The View from Here

Summer Camp

I have fond memories of summer camp. The experience wasn’t something my family could ever afford, so I will be forever grateful to a generous Sunday School group for sending me off to the woods.

It’s amazing how much I recall about that brief week spent with hundreds of other kids and a few brave adults. Even though I went to other camps in later years, and attended camp as a counselor and as an adult on retreat, nothing else ever had the impact, emotionally or spiritually, of that first experience. I assume it was my first lengthy escape from home since I can’t recall any other. I also assume there were at least a few adults that my mom and I trusted implicitly because she didn’t let us sleep away from home very often.

I’m not sure how church camps are operated these days, but when I attended everything had restrictions. What we wore, what we did, when we did it, and who we did it with were all governed by strict rules. We ate, slept, played, and prayed by a schedule, but somehow being in the woods and being away from our parents made even the rules easier to abide by.

I worked in the kitchen during part of my stay. I made crafts and entered a drawing contest. I sang songs and memorized verses. I walked in the woods and swam in the pool, not the lake. I prayed and studied and listened to speakers. Mostly I asked some hard questions that I didn’t feel brave enough to ask at my home church. At camp there seemed to be others who were just as confused, and counselors who didn’t seem to be surprised or offended. So, I asked some things that I thought my parents might consider silly or worse, disrespectful. I asked some things that might amuse my friends in school, and therefore embarrass me. I asked some things my teachers couldn’t, or wouldn’t answer. That was the experience of camp for me, the freedom to be “just me” for a little while and not live up to the expectations of my parents, teachers, or friends. That was the gift some generous adults in our church gave a young girl one summer…just as she was finding out who she was and where she was going. 

Perspective...once again...

My whole world is a bit chaotic right now.

I’m putting the finishing touches on my new book and plan to deliver it for indexing tomorrow.

I’m trying to pack and move a few things in between rain showers. Waiting patiently and hopefully for an extended break so we can move furniture sometime in the next two weeks when we have helpers.

I’m walking cautiously (snakes) through the tall grass each day to get to the bird feeders, and like everyone else we’re hoping to mow the lawn before we’re forced to bale it.

I’m cleaning at the new house, but not making as much progress as I’d like because of pain and disability.

I have three pending doctor’s appointments and I’m anxious to get some problems resolved, but not before I’m settled in the new house.

I’m pondering all the financial challenges presented by retiring and moving in the same year.

There is currently a snake in my laundry room and I can’t find it. I may never do laundry again!

It might be easy to get discouraged and I almost did for a moment this afternoon when I had trouble walking back into the house. But then I thought of all the destruction that took place such a short time ago. I thought of the lives and property lost. I thought of people still struggling. And I thought of how very blessed I am to have such minor problems…and to have the means to solve them. Nothing in my world is hopeless. Nothing in my life is even depressing. I simply succumbed today to a slight increase in pain and a little fear. I gave myself a mental slap and did what I usually do, picked up the camera. Perspective is what brings me back to my blessings every time.  Looking through the lens at beauty reminds me that there will be more. “As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:11

Be still...

I have been silent for a couple of days. I’d like to say that I have been “deep in thought”, pondering the mysteries of the universe or solving some great problem, but I have not. I have simply been facing the challenges of each day and completing a few projects.

If I have pondered anything profound, it has been the confirmation of God’s perfect timing. Several things have happened lately that have established again that I am not in control, and for good reason. God’s plan is working out much better than mine would have!

Having the weather in the forefront each day and staying aware of the struggles of others has also kept my life and petty problems in perspective. It would be easy for any of us to have a “pity party” about the ravages of this monsoon, but most of us are sitting here, years beyond the floods of 2007, witnessing many of the things that happened then. We will most likely be discussing this “wet year” in the middle of the drought of 2020.

I am facing a minor health setback, but that too is only a detour in my path compared with the current challenges of many friends. I have been this route of injury, repair, recovery many times. I’m thankful for the advances in medicine that restore more bodies and save more lives each day. I only pray that God will allow medicine to save some people who are close to my heart.

I walked down to the highway yesterday and then out to the pond. I haven’t done either in many months. I walked slowly. I walked carefully. I walked with the awareness that it might be the last time I did so. Just a small part of saying “good-bye” to this place that has entertained and enlightened me for the past eight years.

There will be moments of silence all over the country today as we pause to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom, those who are no longer here to witness the ways we have chosen to use it. I’m not sure some of the guys from WWII would be pleased with how we are living. I’m not sure they would be proud of us. Perhaps in the stillness of a quiet moment today we should think about that. 

Change

I spent a little time at the new house yesterday. I moved some small house plants and a few things that are too oddly shaped to pack in a box.  I did a little cleaning and explored the closets and cabinets. As I washed the kitchen sink I looked out at my new view and thought about ways to improve it.

 It will be a few more days before I’ll be able to spend much more time there, but already the new house feels a little more familiar, a little more welcoming. I’m sure that as I clean and arrange, and later decorate, it will be transformed into “our house”.

That transformation will be the result of a lot of work and the culmination of a thousand changes. I thought yesterday about how many times I’ve made a few little changes to the kitchen here, or arranged something differently in the office. However, I’ve avoided some changes that might be beneficial because they just seemed like “too much trouble”. Yes, I can be as lazy and unmotivated as anyone! Now our move will force me to rethink and redesign every aspect of our living arrangements. If I’m smart I’ll take the time to arrange some things in much better ways.

I’ve been cleaning out clutter and I’ve gotten rid of a lot of stuff, but many of my old familiar possessions are going with me to the new house. However, I’ve already thought about using them in different ways and I’m going to buy some new drapes, new pillows for the sofa, new dishes. I’m going to add a little more color to my predominately green decorating palette.

