Southern Women's Show Date

Good Thursday morning!

NOTE TO JOAN - You've got your work cut out for you. Next time he's home, I'm sending him to your house so he can "practice" his sad face!

Football Story #3

In lieu of Football Story #3, I have opted to use an old post which deals with an athlete I knew in high school. (He was mainly a wrestler, but he did play a bit of football, too.) If you have read it before, I apologize. But it is one of my favorite stories of all times. It gives me hope for all the kids out there who aren't the biggest or the strongest or the fastest. And it reminds me that sometimes compassion can be found in unusual places. I need a reminder sometimes.

When I was in high school, there was a boy in my class named Ken. He was tall, handsome, popular, athletic, a class leader, and he wore the most amazing flannel shirts! Ahh! How I loved flannel shirts. Everyone loved Ken, and he spoke to everyone. He was that kind of guy.

But Ken was even more special.

There was also a boy at our school (which was about the size of Gardendale High School now) who was not popular. In fact, he was pretty much ostracized. He was very overweight. He didn't have many, if any, friends. He didn't do anything wrong. He just didn't fit in... and no one let him fit in... until Ken.

Ken was our wrestling champ. He was amazing to watch and could pin anything that was moving. We had a very good wrestling team if I remember correctly. I vividly recall a day during our Senior year in the large foyer of the school. Classes had changed so it was packed with students hurrying from one hall to the other. I was on my way to class when I noticed Ken standing in the middle of the foyer. He dropped his books to the floor and put his hands on his hips. The crowd of students made a large circle around him. I don't think any of us knew exactly what was about to happen.

On the opposite side, standing on the edge of the circle, was the other boy... the total opposite of Ken. (We'll call him Bob for purpose of this story.) He dropped his books and stepped into the circle. The crowd of kids had now grown even larger, and all thoughts of getting to class on time had disappeared. What was going on? Ken had his "game face" on and crouched and started walking along the edge of the circle. Bob copied him and did the same. As a whole, the crowd was fairly quiet... a few of us were whispering wondering if there was going to be a fight and why? That was not like Ken, and it was not like Bob.

Then in a split second Ken rushed Bob going for his knees, and the wrestling began. It probably lasted all of one or two minutes, but it was a wonder to see. Ken made Bob work, but at the end of the "match," Ken had been pinned... by Bob. The crowd went wild. Bob's name was chanted. Ken stood up and held Bob's arm up as the winner of the match. I looked around and saw teachers watching, smiling, and clapping. And then as quickly and unexpectedly as it started, it was over. Everyone hurried to class. Ken and Bob slapped each other on the back. Things were back to "normal."

As long as I live, I'll never forget Bob's face. The sheer joy. It may have been the only time in his high school career he had ever been in the spotlight for a positive reason. I think that day changed things for Bob. I know he was still teased and mistreated by some students... but when Ken was around, they would bear hug, slap each other on the back and go their separate ways.

What did Ken lose by being kind to someone who had never experienced kindness in a school setting? Nothing. How long did it take Ken to reach out to someone everyone else had deemed unworthy of being treated kindly? Mere seconds. How HUGE was the difference it made in Bob's life? MONUMENTAL!

I never looked at Ken the same way again. I didn't care that he was handsome, athletic, and wore flannel shirts. I didn't care that he spoke to all the popular kids and the unpopular kids. Ken was so much more than any of those things. At a time in life when everyone was so worried about being "cool," Ken had looked around and saw someone who was floundering and needed some help... and he then did something about it! What an extraordinary young man.

As moms and dads, are we raising "Kens" in our homes? Boys and girls who are confident and loved and built up to the point they have no desire to tear someone else down to feel better about themselves? Boys and girls who don't really care what the crowd says, but go out of their way to do the right thing... to notice the unnoticeable? Gee, I hope so.

Again, it's a striving "thing." And it's a teaching by example "thing." And it's a hard "thing." And unfortunately, I have failed many, many times.

But today's a new day. A new chance to teach with many new opportunities. It's never too late to try again!

Weekend Family Fun

Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic - Head over to Lowe's this weekend for the FREE Build and Grow Clinic Saturday. From 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. your little carpenter will get to build a D-R-U-M. That's right. A drum. It's a first come first serve event.

All Lowe's locations participate in this program. The clinic is completely free. The first 50 kids to register and be present at the store at 10:00 a.m. will receive a kit, apron and goggles. This is suited for children in first through fifth-grades.

