The Gift Of Sign Language
When I was in high school, if you took the ‘college prep’ track, then taking a foreign language, like Spanish or French, was required. It terrified me! I was delighted when I discovered the ‘business track’, which I wanted, since I was certain our family could not afford college anyway, did not require this. Imagine my surprise when many years later I discovered that American Sign Language is also considered a foreign language!
Now, one of my grand daughters is studying Spanish and her nine-month old sister is learning ‘Sign’! No, she doesn’t have a hearing problem, but it’s a wonderful skill to have. While the baby is learning this ‘foreign language’, so is the rest of the family. I have to chuckle when even the dog responds to ‘Sign’!
I remember watching a movie several years ago where a couple was eating in a restaurant. While they were eating, two men came in and the waitress was getting their order. I’m not sure who was more frustrated—-the waitress or the man trying to give the order.
The young woman at the other table saw the situation and told the waitress what the man was trying to say. The guy with her was astounded! “How do you know Sign language?” he asked. “My dad was unable to speak,” she answered, “so we all knew Sign language to be able to communicate. It’s how I grew up.”
Those images and conversation have stayed with me, and I’ve since wanted very much, to learn Sign language. Anyone who knows me will tell you, I’m a chatter, and I do much of it with my hands, even though I am completely capable to use my voice! Even though I tend to accentuate what I say with my hands, and use a great many facial expressions, should I meet someone who really needs this skill, I would not be able to communicate! That thought gives me pause.
I can’t imagine not hearing the birds sing in the early morning, breakfast sizzling in the skillet, my grandchildren talking all at once, the sound of the ‘belly laugh’, Gospel music, crickets, wind blowing through the pine trees, rain hitting a tin roof and the list could go on forever. Hearing is what brings the world to our senses. We can hear ‘it’ even when we don’t have a visual!
Our world is filled with people who are either somewhat hearing impaired or have total hearing loss. I am awed when I watch people who ‘Sign’ during a music presentation or during conventions when many people are attending. It makes me wonder how many in attendance need this added benefit to be able to ‘hear’ what is being said.
I just read a post from my hearing impaired friend in SD that a police department in Kaysville, UT is learning sign language. This is how important knowing how to communicate is. I agree with her, “This should be everywhere!” she commented.
September 23 is International Day of Sign Languages; and it’s interesting to note that many countries have their own specific ‘Sign’. It is believed that there are between 140 and 300 unique sign languages world wide. Apparently different areas have specific nuances much like different areas around the US have their own dialects and even slang, cultural words and expressions.
Learning sign language is so important, even if a person can speak well! What a great way to make yourself available to those who can’t speak aloud! I challenge you to consider learning a foreign language: the language of ‘Sign’!
Children Deserve To Live
Our world is in the middle of a huge battle with the Coronavirus. The statistics are staggering on the number of people affected by the virus, whether a person is vaccinated or not. As the germ mutates, even children are being negatively impacted. It’s affected all areas of our lives.
There’s another ‘germ’ in our midst that from a childhood perspective, sometimes get a little overlooked. Childhood Cancer. Statistics indicate it has become the number one killer of children by disease. The information regarding this monster beast, like the Coronavirus, is also astounding. It is estimated that over 15,000 children, from birth to age 19 are diagnosed with Cancer every year in the US. Of this number about 20% of these children will not survive. I have a hard time even processing this information!
I had five children and can’t imagine the trauma that must come with the news that my little person could have such a mountain to climb. While I never experienced this grief, I mourn for all those lost and for all the families who face this trial, every single year.
There are varied opinions why our little people are deluged with this kind of viper. While some will tell you diet plays a large role in the cell breakdown of children, others claim it’s our environment, given all the pesticides used on plants, and toxins found in our homes.
It is possible diet may play a role during pregnancy. It’s common knowledge (although often ignored) that eating lots of red or processed meat is not good for you, given the hormone, synthetic additives and salt hidden within. We know that junk food and sugar all are best left alone, when we consider all the chemicals found in their pretty little packages, which has the ability to tantalize our taste buds. All these factors affect a child being carried within the womb.
Others will tell you, however, like St. Jude research hospital that nearly 10% of these children inherited a genetic mutation. Read (https://www.stjude.org/get-involved/other-ways/childhood-cancer-awareness-month.html#statistics) for the full article.
Regardless of how a child develops cancer, they and their families suffer. They endure pain, fear, medical therapies and expenses among other trials, during their journey, in an attempt to recover. Even when recovery comes, however, it isn’t the end of the process. Most will have residual problems the rest of their lives, creating days when they are in agony, due to the manifestation of the cruelty their body has endured.
One teenaged survivor shared how she was bullied after her recovery. Her peers believed she was faking the issues she was having in school. This is horrific! No one wants to feel this bad! All children want and deserve the right to live happy and productive lives.
Cancer has a way of hiding from an outsider’s eyes. It causes pain and discomfort in ways a victim hadn’t expected, even after the ‘disease’ is officially no longer in their body. There are long time effects that can’t be seen by anyone—- but hauntingly real to the one still fighting to stay on top!
Disabilities come in many forms and sometimes it’s an invisible disability. As onlookers, we need to be cognizant of the person who parks in handicapped parking even when to our inexperienced eyes, we don’t see the problem they are facing. I know there are those who will abuse the use of the handicap placard, but I’d like to think that compassion is more often honored, even when we can’t see the disability.
#ChildhoodCancerAwareness #ChildhoodCancer #ChildrenDeserveToLive #CancerKillerOfChildren #InvisibleDisability #LifelongMedicalProblems #CancerStealsOurChildren
Therapy Animals Improving the Quality of Life
Our family has two pets, a white German Shepherd, Tatanka, we call the ‘great white beast’ because he’s over 110 pounds, but is protector of the property and his charges, our grandchildren who live next door. We also have a very timid and flighty inside cat.
We bought Tatanka from a private seller who had taught him a lot of bad manners and habits which needed changing once we adopted him a just over a year old. Little Bear, our cat, we adopted from the SPCA who’d spent nearly the first six months of his life in a cage and had no idea how to respond as a normal cat. While he is much more social now, he still hides when company comes in, and jumps at the drop of a hat!
Neither of our animals are considered ‘therapy animals’ but in our family, both the cat and the dog are loyal to my husband, who has been sick for some time. The cat will curl up next to my husband almost as soon as he sits in the recliner. The dog follows him everywhere when they are outside! Given my husband’s health, the cat offers calm since my husband will stroke his back without even thinking and the dog lets us know where we can find his master!
