Sometimes, You Gotta Go With Your Gut

I often write about things that affect me.  Most of the time it is in the form of poetry.  But there are many things that I simply can’t get my mind around.  One of those things is what a horrible disease cancer is, and how it feels to get that diagnosis.

About  seven or so months ago, my brother in law went to the doctor for an MRI because he was having trouble with kidney stones.   When they did it, they found a shadow on his liver.  Did the biopsy, and, you guessed it, he has cancer.  One spot is all that showed up, and the doctors were pretty sure that they could remove it with surgery.  But that was not the case.  As it turns out, he has a very rare form of liver cancer that not a lot is known about.  I can’t spell it.  But I know it is not good.  The best thing we heard on that day was that it is confined to the liver, and that is not usually the case, either.  So, we had hope.

Tim has now gone through a full regimen of Chemotherapy, but with no real results.  The doctors plan now to insert radiation beads, but they have to map the area first.  Of course, the insurance company has not yet approved the procedure, even though the Doctors have stressed ot hem that time is of the essence.  So, we are waiting.

But, let me tell you about Tim.  He is one good, solid, Christian man, whose faith through all of this makes me ashamed.  He has missed very little work, even though the chemo had some nasty side effects.  He has been a marathon runner, and continues to run, nearly every day.  He welcomed their newest grandchild into the world the day before his surgery, and ran 6 miles.  Tim is the very epitome of  health.  So, I have repeatedly wondered why this has happened to him, and to our family.  I can’t believe that God would let it be found, if He did not mean to heal Tim.  But, then, I stopped, and thought about it.  The lesson may be one we all need to learn.

My family is no stranger to cancer.  I lost both of my own parents, and an aunt to the horrible disease.  So, I am well versed in the paths that it can take.  Did I want to lose them?  Of course not.  But, they were a bit older, and somehow, easier to take.  Tim is in his early 50s.  I know that age has nothing to do with it, either.  But, somehow, it just doesn’t seem right.  But if you talk to Tim, although I know he hopes for a cure, he is at peace with whatever way God chooses to handle it.  His thought is that either way, he wins.  If God does heal him, ok, and if not, well, he knows where he is going.  And that gives me comfort.

One thing this has done is brought the family closer together.  We don’t live in the same town, but,  are only about an hour and a half apart.  We saw each other at family gatherings, and the holidays, and other than that, pretty much went on and led our own lives.  Now, we keep in touch through phone calls, texting and facebook, and talk several times a week.  In fact, since this type of cancer is so rare, we are planning a 5K walk/run in early June, to raise awareness, and money for research for this particular type of cancer.  Right now, we are waiting for an approval from the insurance company to do a procedure called mapping, so that the doctors knowhere to insert the radiation beads.

UPDATE….I started this piece yesterday, and this morning, I found out that the insurance company has denied approval for the radiation beading.  Their poor excuse is that “they do not deem it medically necessary, since the chemotherapy did not work.”  I dare say they would deem it necessary if it were their own family member. How can you deem a procedure that could be life saving as medically unnecessary?   As I stated earlier, this is a rare type of cancer that not much is known about.  How can they determine that radiation will not work without even trying it?  Of course, Tim’s doctors have appealed it, and have already stated that time is of the essence.  If you are a praying person, I humbly ask for your prayers in this matter.

I have not talked to Tim or his wife today.  I know how hard the news hit me, but I have no idea what it must have done to them.  I do know that they will deal with it just like they have dealt with this whole situation; with a strong faith in God, and in His will.

Part of me wants to question why  things like this happen, especially to someone like Tim, and our family.  But I am sure that is the same question that any family would ask when told this kind of news.  I know that God knows the why, and that He knows much more than we do.  I trust that whatever happens, it will be His plan.  Does that make it any easier? Not at all.  But it does give me comfort, in knowing that He is in control, and knows what is best.

Right now, all we can do is pray……and wait.

And The Beat Goes On….

Well, here we are into a new year.  I have been thinking about some things I can do this year  to make a difference.  Not necessarily in the world, but in me.  I am painfully aware that  there are many aspects of my life that could use some improvement.  So, this years project is going to be to work on me.

One of the things about me that I dislike the most is that I tend to let others kind of bully me around.  I get upset, but, instead of fighting back, I tend to seeth in silence.  This, in turn makes for a bad few minutes when I get home, as my dear husband has to listen as I blow off steam, and get it out of my system. So I know he will appreciate this.

