Family

Words to Live By from the Birthday Girl

/ Sarah Thomas Cleveland / 5 Comments

Today is my sister, Katie’s birthday. There will never be enough words or blog posts for me to fully describe Katie Thomas or to thank her for being my big sister. She is one of the most passionate people that I know. You can see her passion through the work she does and the relationships she has with the people in her life. She is the best role model and I am so blessed that I can call her my big sister and friend.

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We are four years apart and we have had our ups and downs but at the end of the day we love each other. We have experienced so much together and I can’t imagine going through this thing called life with anyone else at my side. Many people say that we are nothing a like and some say that we are. I think we make a perfect balance. She is on the go and persistent, while I am laid back and take things slow. She has straight hair and I have curly hair, but as you can see when I straighten my hair we look so much a like it is scary!

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As my older sister she has taught me so much. She gives me advice and help when I need it and when I don’t ask for it. That’s just what older sisters do. I am lucky that she always looks out for me and pushes me to do my best.

Here are some of my favorite Katie Thomas Words to Live By:

“Have passion finding your passion.”

“Life can be messed up, but fabulous.”

“A front porch is the best place to be in the world.”

For those of you that haven’t heard, my big sister is gettin’ hitched next month! I am beyond excited and happy for her to start this new adventure with Brett. I only hope that later down the road when we start our own families that our children have a relationship much like I do with my big sister.

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To sum it up, happy birthday Katherine Mae. Thank you for all you do and for being you. Love you!

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Words I Need Today

/ Sarah Thomas Cleveland / 10 Comments

Always a Farmer’s Daughter

by Sarah Thomas

There once was a Farmer who had a daughter. A Farmer that knew how to plant and raise crops and his own stock. That Farmer’s daughter admired and loved the Farmer.

But the time came for the Farmer to answer the call because the Man upstairs needed the Farmer to tend to his stock from up above.

Although the time of Thanksgiving is the most difficult time of all, the Farmer’s daughter was thankful for him. Thankful for the time she had with the Farmer. Thankful for the memories made and the stories to share. Thankful for the example of a life well lived.

The Farmer left a legacy for his daughter to share with you. A story that shaped the daughter’s life. The story of the Farmer told by the Farmer’s daughter. And always a Farmer’s daughter I’ll be.

The Farmer and the Farmer’s daughter

Today marks the third anniversary of my Dad’s passing. It feels like he has been gone for 30 years, not three. It is hard loving and hating all the things that remind me of him the most. All the things that make me the most like him.

I love and hate black coffee. I hate that I need it to get me through the day, but love it because he drank his black too. I love John Wayne and western movies so much that I wish my life was like a western. I hate that I can’t sit and watch a whole one because it was our thing.

I love that I have come to appreciate the work of the American farmer more. They say you learn to appreciate things more once they are gone. I always appreciated my Dad and his hard work. Now that he is not here, I try to show other farmers that I appreciate them and all the work they do for me. I hate hearing the phrase “the farmer’s daughter” because my farmer is no longer on this earth but love the fact that it will forever link me to farmers.

I love that he instilled in me a love for the land. That has not changed. I could never hate the land. I love it more because it is what’s left of him on this earth. There is a sign that hangs in my house, “Heaven is under our feet as well over our heads.” That saying has never been more true for me now. I would give anything to be in heaven with him, but I know he helped create a heaven here on this land for me. And I won’t disappoint him. I will try to live every day on this heavenly land as a farmer’s daughter because I know that I will always be one.

What I Am Thankful For

/ Sarah Thomas Cleveland / 1 Comment

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I am thankful for:
my family and friends
my home
my education
my faith
farmers and ranchers

I will use my family and friends in times of need. I will use what precious time I have with them to enjoy my relationships with them.  Life is short. Show your love ones how much you love them.

I will use my home as a shelter and a place to appreciate who I am and how I was raised. For if ever I leave I know there will always be a place to call home.

