Simple Quotes that Speak Volumes

Read, read, read!  

Everyone needs to play!

It is so important to give children a solid foundation to build their successes upon!

Assessing Learning

There are many types of assessment programs for Early Childhood Programs.  Some of these include:  Brigance, DECA (Devereux Early Childhood Assessment), and ASQ (Ages and Stages Child Monitoring Program).  When these assessments are administered seems to be based on the individual program.  Most early childhood programs will assess a child after they have been in the program for at least 30 days.

I have found that these assessment tests allow me to see which areas a child may need more learning experiences in and which areas a child may be strong in.  For example, I may discover through assessment testing that a four year old has exceptional language development, but may require more exposure to early experiences in mathematics.

As a result of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, elementary school-aged children in Connecticut currently partake in standardized testing.  They have to take the CMT's (Connecticut Mastery Test) and the CAPT's (Connecticut Academic Performance Test).  Standardized testing is a hot topic of debate.  Some believe that standardized tests are an accurate tool for testing academic achievement and some believe that the there are too many variables that can produce flawed results. I believe that standardized tests can be used, but should not be the sole determining factor of a child's progress.

Many argue that the United States does too much testing.  There is alot of debate surrounding the Common Core Standards that have been implemented throughout the public school system.  However, other countries also test their children's academic progress.  For example, Finland requires only one test.  That's right!  One test.  This one test is administered at the end of high school and spans of six days.  Over forty hours of testing!  Most of their universities also require passing entrance exams.  That's double testing back to back.  Japanese children have to pass a placement exam in order to get into high school!

I believe that we do need to assess children's learning and academic progress in order to better support them for success.  How we go about that still needs some work.

References
http://www.npr.org/2014/04/30/308057862/u-s-tests-teens-a-lot-but-worldwide-exam-stakes-are-higher
http://standardizedtests.procon.org/#background

Children and Families - Stressful Living

           By the end of 2010, there were 2.3 million inmates in the United States.  In 2010 in the state of Connecticut, there were 18, 349 inmates (“Department of Corrections”).  Nearly half of those inmates are married men with children.  Incarceration is an extremely difficult process to go through for anyone.  When men are incarcerated, they are ripped from their families and their societies and they are confined in an institution that temporarily takes away their roles as husbands and fathers (Martin).  There is no question that men in prison suffer mentally, physically, and emotionally, however, their wives and children are also deeply affected as a result of their loved one’s incarceration.  I have worked with children and families that are living through the stress of having an incarcerated loved one.  What they have said is they often feel ashamed and alone.  It is so important to be a source of non-judgmental support for them.

When a man with children is incarcerated, he is not the only one affected.  The family as a whole suffers not only the stress of separation and the adversities that accompany it, but they also carry a burden of shame (Martin).  Fathers often reflect on their inability to safeguard, care for, and monitor their children while in prison (Arditti, Smock, and Parkman).  Statistically, children with a parent in jail have economic hardships and typically develop behavioral problems (Geller, Garfinkel, Cooper, and Mincy).  Children separated from their fathers can exhibit aggressive behavior, their schoolwork may suffer, and they can develop emotional problems depending on how the family handles the absence (Barretti and Beitin).   Dealing with the issues as they present themselves rather than placating the problems, is a proactive approach to keeping the family unit strong and cohesive.  I have worked with a family that chose to tell the children that their dad was away at school and I have worked with a family in which the child was very aware that his dad was "in jail."  In both cases, the children still exhibited the effects of stress because the father's absence was overwhelmingly difficult for the family to deal with.  Early childhood caregivers should make sure that these children in their care receive consistency.

Unfortunately, men are not always confined to correctional facilities near their family home.  It can be extremely difficult for fathers to maintain relationships with their children while incarcerated due to their geographical location from their homes, transportation issues, financial hardships, visitation policies and restrictions, and the offensive treatment by correctional officers (Arditti, Smock, and Parkman).  While some fathers don’t want their children to see them in the prison environment and others feel that visits can emotionally upset their children (Arditti, Smock, and Parkman).  I helped one of my families by researching and finding an organization that assists families with travel to and from the facilities where their loved ones are incarcerated.  It really made a difference when they were able to spend some time together.

