We are Lillington-Shawtown

School. I never knew how much I appreciated that building until it was gone. There is so much that happens in one day there for the kid, and I just never realized it. And it's so much more than I can give him, alone at home. 

The presence of another adult, to build him up, to show him his strengths and weaknesses. To show him how to continue to grow into a strong and productive young man, to continue festering his love of learning, to show him the finer parts of the education system and how they all fit together. 

The precence of his prior teachers who still made the time to make sure their kid was doing ok. That he was following what they taught him, and that he knew they were there if he needed a hug, or just a place to chill. 

The prescence of the support staff who always made sure the kid was ok. From opening the car door in the morning, with a "Good morning Michael", to Ms. Pat making sure he knew not to leave a mess for her to clean up. To the ladies in the cafeteria knowing that he can have that ice cream, but not that thing of milk. To Ms. Bourey who makes sure the kid is being taught internet safety, to our fabulous guidance counselors trying to teach ALL these kids that its ok to be different. To our wonderful Mrs. Scinta loving these kids and keeping them moving. The support staff in "that" building makes it a home for my kid and so many others!

To our Principal, Ms. Clinton, and VPs, who truly do care about our kids. They walk the halls, calling down kids, but also giving out hugs, and holding onto hands. 

This "BUILDING" was builting out of brick and mortar. It was built to make a school. It was built to hold some kids and teachers, to make some students, and carry on. But what this "BUILDING" has done is made a family, a family that is crying. Our, Lillington-shawtown family, is crying tonight. Our teachers, our staff and our students are hurting because they cant continue the journey they started together. But we will prevail!! The LSES Cougars will come out on top, and come back stronger! And just think - as the building settles, and the lights shut off for the last time for awhile - just think of what the halls will say when it's time to welcome our family back!! #weareHarnett #wearelillingtonshawtown #wewillprevail #stayhome #washyourhands 

Be thankful

Remember that when you are thanking Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, you need to thanks the lab techs that actually run the tests, the janitorial staff that actually cleans and makes sure the room is ready for the next patient, the intake person who is there to great you. Our Police officers, ambulance crews, fired departments are all busy making sure our streets are safe and keeping things going.
The truck drivers who is delivering the tp, the meat, bread, etc that we all need to substain our families. The cashiers who are handling money, being fussed at because they are there, the managers being made to enforce limits, and the stockers doing their best to keep the shelves stocked.
But, dont forget those that are behind the sceens keeping the infrastructure of our country going. The power plants, the water plants, the banks, our military, etc. We have forgotten that these men and women are working just as hard to keep our power and water on in this time of chaos, and they deserve our thanks also!! At the end of COVID-19, when our world has been changed forever, we have 2 options, 1)to go back to the thankless society we were or 2) to become a society that is appreciative of those that do for us. Let's use this as a learning experience and show our gratitude! ⚓ CBC
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Unprecedented Times

We have read books, watched movies, seen tv shows that have all talked about a virus that takes out the world, but hey, that was just a work of fiction, right? Well, it was. Until on day we woke up to a virus, COVID-19, and how it is freezing the world. It has crashed the stock markets, made sane people crazy, made doctors chose who to save, babies or the elderly, and whole countries go on lock down. 

Today, March 16th, 2020, was day 1, of 14 days of schools being closed, by governor orders in NC. I went and picked up Michael's school work. Went to the grocery store and dollar general, and seen how crazy people are. The past 2 weeks we have watched the world hoard toilet paper, and all online stores sell out of tp, lysol wipes and hand sanitizer. Bath and body works is completely sold out in all their stores, and they normally have thousands of little hand sanitizers. People are trying to sale it for 10-15.00 a small bottle. Costco is selling out of tp in minutes, people are buying 4 and 5 packs of their bulk packs of tp. You have the elderly that are struggling and people not caring. I had to go to 3 stores today for milk. And offering a kind smile and helping hand to an elderly gentleman was rewarded with a thank you from him, and a "tisk" from his wife. 

This virus will keep spreading if people dont slow down and follow common sense. Social distancing - 6 feet people, 6 feet. Dont stand right on top of one another. Give everyone some room. Remember that this virus is airborne and can linger on surfaces. WASH YOUR HANDS!!! Stay home if you can! 

Be safe out there. The world has changed in just 2 weeks, and before this is all over, it will change again. When its all done and said, we wont wake up to the same world we woke up to on 1/1/2020! 

My prayers to our heavenly Father and my many praises and thanks for His hedge of protection over my family, my friends, my church family, and those who mean the world to me!! Amen!