New Year, New Possibilities

It has been so long since I have even opened this blog. It used to be my lifeline and at times I posted multiple times in a day. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have replaced the news sharing feature of the blog but I have felt, many days, like I needed/wanted to say more. I have chosen my OLW for 2015 to be WRITE. I have been feeling an urge deep in my soul to write something meaningful. I need to practice and warm up before the good stuff comes out so be patient. I hope to be patient with myself along the way. It is a journey, it is a path, it will be long. I may stumble. I may get lost. I hope to persevere and accomplish my goal.

In 2015 I was thinking that I could start each day with some fruit.  That's not hard right?  I need to make better nutritional choices on a daily basis and starting with fruit in the morning seems like a good choice.

In 2015 I am going to focus more on self-care and taking time out for ME.  Many think that is selfish but I think it will help me to be more present in other things if I am not wishing I was doing something for myself the whole time. Hobbies can be revived, books can be read and connections can be renewed. Connections with myself and friends as well.

In 2015 I vow to keep my vows. Fred and I have had some bumps in our travels together and 2014 wasn't all smooth sailing. We both can do more to improve. I bought us an online course ti
It has been so long since I have even opened this blog. It used to be my lifeline and at times I posted multiple times in a day. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have replaced the news sharing feature of the blog but I have felt, many days, like I needed/wanted to say more. I have chosen my OLW for 2015 to be WRITE. I have been feeling an urge deep in my soul to write something meaningful. I need to practice and warm up before the good stuff comes out so be patient. I hope to be patient with myself along the way. It is a journey, it is a path, it will be long. I may stumble. I may get lost. I hope to persevere and accomplish my goal.

In 2015 I was thinking that I could start each day with some fruit.  That's not hard right?  I need to make better nutritional choices on a daily basis and starting with fruit in the morning seems like a good choice.

In 2015 I am going to focus more on self-care and taking time out for ME.  Many think that is selfish but I think it will help me to be more present in other things if I am not wishing I was doing something for myself the whole time. Hobbies can be revived, books can be read and connections can be renewed. Connections with myself and friends as well.

In 2015 I vow to keep my vows. Fred and I have had some bumps in our travels together and 2014 wasn't all smooth sailing. We both can do more to improve. I bought us an online course to challenge us to work together on setting goals and making great decisions for our family. I am anxious to dive in to that. I hope he plays along and gets a little something out of it. Nic said something a little profound yesterday as he was talking about a friend whose parents are struggling a bit right now. He said he was grateful that Fred and I weren't willing to give up on US easily. That he sees that we work to make things solid between us and he knows it isn't always easy. WOW.  My 16 year old sees this.

In 2015 I plan to continue to serve my community. Mostly that will mean booster clubs at IHS and hopefully some community volunteering. It is a part of me that I am enriched by and fed by. I can not give it up.  I think I will be hanging up my PTA hat once my position on the FISD Council is done. Susan asked me to stick around and do more but I'm not sure I am up for it.

In 2015 I will work really hard to stay connected to my boys. At 14 and 16 their lives are separated from mine so many hours of the day. I need to take full advantage of the hours we do have together and keep the dialog flowing both ways. It's more than important... it's imperative.

Well, I am sure that these "goals" or "resolutions" will be developed in the coming weeks. I feel certain that some will take precedence and some will need to be visited again and again but I know that if I can stick with this plan that 2015 has the potential to be an AMAZING year!

Nothing.

Five minute writing assignment.  Just challenged myself to do this and tonight was THE night to ACT!

Some days I wish my list had NOTHING on it.  But then again that would mean I have no reason to get out of bed. No meaning. No worth to my day.  Having NOTHING would be hard. I have always had lots of stuff.  Even when our home was destroyed in a fire we had stuff.  Some wasn't very useful but we had something.  Often times I feel like I have NOTHING to offer a person beyond my smile and prayers.  The truth is that some people need NOTHING more than my smile and my prayers.  I should give those away freely and often.  NOTHING would make me happier than to raise kids who care about others, to live in a community who welcomes me and all of my scars and fall asleep in the arms of the man God presented to me to love me here on earth.  It always seems like there is SOMETHING that needs to be done but NOTHING is as important as my family, my faith and my own personal peace.

