Need Stories for a Book Please

We (a writer friend and I) are putting together a compilation of stories from the recession. We would like you to submit stories of your triumphs over the recession or your defeat. We will read every story and put together a representative selection of stories and publish them in a book. If your story is included, you will receive a first edition of the book. You can submit anonymously, but if you include your name, please notify us if you wish it to be withheld as author of the story. We request only your city and state. Please submit stories to thisisamerica2010@gmail.com Thanks, look forward to hearing from you. Location: any city in the America Compensation: no pay

Everyone Needs Someone

I have always been a fan of Helen Steiner Rice. I remember being a small child and reading her poetry. Here is a poem I wanted to share with you.


Everyone Needs Someone
People need people and friends need friends
And we all need love for a full life depends
Not on vast riches or great acclaim,
Not on success or on worldy fame,
But just in knowing that someone cares
And holds us close in their thoughts and prayers-
For only the knowledge that we're understood
Makes everyday living feel wonderfully good,
And we rob ourselves of life's greatest need
When we "lock up our hearts" and fail to heed
The outstretched hand reaching to find
A kindred spirit whose heart and mind
Are lonely and longing to somehow share
Our joys and sorrows and to make us aware
That life's completeness and richness depends
On the things we share with our loved ones
and friends.

by Helen Steiner Rice

Well, yesterday had to of been one of the hardest days of my life. Most parents' understand what I am going to talk about here. I have homeschooled my children for many,  many years and this year, because of life and the work/school schedule that I keep... I decided it was best to put my little funky lil' monkeys' in public school. (Yes, I call them this all the time.. at home.. in public.. it doesn't matter.. just ask them.. LOL)

Yeah, I thought I would be all big and bad... strong mom.. here I come! Nope, not the case! I have never cried so hard in my life. You see, my lil' one.. is my last lil' one... and when he ran behind me and grabbed my shirt NOT wanting to go into his classroom.. I stood there... held my composure.. and told him everything would be ok.. he is growing up now.. it's time to have some fun, make friends and learn to read! (Well, I said it a bit nicer and like a 5 yr old) Off I went... I left the school and came home. Remember, I'm being strong mom right now.. LOL!

An hour passes-- I find myself wasting time on the internet... two hours pass--- I start feeling the tears coming---two hours and literally two second... I'm bawling like I just lost my child and he will never return home to me! This lasted for--oh...most of the day--- LOL! I wanted to run back to the school and take him out.. that was it.. he had to come home with Mom. No,  Steph.. be strong.. you can do this!

So... it's time to pick up my funky lil' monkeys'! They get off off the school bus and are worked up! I saw the looks on their faces' and immediately knew something was up!  I then was informed my lil' man (he calls himself a lil' man.. and let me know he is not a baby anymore)  was LOST at school... and actually LEFT the building! Oh, hell to the NO! This is NOT what I needed to hear! A teacher's aid walked up to my daughter in the lunch room and proceeded to inform her that her brother is missing, but not to panic... he will never leave the building! Well.. guess what HE LEFT! They found him outside ... on a bus! My 5 yr old lil' man all alone.. sitting on a bus.. with tears in his eyes.

The first thing he told me when he got off the bus--and was done hugging me--was that he thought I wasn't going to pick him up. He said he had to keep telling himself.. do not cry.. do not cry..the kids will see... but it was too late! By this time... My heart is in my feet and I am holding back the tears..... Now.. instead of him telling himself not to cry.. I was doing it.. the whole way back home... I.. me.. MOM.. was telling myself.. be strong.. don't let him see you cry.. don't you do it Mom.. he will be more scared and will NEVER want to return to school again! (How the roles reversed! )

So.... then I have a LONG talk with my kids... I take a necklace off of my neck that I DO NOT ever take off. It is my cross... it is part of my skin... but you know what.. he is part of me.. and this is just a material thing... then put it on him. He was shocked and felt so ever special! I told my lil' monkey to always wear this.. he will always know that Mom is with him... if he gets scared .. to hold my necklace and know I am coming!  He left for school today so proud to be wearing my necklace.. It hangs down to his mid-chest but he didn't care.. everyone was going to see it!

I e-mailed his teacher and I called the school... what I said... I don't think I can post on here! LOL I can tell you this... they will NOT ever allow my 5 yr. old child to leave the school again... or the news will be called! I mean, come one we live in a BIG TOWN... crazies everywhere.. hell with the movie Crazies.. it's every day life here...

So, the moral of this blog.... as all mom's and dad's know... you know when something is wrong with your child... even if that child is not with you! You are connected by blood, body and soul! Trust your instincts!

Ok..time to get ready to get my lil' monkeys from the school bus!

Haha Forgot I had this blog!

Whew...Now.. I can honestly say that it has been awhile! (smile) Where has time gone? Did I miss a whole year somewhere? I'm going on a hunt now to find this year and try to figure out where it went! I cannot believe how life has changed since I have been on here last. I have deleted my old blog posts to start over, a fresh start, a new blog... a new life!

I am going to use this blog to post whatever is on my mind! If you know me, then you know....one never does know what I will say ;) I am also going to use this blog to update my family and friends about our life, events, milestones, and the like. It seems easier to me to just post a note on here... ok... I can hear you calling me lazy.. now come on, was that necessary?? I mean, geez!

Now, that I have gotten that out of the way.. I am able to start my daily, weekly or from the looks of it.. yearly or possibly every two year post on here..Nah, I'm just kidding.. I actually have time now to do this. Watch this blog for information about other blogs I am starting... here's a hint... one is going to be about being a freelance writer! (I bet you never guessed that huh!)

Ok, I'm off to get this thing updated... will check back in later today or tonight. Don't forget to bookmark my blog or follow me...

PS) Note to self.. Steph don't just slop stuff on here.. like you just did... take your time girl.. come on! LOL