Ms Mickey

The following writing was read before friends and family as part of a memorial service for Mrs. Marth Frost. A true Texas treasure.

Good afternoon, am honored to be here to help celebrate the life of a true Steel Magnolia…. Martha Frost…or As I knew her as Ms Mickey. My name is Barbara Magana Robertson…

Ms Mickey has known me my entire life. In fact she has known all by brothers and sisters their entire lives. And not many people can say this but she has known my father Sam Magana since he was 13 years old.

For every Magana birth, graduation, anniversary, and wedding she has shared these moments with my family…as family should.

For years I have had the sheer pleasure of decorating the Christmas tree for Mr and Mrs Frost. As many of you may know, Ms Mickey loved Christmas. Her passion for Christmas is something that my mother, Delia Magana and I shared with Mrs Frost. Decorating the tree was something more than hanging lights and ornaments. Mrs Mickey knew that Christmas time meant she was going to see people she loved…she would see family.

Ms Mickey has an extensive collection of ornaments. Some of the ornaments were of once dolls she and her sister had as children. She has several cross ornaments that Harry Gordan himself gave her as Christmas gifts. But my favorite by far are her extensive collection of hallmark ornaments that she collected throughout the years. These ornaments move, whistle, chirp… they make all kind of noises and best of all light up. But most important…made her happy.

Her adoring son, Ford, a few Christmases ago gave her a special gift that gave her pure joy. This gift was a stuffed reindeer that sat in a wooded rocking chair…and when you turned it “on” it sang that silly song “grandma got run over by a reindeer” . She cherished this reindeer. She would asked me to turn it on, while she watched me decorate the tree….she would giggle like a little girl at certain parts of the song. When she heard enough she would say "ok turn it off". I am not sure if it was the reindeer, the song or the fact that Ford gave it to her that brought her so much joy.

For those of you who know my father, you know that Christmas decorating is not something he does. Give him a horse, a rope, some cattle …but Christmas decorating is not his forte. However when Ms Mickey called a few Christmases ago…. to her beloved Sammy and said “Sammy… I need some hay”…..My father said,"how much"? …she said, "I am not sure I just need some". My Daddy being the forever loyal staple in her life…. wanted to fill her request. So he loaded a bale of hay and went over to their house. When he arrived she raised her hand and said "I need about this much"… only about a hand full. You see, she had been decorating her nativity scene. My father was glad to help her put the finishing touches on her manger.

Through the years I have had many memories with the Frost family…but one of my fondest was this past Christmas. I was over at their home decorating the Christmas tree. Mr frost just had his dinner.This was the first Christmas that Ms Mickey could not sit up and watch me decorate their tree. MS Mickey was already in failing health and bed ridden and she was in her makeshift bed room. Mr Jay decided to he wanted to she his wife that evening. And told his Nurse….”Nurse I at want to see my wife". Now this was not as easy as you would think. But after a little determination Mr frost made his way in his wheelchair to the foot of Ms mickey’s bed. When she realized he was there, in a clear and valid voice she said the following words… I adore you, I adore you, I adore you Jay Frost…and with a steady voice he said I love you to Mrs Frost…good night Baby. Although this was a private moment…I was touched by their love for one another that has endured over the years.

This reminded me of the time I asked Ms Mickey about the first time she saw Mr Jay…in her words…”he was a handsome young man speeding across Galveston waters in a boat I did not know who he was…I just knew he was going fast”. I said, "Ms Mickey how did you finally catch him"…she replied, “I am not sure I guess he slowed down”.
I am glad that he slowed down enough to have his life’s greatest jewel….his baby, Mrs Frost.

On behalf of the Magana Family….I thank you for letting us share these memories with you here today.

The Bullying Business

Article written for the Fort Bend Business Journal by Barbara Magana Robertson

The days of school yard bullying have grown far beyond the playground. With the start of the school year just weeks away, school districts, child care providers and parents are preparing to face this growing issue. Cyber bullying, threatening text messages and sexting are some of the real issues that plague students of all ages. The retaliations due to bullying have made headline news across the nation. There is no community that is left untouched by these modern day terrors. A real need for proper training of our school educators, child care providers and parents is essential to being able to combat bullying and other pestilent concerns. Appelbaum Training Institute, located in Sugar Land, is a pioneer and a true leader in training educators and parents in an array of issues that face today’s youth. Appelbaum Training Institute (ATI) provides the skills and the knowledge to help students of all ages cope with these rising concerns.