Inmates definitely undergo difficult processes while serving out their sentences, but often the wives of these inmates are left alone to deal with many hardships.  Millions of women have their lives turned upside down and inside out when their husbands are incarcerated.  These wives experience economic loss, social stigmatisms, and limited rights (Comfort).   Wives with incarcerated husbands experience substantial loss of income, foreclosure on their homes or inability to afford the housing they were in, and difficulty finding affordable childcare when they are forced to work more.  These circumstances force these women to reach out to family and friends for assistance (Martin).  Many wives with a husband behind bars have additional financial strain from the collect calls from their spouses, the commissary monies they send, and the travel costs incurred in visiting (Martin).  Wives with incarcerated husbands are often left with a feeling of abandonment (Barretti and Beitin).  The emotional and physical stress that the mother undergoes is definitely witnessed and felt by her children.

While this is a growing issue in the United States, in other countries children and families also suffer the effects of stress from having a loved one incarcerated.  It has been twenty years since the 1994 genocide happened in Rwanda, but it's effects were lasting (Rutayisire and Richters).  Many women whose husbands were imprisoned after the genocide have had to deal with the tress of shame, anger, and social isolation (Rutayisire and Richters).  Many women tried to hide the truth from their children and worried that their daughters would not be able to find honorable husbands (Rutayisire and Richters).  Many children grow up with the fear that they to might be capable of committing crimes (Rutayisire and Richters).

I feel it is important for early childhood caregivers to be open-minded and non-judgmental when caring for children dealing with the stress of having an incarcerated parent or guardian.  It is also important to be sensitive to the feelings and needs of the family as a whole.  Both the children and the families will greatly benefit from the care and support.

References
Apel, Robert, Arjan A. J. Blokland, Paul Nieuwbeerta, and Marieke Schellen. "The Impact of Imprisonment on Marriage and Divorce: A Risk Set Matching Approach." Journal of Quantitative Criminology 26.2 (2010): 269-300. DOI 10.1007/s10940-009-9087-5. Web.

Arditti, Joyce, Sara Smock, and Tiffaney Parkman. ""It's Been Hard to Be a Father": A Qualitative Exploration of Incarcerated Fatherhood." Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice about Men as Fathers 3.3 (2005): 267-88. Web.

Barretti, Louis M., and Ben K. Beitin. "Creating Internships in Marriage and Family Therapy: A Collaboration Between a Training Program and an Offender Reentry Facility." Contemporary Family Therapy 32.1 (2010): 39-51. DOI 10.1007/s10591-009-9109-3. Web.

Comfort, Megan. Doing Time Together: Love and Family in the Shadow of the Prison. Chicago:      University of Chicago, 2008. Web.

"Department of Correction." CT.gov Portal. Web. 21 Nov. 2014. <http://www.ct.gov/doc/site/default.asp>.

Geller, Amanda, Irwin Garfinkel, Carey E. Cooper, and Ronald B. Mincy. "Parental Incarceration and Child Well-Being: Implications for Urban Families." Social Science Quarterly 90.5 (2009): 1186-202. Web.

Martin, Jamie S. Inside Looking Out: Jailed Fathers' Perceptions about Separation from Their Children. New York: LFB Scholarly Pub. LLC, 2001. Web.

Rutayisire, T., & Richters, A. (2014). Everyday suffering outside prison walls: A legacy of community justice in post-genocide Rwanda. Social Science & Medicine.