Yes, my elephant collection will still dominate our home. Yes, children, I’m keeping that ugly mirror I bought in 1970. Yes, there will still be too many books and too many flowers and too many photos. You can change where and how an old lady lives but even a new house can’t change who she is…only she can do that. 

Dinner in the garden...

I'm slowing weaning the yard critters. I traditionally feed them less in the summer, so they won't notice much of a change until I'm actually gone. I predict they will move over a road or two and bother the neighbors. Look out folks! 

One Year

I awoke at 3am in the middle of a strange dream and proceeded to just a bit of an anxiety attack. My mind has been a jumble of health, financial, and personal concerns since yesterday, the first anniversary of my father’s death. I had another eye problem yesterday. I have to see an orthopedist today. A couple of extra expenses have come up. You know how worry can creep into the dark recesses of your mind.

I tried to go back to sleep, but finally wandered into the kitchen to start my usual morning routine.  As I sat down with my first cup of coffee and first words of the day, I had to smile: Psalm 119:165- “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Okay, Lord, I don’t have to be hit on the head. Message received: read more, worry less.

I also reflected this morning on the changes that have taken place in my life in the past year. There were some responsibilities and challenges that seemed beyond my ability to handle. Some of them were quite painful. But there were also moments of great joy and changes that are now leading me down a new path that I have long anticipated. So I was reminded again that “all things work together for good…”

Time

I’m not going to bore you with a day-by-day account of my new lifestyle, but if there is one immediate noticeable difference between my working life and retirement, it is time. Being able to schedule and manage my own time is a privilege I’ve long desired to reclaim. And while I realize there will still be things out of my control and events set without regard to my wishes, the majority of my time will be mine to control…and I do love the idea of that.

All the little details of our move are falling into place. Changed the utilities. Bought cleaning supplies and paper goods. Packed my measuring tape and notebook. I’ve done this so many times I could write a guidebook. And I have plenty of time for this move…if the weather cooperates.

I’m making a mental list of things I want to accomplish in the next few months, but it is still a strange concept to consider that I have more time than just June and July. I’m sure the list will get longer and longer as fall approaches and I truly understand my new timeline.

I am not foolish enough to think that I have the capability or the right to completely choose my path. Proverbs 16:9- “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” I’ve already gotten an unexpected surprise this weekend that caused some changes in tomorrow’s schedule. But I have the option of working things out in several different ways.

So…time is on my side and I’m going to see just how far we can go.

 

Retired

Mrs. Maurer has officially left the building...

Work, Work, Work

There are times when I feel that I have literally spent my whole life working…struggling and striving to “earn my keep”. My earliest memories are of going to the fields with my parents. Much of my childhood was spent making a few dimes to contribute to the family purse. I chopped cotton, picked cotton, cut grapes, sorted peaches, pruned trees, harvested olives. I baby sat, cleaned houses, and did ironing. In high school I worked as a waitress at the old bowling alley in Durant.

I know I have mentioned most of this in earlier blog posts. However, since today will be my last one at Calera ISD, I thought I would take a few minutes to remind friends once again that I have not always been “Mrs. Maurer, kindergarten teacher”. And although I have only taught in public school for sixteen years, I have worked at some job or another since 1969, the first year I paid into Social Security.  So retirement certainly feels like something I’ve earned!

Our principal mentioned his resume yesterday, so I got mine out and took a good look at it. Although it looks a little like a “crazy quilt” at first glance, it does have two unifying threads: people (big and small) and words. So, if you will indulge me, here is a glance back at the working life of Mary E. Maurer. BTW, I include that E. in my name because of a job I had at SOSU when I was Mary Hart and there was another Mary Hart on staff and our checks were mixed up. I became Mary E. and she was Mary A.

My first real job, after the aforementioned waitressing, was at Valley Medical Center in Fresno, CA where I became an EKG technician. I passed some “on the job” training and quickly learned to conduct heart tests on a variety of people in life and death situations.  Remembering some of the emergencies I witnessed is mind-boggling. Thankfully that job only lasted a year before I realized I needed something a little calmer!

My language skills landed me a job in advertising where I first learned to proof ads, and later to produce them. I perfected my proofreading, typesetting and art skills for six years at a variety of advertising and printing jobs before becoming the production manager for Valley Publishers, a small history book publisher. I worked there for two years.

A move to Caddo prompted me to take a job at the daycare center operated by the Baptist Church. That was 1981 in case you are wondering about my class roster. It included J.T. and Tela Busby and their little friends.

Back to California where I spent a few years working as a nanny and/or doing “odd jobs” like sewing and house cleaning before going to work for Macy’s. I started out as a temporary Christmas sales person and ended up in personnel and training five years later. Truly one of my favorite jobs!

Next came a lovely job as a receptionist at St. Agnes Hospital, working for my former boss from Macy’s. I would have stayed there for much more than a year if Gary and I had not felt the need to return to Oklahoma.

God’s plan was for me to be here today, because when we returned to Caddo I got a job at Children’s Corner Daycare in Durant and worked there for three years. Then I was a teacher’s aide at Robert E. Lee while I returned to school and got my degree. Since getting my teaching certificate I’ve taught at Joe Martin Early Childhood Center in Quinlan, Texas, Durant ISD, Kingston ISD, Hugo ISD, and Calera ISD.

My mother always said that when she got very old she would “sit around and eat bon-bons and watch soap operas”. She didn’t live long enough to do so, but I doubt it would have happened even if she had lived to be ninety. So although I don’t plan to need my resume again, I think I probably have a little more working and striving ahead of me. Bring it on…

Calera ISD

I’ll be leaving the classroom this week so I thought it might be fun to take a look back at some random photos from my years at Calera.