Summary of 10-14-13 Board of Trustee Meeting for FISD

FISD Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

October 14, 2013 5:45 PM

FISD Headquarters

 This was my first time attending a Board meeting and I was a little unsure of what to expect.  Due to the perceived impact this announcement would have on my family I felt compelled to attend the meeting at the earliest possible point.  I was surprised when I arrived and found myself parked very near a news truck and watching camera men and reporters setting up for live shots. I guess this is bigger news than I thought. 

I have attempted to report things as I saw them happen.  If I was completely editorializing I have marked my ideas with italics and purple text.  Again, I encourage anyone reading this to take my writings for what they are worth and if you have questions PLEASE ask!  Be part of the truth tellers not the rumor mill!

For those who don't know our story please keep in mind that my family has only been in the area for 5.5 years.  When we arrived in Texas we came to Frisco for a multitude of reasons but one of the most compelling was the school system. The idea of the neighborhood school being 4 blocks away was charming and convenient and the expected quality would be high based on indicators found on-line and during our visit to campus during our home buying tour.  At the time that we moved I was looking solely at the elementary experience.  I admit perhaps I was shortsighted.  All the same, we jumped in and had some good years at Ashley.  Our second year here my oldest son would be going to Roach Middle School.  The school was a few years old at the time and our experience has been fairly typical.  When we arrived Heritage was under construction but I paid little attention to the rezoning process and where the first group of Coyotes came from.  This is the first time that rezoning in Frisco would impact my kids, my family directly.  I needed to see it and understand it in order to accept it.

The meeting was called to order and the very first item of business was the preview of the zoning discussion for Independence HS.  Mr. Wilkinson jumped right in an presented the Rezoning Goals and Considerations.  Priority #1 this time around would have to be relieving the numbers at the three existing HSs.  Other items included

- Effective utilization of space

- Stability of students

- Neighborhood Schools

- Maintaining Diversity

- Promoting Unity

Further explanations of these items are available in the formal presentation materials linked below. 

http://www.friscoisd.org/news/2013/10/14/independence-zones

The first map showed the student projections for 2014 and 2015 if there were no rezoning.

Heritage   2014-2298 students    2015-2606 students

Centennial   2014-2253 students    2015-2302 students

Liberty    2014-2532 students    2015-2900 students

All present were reminded that the current building are designed to hold 2100 students.  Without Independence HS all three schools would be over capacity next year (some are now) and that has a HUGE impact on day to day HS experiences educationaly and socially not to mention safety and logisitcs.

The plan to open Independence HS is to open it with 9^th, 10^th and 11^th graders to have a larger impact on overall numbers. 

The new map was revealed and the lines were pretty much where all the rumors said they might be.  I quickly identified that our subdivision and saw that we would be moved to Independence and would be joined by what looked like all of the McKinney area to the east (Scoggins MS) and reached down to Richwoods to the south.  There is a large segment of the zone that is void of houses but certainly has the potential to be developed at any time.

Once the map was shown the Board brought forth concerns about getting the schools right back to 2100 students in no time at all.  There was a mention of the anomaly of a couple of subdivisions that grew at a much more rapid pace than originally expected.  I believe they are talking about Richwoods and Lawler Park.  What all of this means is that the likelihood is HIGH that the 9^th FISD HS will need to be built on the East side of Frisco and specifically in this general area again.  What that also means is that kids who are getting shuffled to Independence may get shuffled once again before they see the dust settle. 

My personal projection would say that if it is recognized that HS 9 needs to be built quickly they could get that started by summer 2014 for an open summer 2016.  If they kept to the plan of opening HSs on even years with 9, 10 and 11^th grades then in 2016 there could be kids who started their freshman year at any of these 4 area schools who could be shifted yet again depending on placement of HS 9.  So not really shifted again, since the starting Juniors would have graduated in spring of 2016 but a freshman may not graduate from Independence.  That sounds a little confusing. I may need to draw a diagram to better understand the potential there.

The only way to allow for consistent overcrowding at the impacted schools would be the use of portables on all campuses.  However spaces like the lunch room, restrooms, theatre and gym are still built based on the 2100 student model.

The Board asked a few questions about potential developments on open land areas and a clarification question was asked about the magic number to stay 4A within UIL and when those numbers are reported.  The answer is 2050 and they report numbers in the odd numbered year. 

