Where Were You?

Today, January 28, 2011, marks the 25^th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.  What a sad day for the United States Space program.  Millions of people sat glued to the television in eager anticipation of the lift-off, as this was no ordinary flight.  This flight carried the first non-astronaut, Christie McAuliff.  McAuliff, a teacher by trade, had won a contest to ride aboard the mission.  As her family, friends, peers, students and millions of us watched, the shuttled Challenger exploded into flames just after take-off.  Those of us that were alive and old enough to understand remember exactly where we were.  I was sitting in the common area with hundreds of other Kindergarten students at Jim Pearson.  We weren’t actually watching it that I remember, but I do remember teachers talking to each other and whispering.

            It is funny how when anything bad happens, what we were doing and where we were at that exact moment is engrained in our mind forever.  So many tragic events have struck our country and world over the years that at times it seems as though nothing good ever happens.  It is so important on days like today that we take pause and remember those who were lost in the pursuit of the great beyond, the pursuit of our freedom and the pursuit of their and all of our dreams.  We also must celebrate the joyous days and give thanks.  Something I always try to remind myself is to always praise and thank God, in the good and bad times.  For it is in the bad times that we learn just how special the good times really are.  Until next time….Elizabeth

A National Championship Straight from Heaven

Yes I dare say Auburn’s 2010 National Championship was sent from heaven.  Wait, before you ridicule me, let me explain myself.  I have a very good reason for believing this and it is not about thinking God is an Auburn fan!

               All my life I have bled orange and blue and that can be attributed to one special lady, my grandmother Frances Railey, better known to me as Bobo.  To say my Bobo was a tried and true Auburn fan is an understatement.  Nothing interfered with her cheering on her Tigers.  On Saturday she would dress in her colors and was ready to go!  Sometimes, she could even be found in church on Sunday after a big win in Auburn colors.  You learned very quickly that you did not talk about her Auburn Tigers in a negative fashion.

               After Auburn’s Overtime win in the 2010 Outback Bowl, we eagerly anticipated what Coach Chizik and the Tigers would have for us the next season.  We were excited for the season.  In the summer Bobo had a conversation with my brother (he cheers for that other team) and said, “You know, I think that Cam Newton is going to be something special.”  Boy was she right.  Unfortunately my grandmother did not live to celebrate the 2010 Season with me.  After 92 years and 1 month of blessing this earth she went to be with her Lord.  I will tell you, she did not go on her journey empty handed.  Just before they closed the casket for the last time, I slipped an Auburn shaker in her hand.  Believe me, Bobo wouldn’t have it any other way.

               As the months wore on after her death, I dreaded football season.  Who was I going to call when Auburn scored?  Who was I going to celebrate with when they beat the Tide?  For the first time in my 31 years, a small part of me dreaded the start of football season.  However, I knew that if I did not get up and support my Tigers 110 percent, I would be “haunted!”  The first game was the hardest.  I watched it at home alone, knowing I would likely be emotional and I was.  I had her lucky Auburn Angel Bear that says, “Bless My Tigers,” with me for the game and every game after that but one.  I held on to it for dear life during overtime against Clemson at Jordan-Hare.  I passed it around to strangers during the Arkansas game, letting them rub it for luck.  She held that bear every game so it was my duty to continue the tradition. 

I sweated through every close call, come from behind win, never losing faith in my Tigers.   That is until the first half of the Bama game.  I was so frustrated, as most Auburn fans were.  During halftime I took a walk in the woods to just think, not just about football but life.  While walking, my precious Grandmother spoke to me, saying “Elizabeth it is going to be ok, keep the faith.”  “We can do this.”  I returned to the house to watch the second half and most of you know what happened, Auburn 28 Bama 27.  Wow!  Believe me, I sobbed!  The next two games I never had a doubt.  I knew who was pulling the strings. 

Now yes my Grandmother loved her Auburn Tigers, but she loved God first.  She taught me to have faith in God, myself, my family and my friends.  If I keep the Faith, I can do it.  God Bless you Bobo, I will love you forever!  Elizabeth

PS: Thanks for the National Championship!

So I'm new to this blog thing!

Ok, so here I go or here I come!  I have decided to join the world of bloggers.  I feel I have lots to say and that the world will be better once I have said it!  Yeah, so that is a joke, I don't think quite so highly of myself.  I do, however, have stories to tell and thoughts to share and what better place to do it.  You can expect to read funny tales about my family (some living, some not), my personal thoughts on what is going on in the world around us, my thoughts on faith and politics and really whatever I feel like writing about.  After all, this is my blog!  Please remember on some topics (politics and faith) it is not my intention to offend or tell anyone they are wrong...just offer my take on it.  We are a diverse world with a diverse story and this is just my little corner of it.    With all this said, here we go!  I hope to have my first "real" post up this evening.  A preview for you, it will be entitled "A National Championship Sent from Heaven"  See ya later!