Animals are amazing creatures, and not just cats and dogs, although they are the ones most people consider the best for therapy. Other animals, such as, alpacas, Vietnamese Pot Bellied pigs, birds, cows, horses and other animals can serve the same purpose.
When trained correctly, these amazing animals can offer love, support, and other kinds of therapies for their masters. One dog I read about was rescued after being badly burned. The vet, to whom the dog was given, discovered the dogs unique qualities, personality and nature that now, after training, can offer therapy to humans who have been burned.
I love the stories about soldiers who have a dog assigned to them that stays by their side through all elements of their duty. What’s amazing is when one of these dogs saves his owner from certain death because of a heroic act of bravery.
Some cats apparently have the uncanny ability to sense when a person is dying and have been known to curl up on the bed in a nursing home with a person nearing his end on earth; staying until the person is called home.
Not all animals can become therapy animals, but even untrained pets who offer joy, comfort and love, can offer incredible quality of life to an elderly person all alone, a child facing a debilitating disease, a disabled person who needs the added element of an animal close by, whether it be for a sight disability or a person who needs emotional support due to PTSD caused by trauma from being in the battle field, or another kind of trauma induced need.
Studies have shown that an animal need not be a pure bred to be worthy of being a therapy candidate. It seems those animals who faced intense cruelty or otherwise injured in their own right, have the unique qualities required for becoming the perfect partner for someone in need.
I am no animal trainer, and I laud those who have the ability to create the needed habits and mannerisms to make them certified therapy animals. Perhaps you can see your own pet as adding a unique quality of life to your family.
Or perhaps you are a person who may need a therapy animal. There are organizations who handle this and may even help you get YOUR pet trained. One, of many good places to start might be: https://medicalmutts.org/how-to-get-a-service-dog/ , the ASPCA or even the Humane Society. It can’t hurt to inquire, if you are in need.
#DogAppreciationDay #AnimalAppreciationDay #AnimalsAndDisabilites #TherapyAnimals #AnimalsForComfort #AnimalsForKidsWithDisabilities #CertifyPetsForTherapy #RescueAnimalsForTherapy #ImprovedQualityOfLife
Mosquitoes In The Great Outdoors
“There’s a mosquito flying around my head and I can’t get it,” complained my husband. “You’ve got to find it.”
“Seriously?” I whined. “It’s not bothering me!”
“You’ve got to get it so I can sleep,” he maintained. So I rose from my sleepiness in the middle of the night, flicked on the light, stood on the bed near the brightness and tried to find the little beastie!
Yes! This actually happened more than once in the early years of our marriage! He, I reasoned, was the one who really had to sleep in order to be able to get up for work the next morning. It mattered not that he woke me from my sleep, or that I had a baby to tend to during the day! I’d be able to find a moment later in the day, hopefully, to nap.
Mosquitos are what seem like fickle little creatures that can bite a body to pieces in a matter of moments. Even while in the same ‘space,’ with my husband, he seemed to be one of those whose body scent attracted them. When that female mosquito would light on his body, she’d pierce his skin, lubricate his flesh with her saliva, and suck his blood out.
These actions would enable her to produce the eggs she would lay, that would create more of these tiny flying critters! I’m not sure at the time I realized the importance of protecting ourselves from these bites. Certainly, no one likes being stung or bitten by anything. It brings swelling, itching and sometimes even pain.
But these little varmints can be downright deadly! Sir Ronald Ross discovered the females can transmit malaria in 1897. They are also responsible for the West Nile Fever, Yellow Fever and more! And, it takes a single bite of an infected mosquito to cause an infection.
Because of this discovery, World Mosquito Day (August 20) was initiated to educate and bring awareness to people across the globe of the poison these little brutes can carry. The day was created to let people know the importance of keeping yards free of standing water; including that which can be beneath leaves and other debris left in gutters, standing pails or even bird baths and water left for outside pets.
In addition to removing standing water, a favorite place to lay eggs; mosquitos also like grass clipping, raked leaves, compost piles or even thick vegetation of any kind in which to hide if there is any moisture within. The vegetation is also protection from any breeze, since they find it difficult to fly when there is any wind motion.
Thankfully there hasn’t been many reported cases of mosquito borne diseases here in America, for some years. Yet there is about 50% of the world where information is lacking about the risk for outbreaks. According to some documentation, there have been four cases of malaria transmission since 2000 here in the United States. But there is concern that the risk is rising due to international travel and our lack of preparedness, should an outbreak occur.
I encourage you, while enjoying the ‘great outdoors’, beware of the dangers of mosquitoes insomuch as you can, around your personal space, and dress appropriately when entering an area likely filled with mosquitoes. The last thing any of us need is one more ‘virus’ to turn our world upside down!
#WorldMosquitoDay #WearLightClothing #Malaria #StandingWaterAndDebris #WestNileFever #FemaleMosquitosSpreadDisease #RisksRisingForAnOutbreak #TheGreatOutdoors
Photo Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/837247386979572716/
‘Leftie’ And Happy
Photo credit https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image?phrase=left%20handed%20writing
We celebrate ‘Lefthanders Day” on August 13 while living in a right handed world. Somewhere between 10% and 13% of the world population is left handed, including my left handed daughter married to her left handed husband, who have at least one left handed child. (They have another baby with yet undetermined hand dominance.)
I also have a ‘should have been’ left handed sister. My parents, who thought being left handed came from Satan, disciplined my sister until she learned to use her right hand.
My parents aren’t unique to the idea of left handedness being a bad thing! This perception of wickedness is long embedded in history. “Sinister” is derived from the Latin word “sinestra” or “left.” Through the years left handed individuals have been tormented, even persecuted for their innate ability to write differently from what was considered socially normal. Even into the late 1800’s, left handed dominate people were believed to ‘be in alliance’ with the devil!
Even now, our society connects ‘left’ with negativity. In a dance a person may say, “I have two left feet,” while it’s good to be “a right hand man.” Some suggest if both a right handed and left handed person see the same images in a list and are asked to choose between the two, the right handed person is more likely to choose the items on the right, the left handed person, those images on the left; and this can, in theory, supposedly, even affect voting ballots.
In our ‘right handed world’ my microwave, refrigerator, and other appliances work from the right; including the placement of my dishwasher to the ‘right’ of the sink! Desk drawers are typically on the right and scissors and often complex machines in industry are made for ‘righties’, as well.
