REFELECTING ON THE LAST YEAR

 Mommas and daddies aren’t supposed to outlive their young’uns. That’s what happened to Amy and me. Our son Dallas passed away one year ago today (Sept. 23). For the past year, we’ve lived a miserable existence. One day we are fine; the next we're swept away in a flood of sadness and loss. Holidays have been void of good cheer, and we’ve gotten through them while living in a fog. Even with such aching hearts beating in our bodies, we’ve survived the last 365 days with plenty of help. 

Our friends have saved us. That includes so many people with whom we have worked over the years. Kind words, support-filled texts and cards, and hugs have made each day a little easier to handle. Dallas’ friends have also been present. Amy and I had heard many stories about those folks from and college or work. When he left us, the closest friends made contact. At the celebration of his life, those people stood in front of a crowded church and told stories that were funny or sweet.  

In the toughest of times, neighbors provided food, and church friends offered prayers and help in any task. Amy and I are blessed with two church families. One is from First Christian Church. We spent 30 years there, and those friends knew Dallas as a newborn all the way through high school. Our second church family is Beaver Ridge United Methodist. Those who are there have known Dallas as a man, one who loved children, took over the dish room during Wednesday night meals, and offered kind words to all who came his way. All of those groups have been present for the last year to make life easier. 

The minister at BRUMC is special. She and I don’t necessarily agree in every area, and our personalities are exact opposites. Teresa McClure will always have a special spot in my heart because she was with Amy and me the from the time that Dallas entered the emergency room last year. She stayed with us until his passing and guarded us as if she were a mamma bear.  

My daughter Lacey is a true hero. Her grief took a backseat as she did her best to help us struggle through the loss. On many occasions, she was the only person with a clear enough head to make some of the hard decisions. Lacey has continued to be the loving, caring daughter through the year, and she knows how much her love and phone calls help. Living in Hendersonville with her husband Nick and son Madden, She finds trips here are difficult. However, if we can travel to her home, she has a wonderful space for us to stay. Amy and I couldn’t have made it through the past year without her.  

Our faith in God and His promise of an eternal life have buoyed us in dark times. We miss Dallas so much that it makes our hearts ache. However, Amy and I know that we will be with him sometime in the future. That promise of life over death for which Christ gave his own life takes away much of the pain of Dallas’ too-soon departure. 

Last, Amy and I have each other. We have cried and laughed and grieved this last year. The key is that we have each other and a love that’s lasted for nearly 51 years. Although nothing can change the fact that Dallas is gone, the sharing of sorrow and questionings makes that fact bearable. Our dog Sadie and grand-dog Harvey have created a family. Our lives are simple. The dogs instinctively knows when one of us is feeling low, and they hover around us or curl up beside us or on our laps.  

Today is the end of a year without our son. Dallas is still in our hearts and in our thoughts. With the blessings that I’ve listed, Amy and I are making it daily. We are certainly thankful for the love and kindness that has come our way.  

THAT'S WHAT AMERICA HAS ALWAYS DONE

 I’ve given up watching the news. I’ve given up reading the daily paper. Some might say I’m choosing to become an uninformed, ignorant person. I don’t think so. I’ve just heard too much negative stuff that’s going on and need a break from the perpetual bad news. This past week, a couple of things occurred that helped to change my attitude.  

The first changing event was a gathering of several old men. For a while, classmates from Ball Camp Elementary have met for a meal and fellowship. Only a few of us are around, so this past month, some men who went to Karns Elementary were invited. We all graduated in 1970, and yes, that means we’re OLD. New attendees included Quill Higdon, Mike Hill, and Wayne Norman. This last man drove from Gallatin to meet with us. Some of the regular guys weren’t able to meet, and they missed a good time. For a couple of hours, everyone participated in telling old stories, many which were surprising and funny. Sam Marcum was in town from Utah, and this is his second meeting.  

Nearly every one of us has dealt with some kind of hardship, but for that short time that we met, those things were forgotten and replaced with smiles and laughter. In fact, life returned to our eyes as we listened to the old war stories and floated back to the years in high school. When we rose to leave, all stood a little straighter and walked a bit lighter. Spending time with friends from 50-plus years ago is good for the body and the soul. 

The second thing that adjusted the way I’ve been feeling was a televised concert from the Vatican. Pope Leo thought that a celebration might be something all of us could use. Called “Grace for the World Concert,” the program was an evening filled with entertainers and speakers who all assured the 300,000 live audience and those watching television that we are all under the watchful eyes of a God who loves us and will take care of us.  