Breastfeeding is the Best for Baby

When I was pregnant with my first child, I at first thought I would bottle feed him.  But, during my pregnancy I read a lot about the benefits of breastfeeding and decided that I would definitely give it a try.  Since Thomas was taken to the children's hospital when he was born, I had to bring my milk in using a breast pump and allow the nursing staff to bottle feed him my breast milk during non-visiting hours (when rounds were done).  Once we brought him home he refused to take a bottle and breastfed exclusively.  He was weaned at 24 months.  Breastfeeding my second child, Theresse, was quite different.  She brought my milk in and it hurt!  I had the same lactation consultant as I had with Thomas and she strongly encouraged me to keep going.  I did!  Theresse never took a bottle and was weaned by 30 months.

Breastfeeding is so convenient.  It's always sterile, just the right temperature, and ready when the baby is hungry.  Breast milk is nutritious and easily digested.  Breastfed babies are rarely sick, they have less risk of developing allergies, and are less likely to be overweight.  When Thomas was just three months old, he and I broke out in chicken pox.  But, otherwise both of my children never had even so much as a cold in their first three years.

According to the World Health Organization:

                     "Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large.  Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy, is recommended by WHO as the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth.  Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond (http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/)."

Even though the World Health Organization promotes the importance of breastfeeding, around the world less than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed (http://www.incultureparent.com/2012/03/breastfeeding-around-the-world/#slide1).  The Philippines have been working hard to promote the benefits of breastfeeding.  And, yet, only 27% of Filipino infants are exclusively breastfed.  However, this year over one thousand Filipino women joined together during World Breastfeeding Week to participate in a simultaneous breastfeeding event to promote awareness (http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/hunger/65183-iloilo-breastfeeding-awareness-month-2014).

Breastfeeding is the best for baby!

The Day My Son was Born

January 8, 1996 was a day most people who live in Connecticut will remember as the Blizzard of '96 Ginger.  For my husband and I, it is the day our son, Thomas, was born.  Around noon, my water broke and my doctor suggested I head in to the hospital since there was a blizzard.  Shortly after getting settled into my room, they came in hooked up the monitors and discovered that Thomas was in the breech position.  I was immediately prepped for a c-section.  When they finally reached Thomas, my doctor yelled, "It's Spina Bifida! Have dad go with him now!"  Thomas' Spina Bifida had not been discovered during my prenatal care and the hospital we were in was not medically equipped to handle an infant born with a neural tube defect.  The doctor had to finish my surgery, but the room was silent.  My first child and my husband had been rushed out of the room and no one was telling me what was happening.

Once I was back in my room, another doctor came in to explain that a team from Yale Children's Hospital was on route to pick up Thomas.  They would normally have come by helicopter, but due to the blizzard they were traveling by ambulance.  My husband and my parents were with Thomas in the nursery, but due to the c-section I couldn't see him.  After several hours, the team arrived.  I was able to see Thomas for five minutes before they left.  My husband went with him.  I had to remain at the hospital for three days due to the c-section.  Thomas was an hour away in the children's hospital undergoing surgery to close his back.

It was not the first-time birth experience I had planned for.  Nor had we planned for Thomas to have Spina Bifida.  It was definitely a life changing experience!  Thomas is now eighteen years old.  He has never been able to walk - he uses a wheelchair full time.  Over the years, people have asked what it is like to have a child with a disability.  I found the following poem when Thomas was just a few months old and have shared it countless times:

"Welcome to Holland" 

By Emily Perl Kingsley, 1987. All rights reserved. 

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...... 

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting. 

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland." 

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy." 

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. 

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place. 

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. 

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts. 

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned." 

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But...if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland. 

A few years later, I found this follow up poem:

Celebrating Holland- I'm Home 

By Cathy Anthony 

(my follow-up to the original ..Welcome to Holland.. by Emily Perl Kingsley) 

I have been in Holland for over a decade now. It has become home. I have had time to catch my breath, to settle and adjust, to accept something different than I'd planned.I reflect back on those years of past when I had first landed in Holland. I remember clearly my shock, my fear, my anger, the pain and uncertainty. In those first few years, I tried to get back to Italy as planned, but Holland was where I was to stay. Today, I can say how far I have come on this unexpected journey. I have learned so much more. But, this too has been a journey of time. 