I also have been a closet writer since the age of 10.  I write mostly poetry, and I alway keep a copy of whatever I write.  The things that inspire me are things that happen around me, like, the Challenger disaster.  I also see things as I go about my every day life that just make something “click” in my brain, and I write a poem about them.  I never know when one is comoing, but when they come, I have to write them down.  I want to devote more time to writing.  Why?  ther han the fact that it gives me great pleasure, I really don’t know.  I have never known how to submit anything for payment, and still have no clue.  But something inside of me just says that I have to write.  So, I am going to do it.

Another thing that I want to do is to try to find some clothes that are a little more updated.  I am from the old mold.  I don’t feel like a fifty something should necessarily dress like a 20 year old.  But on the other hand, I don’t think a 20 year old needs to dress like a fifty something, either.  So, I am going to try and get myself out of the rut of what is “safe” and be a little more stylish, without looking pathetic.  (This will be a big challenge for me, as I have a hard time finding clothes that I feel are appropriate.)

I am, and have always been, very opinionated.  Sometimes, to the point of bluntness.  This is something that I need to work on, so I plan to do that.  I have another blog, where I will be stating my opinion about world affairs, politics, and just my own opinion about them.  But that is not for this blog.  This one is more for  just everyday stuff.  Kind of like  this piece. I would like some fedback on it, if you would..  I like to know that someone reads what I write.  Like it or hate it, I would like to  know what you think,   If you have suggestions, I would really like to hear them.

I am also going to be more consistant with the posts.  Whatever I feel like writing about is what you will get.  But, I promise, here, NO politics.  Today being MLK day, I will borrow a line from his famous speech.  “I have a dream.”  It is to work toward being a better person, and hopefully, share some of that with you.  Until tomorrow, take care, and keep smiling.

Thoughts On a New Year

Well, here we are, fresh into another new year.  And, as usual, I am sure that many of you made those New Years resolutions.  I have been known to do that.  But, this year, I didn’t.  I did do some goal setting, but, none of the “R” things for me.

I have made one of my goals to try and live each day trying to be a better person to those around me.  If I can treat people like I want to be treated, it may just change their day.  And who knows, it could just make mine.

I have also decided to set as a goal to let those closest to me know how I feel about them, and what they mean to me, and to do it often.  We found ou a few months ago that one of my husbands brothers has a very rare form of liver cancer.  Though the news has been tough to take, we must keep the faith, keep praying, and keep going.  He has been a real inspiration to the whole family, as this is what he is doing.  But, the point here is that it shouldn’t take news like this to make us reach out to those closest to us and draw them nearer to us.  So, if you are one of my family members, reading this,  know that I love you very much, and if you get seemingly “strange” phone calls from me, stating that very fact, all I can say is get used to it.

There have been a few changes made at work in the past couple of months.  For the better.  But, with change comes some uncertainty.  And also, some differences in technique.  So, there has been an adjustment period.  But, things are going pretty good, and everyone is settling in pretty much.  One of my goals is to do my job to the very best of my ability, and treat my co-workers with respect and good humor.  Anyone who works with others knows that this is one goal that is hard to achieve.  But, I believe it can be done.

We found out about three months ago that we are going to become grandparents for the first time this May.   Of course, we are excited.  But, I have to say, I am a little bit scared at the same time.  This is new territory for me.  Never been a grandparent before.  (Can’t be too much harder than being a parent, can it?)  Looking forward to meeting little Anna Ruth in mid May.  Everyone tells me that there is nothing like it. 

I guess that I am becoming a little more mellow.  I don’t think that means tha t I am getting old.  But it does mean that I am reordering my priorities.  Maybe that is a sign of growing up.  (You know, growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.)  Well, I refuse to totally grow up.  Never will.  Acting like a kid helps keep me young.  And we all need to act like kids at times.

I look forward to seeing what this new year brings.  I know there will be a lot of good things, and probably some things that are not-so-good.  But, whatever it brings, I know that with God’s help, I will get through it.  So, I am going to enjoy each day, live it to the fullest, and hopefully, in a way that makes someone elses day a little bit better.   If I can do that, then 2012 is going to be a great year.

