Jodie's Journey

Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer. ~Jean de La Fontaine The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest of nights. ~Giotto de Bondone Through the process of being ill and recovery, I have discovered what true friendship really is.  It is a love beyond measure.  It is a longing for health and companionship.  It is a deep and abiding feeling that is such a rarity.  I am fortunate to have 4 very good friends.  Most people only have one, but God has given me such a precious gift.   Two of these precious friends are childhood friends.  Paula and Karen have been by me for years.  There were times we drifted apart.  Life happened. Marriages, children, careers, school, but in the tough times I looked up and there they were. I love you both and I am so very grateful for you and the light you shine.  Both of you are outstanding women.  God loving and God fearing ladies that know the value of ...

Satan’s goal is to create an atmosphere of fear and doubt.  He seems to be doing this a lot lately in our schools.  Our children are becoming targets. We will overcome with diligence and the belief that good always triumphs over evil.  As a teacher, I take the safety and comfort of my children very seriously.  As a matter of fact, the relationship I build with them and their parents is my number one priority.  The learning will come with trust.  I learned a long time ago, if they trust you, they will love you.  If they love you, they will learn from you. I have no doubt that if my children were threatened at school, I would die for them.  I love them that much.  I also have no doubt, if you ask any one of my children if they trust me to protect them, they would say that they do.             All of the madness going on now is scary for parents and children.  Things will not get...

Always, always, be your best. We never know whose life our story is changing.  Life has been hard on me over the last 18 or so months.  I’ve been on the edge of death, but while I was standing there on the edge I heard the many encouraging voices of my family, friends, strangers, doctors, nurses, and therapists.  They drew me back into the light. I had every opportunity to give up. Several times death knocked on the door of my heart, but I just had too much to give to stop trying.  I had Megan and my children, whom I love so very much.  A week or so ago, I received a phone call from the Brody School of Medicine.  The lady on the other end of the line explained to me that there is a program called “Teacher Leaders” where residents choose a patient that has impacted them the most over the last year. They call these patients “teacher leaders” because the patient becomes the teacher for these young doctors.  To my surprise, TWO of these awesome doctors...