I worked hard. I bought new guidebooks. I learned a new language and I slowly found my way around this new land. I have met others whose plans had changed like mine, and who could share my experience. We supported one another and some have become very special friends. 

Some of these fellow travelers had been in Holland longer than I and were seasoned guides, assisting me along the way. Many have encouraged me. Many have taught me to open my eyes to the wonder and gifts to behold in this new land. I have discovered a community of caring. Holland wasn't so bad. 

I think that Holland is used to wayward travelers like me and grew to become a land of hospitality, reaching out to welcome, to assist and to support newcomers like me in this new land. Over the years, I've wondered what life would have been like if I'd landed in Italy as planned. Would life have been easier? Would it have been as rewarding? Would I have learned some of the important lessons I hold today? 

Sure, this journey has been more challenging and at times I would (and still do) stomp my feet and cry out in frustration and protest. And, yes, Holland is slower paced than Italy and less flashy than Italy, but this too has been an unexpected gift. I have learned to slow down in ways too and look closer at things, with a new appreciation for the remarkable beauty of Holland with its tulips, windmills and Rembrandts. 

I have come to love Holland and call it Home. 

I have become a world traveler and discovered that it doesn't matter where you land. What's more important is what you make of your journey and how you see and enjoy the very special, the very lovely, things that Holland, or any land, has to offer. 

Yes, over a decade ago I landed in a place I hadn't planned. Yet I am thankful, for this destination has been richer than I could have imagined! 

Even though being separated from Thomas for the first three days of his life was painful, I am incredibly grateful that we lived close to a hospital that was medically equipped to care for Thomas.  I recently read "Anifa's Story" (http://www.cdc.gov/features/folicacidstory/) about a baby boy born with Spina Bifida in Nigeria.  The village that he was born in has no medical facility and he had to wait nine months before his initial back closure surgery could take place.  Here in the United States, the initial back closure is done within the first 24 hours of life to reduce and further spinal cord damage and reduce the chance for infection. I also found these amazing photos of what it is like to give birth in a medical facility in Africa on this website: www.mariekevandervelden.com/giving-birth/  

Quotes to Ponder

Through the Eyes of a Child

One of the preschoolers in my classroom gave me this today and said, "I love you, Ms. Jennifer.  You're pretty like a flower."

To any adult, this is a weed.  To a child it's a flower.  It's always wonderful to see things through the eyes of a child.

NAEYC's Code of Ethical Conduct

Early childhood education professionals should know and follow NAEYC's Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment.  The code addresses ethical responsibilities to children, families, colleagues, and to community and society.  The code includes ideals and principles.  I would like to share a few of the ideals today.

I-1.3 - To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child.

Children need to be seen and taught as individuals.  Each child has their own way of processing information and their own style of learning.

I-2.2 - To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we serve.

I firmly believe that in order for the child to be successful we need to establish a good relationship and open lines of communication with each family.

I-3A.2 - To share resources with co-workers, collaborating to ensure that the best possible early childhood care and education program is provided.

Collaboration and team work are essential to any early childhood program.

I-4.6 - To promote knowledge and understanding of young children and their needs.  To work towards greater societal acknowledgement of children's rights and greater social acceptance of responsibility for the well-being of all children.

Early childhood professionals need to advocate for the early childhood education field.

Early Childhood Education Resources

Early childhood educators should never stop learning!  It is also important for us to keep up with current issues that revolve around the early childhood field.  I am sharing some resources below!

http://www.projectwild.org/growingupwild.htm

http://cedarsongnatureschool.org/programs/forest-kindergarten/

http://ece.ctserc.com/

 Position Statements and Influential Practices

·         NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap

·         NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf

·         NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf

·         NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf

·         NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf

·         NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf

·         Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller

·         FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf

·         Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42-53.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being

·         Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

Websites:

o    World Forum Foundation
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us

o    World Organization for Early Childhood Education
http://www.omep-usnc.org/

o    Association for Childhood Education International
http://acei.org/

.