I am extremely blessed that I grew up in a home that values education. I plan to continue pursuing my degree to become an educator. I hope to teach my future students the value of being educated.

I will use my faith to believe in the man upstairs and to have faith in His plan for me. I will continue to thank him for my blessings every day.

Last and certainly not least, I will continue to support farmers and ranchers in the agriculture industry. I will be an advocate for agriculture and thank them for all they do every chance I get.

I hope that you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and that you plan to SHOW your blessings how thankful you are.

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Thank you for your support and stopping by my blog. I am thankful for you.

Photo Friday: Boiler Up!

/ Sarah Thomas Cleveland / 1 Comment

Last Friday I made my way up to Boilermaker country to join in Purdue’s homecoming festivities. I was very excited to see my Dad’s roommates from when he was at Purdue. One is from New Jersey, one is from San Diego, and another one is from the Chicago area. I was also looking forward to spending time with my sister and family friends. I had a fantastic weekend with everyone even though it rained most of the day on Saturday and everyone got soaked. Bill, my Dad’s roommate from San Diego brought his daughter, Allison with him this time. In all the years our Dads have known each other this was this first time for she and I to meet. We’re the same age and I had a great time getting to know her and how different her life is from mine in this flyover state. I see an adventure opportunity out west for a visit in my future!

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Me and my sister, Katie at Harry’s Friday night.

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At the game on Saturday before it started to rain!

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My new friend, Allison and I at Harry’s Saturday night.

Photo Friday: Why I Write

/ Sarah Thomas Cleveland / 5 Comments

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Today’s Photo Friday goes out to the man who inspires me to be an educator and writer, my great grandfather, Foster Thomas. He passed away when I was very young but I will always remember his thick, white, curly hair and those thick rimmed glasses. I remember taking dinner over to his house and sitting with him in his leather chair as he read to me. I wish he was still around so I could hear him tell stories about teaching in a one room schoolhouse and then retiring as head of the technology department at the high school. He lived so long and saw so much. Fortunately, I do get to know about these stories. Not from his own mouth but through his writing. He saw the importance of telling a story and writing it down. His writing will now last forever and it will be here for generations to read.

Writers write because they have a story to tell. Why do I write? I write because I have a story that I believe should be shared. This semester I am learning how to be a teacher of writing, “A writer who initiates writing is someone who understands that the written word has power to do things in the world, that writing is a way to achieve many important purposes” (Anderson, 2005). I am not saying that my own writing has the power to do things in the world but I want to teach, to model that kind of writing for my students. Are my writings always good? No. Do I like all of my writings? Not really. Do I need to improve? You bet! That’s what is so great about writing. There is always room for improvement. There is always room to write more.

I do always have a vision for my writing, “I believe good writing starts with the passion of purpose, with some good reason a writer has found to want to write or to need to write” (Wood Ray, 2006). Writers write about their passion because they need to. That’s why I write. That’s why I share my writings on this blog because I have passion to tell a story. Stories need to be told. I write because I believe great stories need to be shared. By sharing them I can insure that they will last forever.

To sum it up I am going to keep writing and I encourage you to write down your own stories. Stories are meant to be shared. Stories are meant to last forever.

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I would like to thank all of the wonderful people who support me and my writing. It means the world, so thank you.

A true love story…

/ Sarah Thomas Cleveland / 4 Comments

“A true love story never ends.”

On this day in 1981 my parents added a huge milestone to their love story.  Even though my Dad is not here in person, it is still an important date and it should be celebrated because it’s a great story.

Their love story will never end.  You see it when you look at my sister, Katie and I.  You can see it when you walk through the front door of the home they built together.  It’s there on the farm when you look around and see the legacy my Dad built and the job my Mom now does to keep that legacy alive.  You can see it when you look at her.  She is the woman she is today because of their story.  She continues to show those of us on earth what love is just as I know those in heaven have the pleasure of seeing it when they look at my Dad.  So yes, I agree, a TRUE love story never ends.  They will be together again someday and then one day we can all see that true love story in heaven above.

