Hello from Oregon!!

It's me, Gabby Woodman.  Thought I'd update you and let you know what's going on in my part of the world.

I am still going to school, studying hard to become a teacher to children with special needs.  I am also mentoring kids; it helps them, and it helps me too, in the long run:  it benefits everybody.  :)

As you know from when you see me, I am disabled.  Been like this ever since I can remember; yet not having arms or legs has ever stopped me.  I have always accomplished everything I set my mind to; does not do any good to sit around and feel sorry for myself.

Mom and dad never treated me like I was the poor disabled (crippled) kid.  They treated me like I was somebody with worth; they taught me to fend for myself and to take care of my own needs, be it feeding myself, getting dressed, getting to/from my wheelchair (or scooter), using the bathroom, combing my hair or brushing my teeth:  whatever needed to be done, I learned to do it, the Gabby Woodman way.  With guts and sheer determination!  :)

I love my life.  It is a fairly simple one, but it's one I can't imagine being any different.  Whenever people see me, they're like "How can you be happy?  You have no legs or arms!"  I tell them you don't need to have arms or legs to be happy; what counts is how you feel inside.  I go that route.  I have a very good life, and I have God co-piloting it.

God's my co-pilot.  I rely on Him for everything!!  :)

Yesterday, in honor of Veteran's Day coming up (it will be Veteran's Day in three more days, on Wednesday), our city held a celebration at one of the local parks; they had special music, speeches from the mayor of Eugene, several state (and government) officials, and city leaders, as well as military flyovers (two B-17 bombers and a Stealth fighter jet).  It was really cool!  I even got to participate by singing "God Bless America"; I guess I did a good job 'cause everyone clapped/cheered after I was done!  :)  It was a lot of fun!  I had a most wonderful time!

If I didn't make the decision to become a teacher to kids with special needs, I would have gone into music and become a singer.  I love to sing; I always have, always will.  I sing in the church choir every Sunday, and I will be singing "O, Holy Night" for our Christmas pageant.  Looking forward to it! :)

Well, I gotta run.  Gotta get ready for breakfast (going out today; eating at Denney's with my folks) and then church afterwards, and then, after that, dinner on the grounds.  I will be very busy today, as you can see!  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Gabby Woodman saying so long and God bless!

~Love, your friend in Oregon,  Gabby ("Gabbers").  :)

*To be continued.*