Why We MUST Remember

Ten years….  but it seems like yesterday.   I remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard the report of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center.  I had just got off my school bus, and parked it from the morning run.  I remember thinking what a beautiful morning it was.  I got in my car, and when I started it, I heard the news man say that a plane had hit the south tower.  I rushed home, and ran into the house to turn on the FOX news channel, and see the damage, and hear the reports.

Just as I got into the house, and turned on the television, I saw the second plane hit the north tower.  I felt my eyes tear up and I sat down, not believing what I had just seen.  I remember Jon Scott making the statement, “Uh..this is no accident, folks.”  I called my hisband and told him to get to a tv, and what had happened.  Just after that, all the news channels were reporting that there had been an explosion at the Pentagon, and the the FAA had ordered all commercial planes grounded.    A little later, we got word that there was another plane still flying, and it had altered its course back toward Washington, DC.   Then,  contact was lost, and soon after came word that a plane had gone down in Shanksville, PA.  First responders hurried to the site, only to discover that the entire plane had disentigrated on impact, and all on board were lost.

We only later learned of the heroes who were aboard that plane, and what they did to thwart another attack, possibly on the White House, or the Capitol.  Yes, these people were just average Americans, like us, when they boarded that plane that morning, but they showed the very epitome of the American Spirit with their actions.  They fought the first battle of the war, and won.  But their families paid a great cost.

Back in New York, it only got worse, as first Americans watched in horror as the south tower fell, soon to be followed by the north tower coming down.  Hundreds of people, including first responders from the NYPD, FDNY, and Port Authority police.  There were also heros among them, as they bravely entered the buildings, and stayed with the injured who could not get out, giving their own lives while performing their job.  These men and women deserve our most earnest praise, and gratitude.   While most would have probably still have died while going up to fight the blaze, some could have saved themselves by exiting the building, but they didn’t.

America lost a lot that day.  And she was forever changed.  But although we were bruised, and hurt, we did not quit, and were made stronger.  We were stunned, but we did not falter in our resolve.  We did what Americans always do.  We licked our wounds, pulled ourselves up by the boot straps, and started the process of cleaning up, and rebuilding, and  preparing to find those who did this, and bring them to justice.

Now, ten years later, as I watch remembrances of that day, I find myself  once again full of emotion, and anger, and I still feel helpless.  Even though what I saw today was history, it was just as real as if it were happening again.  I have not forgotten September 11, and I never will.    I will never forget the families of those who were lost, although I know none of them.  I will never forget the horror of seeing that second plane hitting the tower, nor the determination on the faces of the first responders as they made their way into those buildings.

Nor should we forget the lessons learned.  there are those that would have us chagne our way of speaking about it.  It is no longer politically correct to call it a War on terror.  Yet, that is exactly what it is.  We are told that we must tolerate (and give in to) requests for mosques to be built on or near the site of that attack, yet, a Christian Church cannot be built there.  We have been told that we must try to understand these people.  And that if we will just talk to them, we can work out our differences.

Well, here is the way I see it.  THEY attacked US, on our own soil.  It was an unprovoked attack, and our response was justified. (Remember December, 1941?)   This was no different.  While there are Muslim people who are not a part of the fanatical sect, and I respect their right to worship as they choose, I am tired of being told that we must bend over backwards to accommodate  those rights while I am being told that my own beliefs have to be kept quiet, as they may “offend” someone.    Their symbols are no more important than mine.  Yet, I am told that my Bible offends them, while their Koran should not offend me? 

September 11 is now a part of our nations history, just as the Battle Of Gettysburg, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  Many things in our past history are painful.  This is no different.  But our response must make it clear that we will not lay down and give up.  I don’t recall congress complaining about the cost of giving our military what it needed in 1941.  Yet now, nearly everyday, you turn on the tv, and hear some congress man talking about how expensive the war is, and what it has cost.  There are many who think we need to defund the efforts.  To them I say this…..there has been NO other successful attacks on our Nation since 9/11.  This is thanks to beefed up military, and security procedures ut into place after September 11.  Yes, they are time consuming, and at times annoying.  They certainly go too far in some instances.  But if it keeps another bunch of madmen from being able to perpetrate another such heinous crime on this nation, I can live with it.

A little while ago, we went to a local parade for the first repsonders in our county.  Our county has one paid fire department, and numerous volunteer departments.  Each department was represented in the parade, as well as the State police, Our local Sherriffs office, and our city police.  I salute and thank them each and every one, for their service, and their sacrifice.  My son in law is on one of the volunteer departments.  These men and women train very hard, and work very hard to make sure that their equipment is up to date, and in good working order.  They have families, and most have full time jobs as well.  Yet, when the page goes out, no matter what time it is, or what day, they repsond.  They help keep us safe.