Some have argued that being left hand dominate, should be considered a disability. My daughter would argue (loudly) that it isn’t! It does require some adaptation, but certainly doesn’t usually inhibit a person from performing tasks or deplete the quality of life. Still it is an inconvenience, which is why people are trying to create awareness of the unique struggles created in our ‘right handed’ world, even if unintentional.
Because of this, in 1990 a Left Handers Club was created to bring awareness to manufactures and others who could have an impact on making subtle changes in new merchandise that would work better for ‘Lefties.’ This eventually led to Left Handers Day in 1992; a day to celebrate their difference and continue to educate others.
While some believe hand dominance may be genetic, Scientists are still not absolutely certain why one child is born left handed, while another right. It’s interesting to note, however, that while a person is dominantly left handed, some have the ability to use their right hand just as well, albeit for different activities. My left handed daughter catches ball with her right hand and even ties a bow right handed.
Being left handed is not a bad thing. It’s another area of being the same but being different! We are each unique and wonderfully made, even when we don’t fit all the ‘normal parameters’ set by social sectors.
To all ‘Lefties’ —- enjoy your day and celebrate!
#LeftHandednessDay #LeftHandedAndHappy #LeftHanded #RightHandedWorld #Genetics #NotWickedOrEvil #JustDifferent
Disability or Learning Difference
Words and labels. Is it a disability or learning difference? It’s all in perspective, yet it’s important for diagnosis, in order to receive aid if warranted. Still, the ‘label’ isn’t necessarily what we want to hear in a discussion in the classroom or among our peers. It seems much kinder to use the word ‘different’. After all, we are none the same. We are each unique and that’s just as it should be.
Not only are we all different, we all learn differently. Certainly there are categories in which we may fit, but even within the categories, each person, each child learns at his own pace, from whatever angle his mind sees the subject, and even dependent on what else his body is doing at the time!
Babies have a time line of ‘growing.’ Some babies will roll as early as four months, and by six months, can roll from side to side. My grand daughter at eight months still does not roll. That said, she sits up strong and steady, has seven teeth, kicks her feet to ‘swim’ in her floaty in the pool and has an amazing personality. Her body has been very busy doing other things. She will roll when she’s ready!
Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four and waited to read until he turned seven, but eventually caught up and then surpassed all expectations! Children learn differently. But this, in their peer group, puts them in a different category! When a child doesn’t ‘adhere’ to the normal scale, they are often considered stupid, lazy or just incapable of learning! None of that is true! Their brains are just on a different timeline, or look at the world a little different.
Imagine a classroom where a student is sitting with earphones on to help him decipher the words in the book he’s reading. He has dyslexia; a medical diagnosis which allots him the aid of audio books, legally. It’s how he learns and it’s good!
Another student one room over, is writing feverishly to get all the steps down to the Math problems. She couldn’t skip steps. She’d always come up with the wrong answer, and the teacher always seemed to skip steps when she did practice problems on the board. It was so confusing, but the teacher just assumed everyone could get it; just see it; know that it’s what you’re supposed to do, and come up with the answer.
I could easily be that little girl. Neither the math student described, nor I, have a medical diagnosis, but like the child in the classroom, Math had the ability to create great anxiety in me. I’d do all the practice problems, homework and study. Still on test day, I’d look at the pages of math problems before me and then at the clock. I couldn’t skip steps. It’d take me longer. A degree of paralyzing fear would grip me before I even started!
According to statistics one in five people in America struggle on some level with ‘natural genetic wiring’ that makes it difficult to read, do math, organize material, connect ideas, stay focused, hear and understand verbal instruction, process specific sounds, or even have the ability to just sit still for any length of time.
For each of us who struggle with any of these, or a hundred other emotional, social or academic battles, we are left feeling frustrated because we don’t ‘fit’ in the given social parameters of what is normal, or in the time line the world expects.
We all have different adaptive and coping skills. It’s important to remember this about ourselves; and also our peers, no matter where we might see them, be it on the street, in a conference room, or in a classroom.
Photo Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/685602743275876274/
#differences #disability #SameYetDifferent #BrainsWorkDifferent #AdaptiveSkills #CopingSkills #NaturalGenticWiring
#SocialParameters #WordsAndLabels #Labels
Clean Water For Life
Hepatitis and water; two words that can be a horror story for a victim infected with bacteria found in unsafe water. Tomorrow, July 28, 2021 is World Hepatitis Awareness Day and it’s important to know why.
There are a variety of Hepatitis types (from A-E). This virus, regardless of type, can cause immense damage to a person’s liver, a vital organ that sustains life. In some instances, the situation can become so dire, it can cause an epidemic that causes hundreds of deaths.
Some types of Hepatitis infectious are transmitted through blood and body fluids, or infected through drug use from a contaminated needle, alcohol abuse, an autoimmune disorder, even sharing a razor, if the person using the razor first, has Hepatitis. These types of viruses become chronic illnesses with severely damaged liver problems and more. While I’m not going to go into all the details about each of the types of Hepatitis, I am going to discuss how water can be a key player in the Hepatitis puzzle.
Organisms of all description lives in water and are totally harmless. It’s a natural phenomenon. But sometimes our drinking water gets contaminated with other bacteria like arsenic, E.coli, lead, radon and more. This is when water becomes a problem.
What’s interesting to note is this contamination isn’t resigned to only impoverished countries. It happens right here in the United States. Even as recently as March 2021, Nevada sent out an alert because people were getting sick; it was believed from bad water. Apparently the alkaline pH level had risen higher than the safe number defined as ‘7’ and people were becoming ill with Hepatitis. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/chemicals/nonviralhepatitis.htm
Hepatitis can attack the liver violently and make a person sick for months. That is why it is so important that we not only make sure we are drinking safe water, but that children around the world are able to drink this clean, clear liquid. In some countries the water is contaminated, not only from natural causes but from unsanitary situations. In this setting, an entire community can become diseased with symptoms that can last for months! The sickness leads to the inability to think, function, and in some cases cause death, especially for small children or older adults.
While natural disasters like fires, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods can quickly cause contamination of rivers and streams due to waters mixing in with livestock excrement, human waste and other chemicals; trash disposed in the wrong places also have an impact. Household trash, plastic items, car parts, and other larger items can be found in lakes and streams across the land. These items are contaminates deposited in the water and are not only poison to humans but wildlife. The animals ingest their ‘find’ causing organ failure, and death, followed by decay. It becomes a vicious cycle, but not only for wild creatures. The contaminated waters follow the tributaries and could eventually end up in our drinking glass.
