Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald

Although I have not kept up on reporting on the books that I have read, I believe that this is one worth talking about. I enjoyed this book because although it is a work of fiction, it gives some insight into the oppression that women feel in Iran. The main character, Tami, comes to the US and has three months to find a husband or face losing the freedom that she has just gained. It is amazing to see through her eyes the freedoms that we take for granted that are not freedoms everywhere such as the freedom for kids to play outside. I think of my children, and how blessed they are to be able to play outside and have the ability to be kids until they grow up and choose not to play outside. Read the book! Times may be hard, but we take a great deal for granted, and we need to be thankful for the freedoms that we have.

Back to Work

Although I was looking for a classroom teaching position, I have found a job as a special education tutor for the district in which I use to work. I have eight students and work in two schools. I enjoy my work and the students that I work with, but as of tomorrow, I have now enjoyed three wind days off. In the winter time we call days off for bad weather snow days, but we have had three days off for hurricane force winds that we got on Sunday as remnants of Hurricane Ike. They say that it could be another week before the whole city has power again and although I have not seen the news today, the rumor is that in my district, about half the buildings still do not have power.

On Sunday I was out in the wind at a festival. We were on the fairgrounds, and the dust was kicking up everywhere. As I was tearing down my tent and packing up my things, things kept falling and blowing away. Thankfully, I saved my tent and do not have to buy another one for next year. You could see the trees blowing sideways and after my experiences with these winds without all the rain that goes along with a hurricane, I now know why hurricanes are so dangerous, and why it is better to evacuate even if it might be all for naught.

100 Years, 5 Months, 20 Days

My American grandma was born on March 4, 1908, and she passed away on August 25, 2008. She was really the only grandma that I knew. My first home was her house, and even after we moved, we still went to see her, and she would babysit for me sometimes when my parents had to work on Saturdays.

Grandma was a Christian woman who loved to read her Bible and play hymns on the piano. She bought me both of the bibles that I own, and will forever be remembered for her faith in God.

She attended my high school graduation, the first graduation she had ever attended, and after that we went to see her for major events in our lives, my college graduation, wedding, the birth of my children, etc.

This picture was taken the last time that I saw Grandma with my children in May. The weekend that she passed away, she became unresponsive, and we were called. Although she could not talk to us, we know that she knew we went to visit her on the night that she died. I believe that Grandma was waiting for us to come to see her one last time before she went home.

Because Grandma had no immediate family, I was very fortunate to be able to be able to get her pictures, her sewing box, and the hymn book that was always on her piano. As I was gathering the pictures that I wanted, I thought about asking for her desk, but didn't. A few days later I decided that I wanted it, but forgot to call and ask after it. On Thursday I called the pastor to ask about the desk, and he told me that he left the furniture up to the management of the place where Grandma died. I called the manager, and she told me that I was four hours too late. She gave all the furniture to a family that had none. She felt bad, but I told her that it was my fault for not calling sooner. The manager did tell me that if the family had not taken the desk yet, when she got back, she would grab it for me. Fortunately for me, the manager called me and told me that the desk was still there, and I could have it. I went to get it yesterday to put in my bedroom by my bed, and as I look at it, it is not an heirloom piece of furniture, it has no real value except for the fact that it is part of all my memories and reminds me of a time when Grandma use to sit at the desk and talk on a old black rotary telephone.

I will never forget you and will love you always Grandma.