Lord, You Gave Me a Mountain

   The song "Lord, You Gave Me a Mountain", written by Marty Robbins and performed by Elvis Presley in 1969, rolls through my mind as I write this column/blog. The lyrics to the ballad detail a series of challenges that one endures in life. Marty Robbins describes these setbacks as hills that he has scaled in the past with the help of God - but then states "this time, Lord, You gave me a mountain / A mountain You know I may never climb...".
   Shawn Sheehan, Oklahoma's 2016 Teacher of the Year, may have had this song running through his mind - as he decided to leave Oklahoma in May of 2017. Shawn was an exceptional Algebra teacher in Norman Public Schools, but is now leaving Oklahoma for a better job in Texas - for his family. No one can blame him for thinking of himself and his family instead of our public schools' plight, and the way all teachers have been treated by Oklahomans. The best Oklahoma teacher of 2016 was committed to public school students and teachers across the state. While many are dedicated to our public schools and are dedicated to the cause of better conditions for our students and teachers, very few are actually committed - as was Shawn Sheehan. The difference between dedication and commitment is really very simple. Those who are dedicated to the state's students and teachers are willing to stand up and voice their opinion of how our teachers, with the lowest pay in the nation, have been lied to by our politicians. Lies like this: "I believe our teachers need and deserve a pay raise, but a one-cent sales tax is not the best way" and "Please believe me - teachers will get a pay raise if I'm elected", were first told by candidates during the 2016 election campaign. You know who they are, and "they are who we thought they were!" (Dennis Green, 2006).
   Those committed to our public schools, students, and teachers, are willing to make personal sacrifice of time and money for the betterment of our schools. After garnering the 2016 Teacher of the Year, Shawn Sheehan decided to "run" for the District 15 State Senate seat in Norman. Mr. Sheehan committed his and his family's time for our state teachers and students, and committed personal funds to the cause as well. In return for his committment, the Oklahomans of Senate District 15 made sure he got only 38% of the vote. Meanwhile, the political corporatist machine won the seat with 62% of the vote. Needless to say, but... this time Oklahomans have given Shawn Sheehan a mountain, so he's leaving us. Who can blame him?
   Now, "this time Lord, You gave me a mountain" is the way I feel today, and probably will for a long time. A personal tragedy for Sherrie and me occurred on Saturday, May 27, 2017, as my best friend was killed in a ranch accident. Fred, 11 years old, and the only dog I've ever had, died quietly after suffering a dislocated hip. I listen over and over again to Mr. Bojangles, and the most poignant line - The dog up and died, he up and died, and After 20 years he still grieved. You may listen to it on my facebook page or youtube. He and his sister Lillie are the only children Sherrie and I have. He was "our child" as we never had any others. I loved him as any parent would love a child, and will probably mourn until I leave this world.
   This will be my last column/post concerning politics and public schools. I'm waving the white flag. Thank you all who've read my posts, but like Shawn Sheehan who committed to public schools, I'm gonna do something else, unrelated to politics...