Which brings me to another point….in looking at all the coverage of 9/11, I rarely saw any pictures from NYC that first responders were not in.  They were important then, but at the ceremony marking the 10th anniversary, there was not room for them?  Come on, Mayor Blumberg.  You need a better excuse than that.  They sure are important when you have a fire, or any other emergency.  I don’t see you out there risking your own life for people you don’t even know.  (And in the case ofvolunteer FDs,) without any compensation.

This day will pass, and life will continue on , as usual.  But, I think, without a doubt, we added a new definition for the word ‘normalcy’  after September 11.  So, what is the new norm?  I am ot going to tell you that.  You need to study, and find out on your own.  Watch the programs about 9/11.  Read books and articles about it.  But wahtever you do, do NOT allow yourself to ever forget it.

If we forget September 11, we are destined to repeat the mistakes that we should hae learned from.  I don’t know about you, but I personally do NOT was to see another day like that one. 

Thank you, first responders, military personnel, and just plain citizens.  You are appreciated more than I can ever tell you.  But, just know, that if you ever come to KY, there is one person here who considers you ALL to be heroes, and I am thankful that you are willing to do the job.

September 11, 2001…..Never Forget!

 

Life Is Precious….Handle It With Care

There are few things that make one realize just how precious life is, until they happen. And they don’t have to be catastrophic in nature to make you realize that.  This spring and summer have make me realize just how fragile life can be, in more than one way.  From having something happen to a parent, to watching life begin, one cannot help but realize how very true this is.

Back earlier in the spring, my father in law had a bout of fainting.  It has happened before, but this time, they couldnt get him to come to for a while.  After being hospitalized for afew days, and having every kind of test imaginable run, it has been decided that he has a condition that makes his brain shut down when pain reaches a certain level.  The fact that he was in the garden, trying to lift a tiller a short time after having hernia surgery not withstanding, it is kind of scary.

About the middle of June, our cat had kittens.  This is a second litter, as when she first found us, she was starving, and we fed her, having no idea she was pregnant.  The first litter fought, and so did she, but, she was so malnourished that they didn’t have a chance.  I cried as each one gave up.  This time, they are all healthy, as is the mother, and are doing very well.  We are in the process of finding homes for them, so that when they are weaned, they will have good places to live. But soon after shehad them, she got a milk gland infection, and we nearly lost her.  So, while she was healing, we had to bottlefeed the babies.  It was very hard to do, but we did it, and they made it.  They are  eating milk suppliment now, and softened kittten food.  And Ellie, their mother, is doing well.

A few weeks ago, my brother in law, who is one of the healthiest people I know, had a bout with kidney stones.  While doing an ultrasound to find them, the doctors discovered a spot on his liver that has turned out to be cancer.  After poking and prodding him all over, and not finding it anywhere else, he will be having a very serious surgery next week to remove it.  That is a scary thing, especially to me, as I lost both of my parents to that horrible disease.  At this point, we are thanking God for answered prayer in that it has been found early, and are praying that it is, indeed, confined to the one spot.  Anyway, next week, the surgery will be done, and after ample time for recovery, he  should be fine.  This is what we are praying for.

All these things happen to people every day, but, what I have just told you about happened to our family, so that makes it more personal.  (Yes, I consider the cat and her kittens to be a part of the family…the dogs, too)  It is the little things that make you realize sometimes just how precoius and fragile life really is.  Kittens are born every day, and someone loses a battle with cancer every day.  Yet we seem to go through life with  blinders on, not seeing nor taking advantage of the blessings we have.

Through the episode with my father in law, and brother in law,  I have learned that it is more important to me to tell then that I love them, and show them that I do, than to assume that they should know that.  I know my husband loves me, but I still like to hear him say the words.  Same with my daughters.  They know that we love them, but I tell them that each time I talk to them.  Because you ever know when you may not get that opportunity again.

A friend of mine once told me that the most important things in life are not having a lot of money, or power, or fame.  The important things  are measured by how we treat each other, and help one another, and love each other.  While having money would be nice, I think, no one is going to remember that I gave this amount or that amount to charity.  What they will remember is how  much time I invested in living life, and the manner in which I invested it.

