It’s back to school time again, it’s come around so quickly, and on this first day of school Jena Willingham, an Alabama mom made a facebook post we can all relate to, although her three kids didn’t seem all that thrilled! The post she shared was of her three children, 4 year Sykes, 7 year Emmy, and 11 year Wrangler, each of them wearing backpacks and unashamedly looking down into the pool at their mom, who was in her floating chair celebrating with drink in hand.

https://www.facebook.com/jena.willingham/posts/10155620012918221

Jena posted the amusing photo to Facebook this August just a few days ago and its already been shared over 20,000 times. She has been interviewed by PEOPLE magazine, NBC news, AND The New York Times, and USA Today, and more… This amazing and funny picture has spread like wildfire through social media everywhere, because, let’s face it, most of us in this situation can completely understand the picture! Jena said: “My kids have been driving me crazy with their fighting over chargers and iPads all summer”

“I kept telling them I was going to have a pool day all by myself when they went to school because it’s the first time in 11 years I won’t have a kid home. I was counting down to school, I deserve a break”

Jena really made her point with this innocent but clever picture, and many are writing comments like;

“Awesome! You deserve it!!”

AND

“You go, girl!”

There were a few though, as always, a minority, who were not as warm to it, calling her a spoiled self indulgent woman, but Jena had a reply to this: “Meanies y’all,” she wrote. “I have a job. Live in a trailer. Borrowed a pool. But I do need to exercise.”

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153763717973221&set=a.381905238220.160032.507333220&type=3

Jena, when asked what she would do with all her time now her kids were in fact back at school said quite frankly, she would use the time to be productive, like doing a grocery shop without the kids. Her kids are just fine with this:

“The older one likes being famous and the other two are kind of oblivious, But when I did go pick up Sykes Monday everybody in the class started clapping.”

“You know,” Jena said, “What I have taken away from this is that you should not feel guilty about needing a break from your kids.”

Thinking for one minute about all the like and shares, it’s a real safe bet that we all agree right?

Edward and 29 years old Lindsey Schmidt, were married, they were raising their children, 6 years, 4 years and 1 years old. They lived in Beecher, Illinois and Lindsey was pregnant again. Lindsey had signed up her sons for bible school during the holidays, it was a Monday morning, and she had put her children into their car seats of their 2014 Subaru Outback.

She drove them to their bible school that day, but also a 2002 Chevrolet pickup had missed the stop signs and smashed into the side of her vehicle, pushing the Subaru off the side of the road into a field. The Man driving the truck was 25 years old, he sustained minor injuries but required surgery.

Sadly the 1 year old Caleb and his unborn brother or sister died instantly, however Owen 6, and Weston 4, were put on life support at Comer’s Children’s Hospital. They both died in the hospital and their grieving father, now widower, had hanging over him the grim truth that he would have to bury his wife and all his children.

For someone to shoot through a stop sign and cause such a terrible accident is unimaginable, its difficult to imagine anything that could distract someone to do that, but some of us already perhaps have a theory! Texting and driving are a lethal combination and immensely distracting, but it hos not been proved that this was the cause of the accident. A citation was initially issued to the driver, but then dismissed. It doesn’t seem that anyone knows exactly what caused this awful accident, however investigations are ongoing, authorities are investigating any clues that will lead to a discovery of what did really happen that day. Everyone wants answers, but only time will tell in this case if that ever happens. The community is very close and heartbroken over such a loss to everyone, still all the community anxiously waits for more news as to what happened. When YOUR driving, please do be careful, it could save someone’s life!

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Despite the disbelievers and doubters, in July 1995 a special couple said “I do”. There were many that thought that they didn’t have a hope of a happy future together, or could even stay a married couple. Maryanne and Tommy Pilling defied the odds and are now a wonderful example of love and how the trueness of love really does stand the test of time, defying all the people that predicted it wouldn’t last, years ago, and wouldn’t support them. After a whopping 22 years after they were married, Tommy and Maryanne are still together and live next to Maryanne’s mom in Essex, her sister lives just a few houses down the road and the happy couple don’t even argue!

Facebook/MaryanneandTommy

What seems like a short time ago, this amazing marriage nearly didn’t come true. Tommy 59, and Maryanne 46, have overcome many challenges in their lives, both having dealt with a share of rude, mean people. Their stories of love began at a local training centre for people with learning difficulties. Its was so cute how sweet and adorable their relationship was. After just 18 months of dating each other, Tommy knew that Maryanne was his one and only love. Tommy proposed with a toy ring bought from a vending machine, but only after he had first asked permission to marry her from her mom!

