Michael Allen Herwick

Michael is my older brother.  I was eleven months old when he was born.  As long as I can remember, I have been the older sister.  I've only seen him once in 25 years.  He has been developmentally disabled since he was about two years old.

I was fiercely protective of him as I was growing up and woe to the person who made fun of Michael or anyone else that had a disability.  He attended the same high school as I did but he had a "special" classroom and teacher.  He was also enrolled in several general classes with me.  Health class is the only one I can remember right now.  We graduated the same year and I was so proud that was able to walk with the rest of our graduating class of about 900 students. 

I have been able to keep up with him somewhat through extended family who were able to spend time with him over the years.  He has had his struggles, but he has accomplished more than I had hoped for him.  He began working as a custodian in a local school district the year we graduated.  He worked for 30 years and then retired with a good income.  I am so proud of him and can't wait to see him again.

I had a conversation with one of my sisters a few years ago.  I maintain that he looks very much like one of the stars of "Criminal Minds".  She doesn't really see the resemblance.

Holiday Plans

We'll spend Thanksgiving this year with Rachel and her family.  They are coming here and as always, I am eager to see the boys.  I love watching them interact with each other.  I am very thankful to be able to keep up with their growth and changes through Rachel's blog.

I think the boys have a pretty awesome understanding of grace.  They are eager to forgive each other and give unlimited 2nd chances.  Rachel is doing a good job.  I didn't think of teaching my two toddlers about grace as much as I taught them about forgiveness.  Parents can certainly learn from their adult children as much as adult children can learn from their parents.

Back to the blog:  I smile, chuckle, and even laugh out loud at their antics.  Sometimes I read it aloud to Dan so he can chuckle along with me.  I guess many guys aren't into reading blogs as a rule.

Dan and I will drive to Birmingham for Christmas and I'm really excited about the plans Rachel has made for the boys' Christmas.  We bought them bunk beds, which they really wanted.  Here is Rachel's plan:

To preserve the surprise, the bunk beds will stay hidden and the boys will "camp out" in their sleeping bags until Christmas.  On Christmas Eve, we'll move the kids out of their bedrooms after they fall asleep and then set everything up.  Maybe we'll even do a scavenger hunt in the morning (like Mimi always does with their stockings) that ends with them discovering their remodeled room.

Dan and I are staying in a nearby hotel but I have already made sure that we can arrive at their house as early as needed to see them find the bunk beds.

After we get back to Searcy, Michael and his family will join us.  I am so very excited to see Bennett and Jasper again.  JASPER IS WALKING!!  I can't wait to see him walking!  They were just here to visit so the boys, especially Jasper, will already be familiar with us.

If you read Jennifer's blog, you already know what a blessing it is that Jasper is walking.  He has a reduced muscle tone so he has to work harder than other children his age to be able to walk.  Even so, HE'S WALKING.  I am so happy for him and his parents (and grandparents)

I'll update after all the wonderful visits we have planned.

A Good Night's Sleep

I visited my doctor yesterday for my annual flu shot.  It didn't hurt at all and even now, my arm is barely sore.   While I was there I mentioned my sleep difficulties and he gave me a mild medication which enabled me to happily say:

I SLEPT GREAT LAST NIGHT!!!

I think I can say good-by to 12 hour bouts of restless sleep that left me exausted from the time I woke up until I fell back into bed as early as 7 PM many recent nights!

I feel renewed.  The sun is shining and the world looks a bit brighter to me.  I suspect I would feel the same way even if it were a cloudy, rainy day.

Teachers

 Teachers have such demanding jobs.   I came across the following and it is pretty accurate as far as what is expected of teachers:

After  being interviewed by the school administration,  the teacher  said: 

“Let me see if I've got this right.

You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning. 

You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride. 

You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job. 

You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.

You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card. 

You want me to do all this and then you tell me. . . I CAN'T PRAY?”

Parents

We had our sheparding group today and for the most part, I really enjoyed it.

Several of our group asked for prayers for their mothers who were facing illness.

I found myself wanting to cry.

I held it in - until I left and then I cried in my car.   I cried and cried and cried.

I have only seen my own mother once in the last 25 years.

After growing up having been  molested by her and physically tortured by her, I chose to remove myself from her life when she molested several of her grandchildren that lived nearby her.

I didn't want my own children to be hurt by her.

I have gone through many stages of anger, hate, and then forgiveness toward her.  I now find myself praying for her soul - praying that she will turn to the Lord before she dies.

I have been having nightmares about her several times every week.  This has been going on for 3-4 months.  This has been very difficult for me.  It makes the entire day a bit rough for me.

If you read this, please pray for me and for my mother.

As a mother myself, I have striven to be the best mother I can be and yet I have failed in so many ways.  I am thankful that my own children are better parents than I was.  We all have a responsibility to do the best we can and I am so proud of both of my children because they are wonderful parents to their own children.

I thank God for my children and for my grandchildren.

A Fat Girl's Revolution

I recently read this book, which was a real page turner!

By the time I reached the 2nd chapter, I couldn't put it down.  Every time I thought I might suspect what was next, I was delighted to discover that this book was different than the others I have read.

The plot included a parallel narrative that was intriguing and it was also unique in the sense that I never saw it coming.  I found myself identifying with the main character as she maneuvered the challenges she faced both within herself and externally.

The main theme both encouraged me and is a profound truth that we all need reminded of.

I'm not a literary agent or writing professional but I am someone that LOVED THIS BOOK!

I very proud to say that it was written by my daughter-in-law, Jennifer Driggers Campbell.

Excellent job Jennifer!!