I have learned that life is indeed, precious..  and we need to treat it that way.  Like a newborn baby, each day is brand new, and it is up to us to decide how we use it.  Use them wisely, because only God knows how many of them you have.  Make them count.  And handle each day as if it were your last. 

Life IS precious…..handle it with care (and a lot of prayer).

Happy Birthday, America!

Here it is, another July 4th. America is having another birthday.  And she is still the greatest country on this earth.  She has her problems…what country doesn’t?   But I can’t think of any other place on earth that I would rather live than here.

This country is great for many reasons.  Most, I don’t even have to list here.  But, I will mention a few.  She is great because of her diversity, and because she was founded on Christian principles.  The Pledge of Allegience call her one nation, UNDER GOD, indivisible.  That, along with the very wording of our Constitution, and Declaration of Independence, tells us that God figured very much inthe founding and birth of this nation.  That we seem to choose to forget that troubles me, a lot.

America is great because she is known for reaching out and helping people.  Not only those here in our own country, but, throughout the world.  We send aid to people and countries all over the world, and endeavor to help them in many different ways.  We receive many immigrants here every day.  Many of them coming here with great hope, and a prayer for a better life.

America is a great nation because of her determination.  From the start, our forefathers were determined that this nation should be a free nation, and that all men should have the opportunity to pursue life, and have a happy, fulfilling life.  She stands determined to defend herself against those who would try to do her harm.  We saw that determination come into play when Pearl Harbor was attacked, and on September 11th.

Unfortunately ,our memory seems to be shorter now, and we find ourselves bickering over political correctness, and how to “Not offend” someone else.  But, in the end, we are strong and will work out these issues.  Because we ARE a great nation.

There are things we take for granted every day that arepart of what makes us great.  All over this nation, there are volunteers, who are willing to put their lives on the line, and help out their neighbors.  the first thing that comes to mind whan I say this is the score of volunteer firefighters who make up more than 50% of the nations fire protection force.  Many of your neighbors are probably members of one of these departments.  We never think about them, until we need them.  But they are out there, and stand ready to respond when needed, whether it be a car accident, a house fire, or whatever.  And they do it without pay, because they love their communities, and their country.  Our paid firefighters do the same. But they are paid.  This is not said to take anything away from the marvelous job that they do.

We have a volunteer military.  No draft.  NO mandate to young men and women that they have to serve.  And yet, we have the greatest military in the WORLD.  Why?  Because these brave young men and women care about their country.  They are a part of what maeks us great.

We have freedoms here that  other countries in the world would dare give their citizens.  We can freely disagree with our government, and vote to make changes in it.  We have the right to question decisions made by the government, without fear of being thrown in jail, or executed because of it.

I could go on, but, I think you get the idea.  America is a great nation because we, the people have shaped her that way.  She  may stumble a bit, but, retains her footing and continues on.  Because she is strong and proud.

So on this July 4th, pause a moment and reflect on what we have, and then say a prayer of thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, and a prayer for those who even on this day are on guard around the world, and in our hometowns, to keep us that way.  The land of the free, and the home of the brave!

Happy Birthday, America!  Long may your flag wave!

I May Be Super, But I’m Not Superwoman

After spending the past two days at work taking care of a lot of stuff, I have made an amazing discovery….I am NOT superwoman.  And that kind of makes me a little bit sad.  It shouldn’t, but, somehow, it does.

When my girls were little, they always thought that Mom could do anything.  Even when she couldn’t, they thought she could.  And that was not too hard to ive up to then.  But that was then, and ths is now.  they are grown, and I am older.

Funny how even though you look in the mirror and see the lines, and wrinkles, and gray hair, you still think of yourself as being young and looking like you did then.  And you WANT to think that you can still do the same things you could do then, even when common sense (and your body) tells you differently.

I can still do most of the things I did when I was younger, but, there are a few things that are better left alone now.  For instance, I have tried Zumba in the comfort of my living room, where I can rest wehn I need to…yes, I said NEED to. I can’t go constantly for an hour without stopping to rest.  So, if I am going to do Zumba, it will have to be at home.  I can also shop with the best of them, but now I prefer to have an idea of what I am looking for BEFORE I leave the house, instead of wandering around in stores, aimlessly, trying to figure out what to buy for a gift.

