I think I’ve got a case of the Holiday blues. I count myself blessed. It’s just that....Thanksgiving and pretty much every other holiday ain’t what it used to be. Once my parents divorced and we moved to Texas from Louisiana when I was seven, a lot changed. Much for the better. I was literally surrounded by all the characters in my family every day. We lived with my grandmother for 2 years while my mom got her bearings so to speak. That’s a whole other blog entry.
But in my new normal I never felt alone. I approached holidays like a magical countdown because I knew everyone would be at my granny’s house. Later we would alternate between my granny’s house, our house and my Aunt Gladys’ house. Spades. Dominoes. Arguments. Roasting. Lots and lots of food. An abundance of memories. Fast forward to now. Once my Aunt Gladys passed in 2009 and then my grandmother 2 years later it changed. People started branching off - doing their own separate things. It’s just not the same. I miss what once was - overcrowded fun. And so do my twins who were around to witness it. Last year, I put out a plea and invited the family over for Christmas Eve and they showed up. My heart overflowed. I plan to do it again this year. We’ve already begun the cleaning process (eww Chile it takes a lot to get the house company-ready)! So while I pray they show up in huge numbers again this year - I’m still feeling some kind of way as we are en route to my mom’s. It will be my little family minus Miss Mookie , My sister and my niece, my niece’s dad and my mom. We will have a good time, but we’ll all have that glazed over look of melancholy as we privately reminisce how these gatherings used to be. Nevertheless, I choose to be happy today despite some key people and elements missing. Happy Thanksgiving 2019 everyone!
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Working to develop undeveloped minds is an occupation that definitely swings the pendulum from physically and emotionally draining to moments of hope, joy and laughter.
Red Ribbon Week 2019 is officially a wrap for my campus and thanks to a very STRONG urging from my principal last year I participated daily. I participated in every way but modified PJ day with a “comfy” dress representing my sorority. I figured it was an acceptable compromise since I was presenting campus PD to the staff that Friday. While Red Ribbon Week is a time to bring awareness to the dangers of drug use, it is also a time associated with wild and wacky themed dress up days. I’ve seen some of everything and usually I just do like 1 day. But my previous principal and current mentor urged me to participate fully because it’s an opportunity for me to show a lighter, carefree side while fully engaging in maintaining and establishing campus culture. Students love it and so do staff. I must admit it was fun and I always LOVE the creative way the students represent! And oh my word....the costumes for Halloween on “scare away drugs day” were GREAT and there were no issues whatsoever! So in my collage above don’t view it as simply my documentation of wear red day, nerd day, twin day (I forgot to take a picture but me and my AP counterpart and the guidance counselors), costume day for Halloween and pajama day, please see it as a campus administrator connecting with the students and staff she serves. Through the demands and that pesky pendulum I mentioned above, my school day persona doesn’t always present the best snapshot of the giddiness in my soul. But through campus wide events like Red Ribbon week, it allows a tiny peep into another side of my love for people. |
AboutThis blog is dedicated to the life, laughs and observations of a 40 something #ForeverSouthernGirl who serves as a wife, mom, campus administrator and wickedly funny human. All stories are true. All matters of unsolicited advice, musings, and anecdotes that can only be achieved from a life lived out loud are mine and mine alone. I am Katrina and welcome to my #TrinaTalk.
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