The Appelbaum training Institute was founded by Maryln and Marty Appelbaum. Maryln has been a trailblazer in the child care industry for decades. Her vast experience comes from being a teacher, an administrator, a therapist, a consultant and an author. She, along with her son, Marty, have grown their business to reach more than 50,000 parents and educators annually through their seminars, workshops, and books. “We are committed to giving the proper training and really being able to help the children and the teens that may be facing these perils of life,” says Dr. Appelbaum. “That is what we do, we are difference makers.”

The seminars cover a wide range of topics and tackle real issues such as disciplinary concerns while also offering guidance on other matters. Putting a stop to bullying, getting kids to listen and teaching parents and teachers how to achieve respect, balance love and limits, and how to talk to kids so they listen, are just a few of the many topics covered in the seminars. Both Maryln and Marty work together as a team at their events. The harmony that is struck between mother and son is solid and filled with a plethora of information for the participants. Maryln shares, “From infants toddlers, all the way up to high school kids, we teach them the tools that they need to work most effectively to be the best parent or best teacher.” The Appelbaums’ have created an entertaining learning experience including interactive role playing and training videos to enhance their seminars. The intoxicating laugh of Maryln is addicting and is a constant at their seminars. Participants at their seminars not only learn but they find themselves enjoying the experience.

Maryln has shared her knowledge over the years by writing more than 30 “how to” books. Each book has given both parents and educators the foundation to implement into their own personal circumstances. Just buy the book titles you can identify with, something going on in your own life….”How to Handle the Hard to Handle Student”, “No More Biting”, “No More Tattling”. Also as author, Maryln has address social matters such as Autism, Literacy and Child Abuse in several of her books. For several years now Maryln’s book, “How to Talk to Kids So They Will Listen” has been a bestseller. She has written two books on bullying, and this fall she continues her mission to bring awareness to bullying, cyber bullying, and sexting with her pending book release.

According to Maryln, “Bullying has always been around, but it is growing due to today’s kids who are ‘all about me’ kids.” “They are used to getting what they want, and some enjoy hurting other kids.” She advocates that bullying must be addressed, dealt with and stopped. “Parents need to be involved ...one on one time with their children, whether they are pre-k kids to high school students….start with the counselor, go to principal…take it to law enforcement” says Maryln.

Marty has led the company to being awarded one of the best small companies to work in Houston three times. He and Maryln are a “dynamic duo” leading their company to make a difference. Marty says, “Our goal is to reach every parent and educator we can and give them solid information they can immediately implement so they see immediate results.”

Maryln and Marty have taken their seminars, books, and expertise and turned it into accessible products through the use of social media. Everything they teach can be found on their web site. On-line courses for C.E.U.’s and clock hours, training tools and videos, teacher appreciation gifts and other merchandise are all available at your fingertips. Maryln sends out a daily electronic teaching message to over 50,000 recipients. In her messages she covers a remarkable range of topics and gives a meaningful tip to apply to real life scenarios. Also, ATI and Maryln use both facebook and twitter as platforms to share their techniques. The Appelbaum’s have made it their business to keep up with the latest in State regulations around the Country. Most States accept their books and continuing education courses as clocked study hours. Pending child care legislation in Texas in regards to staffing to child ratio is a heated topic. “More staff, means more money for the parents to pay…we should really focus on proper training” expresses Maryln.

School bells will be ringing soon, and hallways will be filled with kids who will not only be dealing with the stresses of a passing grade but also the struggles of their own generation. Maryln has given simple rules to make the school year go by without discourse “As a parent or teacher, listen, make yourself available, pay attention to the body language of your children, and do your best.” For information on Appelbaum Training Institute visit their website at http://www.atiseminars.org/.