Abigail

"You is smart. You is kind. And you is important."-The Help

Back to School (Remember When...)

It's that time again! That time where parents are thrilled because the summer days are dwindling or are completely gone. It's time for all of the little kiddos to go back to school. I usually love this time of year because I have an unhealthy obsession with school supplies. I just love it!!! I was also a complete nerd who loved school and couldn't wait to get back on a schedule....Yes, I admit it. Not only are children going back to school, but recent high school graduates are headed off to college. Oh boy! I was in Target yesterday, watching all of the new freshmen buy lamps, laundry hampers, USB drives, and kitchen necessities. Taking all of this in, I couldn't help but remember when I was there. Luckily, I have an old article from my Journalism class senior year to remind me, and it goes like this-

Bye Bye My Little Bubble

I have attended the same school for thirteen years, been friends with the same people, and gone to the same church all my life. I have never been placed in a situation where I did not know anyone, but that awkward situation is about to take place. I am on my way to Auburn University where I know less than ten people. I am terrified, yet I am ecstatic.

Albany, Georgia, my little bubble, is about to pop. I am leaving my parents, my sister, my brother, and my home. Come August seventh, I will have to completely readjust to my surroundings, make entirely new friends, and refrain from becoming homesick. I know that I will survive, but I can feel in my gut the emotional, personal battles and issues coming that will take place throughout the fall.

Many students make fun of us students who attend Deerfield because it is a private school. According to public school students, those who attend any private school have always lived in a bubble, where they have had everything handed to them. Public school students do not realize that we, private school students, deal with the same real life issues as they do. Even though I somewhat disagree with some public school students’ theory, I cannot help but wonder if the rumors are true. I ask myself the question of whether I believe them or not every day.

I have always made it through any battle or conflict that has been put on my shoulders, but because I have never lived any where besides Albany, I am nervous not knowing what to expect at Auburn. I hope that I will easily make new friends and fit in with many of my future peers. I hope that I keep up my grades while maintaining a full social calendar. I hope my roommate and I get along and that dorm life is not as bad as it may seem. Ultimately, I hope that I will survive living without my family in Albany.

Reading that feels very strange because so much has changed in the five years since I wrote that article. First and foremost, we lost Stephen that June. Goes to show how life can blindside you- My bubble popped June 17th, not August 7th. AND I ended up not being the biggest Auburn fan. All things aside, those things made me who I am today, and I ended up having a great college experience at UGA. No, it wasn't the "normal" college experience, but who wants to be normal anyway?! As I am thinking about all of this in Target, observing the wide-eyed, eager freshman, I cannot help but wonder what will happen to them, who will they become, and are they ready. Good luck to all the fresh meat, I mean freshman, out there. I hope your college experiences are everything you want them to be. 

The Help

Just finished reading The Help. I’ve been on a reading binge during my two-week break. It has been so nice to not have any textbooks making me feel guilty for reading other goodies. My mom read The Help a few weeks ago and told me I had to read. My friend Sarah Heldman has been telling me for months to read it. Then, Cristin Kirbo confirmed my need to read it as well. With all these recommendations, I thought I would give it a try! Not to mention, I wanted to have it read by the movie’s release date this Wednesday.

The book ended up being great! It was very different than my normal reads, but different in a good way. It is hard for me to believe that it was Kathryn Stockett’s first novel- Bravo, Kathryn! The book is written from three different perspectives- one White young woman and two Black maids. I loved the different dynamics the three perspectives provided. Plus, I never got bored. Other than the books themes of racism and equality, the book offers unique insight into friendships and loyalty. Just as my mom and friends recommended the book to me, I recommend it to all of you! Read it- you won’t regret it!

The Help got me thinking about my childhood and our Black housekeeper named Gene. Oh the good memories of Gene I have! She made the best grilled cheeses in the world- no contest. There is really no telling how many of her grilled cheeses I ate in my younger years. I’m sure she had to have gotten tired of making them. Gene worked for my mother’s parents for several years, starting when my mom was about 12 years old. She moved on from there to help my Aunt Kathy with her three children, and then she helped my parents with my brother, my sister, and I. We were three energetic kids 5 years old and under. Needless to say, my parents and Gene had their hands full. A funny memory I have is when we all had chicken pox at the same time (not the funny memory), and Gene had the old remedy of putting cornstarch on us to relieve the itching. Well, one of those itchy days when my cornstarch had worn off, sweet little me walked up to Gene scratching everywhere and asked, “Mama Gene, will you please put some more creamed corn on me?”  Apparently, Mom and Gene died laughing and never forgot it. A quote from the book states, “They say it’s like true love, good help. You only get one in a lifetime.” This stuck with me because it made me think of the love and appreciation we had and still have for Gene. My mom even said the other day how bad she wishes Abigail could have someone in her life like Mama Gene. These days, so many parents have babysitters and housekeepers to help with raising their children because of work or other life commitments. Because of this, I think so many people can relate to the book, even though the times are very different.

Review of "A Stolen Life"

So I just finished Jaycee Dugard’s A Stolen Life, and all I can say is wow. I am having so many different reactions to her story that it’s hard to sort through all of my thoughts. To say she is a survivor is an understatement of epic proportions. There were points in the book where I could not help but think- that’s it, that’s when I would have given up right then and there. She didn’t give up though, and how I don’t think I will ever be able to comprehend. This incredible person kept going and enduring for 18 years. 18 years!

Jaycee’s positive outlook on what happened to her is astonishing. I am thinking how I have so much hate for these people that abducted and abused her as I am reading, yet Jaycee’s reflections share that she has no hate because she doesn’t want to fill her body with that toxin. She makes the healing sound so easy. The book does give details of her physical and sexual abuse, and for that reason, I don’t think that the book is for just anyone. However, her thought reflections and explanations of her therapy make the book so worth reading. She truly paints a picture of strength, perseverance, faith, and love.

Jaycee’s story is beyond inspirational. I recommend the book to all with the caution that is a tough, emotional read. After reading it, it’s hard not to be super paranoid about the people around you and not to wonder if this could ever happen to you. Although, I don’t think those were the reasons Jaycee shared her story with the world. One of her goals had always been to be a published author. In my opinion, A Stolen Life was the perfect outlet for her to heal while achieving that goal. Getting all of her thoughts down and sharing them with the world provided accountability and validation for all of the thoughts and emotions she was feeling and dealing with. I am thankful that I read the book, just as I think any other reader would be as well.