As I quietly begin to close the door, all of a sudden I saw her! She ran up to the door and quickly left. Hey, wait a minute, I remember her. I went through this very same episode almost at the same time last year. Although there were no words spoken between us, the glares we had given each other clearly showed how we felt. How dare she come back again this year. Didn’t she learn anything from the previous experience? I can’t believe she is up to her same old tricks!
Nope, it wasn’t a practical joker from the neighborhood. It was Mother Bird. I gathered tiny twigs of off the trees, left remnants of cloth on the branches, yarn and even soft thin strips of colorful ribbon, all carefully placed in a secluded crescent shaped opening at the midpoint of one tree.

Nevertheless, she had made up her mind; she wanted my new spring wreath again this year.
I had just finished making it for Easter, the same as I do each year, and carefully hung it on the door when she began to make trouble.

Just like the previous year, we went through daily confrontations. I would leave in the mornings and come home at midday only to find twigs, dirt, and bits of old newspaper, bug eaten candy wrappers, feathers, twigs, etc., at the base of the wreath leaving a mess at the bottom of the door. I would clear it all off and it would be back the very next day. It astonished me how quickly everything was put back into place the way she wanted it.

Finally, after taking down the nest six or so times, she did not come around. YAY! I had won! My lovely wreath would not have goop from dilapidated dirty bits of trash poking out from it and no bird poo splattered all over the freshly painted door.

After a few days of feeling pretty good about defending my home, I actually started feeling bad about the whole situation. I started wondering where she had gone or if her time had finally run out. I was quite surprised at just how remorse I felt.

The kids ran up the stairs claiming both would not pick up the other’s mess and began the common practice of “let’s see who can out-stare the other” when we all heard the, “Rat-tat-tat,” and ran to the door. “There’s no one here,” said the youngest.

With a little jump of joy in my heart, I told them it was only Robin. “Who is Robin?” – they chimed together. She’s a very persistent and headstrong loving mother bird who insists upon building a nest for her babies in my wreath.

“Why?” – they asked. “I guess because she’s searched around and feels like this is a safe place.”

I clued them in on last year’s experience and before I could finish, they shook their head in agreement, as they remembered the incident. Then, I explained what had already taken place this time.

They gave me a hug and ran off to make “SPECIAL SIGNS” to go on the front door that would instruct their friends not to ring the doorbell and to go around to one of the other doors.

You know, Mother Bird reminds me of someone else long ago who was constantly thrown off course, mocked, and mimicked. Each time something was established, built, or maybe resembled a small step forward; it backfired or tumbled down.

Many made fun of the work and tried to destroy it at every opportunity. The convictions held strong within this person’s heart offered the strength needed to push on with persistence for the insurmountable work that lay ahead.

One day it all collapsed and the vocation was blamed for trying to disrupt the daily grind that everyone was used to following…the same rules and penalties that had been in place as far back as remembered.

The consequence was death.

Today, as signs of spring and Easter grow closer, we are made conscience of the road he carefully paved for us many years ago. His hard work, time, effort, blood, sweat and tears ended with his own life; yet, not all was lost.

The incredible difficult journey paved the way in providing us with an abundance of choices and opportunities to continue with the work he began.

“Rat-tat-tat,” Happy Easter and may the enduring meaning of it strengthen your life and goals as you strive to understand, endure, learn, share and motivate others to love and appreciate the spirit of it all.

©2008 Jodie Lynn
Jodie Lynn is an award-winning, internationally syndicated family/health columnist and host of the new radio talk show “Inside Parenting Success.” Her syndicated column Parent to Parent (www.ParentToParent.com) has been successful for more than a decade and appears in various newspapers, magazines, parenting publications, newsletters and throughout the Internet. She is a regular contributor to several sites and has written four books and contributed to three others, one of which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition, Lynn has appeared in a 3-month parenting segment on NBC. Her latest books are Mom CEO (Chief Everything Officer) – Having, Doing, and Surviving It All! and Syndication Secrets – What No One Will Tell You!

