| General Non-Fiction posted March 5, 2025 | Chapters: |
...20 21 -22- 23... 
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Andrew understanding how important some things are.
A chapter in the book Reminiscing
Chapter 21 Youth Group
by barbara.wilkey
| Background We don't remember the days; we remember the moments. |
Chapter 22
I've decided to go back to when we lived in South Carolina, 2001 - 2004. We didn't live on the military post. This was my boys' first experience not attending school on the military post. I chose to stay home until I was sure they got a good start in public education.
Andrew was starting this sophomore year in high school. Steven was going into third grade. Greg was active-duty Military. He and his wife, Nicole were stationed in Germany. Jeff was in Missouri working for a chef. He wasn't a chef, yet, but was in training.
Living in South Carolina, I chose to be a stay-at-home mother, with a husband who was often not present. I like to say I was a geographically single parent. This is where I began writing novels. One can only clean a house so many times. Even with two boys, two labradors, and one cat. Not only was my writing career launched here, but I also became our small church's youth director. I got to set my own hours and be with my own children.
One of the things I started as a youth director was the teenagers were paired with an elderly homebound person. They were to visit this person, maybe read to them, play games with them, or just talk with them.
Andrew was paired with an elderly gentleman, I don't remember his name, I'll call him, Alex. Andrew was a huge football fan as was Alex. Andrew and Alex would watch the Clemson Tiger football games together and discuss football. Andrew wasn't a Clemson fan, but he enjoyed listening and talking with Alex.
This continued for a little over a year. Alex continued to get weaker and sicker. He died. I suggested Andrew go to the funeral home during the visitation. He didn't want to. I didn't force him and went to my room to write.
A few minutes later, Andrew knocked on my door. "Mom, you ready to go?"
I quickly changed, deciding Andrew needed moral support, but we never discussed it. We arrived at the funeral home and Alex's wife ran up to Andrew and hugged him. She was extremely happy that Andrew showed up. She took Andrew's arm and led him to the casket. Proudly showing Andrew that Alex was wearing his Clemson Tiger socks.
Andrew faced me and nodded. He silently acknowledged that going to the funeral home was the right thing to do.
It's amazing what leaves impressions on children. If left to their own decisions, they most likely will make the right choice.
Andrew and his wife, Katie are in the process of having background checks done, so they can help Afghan families assimilate to the St. Louis area. This includes helping them get driver's license, get to English as a second language classes, navigate grocery stores, and things like this.
I've decided to go back to when we lived in South Carolina, 2001 - 2004. We didn't live on the military post. This was my boys' first experience not attending school on the military post. I chose to stay home until I was sure they got a good start in public education.
Andrew was starting this sophomore year in high school. Steven was going into third grade. Greg was active-duty Military. He and his wife, Nicole were stationed in Germany. Jeff was in Missouri working for a chef. He wasn't a chef, yet, but was in training.
Living in South Carolina, I chose to be a stay-at-home mother, with a husband who was often not present. I like to say I was a geographically single parent. This is where I began writing novels. One can only clean a house so many times. Even with two boys, two labradors, and one cat. Not only was my writing career launched here, but I also became our small church's youth director. I got to set my own hours and be with my own children.
One of the things I started as a youth director was the teenagers were paired with an elderly homebound person. They were to visit this person, maybe read to them, play games with them, or just talk with them.
Andrew was paired with an elderly gentleman, I don't remember his name, I'll call him, Alex. Andrew was a huge football fan as was Alex. Andrew and Alex would watch the Clemson Tiger football games together and discuss football. Andrew wasn't a Clemson fan, but he enjoyed listening and talking with Alex.
This continued for a little over a year. Alex continued to get weaker and sicker. He died. I suggested Andrew go to the funeral home during the visitation. He didn't want to. I didn't force him and went to my room to write.
A few minutes later, Andrew knocked on my door. "Mom, you ready to go?"
I quickly changed, deciding Andrew needed moral support, but we never discussed it. We arrived at the funeral home and Alex's wife ran up to Andrew and hugged him. She was extremely happy that Andrew showed up. She took Andrew's arm and led him to the casket. Proudly showing Andrew that Alex was wearing his Clemson Tiger socks.
Andrew faced me and nodded. He silently acknowledged that going to the funeral home was the right thing to do.
It's amazing what leaves impressions on children. If left to their own decisions, they most likely will make the right choice.
Andrew and his wife, Katie are in the process of having background checks done, so they can help Afghan families assimilate to the St. Louis area. This includes helping them get driver's license, get to English as a second language classes, navigate grocery stores, and things like this.
 Recognized |
Thank you google images of Clemson football.
This post is a little over 700 words.
I do not edit this as much as I do my novels. You'll find many errors. I do edit about three times, but that's not enough. I just posted this and have already corrected three mistakes. I'm sure there's more.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. This post is a little over 700 words.
I do not edit this as much as I do my novels. You'll find many errors. I do edit about three times, but that's not enough. I just posted this and have already corrected three mistakes. I'm sure there's more.
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