I guess that I am beginning to learn that it is okay to be a little bit slower, and to just say no to things that I can’t do, or simply don’t have the time to do.  I used to think that I could do it all.  And I tried to prove that to my family and friends on a daily basis.  But I now realize that I can choose to be involved in things that interest me, instead of getting involved in everything that cones along, because someone suggests that I should.

I still feel like there are times when I am expected to be Superwoman.  Sometimes at work, I get that impression, because I do so many different things.  And, honestly, I try to do whatever is asked of me because in this day and age, jobs are hard to come by, and I need mine.  I do enjoy what I do, but, like any job, it gets hectic and frustrating at times.   Still, there are times when I need to learn to ask for help, or to just say, no, I can’t do that.  but I doubt that I will do that.  Sometimes, you have to just keep going, and doing whatever it is you need to do

I used to think that my house had to always be spotless, even with two kids, and working a full time job all day.  And I tried to keep it that way.  Didn’t succeed, and all it did was make me tired and on edge.  Now, I pick up the clutter in the house, and keep the dishes done.  I dust it once or twice a week, and do the laundry when I get a load.  If  we read the paper, and it gets laid on the couch, it may lay there for a day.  I now know that the world won’t end if I don’t put the paper in the trash as soon as I put it down.  And we built the house to LIVE in, and enjoy.  So, we live in it.  Yes, I want it to look nice, but, it is clean, and comfortable, and cozy.   and if it is not clean enough for you, then, don’t come and visit me.

I used to think I had to be Superwoman, but I know now that all I have to be is myself.  I do what I can do, and when I get tired, I quit.  the biggest lesson I have learned over the years is this….whatever doesn’t get done today, will still be waiting tomorrow….or the next day.  It will get done, but maybe just not today.  And you know what?  that is perfectly all right with me. 

No, I’m not Superwoman.  But, I have a husband and children that think I am super, and that is enough for me!

That’s One Down, and ????? to Go….

Last night,  just before bedtime, the news came that after nearly ten long years of searching, we finally got Usama bin Laden….news that the whole world, but especially America, have long waited to hear.

I watched as  the story started being pieced together.  I watched until the President made the official announcement, and then went to bed.  Today, as more and more details came out, I could not be any prouder of our military, and special ops teams. (This particular one being Navy Seal 6).  The precision with which they carried out their mission shows just how far superior our military is, and the certainty of the inteligence gathering that led up to the final battle  makes me even prouder.

Since September 11, 2001, when we were attacked by the followers of this madman, we have been tracking and hunting for this butcher.  And this does not count the countless others who have been murdered by his followers. (Remember Daniel Pearl?)  So, I feel a certain sense of satisfaction that he knew, at the end, who it was that carried out his  “‘sentence.”  The fact that it was one of our Navy Seals that put a bullet through his head is somehow fitting.

I heard someone comment on the television today that they were glad he was dead, and  in Hell.  Well, while I am glad that he is no longer alive to plan and try to carry out even more attacks of terror, I am also sad for the fact that, even though he was a terrorist, and hated the United States simply because of who we are and what we represent, Jesus died for him, just like He did for me.  And just like He did for every person in the world.

While, I can’t be sad that he has been brought to justice,  I can pray that God will be able to use this to reach some people that would never listen before.  And I am not just talking about his followers.  But, people in our own country who have turned their backs on God.

For the families of those who were murdered in the World Trade Center, The Pentegon, and the heroes onFlight 93 in Shanksville, PA, my prayers go out to you.  I know you have relived that dreadful day many times, and that many of you have done it again in the past 24 hours, as word has come out about this victory.  The death of Bin Laden will do nothing to bring back your loved ones.  It will do nothing to make the heartache go away, nor lessen the empty place in your hearts and homes for those who are gone.  But maybe it will serve to give you some long overdue closure to a decade long nightmare, and that it will help you have some peace, even at this late date.  Your loved ones were murdered.  They were killed because they were Americans, and that is the only reason.  Today, as he looked into the eyes of  the United States Navy Seals who tracked him down and killed him, he saw the emotion of  an entire nation, and maybe finally realized that he picked on the wrong people.

My hope is that those who lost loved ones on September 11 can, at last, lay to rest those who were the first casualties of this war.  And maybe begin, finally, to start the healing process.  No, Bin Laden’s death will not bring them back.  But, now, he will have to look them in the face at judgement, and he WILL answer to Almighty God.