For example, on any given day when my husband walks through the door after a long hard day at the office expecting a nice warm home cooked meal, loving wife (nice smelling and good looking too) and peaceful house – I’d like to give him a home cooked meal……….right in the kisser! And, especially when he starts with, “Man, today was not a good day. My back started aching right off the bat, probably because I ran into the umpire at last night’s softball game….what’s for dinner Sweetheart?”

I work at home — what could be easier?

DON’T EVEN GO THERE! Well, for the sake of making a point — let’s do.

A day in my life might begin similar to other work-at-home moms:

6:30 a.m. — rise and shine (except some of us don’t shine — right?).

7:30 a.m. — get the kids up — no — they’re still not up!

Anyway – boring stuff until the kids are dropped off at school. So — let’s skip that part.

What? Ya mean ya want to know how I handle my mornings before the kids go to school. I simply scream, holler and yell ’til they get their bodies out of the door and into the car — like the rest of you! (Only kidding.) OK, OK, I do scream sometimes. There, I admit it.

Now – drop them off and return home to my home office. Read and answer emails. Check planner for deadlines on various projects. Take puppy out to potty. Grab a package of crackers for a snack. Answer the door — wrong house. Return to computer and deadlines for a couple of hours….. Answer phone. “Hello – yes, I’m the Book Fair Chairperson……….Sorry – I thought we had delivered all prepaid special book orders. Oh – yes, I’ll run up to the school and see if I can find it…perhaps someone turned it into the office.”

Go up to school — look everywhere for the book. Nowhere to be found……….call Scholastic… “Can you send us another one?” AHHHHH – squared away. Oops – forgot to call the mom back. Leave message on machine. Now – back to work — right? Wrong!

Answer phone — “Yes, I can come pick up my son — he threw up where — on whom? I’ll be right there.”

Back up to the school ………….Back home………..get son settled down – read him a story and take an Advil for my headache. Back to computer and attempt to reconnect to previous train of thought.

“MOM! I just threw up on the couch,” yells my kiddo. “No worries, I say, as I run into the living room, wipe his mouth, check his temperature and offer a fresh set of clothes. How do you feel? (He rolls his eyes.) “I mean, sometimes when people are sick and they throw up, they feel better. Since this is the second time, maybe you don’t feel as nauseous?”

Let me back up a tad. This is one of three kids who almost never runs a temperature. This makes it very difficult to know when he’s really sick, as in calling the doctor‘s office and begging for an appointment. Like now — no fever. He’s also one of those kids who can throw up and almost never get any on himself or his clothes, but wants to change them anyway. (Haven’t figured that one out either.)

As I make room for him on the recliner by moving clean laundry to another spot to be folded yet another day, I offer to read him another short book or maybe just make up a story about one of his favorite subjects. He says no thanks but that he would consider sipping on some Gatorade and listen to soft music (to soothe his nerves, don‘t ya know).

Once I get him situated, set up with a small amount of Gatorade to sip and dry toast cut into small pieces to munch on, I sit close by his side for a while. As we sit and listen to soft music together, I watch and observe him to be sure that he‘s going to be OK, as all moms do. Thirty minutes later, he’s fast asleep.

So, back to my desk, computer and current project. Work diligently for ………………oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!! Time to get in gear for p.m. carpool and pick up kids from school. I quickly call a neighbor to ask if she would mind coming over for a few minutes…’til I get back from carpool. She’s delighted to do so. (YAY!)

Pick up kids, drop each one off at their own house, and make a mad rush back home with mine. Check on son who has just woken up. He seems to have a little more color in his pale thin face. Thank neighbor who wishes me a Happy Valentine’s Day. “Same to you,” I say as I notice that I’ve not adjusted my calendar to reflect the merry old month of February. Wow — time flies — doesn’t it?

“Thanks again, Mary, I really appreciate it.” She smiles and joyfully bellows, “NO problem…Dan is taking me out for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, so no pots and pans for me tonight…have anything special planned?”

