Dual Meanings

May 19 holds special meaning for me. It marks the date of the first purchases made for the Lucia Library. It is also the 16th anniversary of my father’s passing.

It only seems fitting that I make a blog entry today.

The Library is a constant source of discussion in our home, and we are all so excited to take the next steps. Andy is always looking for ideas and potential donors and collects articles from the newspaper, magazines, and the internet. For the last two months, I have gathered information and sought advice on exactly how to get started. The grant money was deposited into a separate bank account immediately, and I will establish a 501(c)3 following the school year. I have had people ask me how to make donations (for which I am incredibly grateful), and I want to do this all the correct way. For me, this is NOT a one-year commitment; this is something I know I want to continue.

After school today, Lori Lueckenotte and I ventured to the Richardson Civic Center to purchase the first set of library books. Carrying the Texas Library Association’s reading lists (2X2, Bluebonnet, Lone Star, and Tayshas) and two rolling carts in tow, we gathered books from the Scholastic Book Fair, and walked out of there with a huge box of new books for children to devour. I purchased children’s books for beginners, young adults (including some of my favorite classics), and books for older kids. Lori and I lugged the box to my car, and I felt a sense of accomplishment that overwhelmed me. I am on my way to building this library! (By the way, here is my “shout out” to Lori for always making sure I have the correct information for these things, for supporting me with this, and for being my friend!)

Parkhill Junior High is having a book fair next week, and thanks to people like Melanie Joison (a Scholastic sales rep, an incredible mother of two fantastic daughters, and a wonderful friend), she is helping more than I could have ever imagined. She is very excited about the library and eager to help, which makes this all even better. More books will be added to the library next week, and Melanie already has the lists memorized to ensure I have the books that I need.

So with the help of my friends and the support of my husband and the rest of my family, I am well on my way to establishing the Lucia Library for foster children in the Dallas Metroplex.

Every year on this day, I go through a retrospective and take a mental inventory of things that I know my father would be proud of, and subsequently, that he missed.

· I know he would be proud that I am a mother.
· I know he would have loved his granddaughters, Luci and Nadia, more than a grandfather should be allowed to love two little girls.

· I know he would be proud that I am a teacher.
· I know he would have loved to hear stories about my students.

· I know he would be proud of the man I married.
· I know they would have bonded over sports – and vehemently disagreed on politics.

· I know he would be proud of the fact that I am making an impact (hopefully).
· I know he would have been my biggest fan when I told him of my accomplishments.

Earlier today, a very wise friend told me, “We need to live in the present and look forward to the future. But it is important to occasionally drift back to past events.” That’s exactly what I am doing. I live in the present for my family; I look forward to the future of my children and the children who will benefit from the library; I drift back to 16 years ago and think of my father.

My father would be proud.