The Board then wrapped up that portion of the meeting and moved along to item 1. B. which was handled quickly and related to Board operating procedures.

The Board then took a recess for dinner and a closed session where personnel and student matters were discussed in private.

Just about 7:30 the Board reconvened to a much larger public audience.  I witnessed a few people submit the form required to make comments to the Board during that portion of the agenda.

Once the pledges were completed and a PRAYER was said they jumped right in to public comments. (I was feeling such relief that an invocation was spoken and guidance from above was requested.  AMEN!)

First up… Susan Thomas – FISD Council of PTAs President – She came bearing gifts for the Board members of official Council t-shirts. She proceeded to update them on some details of our council which includes 46 local PTAs and her Board of 20 members.  She reported that last year there were more than 16,000 PTA members in our schools. Nearly 200 local PTA leaders attended SLS in Dallas and many received awards for outstanding programs and such. The theme for 2013-2014 is “Be Your Kid’s Biggest Fan! Be PTA.”  She wrapped up by sharing the goals of the Board for this year.

Second speaker was Lisa Elliott – citizen and called herself a former employee.  She spoke passionately about the Public Information Request process and suggested in her comments that the Board was not responding adequately to all requests and that formal complaints had been taken to the TX Attorney General’s Office.  I did not completely understand her personal issue but I certainly hope the Board knew what she was talking about.

Third speaker was Darren Fleece and his daughter Cassidy – citizens who live in Cypress Creek sub.  Darren expressed his concern about HS 9 on the East side and the reshifting of students AGAIN.  He felt that possibility even existed that a student taken from a school could potentially get switched back and is concerned about that.  He felt that FISD employees should be able to send their kids to ANY school in the district not only those that fit the feeder pattern for the school where they worked. 

Fourth up were Will and Matthew Sowell – citizens also from Cypress Creek  They reminded the Board of the neighborhood school model and how developing prode and community is so hard when shifts like this occur.  Matthew had been taught from a young age that he was a “little Titan” and now won’t be a Titan when he graduates.  Will implored the Board to figure out a way to not split middle schools when feeding to HS.  Matthew said he would not leave his team behind. “Leave no doubt.”

Last up was Myra Diaz – FISD Library Employee who brought a student tell named Christian to address the Board.  He told a great story and she went on to talk about the 10^th annual Storytelling Festival taking place this weekend.  4400 4^th graders will attend the festival at Dr. Pepper center on Friday.

The meeting then continued along with item E. Consent Agenda which was approved.

Item F. Authorizing the issuance of unlimited tax bonds also approved.

Then item G. Report on our Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) report was shared and the district was provided a Superior Rating.  I honestly didn’t understand about 95% of this but the presenter did a great job of getting through the material and the outcome was good.

Next up on the agenda was a presentation of interior design and material elements for Reedy HS.  School colors will be Green and Blue and those colors can be seen throughout the Board.  Nice neutral natural look in my opinion.

Item I took us back to discussion of the Board on the zone lines.  The public comment section was over so this was just among the Board members and FISD staff.  Dr. Lyon began by acknowledging the intensity of this process. He highlighted that with each new school comes new legacies and programs but the ISD is very deliberate in their strategy and commitment to the small school concept.  Because of this plan early on rezoning is a part of the fabric of our community.  The commitment to the model back in the 90’s has been a hugely successful experience for FISD.  Dr. Lyon took some time to introduce some staff who have worked long and hard on this project.  Internal demographers, deputy superintendent, communications, external demographer (PASA), parents, community members and the Board will impact this decision. 

According to Dr. Lyon in 1996 we had 5 schools in FISD.  Today we have 56.  In 17 years 51 lines have been redrawn.  That is an average of three schools per year in that time frame.  "Unheard of," is the phrase that came to my mind.

Mr. Wilkinson acknowledged that this is not an easy process and it is open for input until the decision is made final. He reviewed the rezoning goals and considerations again and the map that shows what would happen if Independence never opened.  He did mention that if you left any of the seemingly small neighbors that are slated to be pulled from Centennial they would be over capacity AND would move to 5A UIL rating.  The Board is committed to relief first and foremost.  Trustee John Hoxie asked what the ISD does to keep the same DNA at each of these new HS.  A few staff members responded with information about how equity and continuity are king at a time like this.  Additionally HR works diligently with a model that provides a minimum of 33% of staff at the new school is transferred from other FISD schools.  They understand that model and goals of the district and often know a number of the students.  Close attention is paid to equity of facilities and surroundings down to the number of seat in an auditorium.  New schools are certainly newer but not necessarily “bigger and better.” Curriculum is standardized across the district as well so that all Freshmen English students are learning the same material no matter what school they attend.