Happy anniversary Mom and Dad.  To sum it up, thank you for giving me the best example of a true love story.

Photo Friday: Something to talk about…

/ Sarah Thomas Cleveland / 1 Comment

Last weekend I took a little road trip over to Dayton to visit a friend and to see my other friend, Bonnie Raitt. So, I’ll give you something to talk about…you can’t choose your family but you can choose who you want your family to be. Without a doubt I will always choose and want these three ladies to be my family, to be my sisters. One really is my sister but if I had to choose I would still keep her and the other two are the next thing I have to sisters. These ladies have been there for me when I have needed it most. From chaperoning birthday parties, to doing my hair and makeup for prom, going to Vegas for my 21st, road trips, campfires and nights in the basement. They have been by my side during every new chapter of my life, experiencing life, death and all the things in between. I could sit and listen to them talk forever. They make me laugh, cry, question, and understand life. They are my friends and mentors. They are my sisters.

Me, Leslie, Katherine, Amy at the Bonnie Raitt Concert.

A Teacher

/ Sarah Thomas Cleveland / 4 Comments

There’s a certain gal around these parts that might have been called that Queen of Hearts.

She’s always helpful in every way. Especially when there are bills to pay.

We are happy to know she’s on the procession and made up her mind to join a great profession. 

We know she’ll be happy and enjoy her work. As a teacher she never a duty will shirk.

The pay isn’t much. The bonus is none. But my what a feeling when each day is done.

To see each child grow from day to day is worth far more than compensation or pay. 

Remember you don’t teach math, music or art. You teach each child to better-live his part.

You may be a queen and God’s chosen Creature but it’s better by far to be called “A Teacher.” 

— Foster Thomas, a teacher

Today’s words come from my great grandfather, Foster Thomas, also known as Pap. He was a teacher for 47 years. He also liked to write poetry. This poem comes from his collection, “From Kreation to Kingdom Kome.” He wrote poems for his colleagues that retired or about teacher meetings and report cards. He was a great man and writer but most importantly he was a teacher.

Tomorrow I start my student teaching! I am “on the procession” to joining “a great profession.”  I will be teaching 6th grade at The Center for Inquiry Indianapolis Public School #84. I am nervous and excited to start this next chapter in my life.

Just as Pap wrote, I look forward to becoming a teacher so I can “teach each child to better-live his part.”

Photo Friday: The June Bride

/ Sarah Thomas Cleveland / Leave a comment

Last weekend my older cousin, Kara married her best friend Ryan.

This was the only time my older cousin was actually taller than me.

I had the honor of being a part of their day.  Kara was a beautiful June bride. Thank you for letting me stand by you.

Now I am taller, much taller than my older cousin.

Congratulations Kara and Ryan, enjoy spending forever together.

Father’s Day: A day to remember him

/ Sarah Thomas Cleveland / 6 Comments

It’s Father’s day and simply put, everyone should take the time to thank their Fathers for everything they do because one day they won’t be around for you to thank anymore.

If you personally know me than you know that the opportunity for me to thank my Father in person is gone because he is no longer on this earth with me. But today isn’t any different. It’s just another day that he isn’t here.

He’s always looked after me. Now he does it from a higher view.

He sure as hell would not want me sitting around crying and feeling sorry for myself. So to honor my Pops (that’s what I called him) I will live out today and remember the advice he always told me.

Pops’s Life Advice:

1. There’s no burin’ daylight!

2. If you can’t take a piss in your own backyard than your neighbors are too close.

3. Suck it up! But if you feel poorly drink a Hot Toddy.

4. If you’re ever given the opportunity to buy some land, buy it! There will never be anymore!

5. Just don’t be stupid!

And I will continue to cherish all the memories I had with him and life lessons he taught me.

He was my first dancing partner.

He taught me how to eat Oeros.

He taught me to stand up tall and be proud of who I am and where I come from.

He gave me the best example of how a life should be lived. To sum it up, thanks Pops.