Sometimes, we, who believe that God is, need a reminder. We worry and fret and withdraw. That is not what the plan is for us. Instead, we are to go into the world and serve others. A reminder that a powerful, loving creator is ever-present gives us a renewed strength. When we recall that our jobs are to drive the buses and to follow the route that the divine has given, our fears and worries end.  

Right now, our country is in turmoil. Party fights party, group argues with groups, and individuals choose their ideas of right over what is common sense and the laws of the land. If we choose to make things better, it will take all parties working together for what is best for all people. Doing so might require all of us to give up our ill feelings and prejudices. That’s tough work. 

Yes, I still worry about the future of our country. I want the USA to remain the bright light in the darkness. I want us to remain the “gold standard” for a country and government. I no longer plan to fret and withdraw from the world. Instead, I think I’ll take my part in trying to make the world a better place for everyone. That’s what America has always done.  

A NEW PLAN FOR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION

 I’ve been listening about all the educational innovations that are coming at the speed of light. I loved the 30-career I had as a high school English teacher, but not enough money exists to entice me to go back—even for a second. I’m not sure what is going on in classrooms; I suspect that most teachers are trying their best to educate our children.  

The problem with our educational system is lies in offices of superintendents and supervisors. In addition, the federal government has overstepped its boundaries by taking up valuable classroom time with tests. Too often, teachers’ careers depend upon the results of those standardized tests. Money that could be used for more important materials is poured into all sorts of practice materials so that students perform better on the exams.  

For a while, I’ve thought about secondary education and its demands on students. Changes need to be made to make our educational system more attentive to the needs of the students, the ones who are the most important elements of the whole thing. My ideas will meet plenty of resistance, but they might just make school somewhere that teens want to be.  

In my new curriculum, four years of English and math will no longer be required. English will be a two-year course of study. The first year will cover grammar and usage, and then students will learn the basic elements of writing. The second year will present literature. Students will cover American and English literature, as well as other works from authors and poets of the world. The first year of math will cover Algebra. The second year will be devoted to geometry.  

Social studies will cover American history and will start with the founding of the country and will go through the 1960’s. A second year of study will cover civics in the 9th grade. Senior year is reserved for a course of American government and the personal finance. Students have the opportunity to better understand the government that runs the country and become proficient in setting budgets, banking, and investment strategies.  

Science also will be a two-year course of study. Basic science and biology are the two areas to be covered. The first will be a survey of sciences, and the second will give students an understanding of plant and animal life.  

One year of the arts is required. Students can choose from marching band, concert band, vocal music, and art. Students who join marching band will be exempt from physical education. Others will be required to take P.E. for one year.  

All of these courses will be completed during the first two years of high school. Because a year’s course is covered in a semester, other elective courses can be included in students’ yearly schedule. The exception is that no student may take two English, math, or science in a single year during the freshman or sophomore years.  

Also important are the vocational courses that are available to students. Those classes can be taken during any year of student’s time in school. Other vocational courses will be made available for those who are not working toward a certification in a trade. The opening of classes to the rest of the student body increases the likelihood that vocational education stays relevant and available. 

A student’s junior and senior years are for developing a more in-depth study of disciplines. An individual who wants to delve more deeply into language can take specialty classes like journalism, technical writing, advertising, or SEO. Another student who is interested in math can take more algebra, trigonometry, or statistics. Science majors can include chemistry, physics, and medical science if they choose.   

Another part of the high school education is learning to get along with others. That education comes through assemblies, pep rallies, and student performances. Students need more than 20 minutes to eat lunch and decompress from the classroom pressures. Most of an adult’s world is spent with other humans, so learning how to behave in open settings is critical 

This is a partial plan for changing high school curriculum. Many areas have not been addressed because of space limitations. Still, enough is present to make high school a place where young people can go to learn the basics while also focusing on a specific or special course of study. Most everything has changed over my lifetime: phones, computers, cars, appliances. The time has come to update our educational system so that it suits the needs of those who are to be educated. I feel confident that such new curricular will automatically make students more successful. One more key to a successful education plan is the de-emphasis on standardized tests.  

Those who disagree with me probably have valid points. I challenge them to spend some time to develop a plan for educating all students, not just those who are headed to college. Such plans must have the funding of both state and federal governments. Educating our children is the only hope for America’s continued prosperity and leadership. Turning a blind eye to this goal will sink the U.S. to a second-rate country.