Survivors choose their future

“Man is made or unmade by himself. By the right choice he ascends. As a being of power, intelligence, and love, and the lord of his own thoughts, he holds the key to every situation…” ~ James Allen
The Situation. That’s what Spanish writer Arturo Perez-Reverte called it in “The Queen of the South.” Published in 2002 and translated into English in 2004, this book both rocked and fortified me recently. In the first pages, his female protagonist Teresa Mendoza suddenly found herself in what her recently murdered drug-courier boyfriend had called The Situation.
For Teresa, it meant running for her life from drug lords and government agents after her boyfriend was ‘taken out’ – and she not only remained alive, but for the next twelve years gained power and became a legend in that dangerous world. Based on an actual woman who – possibly with her child, may now be in your American neighborhood - in a new ‘situation,’ this novel was illuminating and often inspiring. A young sweetheart is left alone, but somehow takes control of her emotions and thoughts to turn the tables of her life.
Well, she was responsible for injuring, maiming or taking lives to wrangle that control from her enemies, which I can’t admire. However, her indomitable spirit helped her survive the dangerous mine field which had been her boyfriend’s world. She took control, since it was impossible to escape.
More in keeping with Mr. Allen’s quotation above may be a woman from the opposite end of the spectrum – Eleanor Roosevelt. Her life was reputable, documented, nonfiction…and she survived the loss of her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, remaining steadfast and retaining control of her life. Eleanor’s words and actions still motivate women and men today.
As The Situation confronted her, she maintained her strength and bore her mantle well. President Truman appointed her to the United States Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, remaining there until 1953. She also became chairman of the Human Rights Commission during the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948.
She went on to volunteer her services to the American Association for the United Nations and in 1961 was reappointed by President Kennedy to the United States Delegation to the United Nations. He also placed her on the National Advisory Committee of the Peace Corps and chairman of the President's Commission on the Status of Women. Her humanitarian awards were plentiful, plus she had a huge presence in the media, even writing her own syndicated column “My Day” from 1935 nearly up to her death in 1962.
Wow. Now, there’s a widow to learn from. Somewhere between the Queen of the South and the First Lady of the World is me. On a September Saturday morning, I lost my young husband Michael to a sudden massive heart attack after only twelve years together. I reflect this month on the twenty-four years I’ve now lived without him and ponder again his death’s effect on me and my children.
I remember several new girlfriends who also attended college as re-entry students with me after Michael was gone. They were all divorced and didn’t understand how I was making it. I couldn’t relate to their relief to be estranged from their husbands; and they had a dad to send the kids to for an occasional respite. I was on duty 24/7 for my three young children while finishing college to realize my dream of teaching - and supporting us.
Unlike Teresa Mendoza, my life was not dangerous; but the physical, emotional and financial pitfalls were still there. And, unlike Eleanor Roosevelt, my resources were minimal. I would like to think my influence on my two daughters and son has been positive, but we all have our imperfections. Facing The Situation was traumatic and life-changing for us. One moment he’s there – the next, he’s gone.
Making the choices to stay positive, work hard, reminisce fondly, and look forward has ultimately made us stronger human beings, I believe. We take no one – and no days for granted; carpe diem rings a loud bell in our ears.
Unfortunately, writer-philosopher James Allen's life was also brief and his literary career lasted only nine years until his death in 1912. During that period he wrote nineteen books, inspiring hope for readers like me.
In his Foreword of “As a Man Thinketh,” Allen writes his purpose is “to stimulate men and women to the discovery and perception of the truth that ‘They themselves are makers of themselves.’" We choose our thoughts, he says. And our “mind is the master weaver, both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance.”
I appreciate Allen's two essential truths: today we are where our thoughts have taken us, and we are the architects - for better or worse - of our futures.

Teachers Can, Do,...and Teach!

