Also Known As: so much yarn, so many ideas, so little time, so hard to focus.

If you are my child, had a baby in the last three years, or taught one of my children, one of these was probably for you, sorry!

P.S. Ummm… Hasn’t this been said before?

P.S.S. And I can hear my uber positive sister in my ear encouraging me to dwell on something good– and here is something good: THE PROJECT I DID FINISH, the one that started it all, the one that might very well be, the most important one, ever.

Esme Barrera spoiled me rotten. When QueenBee went to Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) at Casis Elementary, Esme was part of her teaching team. Under the guidance of Patrick Lessner, they saw QueenBee for who she is, what she CAN do, and not her limitations.

Teaching QueenBee requires innovation, problem solving, creativity, and optimism. Esme was part of a team that displayed all of the above.

When we said, “QueenBee can do this.” They said, “Ok, let’s build on that”.

If we asked, “Can we try this?” They said, “Sure, let’s do it”.

“Yes… we’re game… she can do it… we believe in her.”

I can’t say we’ve always experienced such a supportive and optimistic take on QueenBee’s education.

And that is how Esme, Patrick, and Elizabeth spoiled us rotten.

So as the news of Esme’s murder spreads, we grieve with the community that has lost a special person. The thing is, I had no idea how amazingly wide and deep her hold on Austin was, and still is.

Friends and family are devastated. Everywhere I turn, someone knew Esme personally. The music scene is reeling from the gaping hole she left. Co-workers at Casis and Waterloo Records can’t imagine ever finding her equal. The girls she mentored for Girls Rock Austin are left with the harsh reality that vicious things can happen to really good people. And the children within the special needs community in Austin have lost a unique soul.

All are horrified by the violent attack that took her life.

And Austin is on a manhunt. If anyone has any information that can lead her killer to justice, please speak up.

This could be her killer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXXXXXXXXXX

 

 

XXXXXX

This man is, at the very least, a stalker and attacker and most likely her murderer. One victim in a night was not enough. This kind of brutality, no matter who the victim, a popular and friendly girl or an unknown, is unthinkable. Perhaps Esme’s high profile can bring more attention to tracking down a dangerous predator. Her legacy, however, is far more precious than just that.

Both of my moms know me. One of them sent me this:

 

 And the other sent me this:

Merrill Markoe: Cool, Calm, and Contentious

Thanks moms ~

Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. http://bible.us/Ps25.7.NIV

…who agrees with me, wholeheartedly, 100%, I’d be happy.

Looks like I’m gonna be miserable!

Wonderful reality: my husband is the closest thing I can find to that person~