Facebook/MaryanneandTommy

They received their blessing from Maryanne’s mom, but regretfully many others didn’t approve. Linda Newman, Maryanne’s sister, had told everyone that their mom received “a lot of flak” for supporting them in their marriage. Thinking about how many marriages today end in divorce, theirs is definitely a love story that has stood the tests of time, without a doubt. The relationship is pure because they don’t understand emotions of hate, their beautiful church ceremony, surrounded by friends and family showed them the love they received. Tommy went to the jewelry shop with Maryanne’s mom where she helped buy a “proper ring”, said Linda. She told the New York Post that ever since she was a little girl, Maryanne dreamed of having a big white wedding. “That’s exactly what she had. It was a beautiful day. Holding hands strolling down the street that make a great statement, but still some people stare, assuming that people with down syndrome and learning difficulties shouldn’t get married. Also though, there are many well wishers who are inspired, especially people with down syndrome children, we hope that they can also fall in love and live happy lives too!

Facebook/MaryanneandTommy

Just by looking at their wedding photos you can really tell that they share a deep and meaningful relationship right to this current day, Linda has shared their stories on Facebook and Instagram too!

They love one another dearly, respect one another and are completely honest. My wedding was the best day of my life. I was shocked when Tommy proposed, but I didn’t have to think twice about saying yes. Tommy and I never argue. I love my husband very much. He is my best friend.

In the Great United States of America being a Police Officer comes with many unexpected challenges and there is a narrow rope to walk between your obligatory duties and doing what is right in some situations. Under the constant watchful eye of the media, like being in a fishbowl, the job has become more and more difficult in recent years. There are too many people who are ready to hurt and be violent towards police officers, who just want to do their jobs and go home, and many who want return home to their own family safely at the end of each day. Marsha Lohens, a member of the police force, has found her true calling, being part of the police force!

Facebook/Martha Ruth Lohnes

The amazing feeling of capturing the bad people of this world and helping others in need is her passion, helping those around her when things go wrong, by all accounts, she was put here on earth by a higher force! She patrolled her jurisdiction in Charleston, South Carolina, although one of her most recent encounters was so incredibly powerful that she felt obliged to share it on Facebook.

I was debating whether or not to add this photo because I didn’t want to seem like I was looking for recognition. I don’t care for that. But I think this picture my partner took is too powerful to keep hidden. And I care to show the good in police work. This is Priscilla and she is a well-known member of our community. She chooses to sit in an old rotting chair under a bridge every day. Her legs are swollen three times their normal size. She’s mentally ill. She will curse you up and down if she doesn’t like you but she is the sweetest human ever if you get on her good side. Believe me I spent many of our initial encounters asking her not to call me the ‘B’ word. I check on her regularly because she has an infection on her foot. The flesh is rotting away, it seeps liquid, and the bugs are constantly inside of it. She refuses to go to the hospital although I have called an ambulance for her several times.

Facebook/Martha Ruth Lohnes

I have begged her to let me take her to the hospital but she’s so stubborn and I can’t force her. The other day I brought her bactine spray to hopefully help heal her foot and keep the bugs away. She was almost crying because she was so scared it would sting, so I had to spray it for her. I brought her hot cheetos and beef sticks, but she proceeded to yell at me for not getting her pizza. I absolutely adore this woman, y’all. She’s one of the most amazing souls I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. But as I was kneeling there cleaning her foot, I couldn’t help but think of the song ‘Who Will Be Jesus To Her?’ Sometimes it feels as if the whole world is against my Blue Family. We are hated and wished to be dead. We are called racist murderers, robots and pigs. Yet, out of the public’s eye, we get on our knees in the dirt to show love by washing the feet of those others would reject. Moments like these are the reason I am so passionate about what I do. I have never felt closer to Jesus than when I don my uniform and serve those who just need to be loved. God put me on this earth to be a police officer. And though we are despised and rejected, my heart remains at peace because I know I’m doing God’s work. As is every man and woman I proudly serve beside. This is the side of police work you don’t see. This is our every day shift. Don’t forget that we are human, and we are called to serve as well as protect. UPDATE: I went back and saw Priscilla again today because I was going to bring her medicine, and she had a bandage around her foot. I was informed that for the past month (unbeknownst to me) Charleston County EMS has been making daily checks on Priscilla while I have only been checking on her once or twice a week. I didn’t know because she takes her bandage off by the time I get on shift because it ‘gets dirty.’ But they provide her with more medical care and attention than I am able to. They also feed and clothe her (today she told me ‘don’t I look sexy in my new dress?’) I don’t know exactly who responds to her, but they are the ones who deserve the recognition. They are the real representations of Jesus and should be thanked a hundred times more than I. If anyone knows who is assigned to her, please let me know.

Officer Lohnes wasn’t obliged to pull over or help Priscilla, but she knew her work was a true calling, and God’s work! Looking after Priscilla was a big job but thankfully there were other kind souls also looking after her too, with their efforts all put together, she will get better and better! Without the work of our men and women in blue, the world would truly be a sadder place.