As I pass the clock in the hallway walking her to the front door — YIKES! Need to get dinner started. “Not that I’m aware of; with one of the kids not feeling too well, guess it’s for the best. Who knows, maybe my knight in shinning armor will bring home dinner, flowers, and the whole works.”

Wave goodbye and rush into the kitchen, fling open the freezer to grab something for dinner and ———–Oh yuck — what’s that smell — GROSSS! — forgot to let the puppy out! Take puppy out anyway, so he’d associate going outside to (what?)…after he’d done his business inside, he gets to go outside to smell the fresh air. Go figure.

Come back in and clean up mess, wash hands and return to living room to check on kids who are deciding which afternoon 30 minute program they want to watch. Run back into the kitchen to check on dinner and just about knock my hubby over as he was walking inside through the side door mumbling, “Man, the traffic was horrible, my boss was yelling all day, someone borrowed my desk chair and forgot to return it — wished I worked from home where there’s peace and quiet with a leisurely no-hassle schedule and no surprises…what’s for dinner sweetheart?”

Well, as you know, many tiny details have happened during the day that I’ve not included in this work-at-home scenario. In trying to keep it brief, why bother? Let’s face it, when you have a bad day, it seems like it just keeps going downhill, and as usual, every insignificant moment ends up adding to the momentum of the ever-spiraling downside of the day and before you know it, well basically, YOU‘VE HAD IT!

In fact, no sooner had my hubby finished his last word than my eyes quickly filled with tears and I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs and crack him over the head with the still frozen tray of pork chops. “My schedule has been anything but peace and quiet today…to top it all off, it’s Valentine’s Day Cliff!

Just once, I’d love for you to come through the door with an amazing dinner, hand me an adorable Hallmark card, maybe some beautiful flowers and to-die-for chocolate, and…” He stops in his tracks, stares at me for a second and goes back out to the car, opens the door, reaches in and — “You mean like these?”

Woohoo!!!! He remembered! I don’t believe it! He actually remembered ………… “Yes, you can call me sweetheart!”

…NOTE TO SELF: I’m trying my best to work from home and make a difference in the world without jeopardizing my relationship with my family…but every once in a while, I will be still long enough to look forward to hearing my hubby call me sweetheart, while we sit together and eat chocolate after feasting on a delectable grown-up meal while the kids make do with a sandwich of peanut butter and jelly.

©2008 Jodie Lynn

Jodie Lynn is a former Teacher and Women and Children’s Fitness Instructor.  Currently, she is an award-winning syndicated family/health columnist of Parent to Parent, Radio Host and best-selling author.  Lynn has written four books and contributed to three others, one of which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Her latest books are, Mom CEO (Chief Everything Officer) – Having, Doing and Surviving It All!  and  Syndication Secrets – What No One Will Tell You!  To learn more about the author or to buy Mom CEO (Chief Everything Officer)™ merchandise, see www.parenttoparent.com for details.  Check out our new CEO Mom and Chief Household Officer logos!

While some of these may work for a week or so, most results of dieters won’t reach their primary goal of losing weight and reflecting a healthy and vibrant status . . . not for long.

The main reason is that most of us who do go with an unsupervised diet plan usually gain all of the weight back and add a few additional pounds. Unfortunately, this puts us right back where we started, but also with more weight and higher risks of diabetes, heart attack and a good chance of a stroke.

Typically, known as “yo-yo dieting,” doctors and scientists find that the strain and stress, both emotionally and physically, that is associated with this pattern, actually prove that we might have been better off by never starting a diet in the first place.

Here are some suggestions you might be able to live with:

* Realize that what might work for someone else might not work for you.

* Get a complete physical from your doctor and talk with him about the best plan to lose weight for your individual body type, make-up and age.

* Go with a plan that can be closely supervised by an individual with a degree or registered license to supervise your program.

* Calories need to be checked on a daily basis.

* Write down everything you put into your mouth.

* Begin exercising by implementing brief sessions and building from there.

* Include weight lifting into your daily routine.

* Change your eating pattern.

* Eat healthier by eating smaller meals more frequently.

* Eat more fruit.

