57

It’s been awhile. 

My word for 2025 is “Write” and for at least 6 months, I was writing on a regular basis. I even started this blog: Vicki’s Writing Nook. However, it’s been awhile since I added to this blog. When I’ve asked myself why I stopped writing, it keeps coming back to the fact that I'm just so tired of writing about politics, but that’s what’s been on my mind lately. So I just stopped writing. Should I have? Who knows... 

Today is my birthday. Not a biggie. It’s just 57. No, not 6-7. Ha Ha! Just 5-7. However, I tend to look back on my life on my birthday and contemplate to see what, if anything, has changed. 

I’d say that I’ve spent the last year enjoying my retirement because I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer, to protest, and to write. Three things that I enjoy. 

Most of my volunteering has been at church. Last October, I had the opportunity to volunteer when the Kindergarteners came for their field trips to the church’s Pumpkin Patch. Such fun days! If you live near Frisco, it’s definitely worth visiting Grace Avenue’s Pumpkins on the Prairie during the month of October. Another one of my volunteer opportunities was this past summer when I was able to spend two weeks at Grace Avenue’s Vacation Bible Camp and one week at Grace Avenue’s Science Camp. 

In addition to spending lots of time at the church's Pumpkin Patch last year, I spent the end of October and the first few days of November working at the election polls. That was pretty intense. We all know the results now, but it was fascinating watching it all take place. We weren't supposed to indicate who we voted for, but some of the workers didn't keep it a secret. Talk about making things uncomfortable! My favorite part was celebrating with the people who were voting for the first time. One scary thing did happen when I wasn't on shift: someone came in and demanded the right to vote even though they didn't have that right for whatever reason. Evidently, it got pretty intense but everybody was kept safe. Overall, I really enjoyed working the polls last year and met some great people. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how crazy politics have become, I'm too busy to work the polls this year.

Another major opportunity that I’ve had this past year: Protesting. Turns out, I enjoy it because it’s a way to let people in our community know that they are not alone. Those who drive by who may not feel that the North Texas suburbs support those on the margins can feel more supported when they see people protesting for their rights. I feel like it’s my responsibility to speak on behalf of those who are poor, those who are jobless, those who are homeless, those who seek safety for themselves and their children, and for all who are marginalized.  It amazes me how many people honk and wave when they drive by. Of course there are always a few “fine Christian Nationalists” who use other finger signs, but that’s between them and the god they claim to know. This spring, I participated in the Mega March 2025 in downtown Dallas for immigrants, and I’ve protested several times for the rights of all people. One of my favorite protests was No Kings Day on June 14th. While I definitely understand that marching and protesting alone won’t make a difference, it is a great way to show my support and let others know that we are not alone in this country. 

Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:31

Finally, I’ve spent lots of time writing this year. It’s been fun writing this blog. However, as I stated earlier, as politics became so much more intense, writing became painful because I like my writing to be honest, and so much of what I've been thinking about has been focused on what has been happening in the world. Finally, I just got so tired of writing about what was going wrong. So I just stopped. But, it didn't make me happy. I need to start writing on a regular basis again.

New things this year:

I joined a Methodist church. It’s been a while! When I was in my twenties, I left my home church after lots of harmful church experiences. However, after years of therapy and lots of studying, I found a church that I feel like I can trust- a church that seems to honor all humanity. So a few months ago,  I finally joined it. It’s a good thing! I'm enjoying that type of community again.

I’m working again. Now, I’m a substitute teacher, and I really enjoy it. It seems like I needed a year outside of education to just take a breather, but this August, I started subbing, and it’s been great. I could work almost everyday if I wanted to because there seems to be jobs available most days. 

Lessons I’ve learned as a sub: 

• I prefer secondary (middle school and high school) classes. I subbed ONE day in the elementary classroom and realized that when I was an elementary school counselor, it was fun because I only spent a brief amount of time with a full classroom of younger students while I was teaching them a guidance lesson, but when you’re a substitute teacher, you’re with the same group of young humans for the majority of the school day, and that’s A LOT! Prior to becoming a school counselor, I taught middle school and high school, so I think that’s what I’m used to because I definitely prefer having the students for a portion of the day rather than having one group all day long. I suspect they feel the same way about me, too.  

• Most of the time, students are using technology to support their  learning. It’s nice. They were raised on it, so the main thing I have to do when I’m subbing is make sure they are focused on the lesson objectives and not using their technology for an off-task purpose. 

• I love the district where I’m subbing! I’m a “preferred sub”for three campuses so far, and the sub app is easy to use.  The staff and teachers are very welcoming and supportive, and most of the students are easy to work with. Subbing was a good choice for me!

I guess the other major change this year is that I finally….FINALLY stopped eating what I refer to as “recreational sugar” again. It’s definitely my drug of choice, and when I stay away from it, I’m much more under control food-wise. However, even a little recreational sugar is a trigger for me. I stopped eating it on January 1st of this year. Other than my niece’s wedding weekend, I’ve been sugar-free, and I’ve now lost 45 pounds.  My goal is to lose more, but it’s good to know that I’ve started. 

So, 56 has been a pretty full year: retirement, volunteering, protesting, writing, subbing, and getting just a little bit healthier. 

Here’s to 57! May it be a good year!