Mama Update: (Day 32) Prayers Brighten Dark Days
“I’m not going to lie to y’all. Yesterday was a dark day for me. A year ago my son went home to be with Jesus. But, even on this dark day, the sun still shines through brightly.” - Wayne Kitchens
Mama Update: (Day 30) Hunker Down
Basically, mama is doing ok.
Small improvements.
And a long way to go.
We gotta hunker down.
She’s confronting some opposition and and some unfavorable circumstances…so…we’re gonna hunker down one more time.
Mama Update: (Day 23) New Beginnings
New beginnings can be scary because you don’t know what to expect.
But new beginnings can be exciting for the same reason.
New beginnings come whether we want them to or not.
Mama Update: (Day 15) Christmas at Shepherd
We all cried happy tears. We all hugged and said our “I love yous.”We all appreciated the gift this moment was for all of us. There is no tangible temporal present that could ever replace these precious moments.
Mama Update: (Day 11-13) When Things Don’t Look Like They’re Supposed To
So, yeah, it’s a choice to be grateful. And let me tell you, not a choice I want to make every day. I haven’t updated in a few days because I was frustrated and angry. I was livid with the way big corporate insurance determines the timelines and the best care for humans rather than family and trained medical professionals. I was losing patience with the people around me. And I was discouraged by what looked like steps backward in mama’s recovery. Things weren’t looking like they were supposed to. I could probably go on and on..but we make a choice to be grateful.
Mama Update: (Day 9-10) Perspective is Everything
But when you’ve been at rock bottom, or you’ve stepped right up to the edge of worst-case scenario, you can then see the beauty and joy of being one degree to the right of worst-case. That’s because you have a new perspective, and perspective changes everything. When you take that first baby-step away from the worst, what lies ahead is hope and opportunity. Will you ever get back to “everything is fine”? Who knows, but you’re sure as heck glad to be two steps away from “worst-case scenario.”
Mama Update: (Day 7-8) Another Sunrise Together
Things are dark in the middle of the night. Things may seem hopeless and like there may never be light again. But when the beams begin to peek over the trees, we know another day has come. And with it, a new light.
Mama Update: (Day 6) Miracles on the Horizon
We’re all learning right now. But thankfully, we are all learning together. My mama is still here and still fighting. And we are believing, just like that sun this evening, that big, huge, bright miracles are just over the horizon, even if we have to squint through today.
Mama Update: (Day 5) Slowly Winning the Race
We all know the parable of the tortoise and the hare. We have hare expectations but we’re in a tortoise race.
Mama Update: (Day 4) God-Winks
Take a minute and celebrate the small victories in life, the little God-winks, they’re there for a reason. Sure, obstacles abound, reality is still difficult, but there’s good news if we recognize it.
Senior Homestead Exemption on the BOE Agenda
As I said at the meeting, this situation is unsatisfactory to me. I am a fiscal conservative, but I also believe that if we only look at the absolute “certain” data, then we will never move the needle. There must be a small risk we are willing to take to relieve the tax burden on our Senior Citizens without endangering the quality of education for our kids.
Elections: Not About “Winning” and “Losing”
At the end of the day, I received a majority of votes in District 1. That does not mean the other candidate “lost” anything. And that doesn’t mean I “won” anything. It means I was chosen by a majority of the people to represent ALL of the people.
Senior School Tax Exemptions: Will they ever happen?
There are several obstacles to creating a school-tax exemption for Senior Citizens (loss of revenue, shifting the tax burden, an economic development impact) but the process is what might be the most frustrating. But I believe we can overcome those obstacles…read today’s blog, see what’s happening now, and join the conversation.
Fall Break: a Good Time for Some Good News
A long overdue update: Fall Break, good beginnings, the new cell phone policy, Graduation rates, Eastside High School dedication & costs, and the Newton County Teachers of the Year!!!
Overwhelmed by Support
The unseen roots of the tree are what offer the support and strength needed in times of uncertainty. YOU have overwhelmed me with the support and strength you are providing as this campaign kicks off. YOU are the root system needed as we grow…
Interview: The Warrior Podcast with Matt Keller
I had the great pleasure of engaging in conversation with my friend, Matt Keller on The Warrior Podcast. During this episode, we talk about my time in the 90s alt-rock band, Rocketboy, my early life growing up in Georgia, the state of the church, as well as current issues being faced in our public schools.
A Millage Decrease is Still a Tax Increase
During the last three weeks, the Board of Education has met publicly three times to hear the Superintendent’s recommendation for setting the 2022 millage rate at 16.788 mills, thus “raising taxes” while actually lowering the tax rate. You can’t beat the dang tax man!!!
Differing Perspectives Do Not Mean One is Right and One is Wrong
I can only see three sides of the Rubik’s cube from my perspective, however, there are three other sides that matter, and one is a mystery to us all. Read how the BOE FY23 budget passes 4-1 and all sides of the cube are heard, especially the Superintendent’s.
Don’t Dip Into Your Savings Account During a Recession
BUT, in our meeting Tuesday, I warned that you don’t dip into your savings account during a recession. Yes, we have a healthy ending fund balance. But with the nation heading into a recession, now is NOT the time to dip into that savings account.