* Switch your snacks to healthier ones.

* Program your brain to acknowledge that it might take months to look and feel the true benefits of a healthy and safe program.

* If you mess up, and fall off the new plan, don’t beat yourself up with negative thoughts.

* Always have a positive support system where you can network and be around others who are also trying to lose weight.

Don’t compare your weight loss with others and get down on yourself when you don’t lose weight as quickly as someone else might. Sometimes, people actually weigh more during a weight loss program but are actually healthier than before they started. This is due to muscle weighing more than fat.

Once you begin your new program, just knowing that you are doing something good for yourself is priceless.

Remember, losing weight is all about cutting down on calories, expanding more energy, eating healthier and accepting the truth about what to expect realistically for your personal body type and age.

©2007 Jodie Lynn

~ Call local paper for information on parenting organizations. Go visit all that are of interest to you — and some that are not. If you stick to those that are only in your area of most interest, you could be missing out on some wonderful relationships.

~ Contact the local Welcome Wagon. There’s one in almost every town. They will lead to The Newcomers Club, which has more hobbies and Mommy groups than you will know what to do with.

~ Visit churches. Many churches now offer parenting and play groups that are embraced by the whole community, not just members.

~ Go for a family walk. In the evening after dinner is a good time. This is usually when the Dads are available to chat as well. Keep a pen and paper ready in the stroller or in your pocket to write down your new phone number and names of your family — and get their names and numbers, too!

~ If you children are old enough, send them out to play and let them find families to play with (it works)! Sooner or later, someone will want to spend the night or your cutie will ask someone over. Perfect situation for making new friends with other parents. ~ Find out where the parks are. Get going! There will be kids and moms there.

~ Take a trip to the zoo. Enroll your children in an activity at the zoo and meet new faces and have fun with the NURSERY of baby animals at the same time.

~ Look at the grocery store for a free local parenting newspaper and/or magazine. These will usually have places to see and things to do for family outings.

~ Check out the Libraries and local YMCA/YWCA for activities for kids. Many places now have free storytime and introductory offers for new folks just moving to the area.

~ Call the athletic association in your area to find out about soccer, baseball, basketball, etc., registration and sign your kids up! Begin to take pictures right away.

~ Volunteer at the new preschool and/or school. You will meet many other moms there. Take pictures of the new house, yard, new friends, school, classmates, teams, etc. It will help the children see how easy the transition of moving can be. Keep a positive attitude and so will your family!

~ Last but far from least, don’t forget to do some things for yourself. Ask other moms where they go for exercise, hair salon, clothes, books, make-up, restaurant, doctors, resale shops, house goods, etc. Good luck and smile. It’ll all work out!

©2007 Jodie Lynn

In a new study, by Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, a researcher at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, who led a research of more than 8,000 moms, found that seafood is a key source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is important for the development of the fetal brain.

This is amazing information, which is in direct conflict to the 2004 U.S. Government recommendation that basically says that due to the level of mercury found in fish and seafood:

A. women who are pregnant should limit the intake of seafood and fish, which has a toxin that can harm the nervous system of developing fetuses.

B. eat none of the fish that contains high levels of mercury like tilefish, swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and no more than 6 ounces a week of albacore tuna.

The new study, sure to be quite conversational, revealed that avoiding mercury did not offer any protection and may actually be harming the developing babies by depriving them of essential nutrients needed in developmental and neurological development.

Moms who ate at fish in two average meals that had more than the normal recommendation of 12 ounces each, gave birth to children who surprisedly showed more advanced fine motor, communication and social skills as a toddler, were better behaved at the age of seven and had higher IQ scores at the age of eight in verbal skills.

What Does All of This Mean?

While mercury is still a heightened concern for pregnant moms, the new study is far too positive to overlook. Hopefully, it will motivate the government into a plan of action to keep pollutants out of seafood.

WHY?

Fish living in waters contaminated with mercury, due to industrial pollution, have a build-up of the chemical and cause developmental and neurological problems in developing babies.

