Sandra Rose Hughes

Some of you may recall a few months ago when my laptop bit the dust and I had to go on a brief hiatus. Well, the replacement computer which someone gave us...is now no longer working. Very frustrating. Anyway, I do not know when I will update again. Hopefully in a few weeks we will get a new computer. Thanks- Sandy

Is there a limit to the amount of sadness a school can absorb? We had another attempted suicide last night. Thank God she didn't succeed. They found her in time and she is in the hospital right now, recuperating. The first two students succeeded. That makes three attempts in the past 1 1/2 months. It's unreal. Everybody is kind of freaking out, including me. I have always heard that these things come in threes. Dear God, let this be the last.

Yesterday, I had two real-live, non-family people who actually know me face-to-face tell me they have read this blog and like it! That made my day. So, thank you Denise (one of my favorite students ever) and Brandon (local photographer for the Kern Valley Sun! Also, I found $10 and .10 on the ground. That was also very nice. As you know, I have been coping with the death of my grandfather this year. Writing poetry helps immeasurably. This is one of the more uplifting poems I have written about his death. 112. Final Gift. 11/7/10- 7 months after he died. When your body shriveled into grasshopper legs and gaunt face- When your mind wandered to places none of us could follow- You were reduced to the core of what makes up a man. You never complained, even when dying hurt. You did not lash out, you did not whimper. You died the way you had lived- Quietly, with strength, and forbearance. You who had already given me so much love, such a powerful past- You gave me one last blessin...