counting his wad of bills. I remember being so awed by that stack of money. I don't know if he didn't go to the bank everyday or what, but he always had a stack in that money clip! He was a survivor of the Great Depression, though, and didn't let go of it too easily.

I can remember going with him to the farm to feed the cows, feed the catfish in his stocked ponds, and work in his garden. I spent the night with them every Friday night and stayed all day on Saturday, and he was always busy working around the place or at the station. He didn't tolerate any nonsense though, and when he spoke you jumped! :)

So many memories.....seems like just yesterday. Rest in Peace, PaPaw! I love you!