There Is No App for Shoveling

     Lost and need to find your way?  There is an app for that.   Need to find cheap gasoline?  There is an app for that.  Want to find out what time the movie starts and buy tickets?  There is an app for that.  Want to make dinner reservations?  There is an app for that.   Want to remove 3 feet of snow from your driveway, or shovel your walk?  WHAT?  No app?  What am I going to do?  How will I survive without being able to remedy this situation immediately?  In other words, what has happened to patience and understanding when circumstance is greater than expected?  This past week brought back the reality of not everything being instantly gratified, and not any one person being more important than the other.

     Years ago I lived in a condo complex.  We had a storm that dumped quite a bit of snow in one big wallop. The wind made huge drifts against the cars in my section.  As if that wasn’t enough, the plow packed it up against vehicles building a wall of snow and ice.  Although I had a shovel, I didn’t have the physical strength at the time to dig myself out.  When the storm ended, everyone ventured out of their units to begin the cleanup.  Someone asked to borrow my shovel so that he could clear out his and his wife’s car.  After he was finished, without my asking, he cleared away the snow around mine.  In return, I cleaned the snow off about a dozen cars.  People were smiling, happy, telling jokes, and enjoying the satisfaction of helping others.

     That experience has stayed with me and I have retold the story many times.  I was so grateful for people, in a situation of inconvenience, being there to help.  This week, I saw the same story played out many times on the news.  People in several communities worked together to dig out neighbors, the elderly, schools, and numerous cars. Imagine what could be accomplished if people found a way to help each other on regular basis.

     We live in a world of instantaneous results.  We have forgotten to wait our turn, help our neighbor, and just plain talk to people.  A kind word and a helping hand can go a long way in the emotional well-being of so many.  Something as basic as the use of a shovel can create a great feeling of accomplishment.  Having to wait for the guy who has been plowing for hours, make us appreciate him even more when he arrives on our street or at our home.  In one report, a young man in New Haven, CT, who had been shoveling a good part of the day commented, “It’s all about community.”  How true.  There is no app for that.

Footnote:  I don’t own a phone with apps so I may be wrong in my listings.  I’m sure someone will let me know differently if I am.  : )   Thanks.  Angela

 

Enough is Enough

Official seal of Newtown, Connecticut (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

      On a beautiful Friday morning, the world changed forever.  In Newtown, CT,  26 sweet souls lost their lives in a senseless act of destruction.  I have not been able to shed any tears.  I think I am still in the shock of disbelief.  I am so angry that the perpetrator targeted an elementary school for an act so horrid.   There are no words to explain why this continues to happen in this country.  I heard on one news report that 100,000 Americans have been killed in America, by Americans, since 9/11.  So much focus has been placed on securing our safety from terrorists.   While this is certainly important, the safety of our citizens within our own towns, cities, malls, movie theatres, and schools is another area that deserves immediate attention.

      Our constitution provides the right to bear arms.  This was written at a time in history when the nation was still growing.  It was also essential that people had the ability to hunt for food in order to survive.  Much has changed in the hundreds of years that have passed since its inception.  No one needs a gun that is capable of shooting off multiple rounds of ammunition.  There is no reason for the average citizen to be in possession of this type of assault weapon.  Gun proponents will not be able to convince me that it is right of anyone to own this type of artillery.  Why they continue to have such a hold on our leaders in unacceptable.

    There is much we have ignored.  There are many neighborhoods in this country where its residents live in fear every day.  It has now spilled into areas of the unexpected.  I used to live in the Sandy Hook section of Newtown.  When I became pregnant with my second daughter, my husband and I decided we needed a home with more space.  Eventually we found a home in a neighboring town.  Had we not moved, that same child would have been in Sandy Hook Elementary School.  I agree that never would anyone have thought this could happen in a small community which places a high value on its youth.  Now that it has, we as people need to speak up, act, and work towards building a better society.  If it could happen there, it could happen anywhere.

