Born in the Big Sky Country of Montana and now living in the Buckeye State of Ohio, Richard is the creative mind behind Big Sky Buckeye. Retired after 40 years of teaching, I enjoy writing, photography, traveling, and following a healthy lifestyle.
This poem is inspired by a favorite hymn of many, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”
Photo by Peter on Pexels.com
Living weak in character
Laying at the Cross, past torts
Jesus, always our friend
Hearing our troubling reports
Stepping humbly to our Lord
Dumping these tribulations
Jesus, always through His love
Building our life’s foundation
Facing polarizing darkness
Bearing pain, feeling alone
Jesus waits, always trusting
Welcoming us to His own
Taking us, lifting us up
Rescuing us from sin’s shame
Jesus, always rebuilds faith
Saving through His Father’s name
Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com
From 1 Peter 1:21: “Through Him you have come to trust in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.”
Jesus promised peace for those who trust in Him, and He delivers on His promises.
From John 16:12-13: “But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.”
From Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary;they shall walk and not faint.”
Being retired, my days are usually filled with plenty of leisure time. But even the best laid-out plans can suffer from a surprise.
Arriving in the afternoon mail is a registered letter from the local school district. Hmm, I wonder what they want with me.
In examining the letter, my usual fun-loving outlook fades while reading each sentence. My school transcript shows that I didn’t complete Kindergarten.
My goodness! I’m 66 years old and a grandfather. What gives here?
I’ve been instructed to show up on the first day of school at Central Heights Elementary School (my alma mater).
The following Monday, I am in the classroom . . . not exactly eager to be here. I look around the room at the tiny tables and even smaller chairs. How am I going to be able to sit in these?
Suddenly, I spy a much bigger chair in front of a colorful rug on the floor. I sit down while the rest of the class comes rumbling in from the playground. Their voices raise the roof with all of their morning energy. I guess that they’ve been fed with extra sugar, oh my!
The teacher, Mrs. Meissner, makes her dramatic entrance. A piercing whistle quiets down the class. I am already feeling a migraine headache approaching.
Mrs. Meissner walks over and motions me to sit in a much smaller chair. Are you kidding?
Later in the morning, she directs the class to sit on the colorful rug. Everyone sits “Indian” style with both legs crossed. I am somehow able to sit in this yoga position, but I can feel my muscles already cramping up.
As she sits in the adult-sized chair, she reads a story to the class about what Kindergarten will be like. As she reads, she inserts each student’s name into the plot. I keep listening for my name, but the story ends without a single mention of yours truly.
As the day continues, we (the students and I) practice how to walk in straight lines to the restroom and the cafeteria. We also are reminded to keep our hands to ourselves and to speak with soft voices.
The school bell rings at dismissal time. The youngsters eagerly and safely board their busses for their ride home.
I stand at the curb and wait for my granddaughter to pick me up. My car is being serviced at the garage as it needs a 100,000 mile checkup.
After just one day of Kindergarten, I feel like my body needs an immediate check. Rubbing my aching lower back, I am thinking of scheduling a chiropractic exam as soon as possible.
I finally reach home, and there is another registered letter waiting for me. Tearing the envelope open, I find that the school board has ruled on my appeal. I am no longer required to attend Kindergarten. Hooray, no more back to school for me!
Inside the envelope is an application for employment with the school district. They are looking for additional staff since there is shortage of Kindergarten teachers for this school year.
This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
Bonnie’s father has five daughters but has no sons. Four of the daughters are named Chacha, Cheche, Chichi, and Chocho. What is the fifth daughter’s name?
a) Chuchu
b) Chochu
c) Chuchy
d) Chochy
e) none of these
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
Montana’s history began long before being admitted to the Union on November 8, 1889, as the 41st American state. Nicknamed the Treasure State and later the Big Sky Country, many people and events helped to shape its future.
Some interesting facts about Montana:
Yogo sapphires, which are known for their clear, cornflower-blue color, are only mined in Montana.
Montana’s meaning is rooted in Spanish–it means “land of mountains.”
Ironically, only about one-third of the state is mountainous. The remaining two-thirds consist of primarily prairie grasslands.
Many political figures from Montana made history far beyond its borders. In the election of 1916, Jeannette Rankin (1880-1973) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She became the first woman ever elected to Congress.
Mike Mansfield (1903-2001) represented Montana in the U.S. Senate from 1953 to 1977. He also served as Senate Majority Leader from 1961-1977, which is the longest tenure ever.
Representative Jeannette Rankin and Senator Mike Mansfield. (Courtesy of Pinterest)
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
None of these. The fifth daughter is Bonnie herself.
Memories are not just about the past. They determine our future.
I kept dreaming of a world I thought I’d never see, and then . . . one day . . . I got in!
Jeff Bridges (born 1949) is an American film actor who has the ability to play a variety of roles. His work has been rewarded with one Academy Award (a total of seven nominations) as well as two Golden Globes.
Big Sky Buckeye 