I am who I am today thanks to "My Jim"

he had a profound impact on my life

I was looking through old newspapers articles I had written for "The Lantern" at Butler County Community College and found a column I wrote my sophomore year when I was editor. I had completely forgot I wrote it and re-reading it brought back a flood of memories for me. I wish I had a photo on my computer to share with you as well, but I don't. But, here is my column.

I am who I am today thanks to "My Jim"

As the soldiers walked out the door of the funeral home, I turned to look my tear-filled cousin in the eye as we waited for the 21-gun salute that would soon follow. Silence and an occasional sob were all that could be heard inside the room. Then, with their guns pointed upward, one by one the soldiers fired their guns, sending chills down my spine. But also a sense of pride and happiness overwhelmed me because I knew this is the way Jim would have wanted it.

I leaned over to hug my mother as they continued firing and cried more. We approached the casket to say our good-byes and I slipped a note in the pocket of his gray suit with “My Jim” written neatly on the front with pencil.

The pastor described him as the good Samaritan, always willing to do for others, even when he didn’t have many possessions himself. My mom described him as giving and brave. My cousin described him as a great guy. To me, he was simply “My Jim.”

Jim married my grandma when I was a child. Although he wasn’t my biological grandpa he always treated me as his granddaughter; taking me out to eat, buying toys and loving me as a grandpa would. I would yell to him, “Come play with me My Jim,” and he would run outside to greet me.

When he and my grandma divorced he still remained a major part in my life setting up a college fund and writing letters to me occasionally.

But as time passed and distance became greater, Jim and I didn’t talk as much. I saw him during the holidays and he came to Kansas to attend my high school graduation. While the rest of my family was wearing dress clothes, Jim showed up in a suit saying he only wears the best for Stacy’s graduation.

Jim lived day to day, never quite knowing what would happen or what would come up. Being a former soldier and prisoner of war, he knew what having it rough really meant and he knew that he was fortunate to have what he had; and he had little. Never owning any real possessions, Jim lived so that he could pack up and take off in his car any day.

He worked several jobs after serving in three wars. He was a chef and part owner of several restaurants, worked in a liquor store, worked as a security guard, and owned approximately 30 rental houses.

He worked out every day and constantly wore a smile that could be seen for miles. He truly cared about people, doing anything he could to help a friend.

His death came suddenly, shocking the entire family.

Until this funeral, I had only attended one funeral and I was very young so it didn’t affect me the way this one did. This time I actually realized that sometimes people we love are taken away from us. I thought I had it so easy that I wasn’t going to have to endure any pain for a long time, but now that I have, I am glad because the impact he made on my life will never be forgotten and he will forever be My Jim.

Livin' on a Prayer

oh, how I love Bon Jovi

Oh my friends, it has been a great week in Stacy World! My boss and I conveniently booked a teacher inservice north of Kansas City the day after the scheduled Bon Jovi concert just so we can go on Greenbush's dime, well, kinda. I mean, we had to shell out some money to get our tix on eBay (since it is sold out) and we will have to pay the difference in gasoline, but meals and hotel is paid since we would have been up there anyway. We are soooo smart! :) We found an awesome deal on two tickets. The seats aren't the best, but hey, I get to see Bon Jovi LIVE so I really don't care. And the fact that Daughtry is opening for him is just the icing on the cake.

So we will be heading to Randolph, KS on April 17 to work with students from 1-3 p.m. and then headed to KC to check into our hotel and eat something before the concert. Then, get this, we have to be in Effingham, KS by 7:30 a.m. the next morning (which is also my last day of work), HA! The good thing is we have done this training so many times we can do it in our sleep... which may just be the case!

Oh, the things we do for Bon Jovi!

It breaks my heart

i can't believe what kids do to each other these days

I really believe in the work that myself and my co-workers do to educate parents, schools, teachers and students about bullying. We have researched and perfected our presentations for the past 3 years to make the most impact on the school districts we serve. I thought the problem had been improving across Kansas and across the U.S. (mostly because it is a hot-button topic at the moment). Well this story proved that there is much more work to be done and that if you do not have your entire school district and community bought into the process of making a safer school environment then it will fail. I hope this boy and his family can move on and get the justice they deserve.

I stand corrected

WOW!

David Cook just blew me away with his version of Billie Jean! WOW WOW WOW... is all I can say. I am going to iTunes right now to download it. American Idol is back my friends. David Cook all the way baby!!! :)

I'm not impressed...

is it just me?

I am completely not impressed with American Idol this year. Maybe it's that the contestants are getting cocky a little early in the game, or that no one has really blown me away yet. Even with the addition of instruments, which I loved when David Archuleta and Brooke White played the pianos, that was nice, it doesn't really help the fact that their voices aren't all that impressive. The only one I am sorta leaning towards is David Cook because he has a cool rock vibe, other than that I say thumbs down to American Idol at this moment. But give it a week, maybe someone will change my mind. :)

A Hoosier-rific Photo Display

a pictorial... Hoosier style

So, I really don't have much to blog about today, but I thought I would share some photos of the place I will soon call home. Here are just a few that I found on Google. Enjoy!

Above left is a map of the area. We are really close to Chicago and Lake Michigan. On the right is a photo of downtown South Bend.

Above are two photos of the Notre Dame campus in South Bend.

On the left is a highway on-ramp near South Bend. I love the way it is shaped like a clover, haha. Most highway on-ramps are, but I just like this one particularly. On the right is the St. Joseph County courthouse in South Bend.

Here is the St. Joseph River that flows through South Bend, Mishawaka and Elkhart. This picture does not do it justice because it is a beautiful river. There is even a riverwalk through downtown South Bend that is pretty neat, but I couldn't find a picture of it. And, of course, on the right is Notre Dame Stadium. Jared and I would like to go see a game, even though we will be wearing KU and OU gear the entire time! haha

And finally, here is another aerial photo of downtown South Bend and the College Football Hall of Fame, also located in downtown South Bend.