Perhaps by implementing new laws and guidelines on coal-burning power plants, making sure that our seafood supply is clean, it will produce fish and other seafood that are not overly contaminated with various chemicals, including mercury, that would prove to be detrimental to developing fetuses.

If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, what should you do?

While your OB/GYN may not have news on the latest information, he or she will soon.

Each mom wants her baby to get off to the best start possible and if we can boost their brain power while still developing in the womb, wouldn’t that be amazing! Talk with your doctor about the newly released benefits and follow through on the specific advice for your individual circumstances.

©2007 Jodie Lynn

Here is a checklist you might want to consider before choosing a camp.~ Anxious children often have extreme thinking – worrying about the worst thing that could happen. If your child seems anxious, ask what her biggest fear is, and talk her through it.

~ Get feedback and help from many sources. Talk to the child, the camp counselor, camp director, parents of friends at camp, etc.

~ If homesickness is involved, find out how the camp addresses this topic and ask for advice. The child’s pediatrician might have some good suggestions, too.

~ Be sure the child takes along pictures of each member of the family, even a picture of a pet might be necessary. If possible, have a friend of your child’s go along. It will help take away most pangs of homesickness.

~ Pack any stuffed animal your child may sleep with and remind her that she can send you a letter whenever she wants to or can even call home.

~ Pack a pad of stationery, a pen or pencil, envelopes, and stamps. Let her pick them out.

~ Be sure to send her mail as often as you would like. Kids love to get mail, especially when they are away at camp.

~ Call the camp and ask what will be provided for sore throat, mosquito’s bites, sunburn and a fever. Ask what you can send with her to possibly prevent these.

~ Some kids are anxious about tons of things and many are homebodies. It might be that the amount of days the camp lasts for is too long. If the camp is for two weeks, cut it back to one. If she is literally losing sleep over the idea, why make her go? Cancel the reservation and get your money back. Instead of overnight camp, enroll her in a day camp program where she comes home everyday.

~ If she has gone to the same camp for the past couple of years, try a new one.

~ Keep your personal comments and reactions that might be feeding into the situation to yourself. When talking to camp personnel, do so in private where your child cannot hear.

©2007 Jodie Lynn

There are parents out there who will enroll their preschoolers solely on location. They will also take the word of friends and relatives. Don‛t do it. Visit on your own. Unannounced visits are vital in seeing firsthand how the school staff will interact with visitors. You may not be able to even get any further than picking up information about the school, but that‛s OK. You will also get to have interaction with the secretary and possibly the director.

* Ask for a quick tour and a policy manual.

* Ask to see the curriculum listing and plan book (or sheets) for the current class of 3 and 4-year-olds.

* How many classes are there?

* What credentials does the school have?

* How long has the present director been there?

* What is the background of the teacher that your son will have?

* How long has she taught? If a teacher does not have a degree, it‛s not a big deal. Go by experience and how she presents herself to you and your child.

* How many and what kind of meals are served?

* How old is the building?

* Has it been tested for asbestos?

* What type of cooling/heating system does it have?

* How big are the inside and outside play areas?

* How many children are in one class?

* Is there an aide to help if the class exceeds a certain number?

* What type of discipline guidelines are in place?

* Is the room safe and child-friendly?

* Are the toys and books on a low shelf and how often are the toys washed?

* Are there field trips?

* Who drives for the field trips?

* Is there a music and/or art program?

If academics are important to you, ask about how much writing and reading they will do. Don‛t ditch a preschool if it is not accredited. This process is expensive and some cannot afford it. For a more in-depth interview, make an appointment.

Make sure you look at the rooms. Write down other questions that might be important to your child and family. If you do not understand any answer, ask the question again. Do not be shy. Talk to other parents and call references.

You want to look for a teacher who knows first aid, loves children and adores teaching 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds. If you think all of this is a waste of time, later you will regret not checking out the various schools and situations. Feeling secure in your choice of preschool is worth its weight in gold.

Remember, a little work in the beginning could save a lot of heartache in the end.

