Saturday, March 22, 2014

Goodbye Fat Dog

I lost my constant companion today. Freddie had been failing very quickly this week. by Friday he was no longer eating or drinking. After a night of him pacing blindly from one corner to another, very distressed breathing amoung other issues. I knew I needed to help him.

It was a calm death. Rachel and Steve were home to say good bye and we sat with him as the vet gave him the sedative that would help ease his fears and help him to sleep. It was very quick and peaceful.

I will miss that happy little dog with the big smile.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Rachel's Graduating

Can't believe it's been 4 years already. Rachel is graduating from college in May. Not only is she graduating but has the highest GPA of all the students in the Social Work Program. She is a member of Phi Alpha Phi, a honors society that only invites the top 10% of the country's Social Work students. Will soon become Westfield's Social Workers Honors Society President, is a member of  QSA (Queer Straight Alliance ) on campus, Vice President to SWAG, (Social Workers Alliance Group), works in the Student Center, and has a full year practicum at an area Nursing Facility. She is one busy girl.

She has begun looking for a graduate program. She has applied to 5, Boston University, Boston Collage, Simmons, Smith and Westfield. She hoped to go full time but unless she is approved for advanced standing, which is a 2 year degree in 1 she will have to go part time and work.

UPDATE

Rachel has been accepted into the Advanced Standing program at Westfield! She is one of only 10 students that are accepted into the program each year. I can't put into words how truly amazed and proud I am of her.

Amazed because she does all of the stuff she does making it look so easy. She is always doing something, but gets it all done. I read something once, "if you want to get something done and done right, ask a busy person"

Proud, oh my goodness. She has come so very far. I truly can't express enough the gratitude I feel for her third grade teacher who first suggested we have her tested....something just isn't "right", her grades aren't what they should be. Well, if it wasn't for Ann Marie Ouellett we might have never realized her learning disability.  To Mrs McKenna, who showed her so many things to help compensate for her disability. She still writes her college papers using the format she learned in the 7th grade from her.


She's been accepted to Smith, but isn't really thinking about going there. It will take her 3 times as long, and cost at least three times as much than at Westfield. I want her to make her decision on the program offered, not just the money....but she's a smart kid and will pick the right place for her.