Calling All Kids Chef Class - Bruno's Riverchase Village will hold its Calling All Kids Chef Class this Saturday. Your child will create a Krabby Patty. It will only last about 25 minutes and is FREE. It's in the Bruno's Riverchase Community Room. Parents can get a free cup of coffee then watch or assist the children. It is located at 3780 Riverchase Village, Hoover, Alabama 35216. For more information call (205)987-2523 or (205)985-2294.

The fun starts at 10:00 a.m. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. An adult will need to sign a Kids Circle form to allow participation. Kids should wear play clothes. Those with food allergies or are lactose intolerant should notify the Kid's Circle Leader. The classes are once a month.

Mom Taking Care of Mom - Looking for some encouragement from other moms? Then you may consider attending the Mom Taking Care of Mom event at Shades Mountain Baptist Church September 14 at 9:30 a.m. ABC 33/40 anchor Brenda Ladun is the featured speaker. Ladun will share her story and the importance of being healthy physically and spiritually. The FREE event is sponsored by the church's Mom2Mom for Moms group.

This event offers a free breakfast, free childcare and door prizes. No tickets are required. However, childcare reservations must be made by today. For childcare reservations, call 978-1166, extension 519, or e-mail dbruce@shades.org.

The program will be held in the Worship Center (signs and greeters will be positioned all over the church).

Birmingham Zoo - On September 12, from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., enjoy Grandparents' Day at the Birmingham Zoo. Create lifelong memories and treat your entire family to a special day at the Zoo. Enjoy breakfast in the Kudzoo cafe, craft making, a special Wildlife Show and animal demonstration, and then enjoy the rest of your day exploring the Zoo. This special day isn't free, but it is FUN. The cost is $15 for a non-member adult (15-64) and $12 for a non-member child or senior (2-14 and 65 and up). The Zoo Member cost is $10 member adult (15-64) and $7 member child or senior (2-14 and 65 and up).

Registration is required. Call (205)879-0409 to sign up today!

Birmingham Zoo - The Zoo Olympics will be held September 26. Would you win a race against an ostrich? Or a long jump against a kangaroo? Can you hold your breath as long as an otter, stand on one leg as long as a flamingo, jump as far as a frog? There's only one way to find out! Bring your friends and family and test your skills in the Zoo Olympic Games. The games will be located around the Zoo at different animal exhibits. Come and compete against our animals’ records. Let the games begin! Cost for this event is included with cost of admission.

McWane Science Center - Little Lab: Fabulous Fall Fun. This event will be held September 15 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

These special classes are designed for children 3 years-old to kindergarten age. Children will discover different topics in each Little Lab through hands-on experiments and activities. In order to attend a Little Lab, child must be potty trained and pre-registered. For reservations call (205)714-8414. For more information call (205)714-8354.

McWane Science Center - Little Lab: Johnny Appleseed. This event will be held September 24 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

These special classes are designed for children 3 years-old to kindergarten age, and the criteria is the same for the above class. For more information or to make reservations, use the numbers above.

How did I do with the Family Fun section this week? Pretty good, huh? The first three items were from the website I use each week. There's no excuse not to do SOMETHING with your family this weekend... or the next... or the next. Get the PEN out and write it on the calendar. Make a plan, and stick to it! (If you're a Newbie, I'm not yelling. I just enjoy using exclamation points! And capitalization! A LOT! It's used to denote passion, not anger. Never anger. STOP BEING SO SENSITIVE!)

Southern Women's Show Date

The Southern Women's Show is coming up September 24 through 27, and it is a perfect opportunity for you and your little chick to spend some one-on-one girl time together. The place is full of vendors which include food samples, places for manicures, makeovers, places to buy jewelry, bags, clothes, fashion shows... did I say food samples?

If you have a pre-teen to teenage daughter, this is a great date for the two of you to just be girls together... and it can easily become a seasonal tradition.

Admission is $9 at the door for adults and $5 for youth (ages 6-12). It is $5 every day if you go in after 5:00 p.m. The hours of operation are as follows:

Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Have a fantastic Thursday. I hope you enjoy at least one special moment today. Tomorrow we have an inspirational book and Weekend Happenings. There will be no football story. I'm sorry. I feel as if I failed in the Topic of the Week Department, but next week I have a brand new idea... Mud Wrestling! I know a lot about mud wrestling. (Not really. But wouldn't I be a VERY interesting person if I did?)

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda