Hello? (echo, echo, echo)

Contrary to appearances on my website, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I said when I started this page that I would post every couple of weeks or so. Didn’t happen. By a long shot. My last post, I believe, was nearly two years ago. Ugh. Well, there’s no time like the present to get back up on the horse (notice the ranch metaphor).

My reasons for not posting aren’t entirely laziness, though that has definitely played a role. Life has been a bit challenging in the last year or so. I have no doubt all two of you that will read this will agree. You would also agree it’s a gross understatement to call it “a bit challenging.” It was arguably the most difficult time in my life.

Here is a brief rundown/update:

Our house was completed, and we moved in on January 25, 2020, just a few weeks before the country shut down. I honestly don’t know how I would have kept it together had we not moved in before all of that happened. We love our little house, by the way. It took significantly longer than I thought it would, but I’m so incredibly grateful for it – every. single. day.

I learned that working from home was both wonderful and not necessarily the best option for me. I love my work. Teaching is truly a calling for me and there’s no doubt in my mind I’m where I’m meant to be. But when I’m home, there are many distractions. I knew I was ADD, but it became crazy apparent when I didn’t leave the house for work. Eat something? Why, yes, great idea. Clean out email? I believe I will. Laundry? Ummm…no. You get the idea. The fact that I was one of the fortunate ones who kept my job doesn’t elude me. I will never take it for granted again. I just think I do my job better in my classroom/office.

Speaking of work in a classroom or office, I was hired this Spring to work for Brock High School full time! I’ve been working there just two days a week the past two years as an adjunct professor for Weatherford College teaching Dual Credit English. I’m still going to be doing that, but I’ll also be teaching their Senior English classes and coaching UIL Academic events. They are insanely successful in just about everything they do. I am super excited to become a part of this amazing district. I’ll still be an adjunct for Weatherford College, but I’ll have to say goodbye to my TCU athletes, at least during the school year. I may be able to help out during the summers.

The next update really deserves its own post, but I’m not ready to do that yet. I lost both of my parents in a three-week span. My mom passed away, likely due to a stroke, on 11/12/20, and my dad passed away from COVID complications on 12/3/20. There was much deterioration and many emotional struggles leading up to their deaths, and I am haunted daily by my experiences of sitting by their bedsides those last days.

It is true that life goes on, and my sister and I are forging ahead in spite of the loss. 

In an effort to keep this less than a novella, I’ll leave it there for now. Despite the difficulties, I’ve watched my little boy grow into a 6’5″ 14-year-old, begun to make a home out of a house, and truly enjoyed my precious family. God is good.

More soon!