My Brother's Keeper

When I was reading my devotional today, the scripture was Philippians 1:1-11. It states, "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for you." When I pray every night, it's almost gotten into a chant-like prayer because I pray for some people in every single prayer. Of course, with every night there are new additions, but without hesitation, I always ask God to watch over my family and friends.

I'm writing all of this because this past week at school I've talked with teachers and witnessed some students that have really bad situations. Home life is rough, no support, living on their own, bad backgrounds, I'm sure you understand. I see this and have seen this since I began teaching. My county has some poor spots, economically, students come from a range of backgrounds. Some students have situations where they don't have anywhere to go.

As I was praying the other night I had a profound moment of blessing and felt humbled. How fortunate am I to have so many people to pray for? I don't know what it is to be turned away from a home. I don't know what it is to not have any friends. I wouldn't know what to do if I were in a situation like that. Even in my 'new home' in Rockingham County, I know that I have people to turn to. What would it be like to not have this?

I remember my mom becoming so attached to some of her students. Many of them didn't have a steady home. Some were in foster care or at a group home. I couldn't understand why she felt so devoted to these kids. She already had 2, why did she feel the need to take on more? But, I think she knew how important it was to show these students and kids what is was like to have a home. She always taught me that I was no better than anyone else on this Earth and I needed to take care of other people. I take that with me when I teach.

Therefore, my prayers have evolved. Though I feel so blessed to have people to pray for and know that there are people that pray for me, I open up my blessings and prayers to those who don't. My students that need a maternal figure. Even if it's just for 90 minutes. I try to emulate my mom and all that she has taught me about life. Take care of others. Be not only your sister's keeper (literally), but your brother's keeper. It isn't the easiest thing for us to do, but it's the best thing.

Paradise

I wish I was better at this blog thing. Honestly, I just don't think that my life is that interesting. I have moments where I think about things or have fun at events and think, 'Ah! I need to blog this!'...but, that's about as far as it goes. I teach...I sleep...and repeat, haha. There is a good...ahem...wonderful thing coming up, I'm going to my favorite place on earth.

Cape Hatteras entered my life at the young age of 3...maybe even before. There are pictures of a very cute little Coley sporting a bikini (prob for the first and last time in my life) on the steps in the sand with the famous lighthouse in the distance. According to my parents, they wanted to take a little vacation and that's where they ended up. Shortly after it became an annual vacation with family and friends. There are pictures of my cousin Leah and me playing in the sand and smiling with our buckets. One trip, my mom and aunt were pregnant with Megan and Katy (respectively) and somehow the truck got stuck while driving on the beach...Granny ended shoveling sand from the tires with Leah and my little kiddie shovels. I mean, that memory alone is priceless. There are so many more memories that take me back to that beautiful piece of heaven.

Cape Hatteras also holds a special place in my heart because it gave me peace when I needed it most. A couple months after my cousin Melissa died, my family took one of our last trips to Hatteras. It had been a rough couple of months for my family. Lots of changes, tears, and grief that I hadn't quite come to terms with. I was angry at God for letting this happen. I was angry at myself for not being able to deal with it. I had just finished my first year of college and it was one that was really rough. Basically...I was lost. The good news was that I had come home.

While spending our week at the beach, I snuck off for a walk. I took the walk in hopes that I could catch the sunset over the sound. Truly one of the most beautiful sights in the world. I made it to the sound just in time. I found a spot and just sat and watched it. The sky turned into an array of magical colors. Oranges, purples, pinks, and yellows swirled together to make a sky that only God could create. That's when it hit me. A God that can make such a beautiful sky, that could create babies, bless my life with wonderful family and friends has to know what He's doing. Even when I don't understand it (and rarely I do), He knows what He's doing it.

It would take another year or two to have complete peace with the situation, but that was the first huge step. I had felt peace and I savored it. Ever since, Cape Hatteras represents peace to me. I love it. It is a place where I can truly be myself and have complete harmony with the world.

Earlier this month my mom asked if I wanted to spend a few days on the coast over Spring Break. It was a complete spontaneous trip, and usually I don't like things like that, but when Hatteras is in the cards, I will always be up for it.

I hear the waves and seagulls calling...I can't wait.

This is a fitting date to publish this post. 6 years ago today (as I put this on here on 4-14-11), I lost my cousin, Melissa, to cancer. She was a beautiful person with a beautiful spirit. I remember her in the best way, in my mind I am a little girl in her wedding, and she is happy and smiling. I think that's how she would want it, so that is how I choose to remember her. Miss you Melissa.