Concern was brought forth about the possibility of immediate overcrowding at Liberty based on some vacant land that has the potential to be developed.

Shana Wortham will be sending notes to the Board regularly regarding public feedback. All Board members will receive all comments.  She will also post some FAQ type information on the website along with any new materials.  She will post a document that is already available to the Board which shows what a shift would look with only 9^th and 10^th grades.

No one can predict growth zones 100%.  To that end they can only do the best they can based on the information and projections.  It is a gamble.

Renee Ehmke, Board president, did say that every member of the Board and the staff is cognizant of the fact that kids and families are attached to every number.

And with that there was a large exodus of most of the community and the Board continued.  A few interesting items were talked about and presented so I’m going to tell you about that too.  Feel free to stop if you don’t care about all of the fine points of running a district with over 45,000 students.

Item K involved reports from different support teams. 

Curriculum spoke about Active Learning Classrooms that are scattered throughout the district on all grade levels.

Business services showed where we can find materials about the next bond package.  Support Services informed the Board that the Child Nutrition program will be reviewed in February of 2014 for 3 days.  I believe this is a review by the USDA and/or Texas Department of Agriculture.  He also mentioned that the ISD put the word out to police officers in the communities where we have schools, (Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Little Elm) the they were welcome to come and eat lunch in our cafeterias any day.  The thought was that a few might and the response as of the 29^th day of school was that 208 officers had come for lunch.  That is a great opportunity for the kids, staff and officers to mingle.

Communications reported on the Fun Run coming up in two weeks and the Community Parade taking place November 9^th.  The Board will be driven and will be handing out candy healthy snacks. HR reported that 59 staff members will be attending a documentation workshop at the training center this Friday. Student Services mentioned that the expectation is that multiple HS bands should be competitive to progress in the State 4A UIL Marching competition this year.

Technology reported that October is Cyber Security Awareness month.  The plan is for students in grades 6-12 will have some lessons on Digital Citizenship this month.  There are multiple ways to complete the lesson and the details are being left up to the campuses.

Administrative Operations reported on the success of offering centralized summer registration for elementary students this past summer.  Over 600 students were enrolled which allowed for a greater preparedness for space, staff etc.  They plan to look at the program to see if they can expend next summer to include basic intake for MS and HS students.  The challenge is their needing to select specific classes but perhaps a majority of the process could be done ahead of time.

Final item was from the Superintendent. He announced that a Student travel guideline committee had been convened to make formal recommendations and oprating guidelines in place about student travel.  Because we want our students to have a chance to travel, to compete, investigate and experience things outside of their school we need to put guidelines in writing with specific rules and the dos and don’ts of student travel.

Meeting was adjourned shortly after 9.

 

Now that the materials are out there for the public to see I am sure the chatter will pick up. I am prepared to have the conversation at my house about the impact it will have on Nic and Will along with their friends and classmates. I'll be posting more about that in the coming days I'm sure.

I'm more nervous than my kids... not really.

Tomorrow is a big day!  The School Board will get a sneak peek at the new school zones just about an hour before the general public.  I sincerely don't care if we are rezoned to Independence or if we stay at Heritage I just want to know which way we're going.  At the same time that I say I don't really care I have some friends that have strong opinions both directions for many meaningful and personal reasons.  I want everyone to be happy and excited but I know it won't end that way.

So tomorrow I will head off to my first FISD School Board Meeting and see what the experts recommend.  Then the discussions, phone calls and emails will begin as everyone pleads their case for why this or that is  better for their kids and their family.  The community will talk amongst themselves and a month from now it will be discussed by the school board further and they get to weigh the validity of arguments and the possibilities of erasers and fresh pencil lines.

It's going to be a very exciting 75 days or so.  I'm just certain of one thing... my boys are going to be okay and they will receive the best that FISD has to offer no matter what school they attend.