PLEASE NOTE: This article is an excerpt of Mom CEO (Chief Everything Officer) – Having, Doing, and Surviving It All! (June 2006).

©2007 Jodie Lynn

#1. Stop, Look and Listen – While your toddler may not be making sense to you, if you will “tune-in” to what he is trying to say, you might just get it. He is exhumed with energy in learning all about his newfound developmental abilities and is surely trying to move forward in his own interpretation of all of the incredible adventures in this big old world. When he gets excited, get motivated to speak his body language and play along. When things get too wacky, reel him back into the real world ever so slowly without labeling, yelling or screaming.

#2. Talk to your toddler – not at him. When talking to your toddler, interject some of his high-rolling emotions into the conversation between the two of you. If he does something that you totally approve, dance and clap your hands in joy while implementing the same reaction and energy into the tone of your voice: “WHOOHOO! Way to go Jacob! Good job!”

#3. Treat Children (yes, toddlers) the Way You Want to be Treated – Everyone wants to be heard, and toddlers are no different. As adults, we are usually taught to validate our friends’ feelings, and those feelings of other significant importance, by repeating back to them what they have just conveyed to us. After doing so, the normal reaction will be that their feelings have been confirmed – they feel “heard.” Now, you are ready to voice your own concerns. Sound too grown up – it’s not. Toddlers learn by how others’ react to everything that they experience throughout a day. It doesn’t matter if it’s an evoked positive or negative reaction to something that they have done or said, or to what someone else has done or said to a situation (including the pets!). Don’t forget that; they are always listening and watching.

#4. Brief Conversations with your Toddler is Priceless – Keep conversational interaction brief. Toddlers learn best by repetition. Forget long-winded explanations and use short sentences, suggestions and commands for the very best tolerance, and understanding, by a toddler. There will be a time and place for more in-depth explanations as he gets older.

#5. Brag on Baby – When your toddler has done something great, (and has displayed acceptable behavior), go ahead and brag to others about what he has just accomplished. Call Daddy, Grandma, Aunt, or even tell some of his favorite objects: stuffed pals (his favorite bear, hand puppet, etc.), a family pet, like a real dog/cat, next door playmate’s mom, or maybe his favorite online character, like Elmo, Big Bird, etc. Just let him hear and “see” you smiling.

Always remember, put yourself in your toddler’s shoes and remind yourself that while he seems terribly smart, witty and capable of understanding everything you say, he’s only been on this earth for a mere two-years or shorter and can’t possibly fathom everything you think that he should.

Having a little patience will prove to be an amazingly smart parenting tool in helping you get through the demanding and ever-constant perplexing wacky world of toddlers.

©2007 Jodie Lynn

Most dads really enjoy the football season. It’s just a given that many are simply glued to the TV set for hours fueling a strong competition for family time.

Here are a few tips to help balance family and football games:

#1. Keep your rituals. Regardless of which football game is on, if you have a weekly or daily ritual with your children, keep it. Let them know that a football game will never be as important as they are.

#2. Tape the game and watch it later. Although this may appear harder to do than it really turns out, by tapping the game, it can be watched the very same day as soon as the kids go to bed. This ends the dilemma of the Football Orphans and restores peace in the home.

#3. Ask permission to switch out an activity. If your child is between the age of 6 to 12, ask if a specifically planned activity can be switched. If the child shows disappointment in the request, accept it and move forward without harboring ill feelings.

#4. Make the football game a family TV night. Ask each family member to write down at least two choices on what to watch on family TV night. Then allow each one to vote on the choices. Who knows, the football game might win.

#5. Switch out a planned activity with your spouse. If as a dad you normally take your child to a specified activity on Monday nights, ask the child if mom can substitute in your place for this one time. If the child agrees, you’re free to watch the game. However, don’t make this a regular habit and don’t suggest the switch again for at least one month.

While some of these seem to be more proactive towards allowing dads to watch their favorite teams, as long as the family is in agreement with the changes, and the experience is positive, it’s not going to hurt the relationships. However, taping the game and watching it after the kids go to bed seems to be the most popular choice, as well as the more positive.