I encourage you to look at the glassful of water you hold in your hand. If you are secure in the knowledge the water is clean and free of damaging chemicals or germs, be thankful. There are plenty of folks around the globe who don’t have this precious gift, for personal sanitary needs or even sustainable to drink, for life.
#Hepatitis #WorldHepatitisAwarenessDay #CleanWater #ContaminatedWater #LiverDisease #HepatitisVirus #Disability #Health
Hugs For Health
#hugs #health #happy #family #hug your kids #relationships
Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a ‘hugger.’ It doesn’t matter if I saw you last week or last year, it’s completely normal for me to give you a hug either when I come or go. (Obviously not in the business world! Here a handshake is completely adequate.) I can’t explain it, but there is something profoundly wonderful about giving or receiving a hug.
Once when we were traveling some years ago, I met an elderly woman in the ladies room, and after a brief conversation, before leaving, spontaneously gave her a hug.
Another time there was an auto accident. I didn’t know those involved, but it was a teen-aged driver, who was thankfully unharmed, but certainly shaken. The woman who I assumed to be the mom of the teen was there, in apparent distress, looking like she could cry at any moment. Waiting for the emergency equipment to finish their work seemed to take unbearably long. On a total whim, I walked up to this woman (whom I’ve never seen again) and gave her a hug.
Does giving a spontaneous hug matter? We know hugging those we care about does. There is evidence that hugging—at least human touch, is required for survival. Some would even say we need twelve hugs a day for positive growth!
The action can make our day brighter and happier as a ‘hug’ sets off a reaction from a hormone in the pituitary gland that provides wellness attributes, that we all need, to sustain a healthy lifestyle, both emotionally and physically.
Even knowing how important hugs are to our well-being, statistics suggest up to one-third of all people are deprived of ‘touch’ and this includes children.
I remember twin babies born years ago who were separated because one of the little ones was having breathing issues. She wasn’t getting better, and a nurse decided to do something unheard of at the time and placed her little twin sister next to her in the incubator. The stronger twin managed to wrap her own tiny arm around her sibling and her twin’s heart rate immediately improved. This was a historic event in medicine! The human touch is vital to living! (Check out the YouTube story! It’ll warm your heart!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YwT_Gx49os
Our children, learn new things everyday. They are sometimes afraid, have questions about their world and what is going on around them, including within the confines of their family. It’s so important to remember, as parents, that we recognize our children are as much in need of hugs as we adults are. We don’t think twice about hugging our spouse, and we need to be cognizant of the fact that our little people need those hugs just as much! It strengthens the bonds of relationships, gives comfort and encouragement and releases the hormone, oxytocin.
This idea is so important, “Cuddle Therapy” has been initiated. While research isn’t suggesting hugging (or cuddling) with a stranger—- like the hug I’ve given at least twice to perfect strangers—- cuddling an animal is also a means for beneficial touch, even though that isn’t human. While human to human touch is preferred, caressing, or cuddling with a pet can also be beneficial to relieving stress and anxiety.
Give hugs, accept hugs and hug your little ones (and teens!). Help them grow into confident, compassionate, loving, happier people, while adding to your own happiness and contentment.
#hugs #happy #FamilyRelationships #children #heal #calm #HugYourKids #CuddleTherapy #AlternativeHealth
The Light Came On
Ideas and epiphanies- putting the puzzle pieces together
I was next in line for the classroom, third grade spelling bee. Excited, I stepped up and waited for the teacher to give me the word. I was ready. “Vacation,” she said. “Vacation.”
Thinking, trying to sort my thoughts and remain calm I slowly answered. “Va-ca-shon,” I said, but could feel a knot in the bottom of my stomach, knowing I’d messed it up.
“I’m sorry,” that is incorrect. Fully defeated and stricken, I went to my desk, swallowing hard, trying not to cry. Pulling out my dictionary, I looked up the word even before the next person spelled the word. Va-ca-tion, Singing the letters in my mind, I wanted to run back up to the teacher and say, “I’ve got it! I’ve got it!” Of course that was impossible, but that sing-song voice I heard when I discovered how to spell that word, has never left my mind. It’s as clear now as it was over fifty years ago. It’s caused me to be a person who is not “OCD” about spelling words right, but it set the stage for writing that would last a lifetime!
While my epiphany wasn’t anything grand, there are those throughout history who really did have impressive epiphanies that made a difference in many lives! Consider Sir Isaac Newton who observed the apple dropping from the tree that was catalyst for formulating the Universal Law of Gravitation.1
Another “thinker” includes a stem cell biologist, Lorenz Studer who studies human stem cells due to a bone infection he had as a teenager. While attending college, he met another student who shared his interest and the radical idea of replacing damaged cells was an epiphany that has had a long term effect on people dealing with Parkinson’s Disease.2
Barbara McClintock is yet another person who had an epiphany in the area of genetics. She was sure she was looking in the microscope wrong, but after time away from the problem, returned and saw the chromosomes completely different. That revelation was to impact genetics from that time on.3
We’ve all been given minds to think. While we may not be geniuses or possess the ability to develop something grand in the scientific field like Newton, Studer or McClintock, we do have the ability to use our imagination to make our lives have purpose. We can use our minds to organize our days to be more productive, take classes that will improve our skills in our chosen field, or teach others the information we do have, and just have the sheer determination to allow information that travels through our minds worthwhile, or even give us that “Aha moment” when we figure out something awesome.
Having an epiphany is grand and it usually “sticks” with you, but even if you can’t recall any “real epiphany” every one of us has had a time when something just clicked inside our heads! Reflect on your life to see if you can recall any of those “Aha moments,” ---that moment when “the light came on!” How old were you? Was it a catalyst for something later in life? Did it change your way of thinking? Did it cause you to move in a different direction than you expected? I challenge you to use your epiphany do something creative and unusual, make a difference in someone else’s life or make a positive change in your own.
1https://opinionatedmiscellany.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/epiphanies-revelations-and-other-childhood-trauma/ 2https://www.mskcc.org/research-advantage/meet-researchers/lorenz-studer-work
3https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_McClintock
Are We Still The Land of The Free?
We just celebrated Independence Day in the United States. It’s been 234 years. Some would say that’s a long time. I guess it depends on what it’s compared to. Compared to the age of the Earth, not so much. Compared to the age of a human however, it’s a lot! It’s so much, in fact, no one can say they’ve been alive that long, so there is no direct memory of what happened July 4, 1787. But we have records many people kept, because they wanted other people to know and understand what happened when they were alive. It is the manner in which history is remembered; even family history, about parents, grandparents and great grandparents.