When the last school year ended, many might have been singing, “School’s out for summer!” But, for some who work in the hallowed halls (or in the trenches, literally, at Ukiah High during modernization), the lessons don’t end when summer begins.
Though teachers aren’t lined up fighting for summer school positions, several keep teaching to get students a step closer to graduation. I’m fortunate for the last twelve years that the Title VII program sends me off campus to work at the Tribal Learning Centers on area Native American rancherias or reservations.
Change of scene and coursework gives me at least some kind of break from the norm. Plus, it’s been a pleasure to go out and see old friends I’ve worked with over the years, watching these youngsters grow up to play integral roles in their tribes’ futures.
If teachers don’t teach, they don’t continue to get paid, since this district pays on a ten-month schedule. And, unlike yesteryear, seasonal jobs are hard to come by. If they’re fortunate to have other sources of income or contributions from a working spouse, it’s possible for those in education to totally pull up stakes and not give their classrooms another thought until late August.
However, many teachers stay in “teacher mode” for part of the summer at least. For example, they need to continue their professional development in order to maintain their credentials or climb the salary ladder. And we can use summer months for that (if we can afford the tuition or travel costs it often entails).
Computer Project instructor Jade Tippet learned how to teach Digital Animation in East Los Angeles for a few days, and math teacher Leslie Banta came back from an AP Calculus Institute this summer ready with some exciting ideas for her classes.
English teacher David Spain enjoyed touring the Steinbeck Center in Salinas, finding new inspiration to teach American Literature. US History instructor Natalie Perry “ate, slept and breathed real American history for nearly 3 weeks” as she toured buildings and monuments throughout historically-rich Eastern states.
Perry added, “I came home with a renewed love for my subject, great pride in my country, and total inspiration to share all I learned with my kids!”
Art teacher Pilar Crooks kept teaching in the summer, but it was a watercolor painting course (Create!) for fellow teachers; she also took some high school students to the coast to do some plein-air painting. Likewise, Journalism instructor Tonya Sparkes taught a summer course at Mendocino College, but also practiced what she teaches working part-time composing pages and writing occasional articles for the Ukiah Daily Journal.
To increase his gardening potential at home, Ag Science teacher Eric Crawford completed a new greenhouse. Contrary to the popular quote of G. B. Shaw, “He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches,” (very UNpopular with teachers) we often CAN do, yet still opt to teach.
A great example of that is Suzette Cook-Mankins, newly hired at Ukiah High last year to teach ROP Photography classes and Yearbook. Her professional calendar was packed this summer, including shooting former Vice President Mondale’s family holiday photo, accepting an invitation to do a call-in radio show for KZYX about photography, and continuing her regular Ukiah Daily Journal column “Frame by frame.”
For her personal business, Mankins also set up an online action photo website where customers order from her shots of local youngsters playing several different sports (www.mizdigitalsports.com). And to her personal satisfaction this summer, she cheered, “I finally got a great pic of the white deer up in Ridgewood!”
Other Fine Art instructors Denise Doering (music) and Maria Monti (drama) were busy providing excellent stage entertainment for our community in two summer performances. Monti played a role in the uproariously delightful and well-received “Urinetown – the Musical.” Singing, dancing and acting in the 14-performance run kept her occupied, but at home she worked on her Master’s coursework, plus completed major home improvement projects – great patio, Maria!
Denise’s singing and acting role in “The King and I” was heart-stirring, yet at times comical. As the king’s head wife, Lady Thiang, she contributed much to the audience’s enjoyment of the staged reading, accompanied by the wonderful Ukiah Symphony. Bunny Edwards, an Eagle Peak science teacher, performed the lead role beautifully as the British teacher who opted to go to Siam and teach the king’s children nearly 150 years ago.
Doering, the choral instructor at Ukiah High - plus Pomolita this year, has little time during the school year to perform; this summer opportunity was especially enjoyable to both her and Edwards. Plus, yours truly - who certainly doesn’t teach music, got a kick out of spraying my hair black, kowtowing to the king, shuffling barefoot onstage, and singing with his chorus of wives.
Now, we shuffle back into classrooms again…well, maybe not shuffle. Our newly-charged spirits help us greet over 100 new faces this fall. It’s an exciting challenge; we teachers will continue teaching, because we CAN.