"Expectation" is a word with a plethora of meanings, depending whose mind it touches. It can refer to the dreams a young parent has for a child; the demands a teacher makes upon his or her students; what an employer requires of his staff; or the aspirations of individuals for a better life.
    In Charles Dickens' novel, Pip's expectations aren't much to speak of until his act of kindness to a stranger changes everything.
    When I was considering moving to the Quad-Cities where I grew up from Evanston, a city in which I'd lived for 25 years, I feared I might be making a mistake. What if I hated it? Then what? A wise friend assured me that we create our own reality and that if I hated it, I would simply create a new one. Whether or not that is true, it turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I made new friends, reconnected with old classmates and found the perfect place to write and enjoy life.
    Do the outcomes of your hopes and dreams generally meet your expectations? If they don't, how do you handle your disappointment? Don't forget, as my friend said, creating a new reality for yourself is always a possibility. Think about it.
   Ellie expects recognition from the students and teachers of the school where she works after her act of heroism. See what happens - or doesn't happen and how she handles it in "Halifax".  http://www.amazon.com/Halifax-ebook/dp/B00AVME2R4

I'm sure you've heard or read about someone who's "leading a life of quiet desperation," but have you ever considered what that means?
    To me it describes a person trapped in a situation from which there is no apparent escape. It may be someone in a loveless marriage or abusive relationship who can't or won't leave either out of fear or "for the sake of the children". It could be someone in a dead-end job who can't quit because they need the money. To make matters worse, the individual may fear sharing his or her feelings out of humiliation or concern that such a confidence may be revealed and make things worse. Instead of seeking the help they need, they soldier on in the vain hope things will somehow resolve themselves and get better.
    Generally, it's only when the person makes an effort to change their situation, that's things take a turn for the better. The horrible situation with the three women in Cleveland comes to mind. After ten years of unimaginable abuse, it was only when Amanda Berry took a chance and called for help that they were finally rescued.
    In "Halifax"  ( http://www.amazon.com/Halifax-ebook/dp/B00AVME2R4 ), Ellie's the one who's desperate, quietly despairing of anything ever changing. Little does she know that events beyond her control and the resulting decisions she makes are about to turn life as she knows it upside down.
    Life often shakes things up in ways we can't begin to imagine. It is our response to those changes that makes all the difference.

When I was growing up, children were taught to respect their elders: we addressed adults formally, didn't "talk back" and at table held our tongues. Back then, parents were far more strict than most are today, instilling the fear of God in their offspring, no doubt with the goal of keeping them out of trouble while molding them into responsible adults. Sometimes it worked - sometimes not
    Taylor Caldwell's novel, "Brightly Flows the River" illustrates what happens when children are over indulged. The boy and girl grew into adults who felt "entitled" and lacked the skills they needed to make their way in life. They were so rude and ill behaved their own father grew to hate them.
    On the other hand, well-behaved children are a joy to be around. One only needs recall the popular TV programs, "The Cosbys" and "The Wonder Years" to see parents who kept their children on the straight and narrow, doling out appropriate punishment whenever they strayed.
    In "Halifax", Ellie's sister Carrie believes her daughters are God's gift to mankind and treats them accordingly. The results aren't pretty.
    On this Mother's Day weekend, I wish for you children who know how to "mind their manners" and treat you with the love and respect you so richly deserve. If they don't, perhaps it's time to take inventory of your parenting skills so your little darlings don't end up being - to use a time-worn phrase, "spoiled brats". No one wants that.   
 

Did anyone ever call you "teacher's pet"? Or say you were your mom's or dad's favorite? If so, you probably denied it but at the same time secretly reveled in being "special". What if you were never so favored? Despite parents' vehement assertions to the contrary, most children instinctively know who the "lucky" ones are.
    I was the fifth of seven children (two others died as infants) and always knew who my mom loved most. It wasn't that she didn't love me - she did, it's just that she cherished three of my other sisters. It showed in the way she spoke to and treated them by comparison with me. It hurt - still hurts despite the fact she died 11 years ago.
    In "Halifax" Mrs. Hurley favors Ellie's older sister, Carrie, constantly comparing Ellie unfavorably to her beautiful and more accomplished first-born. As a result, Ellie's self-esteem suffers mightily. I, too, suffered from a lack of self-esteem and sometimes wonder if it stems from the favoritism I perceived in our family growing up.
    The other side of the coin is those who were favored. Were you treated differently? Perhaps you were the victim of jealousy and unable to forge close bonds with those less fortunate.
    It's a complex topic when you think about it. Now I ask you which sounds more like you growing up: Carrie the child doted on - or Eleanor, other one loved but not cherished? Or perhaps you're a parent or teacher trying to hide your feelings for a child who is the apple of your eye. Want to share how you handle it?