MARLENE RATLEDGE BUCHANAN

lives enthusiastically as a woman , wife , mother , teacher , and writer . She is quick to say that she planned to marry someone old and rich but only got old . However , on her first date with Snell , her husband , Marlene , knew that he was the one for her , to the point she proposed . After his refusal , she considered getting him pregnant . They are parents to a beautiful olive-skinned son . James suffered a lack of oxygen during delivery , resulting in him having special needs . She refers to James ' condition as a special gift . After thirty-four years of being in public education , Marlene retired in 2007 . In the classroom , she earned the name " Ms . Rat ," which garnered her a collection of rat figurines and collectibles over the years from her students . As a Southern Humorist , Marlene has entertained readers with her observations about life through her column , Hey Y ' all , published in the Gwinnett Citizen in Georgia since 2015 . Marlene returns to share a wonderful weather story about her hometown in Georgia being blanketed by snow and how we can relate to having tons of fun enjoying and experiencing snow with her delightful “ Snow Day !” for her unique commentary column , “ Anything Goes with Mama Marlene .”

DR . RANDI D . WARD

is our editor-in-chief extraordinaire ! At 74 years young , she has been a “ mother ” to hundreds of children during her 37 years as a Georgia Language Arts educator . Her teaching journey has taken her to Cairo , Egypt , where she started several language schools teaching ESOL . Randi is also an African animal advocate and environmentalist . She is an honorary president of World Peace Forest ( Africa ) and USA Regional Director for Africa Nomads Conservation . Her passion for life and humanity has earned her many awards and honors . Randi has recently received the IAOTP Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into their Hall of Fame . Her life ' s philosophy is “ Believe ! Don ' t dream big ; dream bigger ! The sky is the limit , so reach for the stars !” Randi has traveled to 60 countries on four continents . From one of her destinations came her memoir that encapsulated her view of what life is all about , Because I Believed In Me - My Egyptian Fantasy Came True . Today , Randi is a master editor and visionary book consultant . By the way , as a mother and forever teacher , she is making sure I am “ crossing my t ' s and dotting my I ’ d ”… Ha , Ha , Ha !

JACKIE MCNAIR and her husband are parents of a 29-year-old daughter living with autism and an intellectual disability and a 31-year-old son in Gwinnett County , GA . As an experiential consultant , she coaches and trains parents to create meaningful life plans , establishing successful transition plans for school children with disabilities into adult life . As a parent mentor in the Dept of Special Ed . for Gwinnett County Public School Sys ., she helps families understand the Individual Education Program for special education students to navigate support and services in their homes , schools , and communities . A 2000 Partners in Policymaking Program graduate of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities , Jackie served as their Regional Advisory Council board member and with the Autism Society of America . A 2016 Gwinnett County Citizens Academy graduate , she was recognized by County Commissioner Charlotte Nash . Jackie is a 2017 Phil Pickens Georgia Parent Mentor

Leadership Award recipient . She is on the Sangha Unity Network and Shine Community boards , agencies supporting adults with disabilities , and Travel Light Network , supporting individuals on their journey to mental health recovery . She authors a Substack newsletter , Jackie Mcnair @ BeyondTheIEP . Jackie returns with an insightful story , “ Love with Intention ,” empowering us with Love in our Empowering Families and Individuals with Disabilities section .

6 | Inspirations for Better Living • February 2025