Community Forum Notes

Community Forum on Growth

Heritage HS Auditorium 10-7-13

Notes taken by Susan Baker 248-921-6234

These are not complete but what I felt was important enough to write down and retain.  If you have questions please ask.  Do not be a part of the rumor mill.  When  in doubt seek the truth.  Please and thank you.

Primary presenters were Dr. Jeremy Lyon FISD Superintendent and Richard WIlkinson FISD Deputy Superintendent

The meeting started out with lots of arts and charts and visuals of the current school zones by level (Elementary, Middle and High School)

The charts showed growth rates historically and projections as well as how we compared to other districts in the nation.  Head and shoulders above everyone to summarize.  Also talked about the Dallas Morning News Article referencing that 8 of the 10 best neighborhoods  in the greater DFW area are in Frisco.  

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20130401-10-best-neighborhoods-for-schools-in-dallas-fort-worth.ece?nclick_check=1

Frisco is 68% built out or planned so there is 32% left.  

3 land owners own 60% of the unplanned area

Current enrollment sits around 46,000 and should top out between 70,000-80,000

I asked the question about building too much too quickly then seeing unused schools when the population ages and doesn't move.  The community may be desirable enough that people just want to linger here.

Dr. Lyon agreed that it is certainly a concern but felt like we had two things in our favor that is the perceived expectation of "replacement families" and the fact that as a community Frisco is not reliant on an one industry.  With the diversity of the economic contributors the financials of the community should remain strong for many years to come.

Mr. Wilkinson echoed the sentiments and also mentioned that our current school model is one that has the potential to be used for something other than a school.  Centers for the Chronologically Gifted may be need as the population ages and our schools could be transformed into something like that.

Furthermore there may be needs to expend early childhood programs and our current schools could easily meet this type of need.

They then moved on sharing some specific information about the next 2 HSs

Independence HS

Opens August 2014

9th, 10th and 11th grades

4A Classification with varsity  sports immediately

Zoning Process looks like this...

October 2013 School Board Meeting - First Reading of the proposal.  THis will be the first opportunity the public and the school board has to see the proposal that is done by an outside demography group.  This initial draft proposal is presented and not discussed.

November 2013 School Board Meeting - Second Reading of the proposal and structured opportunity for public input. 

December 2013 School Board Meeting - Decision made by the school board and is firm and fast.

Reedy HS

Opens August 2015

9th and 10the grades

4A No Varsity sports

Zoning Process looks like this...

October 2014 School Board Meeting - Frist Reading

November 2014 School Board Meeting - Second Reading

December 2014 School Board Meeting - Decision

and elementary schools...

4 new elementary schools 

Newman, Scott, McSpedden, #37

Zoning Process looks like....

November 2013 School Board Meeting - First Reading

December 2013 School Board Meeting - Second Reading and community input

January 2014 School Board Meeting - Decision

The opening of these 4 schools could impact 12-15 current zones.  The ripples will be wide.

There is a committee in place working on the May 2014 Bond Program

There are looking to fund

? Elem Schools

? Middles Schools

? High Schools

CTE Expansion

Land requisition 

Stadium  (Cross this one out!)

Details will be released in the spring on this plan.

When you consider that in 1998 the ISD only had 7 schools and now has 56 you can feel assured that they are getting pretty good at the rezoning process.    It is never easy and there will be people who are dissatisfied.  

There has been a solid historic record of NOT allowing exceptions and grandfathering of any kind once lines are drawn (I think they mean specifically with HS as we all know that if an elementary isn't 90% full that parents can opt in to said school)  

The  goals of the ISD include continuity of great quality throughout the district so that as kids get moved, and kids will be moved, that they are not losing out on anything that could be perceived as a building specific benefit.

The BEST sources of ACCURATE information are

www.friscoisd.org and the FISD Communications Dept

469-633-6060

Other topics brought up by parents included but were not limited to...

1. Advocacy for support for One Voice by the district

2. Professional Development across and among schools

3. Methods used to evaluate teachers

4. Concern for students who have had many siblings graduate from a particular school who may be shifted due to new lines and how unfair that is to the student and family who has invested in their school for so many years.

5. Apathy for the forum itself - I would estimate that if there were 20 FISD staff and school board members there were 15 residents.  I was sitting in front though so I may have estimated low.  There was at least one reported from the Dallas News there reporting.