Selected Early Childhood Organizations

·         National Association for the Education of Young Children
http://www.naeyc.org/

·         The Division for Early Childhood
http://www.dec-sped.org/

·         Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
http://www.zerotothree.org/

·         WESTED
http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm

·         Harvard Education Letter
http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85

·         FPG Child Development Institute
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/

·         Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/

·         HighScope
http://www.highscope.org/

·         Children's Defense Fund
http://www.childrensdefense.org/

·         Center for Child Care Workforce
http://www.ccw.org/

·         Council for Exceptional Children
http://www.cec.sped.org/

·         Institute for Women's Policy Research
http://www.iwpr.org/

·         National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/

·         National Child Care Association
http://www.nccanet.org/

·         National Institute for Early Education Research
http://nieer.org/

·         Pre[K]Now
http://www.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067

·         Voices for America's Children
http://www.voices.org/

·         The Erikson Institute
http://www.erikson.edu/

Selected Professional Journals

·         YC Young Children

·         Childhood

·         Journal of Child & Family Studies

·         Child Study Journal

·         Multicultural Education

·         Early Childhood Education Journal

·         Journal of Early Childhood Research

·         International Journal of Early Childhood

·         Early Childhood Research Quarterly

·         Developmental Psychology

·         Social Studies

·         Maternal & Child Health Journal

·         International Journal of Early Years Education

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

I have long believed that the development of a child does not begin the day he is born -or at age three - but much earlier, during the formative years of his parents. - Edward Zigler, Ph.D

 Be totally committed to the optimal development of each child. - Dr. Edward Zigler

Reading is just one aspect of cognitive development and cognitive development is just one aspect of human development. A child’s curiosity and belief that he or she can succeed are just an important to reading as knowing the alphabet. - Dr. Edward Zigler

Every child needs a champion. - Hillary Rodham Clinton

My wish for the new millennium is for all children... to grow up wiser, and stronger and more prosperous for the future than ever before. - Hillary Clinton

Home is a child's first and most important classroom. - Hillary Rodham Clinton

“My passion has been evolving through the years, it is an ongoing process. It’s like a ripple… it grows.” Leticia Lara LCSW

“I’m not here to save the world. I’m here just to make a difference in it.” Raymond Hernandez, MS Ed.

Personal Childhood Web

When I think back to my own childhood, there are certain people that influenced me.  They each make up a part of my personal childhood web.  I would like to share with you a bit of how each of them impacted my life.

My Mom - Carol Weigand

My mom with me in 1970.

I am the only daughter of this amazing woman!  My father was in the Navy which means most of my childhood was spent withe him out to sea. My mom has been a vital part of my life.  She has definitely been one of the biggest influences on shaping me into the woman I am today.  She has taught me the value of love, faith, family, and hard-work.  Her unconditional love and unwavering support is a constant source of comfort.  I have memories of her that go so far back.  Silly times when we would lie on the floor balancing clown boppers on our feet to playing with Barbie dolls wearing clothes that she had made for them.  Trips to spend sunny days swimming at North Lake or buying Lego sets on rainy days to build with at home.  She was my disciplinarian and I definitely knew when I was in trouble!  I have enjoyed seeing her in her role as "Grandma" to my son and daughter.  There have been déjà vu moments for me watching her interact with my children.

Mom teaching me to ride a bicycle.  Our dog, Tawny, running along side!

My Dad - Charles Weigand

My dad and I - 1993

My dad is an intelligent, complex man.  I was born while he was earning his degree at Perdue University.  He was already in the Navy at that point too.  For most of my childhood, he was out to sea.  However, I realized while searching for photographs to use in this post that he did most of the picture taking throughout my childhood and, therefore, the first photograph I could find of us together was at my wedding.  My fondest childhood memories involving my dad were when he would read to me before bed.  I had this large book that held a collection of children's tales that he would always read from.  I had one story that I would request all of the time;  Lazy Jack.  My dad and I also took a SCUBA certification course together and he would usually help me with all of my writing assignments.  My dad was really into health foods most of my childhood which meant on days when he made my school lunch I would go to school with a peanut butter (ground from whole peanuts at the store) and honey or banana sandwich on whole grain bread.  No one ever wanted to trade sandwiches with me on those days!