     Good people in our country should not have to worry that if they go to the movies, or stop for a bite to eat at the mall, they will be in danger.  That if they go to work, they will have to stare into the face of a disgruntled employee.  That if they go to a place of worship, they will be met with evil while they pray.  That if they send their smallest children off to school, they will not come home.  That if they choose a career path of working with those children, they will be forced into a position of having to protect them, and possibly lose their life.

      It is now time for all citizens to send messages to Congress and the President that we need change, and we need it fast.  I am tired of hearing mental illness is the reason for these acts.  I am sure there is more that can be done in that area, but we also need to revise our gun laws, strengthen our communities, and provide a society where people can live without fear, heartache, and left asking why.  Enough is enough.

http://signon.org/sign/gun-control-now-1.fb23?source=s.icn.fb&r_by=6446212

Donating an Old Car

      I finally did it.   After 15 years, I put my old car out to pasture.  It was a hard decision but the time had come when I determined it would take 2 to 3 thousand dollars to keep it going.  After toying for months (ok years) with idea of a new one, I bit the bullet and paid a visit to the dealer.   The old one had close to 181,000 miles on it, needed 4 new tires, a gas tank I couldn’t fill or it would overflow, and showed the wear and tear of a 15-year-old car.  Therefore, the reality of getting anything for a trade-in didn’t exist.  I decided that I would donate it to a good cause.  In light of what happened this past week, the decision was an easy one.

    Searching online, I found a number of organizations that accept cars in all condition.  Before Hurricane Sandy obliterated the northeast coastline, I wasn’t sure which charity to I was going to choose.  After sitting in the dark and cold for 6 days, and seeing the devastation in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, The American Red Cross became the obvious choice.  This is an organization that immediately springs into action when people are in need.  Last October they were set up in our local high school and help many people in the town.  I became acutely aware of the valuable service they provide.  This week was no exception.

     Donating is easy.  You simply fill out an online form with information about yourself and the car.  Within hours I received a phone call.  A date and time was arranged for pickup.  In my case it happened the very next day.  I had the title, and could be home so the plan was set.  They gave me a 4 hour window and called before they arrived.  All occurred without a hitch.   Eventually a form that serves as a tax deduction will be sent.  The process is then complete.

     I had mixed feelings as I saw the car being towed off.  That car saw me through my marriage, took my babies home from the hospital and went on many adventures.  It caused little to no trouble in terms of repair.  On the other hand, I really like my new one.  It drives smoother, quieter, and has more conveniences.   What I do feel good about is that I gave my old car away to an organization that helps people when they are in their hour of need.  Could I have made of few bucks selling it myself?  Maybe, but in giving it away, the payoff is so much greater.

What Students Need to Succeed

The past few weeks have been filled with articles and media reports concerning the education reform package presented by Governor Malloy.  Much of the focus has been centered on teacher preparation, certification, tenure, and salary.  It is not within reason to want to examine these areas along with the curriculum standards that are now in place.  What is troubling is that there appears to be a consensus that there are a great number of teachers who are not qualified, or conscientious enough for the day-to-day learning of students.  When the goal is to improve the achievement of students, other factors need to be considered before any real change can occur.

The steps towards certification in the state of Connecticut are among the most rigorous in the nation.  There are numerous requirements which must be met in order to reach certain levels.  This usually takes years to achieve.  Evaluations and professional development is ongoing in most districts, and teachers must take additional credits in order to maintain their license.  If a teacher is not sufficiently doing their job, or are not observed to be effective, there are plenty of opportunities early on in their career to not grant certification, or to be released by a district.  It is up to the administrative staff, central office, and the state to make this determination, and to have the fortitude to follow through with the decision.

The other factors that come into to play are those which no school, principal, or teacher has control. Children need to understand from a young age that school is important.  Attendance is critical.  I have seen many students miss too many days to be successful.  Children also need an adequate amount of rest.  Letting young children stay up late is not beneficial to learning.  They also have to be taught how to behave and be respectful. Too much class time is spent dealing with inappropriate behavior.  This has nothing to do with a teacher having control.  Homework needs to be completed and handed in on time.  Less time should be spent on video games or other electronic devices, and more should be spent on reading.