©2006 Jodie Lynn

Beginning to literally sob, I didn’t even notice the car when it pulled up to the curb. “Hey, do you need a ride to school,” asked the lady with the funny looking hat and neatly placed hairnet.

A perplexed and bewildered expression must have shown on my face as I peered into the car. “Oh, I work in the cafeteria,” she said with a large smile.

“Oh, sure, now I recognize you,” I replied, followed by a huge sigh of relief.

From that day on, Betsy Crumfield became one of my best friends. I found out that she lived right around the corner from me.

Betsy was a retired school nurse who decided to fill in one day for one of her friends who worked in the cafeteria and afterwards was asked to join the staff. She was short, round and a well-fed older woman who said she just couldn’t get enough of the warm, yet crazy personalities of nutty high school kids.

To my amazement, we had a lot in common. My mom was a nurse and Betsy had just retired from nursing only a mere two years earlier. She was such a caring person that every morning she would come by the same corner at the same time making sure I had a ride to school.

Since both of my parents worked outside the home leaving me with a ton of time on my hands in an empty, lonely house, she frequently brought snacks and treats to share. Among other things, Betsy loved to cook in her updated and well-lit kitchen at home and not only did it well, but also daily.

She not only became a friend but also a great sounding board, especially for a 16-year-old to blurt out feelings. There were all sorts of things that might never be discussed with one’s parents and even best friends — but with Betsy, I knew the discussions would stay put and that judgment would never surface.

Her patience and kind words were amazingly comforting and the knowledge and advice she kindly suggested seemed to always work. For example, when the position for 10^th Grade Representative was posted, she made observations that there seemed to be very few girls who ran and none that ever won. Her love for writing inspired me to step up to the plate and place my name into the ring; write a speech and follow through with the whole voting/election process. As our friendship grew, her smile became larger than life (which I thought was impossible) and she too seemed to adhere to her new-found friend.

On a cold blustery morning, one day before Thanksgiving, Betsy was supposed to bring over her “famous” Pumpkin Cheesecake, as a pre-holiday gift to my family…she did not show up. Upon calling her house, there was no answer, which struck me as quite odd. Without any readily available transportation, I decided to walk over to her house. Fighting the buckets of rain and the bone chilling winds, I turned the corner just in time to see someone pulling away from her driveway, but before doing so, he stuck something on the door. As the front of her tiny house became clearer, I noticed it was extremely dark, as there were no lights inside. Upon approaching the freshly painted porch, I stumbled over a wreath and found myself face to face with the note that the strong winds had quickly detached from the door. It said, “Betsy died peacefully last night. The funeral will be……………,” – that’s as far as I got before disbelief and a giant wave of sadness filled my heart. Feeling shocked, angry and betrayed, I somehow found my way back home wiping tears away with my gloves. It was strange, I met her on a rainy cold day and lost her on a similar one.

Becoming accustomed to my down in the dump slump, and not being able to deal with it any longer, one morning, my mom reminded me of the many wonderful aspirations Betsy had left behind. Mom was right – and feelings of gladness and respect once again filled my heart with fond memories of what little time Betsy and I had experienced.

As I look back, there may have been other unsung heroes in my life but none with such a profound impact as the cafeteria lady. Who would have thought that a 65-year-old woman would become a best friend to a 16-year-old? She was there when I needed her and always looked out for me at school providing a little extra skip in my step and a “can-do-anything” attitude.

Best of all, she lifted my spirit and filled my heart with great passion to help others, just like she had done for me. Remembering and cherishing her ever-happy personality, I became determined to carry out the future she had carefully etched in my young impressive mind — so I did.

Through the hustle, bustle and sometimes hectic schedules of the Holidays, take a step back and remember your own Unsung Heroes and the many blessings that they provided your soul. Take a silent moment to garnish the felicity of their true meaning in your life.

Oh, by the way, I did not ace the election spot for the 10^th Grade Representative, but did so for each year after that . . . Betsy would have been so proud!

©2006 Jodie Lynn