There is a huge thrust in our society today to search ancestral history. Sites thrive which promise a connection with our past. It’s important because people want to be linked with those who came before, who helped genetically create, the person they have become.
But in July 1787 a time had come in our Nation’s history that demanded change. It was a time when the leaders and people of this brand new land wanted to create something that framed the way people thought, along with a basic set of ground rules for everyone to live by. So people like George Washington, Ben Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton joined forces, intellect and voices to create the document we now claim as the highest law in the United States: The US Constitution.
While no plan is perfect, and certainly the group of men gathered had to compromise on some issues, it did provide the framework of the law of the land, we adhere to, even now. That said, while the Constitution did provide the boundaries for the government over all, each state also has a Constitution and has the ability to create laws which are not necessarily included in the U.S. Constitution. This was part of the reason our country was involved in a great Civil War back in the 1860’s. There were those who believed their state’s rights were being violated.
What of today? There are those who believe our states rights—and even personal rights— are again being violated as laws are passed which not all states want to be part. At what point, do we as citizens, say, “I don’t think so!”? If we feel strongly about something, shouldn’t we voice those opinions? According to the Constitution’s First Amendment, through the Bill of Rights, we have the right to express our feelings without fear of harm. This is a wonderful freedom, yet as tensions throughout our country continue to simmer, and even near the boiling point in some areas, it doesn’t always feel safe to voice an unpopular opinion.
Are we still the “Land of the Free?” Are we still the great nation soldiers fought and died for through the years? The Constitution wasn’t a free deal. It came with a price. It cost the lives of many men on many sides. And it didn’t stop there as people became discontent with the government those years just before the Civil War. People became angry and took sides. Are we headed down that same road again?
I challenge you to take a good look at this great United States. Are you still “proud to be an American?” I hope so, but I wonder if there are those who would disagree.
It’s In The DNA
My friend recently completed a book on her family history. It’s fascinating to see the documents about her family and read about the lives they led.
On the maternal side of my family ‘the tree’ is researched back to the 1200’s, but I don’t have documents, pictures or any real written history of my family from there. On my father’s side, there is the family tree that isn’t nearly so far reaching, but a book about, at least part, of the family history.
It’s fascinating to see pictures of family and how often one person in the family just kind of looks a bit different! My sister’s children, like mine have dark hair, brown eyes, with medium skin tone. But right in the middle of my sister’s family is one child who has blonde hair, blue eyes and more fair skinned than his siblings! Jokingly, of course there are the comments, “he’s the milkman’s,” but in reality when searching down through the lineage, you’re going to find several generation back, was a blonde haired, blue eyed relative!
Of course, it has to do with DNA and genetic principles which mostly escape me, but I understand that each of us is unique with a long stretch of DNA that comes from both sides of the family, and through many generations! Is it any wonder there is the occasional child who picks up those genes to remind us of lives long past?
I remember a show many years ago where one daughter came across a picture of a great aunt she’d never met. The first thought was it was a picture of herself, but clearly the date of the picture confirmed it was not her! The aunt, as it happened, was planning a visit to her nephew she hadn’t seen in many years. Excitement reverberated through the house hold about the visit. Sure enough, the aunt arrived and the young girl, who was quite beautiful, met the woman who she mirrored visually, when the woman was much younger. Her heart sank when she opened the door. The woman was not at all what she expected. Her once blonde hair was now red and kinky and totally what she did not want to look like as a sixty-year-old woman!
What she learned, however during the visit, was there was more to a person than just their looks. The great aunt had been around the world, met kings and queens, all kinds of dignitaries, received gifts from princes and a whole host of other benefits from people she met along the way. Her personality and character endeared her to all she met. The young girl finally realized it’s not about how we look that matters! The important part of life is being “who we are” with character, values, a mission, helping others, kindness and all the other characteristics that make a person memorable.
When we recognize our character, values, mission, honesty, integrity, and how we treat other people outweighs what we see in the mirror, we can often be a lot happier with life, because we are happier with our self!
So I challenge you to take a good look at the person you see in the mirror. Are you struggling to look like the perfect “air-brushed” celebrity on TV? Is the person inside happy with who you’ve become, or is there a need for a little improvement? Do you demonstrate good qualities toward others and yourself? When you can be happy with “you,” accepting yourself for who you are, life is much more pleasant!
Photo Credit: https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/genealogy.html
A Walk In The Woods
I read an article about a girl who was left with over 100 stingers on her body after an adventure in the woods. Her friend, Anna, had been instructed by her mother to not go into the woods, but Anna wanted to show her friend a secret path she’d discovered. The girls were excited as they moved forward even as the shadows lengthened and the sun disappeared. At some point Anna’s friend disturbed a ground beehive. The bees swarmed all over her and stung the little girl mercilessly. At the hospital she was told if the bees had stung her any closer to her eyes, she would have been blinded.
Anna, who shared her story was feeling regret, even years later, that she’d disobeyed her mother that day. Her disobedience nearly cost her friend her sight. She certainly meant no harm by entering the woods in her excitement of sharing her secret, yet the consequences of disobedience were huge.
We all have things we regret, even if it is years later. Sometimes the emotion is so deeply buried it takes an unassociated event to reawaken all those hidden feelings. There’s a story about a man who in his mid-thirties is filled with remorse about the way he treated a peer in elementary school with horrible unkindness. He wasn’t at all sure what to do with his feelings since it happened several decades ago. Why would he have such feelings now? He even acknowledge he did not know the reason he was so consumed with this event. Perhaps his life was suddenly changed by a chance meeting with a handicapped person showing him kindness.
Anna, in the above story, was disobedient. Does this disobedience change the way she will handle her own children? According to one source, experiencing regret has an affect on decision making.1 Regrets, in theory, should help us learn something. It can create empathy for someone in a similar situation and cause us to reach out to others. Regrets can also motivate us to think before we make a decision because we want to avoid having regrets.
This doesn’t always work, however! How often have you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock and then sleep through the next alarm? My daughter as a young adult, was notorious for this! She’d then have to rush to get dressed, rush through breakfast (or get something later), speed the whole way to work and hope no police officer saw her and feel frazzled the rest of the day. In theory doing this once should be enough incentive to get up when the alarm went off. Nope! Didn’t happen. This routine seemed more normal than when she did arise on time and leave without having to rush.
