Monday, July 30, 2018
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Parting with the script of such a feeling. In this moments, I am reminded of the fragility of the human experience. How easy is it to feel as if we are in control, to feel as if we are able to effectively determine the way our life unfolds? Until you place your face into the hands of a doctor, willingly handing over the keys with the hopes of achieving a better result. We rely on these medical professionals to help write chapters of our own story, hoping that they will somehow be able to use their considerable knowledge skilled hands to produce a Samuel Moore-Sobel is a freelance and desirable result. writer. He is currently working on a memoir and publishes a blog After the doctor dabs my face with which can be found by visiting gauze for the last time, he sits back www.holdingontohopetoday.com down in his chair, making a few Follow him on both Facebook and notes in my chart. My mother Twitter. points out how much better my neck looks - the red scars “Sorry to keep you waiting young considerably faded after the laser man – how are you?” operation last December – while I point to the scar under my chin. The doctor walks in, eager to begin where we left off months before. A “It’s a lot easier to shave around return visit to this office suddenly the area, and fills in better when I reminds me of a simple truth have a beard,” I tell him. discovered last year. Each and every member of this kind man’s staff is “We want to get your nose to the so incredibly friendly. The same place,” he says quietly, receptionist answering the phones, appearing to be mulling over next the medical assistant working to steps. ensure I am comfortable while she takes my vitals. Such kindness “Let me see you back in six makes this process slightly easier to weeks,” he says. bear, evoking a feeling of gratitude instead of a sense of loss. I ask what happens next, inquiring if another laser operation is in the “Put your chin up for me,” Dr. offing. Cohen instructs, his eyes trained on my visible scars. “I don’t want to commit,” he says, indicating he wants to see how it “How does it look?” I ask, looks in six weeks before making nervously awaiting his response. such a determination.
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Howe ISD Substitute Training Howe ISD is currently accepting applications for substitute positions for the 2018-19 school year. To be eligible for substitute placement, applicants must: Be at least 18 years old. Have a high school diploma or equivalent. All applicants who meet the above criteria are required to attend a mandatory training on Thursday, August 2nd, 9:00 am – 11:30 am in the Howe ISD Administration Building before being placed on the district’s substitute list. All applicants must being paid the certified substitute provide the following: rate: Two forms of identification (i.e. Driver’s license, social security card) Completed substitute packet (packets given at training) Applicants who have a valid Texas Teaching Certificate must provide the following before
Copy of Transcripts Copy of Valid Texas Teaching Certificate You may contact Pauli Stephens at 903-532-3204 for additional information. Application forms will be provided at the training.
He quickly mentions something about steroid injections, taking his hand and patting the giant blue seat reserved for patients smack dab in the middle of the room. A nonverbal cue intended to encourage me to change seats.
I appreciate his willingness to engage in a wait-and-see approach, his refusal to engage in the act of making empty promises, a common experience from the past. This time, the future fails to scare me in the way the unknown once did. Just a few years ago, the thought of an He starts talking about the scar event occurring outside the realm under my nose, noting its size and of my stated plans would have the need to correct the formation of caused me great distress. “hydra atrophy” – a fancy word referring to the noticeable buildup My mind wanders back to a rather of scar tissue. silly scene from my high school years. Re-living the near “As long as your breathing is devastation I once felt over my better,” he says, paying homage to failure to receive a signature in my the goal that has been ever present personal copy of a book written by in the work we have done together a presidential candidate. Agonizing over the last several months – the over this perceived loss, I asked my preservation of airflow. mother the reason behind my inability to let go of this rather He walks towards me wielding a insignificant example of what needle, the first medical might have been. professional to do so in several years. The moment the metal prick “It’s because you have a running meets my skin, a sharp pain goes narrative inside your head,” she running up and down the affected said, a script determining the way area, causing me to cringe as he my life was supposed to unfold. sticks the needle ever deeper. The sensitivity of the area under one’s I marveled at the growth achieved nose causes tears to automatically in gaining the ability to throw out flood my eyes. the script. Instead of striking fear, Dr. Cohen’s words generated a “I’m sorry,” he repeats sense of acceptance; willing to face compassionately, quickly grabbing whatever waves may or may not a tuft of gauze in order to wipe come my way. For those of you away the blood and ooze emanating possessing a predilection for from the affected area. “Breathe,” sticking to a plan, I hope you’ll join he says quietly. “Breathe.” He me in doing the same. For we all continues this routine for a few know that our attempts to guide the seconds afterwards, applying cloth unruly waters of life often prove when needed in order to restore futile; and besides, I think Dr. some semblance of dignity to a Cohen is more than able to handle process that has often stripped me the task ahead.
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