My mom and dad at my most recent college graduation - 2014

My Grandma - Irene Eccleston

My Grandma reading to me. - 1971

My maternal grandparents were basically part of my immediate family.  We didn't move as much as other military families, but we moved enough.  My grandparents home was a constant in my life.  In fact, it still is since it has been my home now for the past eighteen years.  I spent a lot of time with my grandmother.  We would often watch television together, especially game shows and the soap operas on CBS.  Saturday lunches were hot dogs, baked beans, and brown bread.  She also taught me how to jump rope and play hopscotch.  My grandma was warm and loving.  I can remember helping her hang clothes out on the line to dry.  She was always reading a library book and she loved to sing Christmas carols.  Her sister, my Great Aunt Julia, spent a lot of time visiting my grandmother.  They were a wonderful example of sisterhood.  I often attended Mass with them.  They were a large part of my Catholic upbringing.  My grandma died while I was still in high school, yet I miss her to this very day.

Me with my grandma, grandpa, Great Aunt Julia, and my mom - Easter 1980

My Grandpa - Everett Eccleston

Grandpa and me - 1970

One of my favorite pictures!
In his backyard - 1971

He always played with me.
He liked when I would read to him.

A common scene!

That is pure love!

 I really don't even know where to begin with this guy!  I loved him!  I adored him!  He was my favorite person in the whole world!  He was my Grandpa!  My grandpa worked third shift and when I spent the night at my grandparents home, I knew when I woke up in the morning there would be a box of Munchkins from Dunkin Donuts on the kitchen counter.  As tired as he probably was, he would wake up to spend the day with me.  He would take me "window shopping" which usually entailed me coming back home with a new toy.  He let me "do his hair" and "make him pretty with make-up."  We always read the comics from the newspaper together.  He spent a lot of time in his workshop at home and I was right there with him.  He taught me how to hammer, use a drill, use solder, and cut wood with a hand saw.  When I wanted a Barbie Dream House, he built me one out of wood.  It even had an elevator!  I still have that house!  When I wanted a new Barbie van, he built me one.  I wanted a swing and he made me a tire swing.  I wanted a trophy case for all of my dance trophies and I got one built to my specifications.  I needed an entertainment center for my room.  Yes, I got one built just as I had drawn it.  There were a few restaurants he would take me to and we would always get seafood.  The 77 club and Unk's on the Bay was where we went for steamers and lobster.  We would always get clam chowder at the Lighthouse Inn and clam fritters down at Ocean Beach.  When my grandma passed away, my grandpa took me on a little vacation.  We went to Atlantic City and we visited Amish country.  He was always "working"  even when he was retired.  His hands were always rough and he would give your hand a good squeeze.  I wish my children could have known him for longer.  He died when they were very young.  Some of my favorite photographs are of him with my children.  I miss him every day!

We were quite the pair!

Helped me learn to ride a bike.

He made me a tire swing!

He even wore a pink hat!

Best Friend - Heather Stafford

Heather and I having a sleepover!

Nowadays, the term "best friend" seems to be over-used and hardly holding the meaning it once did.  I have had several close friends over the years, but only one best friend.  Heather and I met when we were just four years old.  We have been best friends for over forty years!  We have been through so many events and so many stages of our lives together.  We were both "Navy brats."  But, even when we were living in separate states we wrote letters and visited.  We built forts, played together from sun up to sun down, we had sleepovers, and shared many birthday celebrations.  We were girl scouts together, we spent summers swimming at North Lake, and went exploring our neighborhood together.  We loved spending the night at each other's house even though we always quarreled about something.  I can't imagine life without her!

True Best Friends!