As I look back on my own life, there are certainly times I wish I’d done something different than what I’d done. I can’t change those mistakes, however. Apologizing now would make little difference and it’s entirely possible the only one who even remembers the misstep or blunder, is me. It would do no good to bring it up now. But I can be aware of my behaviors and think through my decision making, so regrets are kept at a minimum. I must look forward with a good perspective and try to make someone else’s world good in whatever way I can.
What about you? Do you have regrets from your childhood? Was it from disobedience or just a curious disposition? How does that make you feel? Is there anything you can do about it now? Would you even want to?
1 http://www.pedsforparents.com/general/102945/the-emergence-of-regret-in-childhood/
Photo credit: https://www.123rf.com/photo_5521698_a-hiking-trail-through-the-summer-woods-in-cheesequake-park-located-in-monmouth-county-new-jersey-.html
A Laughing Matter
A friend of mine went shopping recently and after getting a cart, discovered it was wet! She walked away from it for just a moment to retrieve a paper towel near the door. As she was returning to the cart (only about six feet in front of her) another lady came along and took the cart. Laughing she said, “Okay!” and made her way back through the entrance to retrieve another one.
The lady’s husband walked up about then and she shared with him what had happened. Another man, standing near the couple said in a rather nasty tone, “If that had happened to me I would have said, “ex-CUSE me, that is my cart!”
What has happened in our world where a sense of humor, common courtesy and good manners is beyond possibility? We have become a culture that is determined to think of ourselves first and then our neighbor. If it’s a stranger we need to contemplate, then consideration seems out of the question!
The story about the “stolen” cart made me laugh. I found it humorous the other lady nabbed the cart without considering it might be someone else’s! I admit there have been times when I’ve been shopping and decided to not get a cart since I hadn’t planned on purchasing many items. Once I started shopping, I realized a cart was necessary. I hated the thought of returning to the front of the store, especially since it would mean putting my items down and in the truest sense go out of the store without my goods because I would set off the alarm and be apprehended as a shoplifter! So if on my journey to retrieve one, I happened on an empty, and apparently “un-owned” cart in another isle, I’d scoff it up. I did usually do a double take to see if anyone was near and on occasion have even asked the nearest person if the cart was taken.
When should we consider misunderstandings as rudeness or a laughing matter? My personality demands it be a laughing matter. That doesn’t mean I want someone to be deliberately rude or nasty. But the lady who took my friend’s cart had no idea it belonged to someone else. She was probably like I was when my hands were full and wanted a cart of my own when shopping. She did not “steal” the cart to deliberately antagonize someone.
We get so caught up in the “it’s all about me” mind set, however, we are almost paranoid about someone else’s actions. We are sure their behavior, however slight, was meant directly to offend us. It’s as if we believe they planned it irritate us before they ever saw us, making their day complete when they could totally aggravate us! This is irrational behavior. It reminds me of a two year old who doesn’t want to share his toy, only worse because we’re adults! It is getting upset about something unplanned and just happens.
Our world does not only revolve around us, but others who share the same space. It would serve us better if we could remember that everyone has issues, and likely if we listened, possibly greater than our own. So the next time it seems someone is deliberately trying to annoy you, consider their situation. It’s likely no maliciousness was intended. Laugh at the situation and move on! Choose to be the rose rather than the thorn!
Special People In Our Lives
A friend of mine shared recently how a special person in her life very nearly “saved her life.” It seems when she was small, she found herself in the presence of this “special person” often. Without realizing it, an impression was being made, even if along the way, bad choices were made.
My friend described herself as bullheaded and difficult, creating a situation where a dramatic decision was made by her “special person” that was both wonderful yet horrifyingly painful. At the time my friend was angry, resentful and wanted to lash out, yet her “special person” stayed solid as a rock, unwavering in her decision. Years later, my friend could see the wisdom of the decisions made and in this way “saved her life.”
I don’t know all the circumstances my friend was describing because it was clear the events were traumatic and she wasn’t ready to share that information. But it made me think about people in my life who made a difference.
It’s interesting, I found a “Mr. Rogers” clip that was very moving about just this kind of thing. http://www.petzoid.com/mr-rogers-message/ We often, in our daily lives, do not realize the impact we have on other people. It may be a simple act of spontaneous kindness that another person desperately needed. Perhaps it was nothing more than smiling at a stranger or saying hello! It could be a sibling who sacrificed time and energy for another sibling who was going through a bad time, or the parent, aunt our uncle who stepped in during a particularly rough time in our life.
What I found particularly interesting is how my friend shared her grateful heart with her “special person” many years later. She wrote a public letter, without including specifics of the situations, and posted it for all the world to see. I find this action particularly touching and maybe even courageous. Surely there would be those who knew the particulars and could immediately identify what she was referring to. There would be others, like me, who don’t know and choose not to ask. But certainly there are others who would not hesitate to ask questions regarding the details. It would be here she would have to decide how much of her past she would make public, some, all or perhaps even none. It is, after all, no one’s business but hers.
Life is a precious gift and very often we forget that. We not only fail to remember that, but we also neglect to thank someone who has helped us in ways they may not even know. There’s no shame in admitting we needed or need help in any situation. We are human and sometimes situations become so complex and convoluted, we can’t see clearly. We become so wrapped up in the emotional side of it, our focus is skewed, and we end up make a bad decision because we are too proud to ask for help.
I challenge you first to reflect on your past and remember a person (or more) who impacted your life in specific ways. It could be all positive memories or it could be tinged with a hint of “If they hadn’t stepped in, said something, or done something,” I could have easily made a bad decision. Second, I challenge you thank the person you just thought of. Let him/her know you are grateful they were (or are) a part of your life.
Filling Many Baskets
A friend of mine said recently, “I am just in awe of an artist. I am amazed at the ability to be creative enough to express it in a painting or have the skill to put words on paper that make clear concrete thoughts others would like to read!”
I admit, I don’t consider myself an artist. That would be my son, who is an amazing artist and accomplished photographer! I’m “chatty” and just put on paper what I’m thinking. From my perspective, no particular, artistic skill.
That said, like other writers, I would love to be able to earn enough from my writing to live on! Alas, I am no Danielle Steel or C.S. Lewis! As I thought about this, I discovered my particular occupation requires creativity in another area. I need to creatively enhance my income through other arenas.
I need not, and should not rely solely on monies I could make from writing “the great American novel” or even magazine articles. I must look elsewhere to enrich funds being brought in. I can’t put all my “eggs in one basket!” This may mean blogging and getting paid for it. (I blog, but it’s for free!) There are speaking engagements, writing advertisements, tutoring, writing greeting cards and more! But it’s pulling all these together that make it work.
