Jodie's Journey

Strength and love...  When I think of my Mema, Nina P. Holloman, that's what comes to my mind. She is the strongest person I have ever met. I have always felt like she loved me more than could be put into words. Just this week, I stopped by to drop off a ham biscuit for her. I stood in the kitchen. When she heard my voice, her eyes brightened and she lifted her head. I said, "Hey Mema, I love you." She said, "Hey" in the sweetest voice. My heart leaped. Today is her 85th birt hday. The last 15 years of her life have been difficult due to Alzheimer's, but her sweet spirit hasn't changed. She is still the same Mema who made me feel loved beyond measure. Her touch is still genuinely loving and her smile says it all. She knows we love her and she does her very best to show us in return. Happy Birthday Mema. I love you more.  Jodie Leigh

Trepidation Fear can be a paralyzing emotion. I have tried to avoid the television and news over the last couple of weeks. I know my tendencies and it’s just better for me to focus on things that I can control. PTSD is a real thing. It rears its head when things change in our lives. My bouts with PTSD come and go but they tend to coincide with trauma or environmental stressors. This social distancing is easy during these times. I am fine pulling back into myself because this alone time lends itself to reflection. We all need to pay attention. People are dying. One day they are fine and the next, they are fighting for their lives. The physical toll from being placed on a ventilator is enormous. I know this personally.   I have been there. I have begged for a tube to help me breathe. The ramifications are felt for years after the event. Over the last 3 years I have felt the effects of being on a ventilator and research shows that it can take up to ten years to recover from post...

God’s Reset Button         I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately. I think God is doing a FACTORY RESET in my life; in all of our lives really.   There are changes that need to be made. I’m listening to what God is saying.   His whisper has become a “teacher voice” and He has my attention.   I have been thinking about what is really important to me: God, family, friends, my school babies, happiness, and truly loving myself and following my dreams. I’ve been listening to a whole lot of music; really listening. I’ve been making of a list of things I want to see and experience. I pulled my camera back out this morning and blew the dust off of it. God has RESET my life and I’m going to take advantage of this quiet time.   I hear you, God! I have found over the years, if I write things down, I’m more likely to follow through with them. So, here it goes: 1. I choose to focus on what really matters. 2. I’m going back to foste...

      It's been a long time since I wrote a blog.  Things have been hectic.  There is so much going on and so many things I want to say about the days that have passed and the days to come.         Today, my friend and assistant, Gladys Williams, retired.  She was a great assistant and a fantastic friend.  Gladys has impacted so many children in her 20 year career.  Truly, she will be missed at WPS. Congratulations, my friend.        For those who don't know, I have been diagnosed with a large ventral hernia.  I will be having it fixed at Vidant on Friday, June 29th.  I was crushed when I found out that yet again I would be having an invasive surgery.  After a few days of being down and upset, I realized that there really is no need to be upset.  It's gotta happen. Anyway, I'm going into this surgery just like I did all the rest of them; with a positive attitude and knowing that there w...

I have spent the majority of my day today with my Grandmama Roberson.  As I type this, she is resting comfortably beside me. She is sleeping for the first time in 3 nights.  We are listening to instrumental lullabies by Hillsong. What a precious, precious time this is. She is a shining example of hope, love, faithfulness, and determination.  Grandma and I spent the majority of our time today talking about memories, our love of family, and our belief in God.  Grandma is ready. She is tired and weak.  She's ready to see my  granddaddy, but most of all, her Lord and Savior.  Her body is worn out.  In her 92 years on this Earth, she has learned the value of family, the reward of hard work, the joy of children, and how the love of a Savior changes lives.  I firmly believe that God heard the prayers of my faithful grandma when I was so ill.  The love of a grandmother is like no other love.  It's genuine and true.  She told me t...

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...