6. What components/priorities will be considered when drawing the new zones?  Having never been through a rezoning I was curious. 

I mentioned numbers of students, staff, busing, infrastructure etc and they responded yes to all of those as well as the most prominent need to reduce over crowding in the three HSs on this side of town.

Answers to the above questions were brief and often included directives to the individuals asking to specific staff members or protocols to get specific answers.

Overall the tone of the forum was positive.  Dr. Lyon thought that the fact that there were so few people in attendance was a testament to the fact that the district is in good shape right now.  If more people had been there it would have been to air their grievances.  If they weren't there perhaps the number of, or types of, issues are low and minor.

Everyone is welcome to be involved in the process of the rezoning through the public comment time with the school board and of course through appropriate channels such as email and rational personal discussions.  The growing pains that we face are unique but ultimately our children are being given amazing opportunities at every facility in our district and with every FISD staffer they encounter.  The kids will be okay.  The parents... well, we're another story.

Climbing out on all fours!

It has been a decent week around here. I am forgiving myself and taking steps to improve my situation and to strive for HAPPY each and every day.

The Dr. wasn't too hard on me, not as hard as I was on myself, and encouraged me to work at it and get back on track. I was grateful.

I felt well enough yesterday to grab an extra 1/2 day sub job then find out that it was a SUPER EASY assignment in 1st grade WITH a student teacher AND I was done at 10:35 because it was teacher appreciation week and parents took over recess and lunch duty.  WINNING!  That gave me a break between elementary and then a middle school assignment in the afternoon. After school I ran kids around a bit then even had the energy to make dinner.  Granted it was just Hamburger Helper but it was a start.

I work up this morning feeling well and was greeted by sunshine and opportunity.  I turned down a couple of sub jobs today to be a mom/chaperon for Will's trip to UIL Band Contest.  My guilt about saying no is lessening. I want to be the "yes" person but I also want to spend time with my kids when they are achieving and flourishing and having fun!  THAT is my priority. I will say no over and over again if it means spending time with my boys.  The district probably doesn't want to hear that but it's the truth.

Fred has put us in a situation where I do not have to work. I could never sub another day and we will be okay.  I enjoy subbing and like the feeling of contributing and sometime use it as a great excuse to say I DESERVE something or another but if I didn't get another paycheck this year we'd be okay.  That is such a good feeling.  It makes me HAPPY.

So today I am going to cheer on my boy, eat lunch at my least favorite pizza place, Gatti Town, and enjoy the time being just a mom.  That makes me feel like I am on a beautiful peak far far away from the ditch I was wallowing in last week.



image from peakery.com

I fell off the wagon and landed in a ditch.

February was a rough month. I always get a little blue in January and generally pull out of the funk by February but this year it seems to have lingered.

As I was getting my day started today I stepped on the scale and saw a VERY yucky number. What's worse is that I am headed to the Dr. tomorrow for blood work and prescription refills and of course I'll have to step on HER scale which is never as nice as my own scale and if MY scale is ugly then hers will be HIDEOUS! Ugh.

That led me to a bit of contemplation and a realization that my funk was on an extended stay and I needed it to GO HOME NOW!

I wrote myself a little note (5 pages) and tried to put to paper what the BIG things were that were challenging me.  Some were me wallowing. Some were out of  my control. And some need to be addressed with the usual culprit(s).  All are significant but minor in the whole scheme of life.

I know that I am beyond blessed.  I have a healthy family and for times when we are less than healthy we have health care.  We have amazing friends nearby who support us in good times and bad. We have family across the globe who would come to our rescue if we needed it. We don't need it but they can still come and visit ANY TIME THEY WANT!  We drive nice cars, attend a faith filled church, our kids are getting a fab education and we have a roof over our heads that many would envy. We are okay.  We are better than okay. I have no good reasons to wallow. I have no good reasons to be sad or lackadaisical.

I AM HAPPY!  Remember, that is my word! HAPPY!  I had forgotten my own word!

So starting today I am hitting the snooze bar less. I plan on attacking my mornings with GUSTO and purpose and I am going to make everyday HAPPY on some level and maybe even EVERY LEVEL.  I'll slip, I'll struggle but I will keep on keeping on and with God's grace and the support of friends and family I will be HAPPY and I will share that with all those I know.  It's only right.