Life’s a bit like that. We are a lot of things to a lot of people. We sometimes have to be creative to make situations work or even relationships! Everyone knows creativity with a child is always a good thing! It doesn’t mean we are experts in any one area. It means we use the varied gifts we are given to communicate with different people. This is what brings us happiness.
With a co-worker it might require listening while they rant over some infraction from someone else or giving encouragement when there is an illness in the family or when there are other problems. To a homeless person, it might be buying a burger for their lunch. To aging parents, it might be taking them to the doctor because they are afraid of being alone to hear bad news. To a child it could be giving a hug and saying I love you! To our spouse it could be preparing a special surprise “date dinner!”
It’s also a truism for activities in our life. It’s rare to say there is only one thing in our life which brings us joy. We often have more than one (even several) hobbies and interests. It’s when all these are tied together we find the most satisfaction. I like to quilt and read, while my husband likes chess and NASCAR racing!
Life isn’t about being or doing one thing. It’s about sharing the gifts we have, no matter how inconsequential they might seem to us, and not putting all our “eggs in one basket!” So I challenge you this week to consider what you have to offer. Begin by making time to reflect on your passions! Branch out!
Try something completely new! What have you always wanted to do but never tried because you didn’t have the time, weren’t old enough, or just afraid to!? Start of journey of discovery! Become the person you are designed to be! Pull together all your different abilities to make the most of who you are and enrich your life! Become an artist in whatever talent you discover. It’s about enjoying the process….. and the final product!
Photo Credit: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/basket
Finding My Destiny
My friend was sharing things about her high school years when she said, “When I started doing other student’s Chemistry homework in 10th grade, I knew I had found my calling. My instructor helped me figure out that I was destined to be a Chemist!” She is now a practicing Scientist who loves her work, feeling productive, while enjoying the process!
People for years have desired to know their purpose in life, asking “Why am I here?” What am I supposed to do?” They go through years searching for their “destiny” as they bob from job to job, or even not working or doing anything constructive as they search their minds for answers. Some people will use astrology, psychics, numerology and other means in their search while others, like myself believe God has a plan for our lives and ultimately it is where life will take us, when we stop to recognize it.
When I was a little girl, my mother always said I was going to be a preacher, although she didn’t really believe this, since women preachers were unheard of at the time. And, I don’t believe I ever thought preaching would be my destiny. In fact, I don’t recall even giving it a consideration. As I moved through elementary school, I recall thinking about writing, but apparently, other than one other friend, no one shared my view! In high school I decided I would teach. Then I shifted my focus to business classes since I was sure college would not be an option, given our family’s financial situation. As it turned out, I married and none of the options seemed likely!
As my children grew, I found myself in the classroom as substitute, and an Instructional Assistant. In my mid-thirties I turned back to writing. I loved it! I found what I wanted to do! But, like any “art” it takes more than just desire to be successful. I still had five children and a husband to care for and time just wasn’t free for sitting down to hone my craft. But I wrote, and sent out manuscripts but very little was published. Still, the desire was there, so despite the lack of publication, I continued to write! Finally, just before reaching age fifty, I made it to college, and of all things majored in Early Elementary Education, even though I never expected to have my own classroom!
My point of sharing all this is, we are each called to do something. Destiny is defined as events that happen through a hidden power to control a person’s future. As I look back on the events from my life, I see my mother was on the right track (no, I am not a preacher, but I do have a strong faith I choose to share), I enjoy teaching, and my passion is writing! My combined teaching skills, business education, along with my writing ability, and faith all come together to be an inspirational writer, with the goal of making a difference in the lives of those who read my work!
Once a person can identify their true passion, that thing (or things) in life that really bring them joy; it can be refined and narrowed down so the work becomes their destiny! I challenge you to look back on your life and see what it is that especially makes your dreams come true. When you can do this, what do you see? Can you see destiny?
Be The Best I Can Be
“The lady near me whined and whined,” commented my friend after she returned from the gym. “It went beyond a whine, even; she was rigorously complaining instead of rigorously working to her trainer about her workout about how she’ll never look like a fit 21-year-old!
“The young trainer, though, was wise beyond his years,” she continued. He looked at her and said, “‘Look, it is likely you will never look that young again. You’re not supposed to! That should not be your goal. You are 45, and there is nothing wrong with that. But your goal is to be the best looking 45 year old you can be! This process is going to take a lot of dedication and maybe even some pain, but ultimately if you hang with it, you’ll feel better too!’”
While the woman was clearly shocked at the trainer’s words, he was spot on! We’ve become a society where complaining is acceptable even as we are envious of others while wanting success without any effort! What makes this worse is our government seems inclined to aid in that mind-set and offers monies for a sustainable time period for those who would abuse the system at the expense of working folks.
I admit I need to exercise! I’m not in horrible shape, but exercise would be good. I’ve been reading about “preparing for the the next big catastrophe” and one thing I’ve found is that exercising is encouraged, because our “easy, sit in the chair” world we live in now, may be non-existent!
Studying in a variety of subjects is something else that would be good for anyone who wants to learn more. I fit in that category, as well! Now that said, I love to study. My problem was trying to figure out how to fit everything I wanted to study into a workable work week! I don’t go to a scheduled college class so everything I do requires self-discipline. That’s the tough part. Life has a way of stealing my study moments, and I find my study time is often placed on the shelf due to other pressing problems.
Now my son is quick to jump on that statement with an adamant correction. In essence we find time for those things we find valuable. He’s right! If something is important to me, then I need to make time to see the project through. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. It means eliminate television, (which isn’t a problem unless it’s already on!) It means spending less time surfing the net and scrolling down through face book posts! It means deciding how important my study time really is, and making sure I accommodate my desire to be the best I can be!
So I encourage you to join me in doing less whining, and dedicate yourself to whatever you find particularly important in your life you aren’t doing now. It may be exercising, getting a degree, quilting or crafting, spending time with family, volunteering, independent studying or any other important task before you. It’s the only way you are going to be the best you can be!
Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/gym-equipment
Finding “My Happy!”
I read a post some months ago from a lady who was talking about “finding her happy!” She was explaining how we don’t take the time in our busy daily lives to let those closest to us know that we love them or take the time to express the joy for where we are right now in life. Instead we search for what’s around the next bend, or dream about life on the other side of the fence and in so doing, we miss being happy right where we are!
In the morning when I wake I walk to the window and look at the mountains around me. They are strong and sure, beautiful and solid, reassuring and comforting, giving me a feeling of unbelievable peace. I have found “my happy!” When I turn on the Gospel music that fills my heart with calm assurance of my eternity, I again have found “my happy!”