Every student needs a parent, grandparent, guardian, or someone responsible in their life that will ensure that they are prepared and active in their learning.  I have seen students in homes run by single moms, working two jobs, go on to college and be successful.  I have seen students from all socio-economic levels who are neglected and don’t care about school.  It takes caring adults to encourage, inspire, and motivate young people. It takes adults outside of the school to make sure that education is a priority in the life of a child.

Teachers play a significant role in the education of a youngster, but they can’t do it alone.  There is no single method that allows every student to succeed.   Urban schools are dealing with more issues than their suburban counterparts.  They need more assistance in terms of staffing, materials, and social services.  It is easy to point fingers and lay blame. Teaching is the one occupation that everyone thinks they understand or know how to do better.  It takes more than a few hours on a tour, or even a whole day, to truly understand the magnitude of variables that is facing one person standing alone in a room.

I have met very few teachers that didn’t care about kids.  They want to see all students succeed.  They fret about the children who were struggling, and work hard to find a way to help.  So change the requirements, and change the curriculum, but if you don’t concentrate on the social, emotional, and behavior of our young, nothing will be different.  Education doesn’t occur only in a school building.  The whole day of a child has an impact.  That is the message that needs reinforcing.  That is the area that will have the most effect in terms of future success.

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9 Days, 8 Nights. It Wasn’t a Vacation.

 On October 30^th, a freak snowstorm hit the Northeast.   Since the trees still had leaves, the wet, heavy snow snapped many limbs and branches.  In some cases entire trees fell, and as they fell, down came the power lines.  Here in Connecticut, the damage was extensive.  Over 800,000 residences and businesses were left without electricity.  For many of us that meant no heat, water, or lights.   The first days were tolerable, but as time went on it became harder to stay warm, find water, and figure out what you could eat for each meal.  It has been over a week since the power has been restored.  Looking back there were some moments that were humorous, and others that became thought-provoking.

 These were the moments that I found humorous.   No matter how hard you look out the window, the utility truck does not appear.  You can finally justify why you kept that old shirt hanging in the closet for the past 15 years.   You found  listening to a show about coins on NPR quite entertaining.  You wonder how people with generators are able to sleep at night.   People told me that they had power, but were going crazy with no cable or phone.  I just smiled.

 These are the moments I found thought-provoking.  Water is a valuable resource.  I became obsessed collecting it.  I had buckets set up all around my house to catch water as the snow melted.  I filled other buckets with snow and brought it inside to melt.  Of course this took some time as the house eventually got down to 45 degrees.  Heat is something not to be taken for granted.  I found myself going out during the day with my 2 girls just to warm up.   You wonder how people who do not have heat are able to survive a winter.   It is extremely difficult to eat when your refrigerator is out, and you can’t use the stove.  I haven’t complained about cooking lately.

 My favorite comments on the outage came from the media.   A 75- year-old man called into a radio show and stated that at least we still had our houses.  He had a friend in the mid-west who lost his house to a tornado.  The radio host differed with him, but the caller was right.  Also, I can’t remember the number of times that people compared this storm to life in colonial days.  The question was “How did they do it?”   The answer?  Better than us.  Their life involved burning wood in fireplaces, and collecting water for drinking and cleaning.  They didn’t have cell phones or ipads to worry about, and communication flowed through the community.

 Lastly, I have to say I was surprised how well my children handled the whole ordeal.  They survived a week without television or the computer.  They played cards, checkers, colored, and read books.  They dragged out toys and made up their own stories.  They learned how to cope in a difficult situation, and were grateful when the power was restored.  It reminded all of us that we need to appreciate a roof over our heads, clean water, lights, heat and a life filled with comfort.  There will be times in life that will be challenging.  One week taught us that we can survive.