Strength

 

It might seem like a shocker, but I was raised by tough broads. My Nanny is my mom’s mom and took me over after Mom left us. Auntie Grace picked up the slack. She had no children and put up with me when Nanny could take no more of the bowl cut with the mouth. I wear a ring every day that Auntie gave me. It is blue. For years I saw it on her dainty hand, and told her every day how beautiful it was.

She has been on my mind.

She gave me that ring. With pride I have it on my markedly longer fingers. Every day of my life, I think of Auntie: she was beautiful and brilliant and talented. She lost her husband too early, she was one of the first deans of women in the US, and she and Nanny fought like cats and dogs. Guess what made me tough? Watching those two wig-wearing Baptists duke it out while I sat on the ciggie burned sofa just hoping I could catch a “Laverne and Shirley” rerun.

I couldn’t love either more.

There is stuff that makes life life. This made mine.

Jack

 April 3, 2022

Jack Tuckness was recently named the Outstanding Educator of the Planet. And he is. And I am compelled to say a few things about Jack.

Jack has been a father to many (aside from the Tuckness trio, we are all surrogates), a hero to more, and mentor to scads (including me), and has been one of the single most influential people in my life.

Who took care of me during my mother's graveside? Jack. Who played double-or-nothing with Kristen (my best friend) in the driveway with the bball hoop and then took us to Burger King for breakfast when I was a little punk? Jack. Who taught me how to love kids (and also how to pick up Chinese food)? Jack. Who put up with me when I was fearlessly competitive and difficult and still loved me? Jack. Who showed me how to love God, no matter what? Jack. Who proved that loving kiddos to success is the way and to never come unglued? Jack. Who asked my buddy Chad (after Chad had to bust a kid for meth hidden in her compact) if he could have a little pick me up? Jack. Who loves kids more than anyone? Jack.

I want to thank my friend, Kristen, for always loaning her Pops to me. And I want to thank Jack for being the person who is a good man. You taught me how to parent, how to teach, and how to be. (Extra kudos to Winnie, too.)

Congrats, my friend. All my love.