When I look in the eyes of my children that have mixed qualities of both their father and me, who have grown into responsible adults, I again have found “my happy.” And when I tenderly hold a grand baby, an extension of love for yet another generation, I have again, found “my happy.”
There are little things all day that make me smile; a good cup of coffee, a ride down a country road, a good book, a smile from a stranger, a piece of pecan pie, the hug from a child, my husband holding my hand while walking in the mall, the satisfaction of doing something productive and even sitting down to a meal with my family. Isn’t this what we all want?
As I get older I find along with all the wonderful events in the day that bring me joy and “my happy,” there is still another. I find “my happy” being able to make a difference in the lives around me and maybe even in lives of people I haven’t met.
I’ve been accused of being “too friendly!” In my eyes there are no strangers, just friends I haven’t met yet! (That doesn’t mean I’m totally careless when cast among people I don’t know. I just choose to look for a person’s good qualities before I recognize those less than kind qualities!) Perhaps that’s part of my “Polly Anna” attitude, but I can’t abide being suspicious and contrary just because the world isn’t perfect!
But if I can make another person smile just from being kind, encouraging, giving a sincere compliment, helping them if they need it, or in any other way, then I’ve really found “my happy!” In fact on my business card you’ll find the words: “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” These are words I choose to live by.
Think of it! How different our world would be if every day we each started with this mentality, and especially if we carried this thought process all day, no matter who we met up with or what event happened that wasn’t as pleasant as we’d hoped. Does it take effort? You bet! Not every moment of every day is good! But it’s how we react to the situation that determines how the rest of the day is going to be.
So I challenge you. Find your “happy.” Make a decision to look for the good and respond positively regardless of who you meet and what happens. You can be sure it’ll make for a much better, less stressful day!
Waiting For A Rescue
Several years ago, my husband and I were away when our daughter called to tell us our new little kitten was missing. She was distraught since he was in her care. Assuring her he would eventually show up, to not fret and just keep calling him, she calmed down.
Waiting a while, she went out again and called and called him. This time, however, she began hearing a faint “meow.” Excited at finding the lost creature, she started following the sound and located the little guy forty feet above her in a tree! She had no idea what on earth caused him to climb so high. He was clearly frightened and completely unsure how to make his way down, regardless of the coaxing my son, who was now home, and she, tried. When that didn’t work our son tried climbing the tree. The fairly skinny tree with only small, flimsy limbs with nothing solid to stand on, offered only failure.
Night fell and still the kitten wasn’t down. Tearfully, my daughter called me, again. During the night both son and daughter actually went out to try again, trying a laser light, shaking the treat bag and any thing else they could think of! No luck. Then the rain started. Still the kitten remained in the tree. The next morning, he’s still there meowing pitifully, waiting for someone to please rescue him.
Rescue did finally come in the form of a boom truck by a man who cuts down trees for a living, who used his equipment to retrieve the grateful kitten. We were completely relieved!
There are all kinds of reasons people need rescuing! In the very literal sense people need rescuing from floods, avalanches, hiking and getting lost or attacked by a wild animal, a fire, snowstorm or ice storm, medical emergency like heart attacks or scores of other medical problems; hurricanes, car accidents, tornados or even terrorist attacks, given the world we live in.
There are also emotional rescues where someone needs a friend to talk to, someone willing to share their faith to someone in despair, someone to love, or someone who is sitting by the telephone trying to decide a life or death decision by committing suicide.
Sometimes a person needs rescuing from boredom, (I’ve seen the request on face book asking for someone to make contact because they were really bored!) Or what of the person walking in the rain whose car has broke down, relieved when a car comes along, or the case of wanting rescued from an over achieving talker at a party.
Still there are those who are rescued from a life of crime, or poverty, because someone believed in them and gave them a job. Other times a person is rescued from bad social graces/manners through a class, or rescued by kind hearts who consider adoption. Sometimes rescue comes in the form of a book that takes you to another place or, a phone call or visit, just when you needed encouragement. It’s important we offer aid, if we can.
Our little creature didn’t climb the tree with the knowledge he’d not be able to get down, but there are times when people expect “rescue” when they are in a tight spot, when it’s apparent they are in a “sticky” situation, due to choices they made. How does a person reconcile helping again and again those who would abuse another’s kindness?
And taking that thought one step farther, are there institutions or organizations in place that actually encourages this kind of abuse? What should be done about it? Can anything be done?
Taken Away
I read a short poem about a Kentucky soldier who was killed in battle during WWII. The country boy was taken away from the land he loved, away from the mountain bird songs, away from clear water brooks and the sound of hunting dogs to hunt with when hunting game. He’d gone off to another land to fight a battle and a single shot ended all the dreams he’d had as a boy, shattered the heart of parents who loved him and the chance to one day have a family of his own.
It’s sad to think we as a nation, still have the need to send our young men into battle in foreign lands, not unlike those battles fought in WWII. And still with a single shot one can still be lost. I know when our oldest son went over to Iraq some years ago, I was terrified. I was the proud momma of a Marine who was properly trained to battle, but knew his life could be taken in an instant.
Still there are those who walk the streets of big cities across the country and live in a “war zone” every day, right here in America. Is that much different? In some ways it’s worse. When we are fighting an organized military battle, at least there seems to be an amount of validation for the behavior.
Our young soldiers are fighting for the freedoms many have come to consider “owed” us, as allowed in our constitution. It’s sad, but true, that our “rights” as guaranteed in the constitution, sometimes must be defended. But we should never feel like our rights are “owed.” Our rights are a privilege and soldiers over the decades and across generations, have given their lives to protect it.
How does this compare to the upheaval in big cities, as people riot, burn buildings and cars, causing serious injury to others including policemen? When a person dies from a drug related battle, a drive by shooting, anger of any kind in the streets, desperation, plain meanness, power, terror attacks or anything like that, it is worse, much worse. We are supposed to be living in “the land of the free.”
Our lives are filled everyday with “what ifs?” We can get killed in an auto accident, a heart attack, or even a tree falling on us. We can’t know when our life will be over. We’re not promised another breath. It is up to us to make the most of our lives, in the most productive and encouraging way possible. It’s important to love purely, and to let those we care about know how we feel, because we may not have another day to tell them.
Every time another soldier dies, is another time to be reminded our sons and daughters are a gift and each moment is precious. Every morning the sun rises is another day to tell your loved ones you love them. Cherish each second, because you aren’t promised another breath.