I applaud the actions of President Obama, Secretary Panetta, the intelligence teams, and the national security team who planned and carried out the mission.  I think they did the right thing.  This outcome was inevitable.  Because we are not afraid of a fight, and we win. 

And so, the most wanted man in the world is dead.  But that does not mean the war is over.  Yesterday, we won a major battle, and a great victory.  But the fight goes on.

Oh, for The Good Old Days…..

I remember when I was a little girl, and would hear my parents and grandparents reminisce about the “good old days.”  I always thought that they were just saying that, and really didn’t think about what it meant……until now.

I always try to either catch part of a newscast, or at least, get on the net and read a few stories and catch the latest headlines.  Some of the time, I find a funny, and it makes me chuckle.  But, more and more, I find myself longing for those “good old days.”  Every time I read a story about a parent who is suing the school because their child got in trouble for fighting, or sueing a business because they didn’t get served fast enough, (ok THAT one is a bit of an exaggeration, but you know what I mean.

Someone please tell me when we as a country went from having personal responsibility, and parental responsibility to deciding that everyone but the parents are responsible for their children?  What has brought us to this idea of every one being responsible for me and my welfare EXCEPT me?  Unfortunately, that seems to be where we are at this time.

I read a story about some kids who were left alone by their mother while she went out for some ‘adult’ company.  It doesn’t matter that seh went down to the corner bar…she left her kids alone at home.  And we are talking about kids that are 4 and 5 years old.  those kids are not old enough to be left by themselves at home at ANY time, much less at night.  But, after being cited for neglect, and having her kids removed from the home, her excuse was that “it isn’t my fault…I cant’ work because I got the kids, and I get tired of not having anyone my own age to talk to.”  Well, my answer to that is that she should have been thinking about the responsibility of taking care of children before she went out and decided to do what it take to MAKE those children.  Now, we have a young other who has no business being a mother at 18, and has NO clue whatsoever about taking care of a baby, because she, herself, IS one, having the added burden of a charge of child neglect in her public record.

When I was growing up, my parents always knew where we were at, who we were with, and how to get hold of us.  If we went to someones house, and then decided to go visit someone else, we called home and told our Mom where we were going.  It was not out parnets being controlling, or over protective.  It was because we respected them, and their feelings.  And we didn’t have cell phones, either.  We picked up the house phone, and dialed our home number.   I have seen kids as young as 6 and 7 walking around with cell phones, talking and texting.  Please tell me WHAT DOES A 7 YEAR OLD CHILD NEED WITH A CELL PHONE???  I am guessing that they need a cell phone about as much as they need a class on sex education at that young age, yet, they have those, too.

It is funny to me that now a days people see nothing wrong with letting our schools teach our kids about anything and everything EXCEPT what they should be teaching them.  I mean, instead of teaching kids how to do math, and how to actually READ, and SPELL, and write a proper gramatical sentence, they are teaching them about the “gay” lifestyle, and coaching them on how to pass a test that is meaningless, except to bring the school district more money.  That is not teaching them anything, except how to depend on someone else to take care of them.

When I was in school, we learned about Science, and Math, and English, and Social Studies (and I am not talking about how to facebook or tweet).  We learned American History, and world history.  We learned to do lond division on paper (we didn’t have calculators then to figure out everything) and we learned how to count.  You can hardly find a place now where someone can actually count your change back to you accurately without having the cash register tell them how much you should get. (And many time, they still get it wrong, because they can’t count.)  We had homework at night, and we had to write themes, and do book reports (which meant we actually had to READ the book.) 

At the end of each school year, usually during the last three weeks or so, we went into the library as grades, and took an achievement test.  We were tested over what we had been taught during the school year.  And we were tested over the subjects we studied…English, Math, Science, Social Studies.  And if we didn’t pass the test, we failed the grade.  (I only konw of one kid I was in school with that actually failed, and that was because he missed so many days of school working on his family’s farm he just didn’t know the stuff.)  But, he went to summer school, and was back with us after the next year. (He skipped a grade.) 

Our parents taught us about being truthful, and about winning and losing.  They taught us that in life, sometimes you lose, and that is part of life.  Life isn’t always fair, and you have to learn to deal with it.  You learned to work for things, and when you achieved them, your self esteem grew.  And it grew from trying, as well.  Now a days, everyone gets a trophy, they don’t keep score in t ball or soccer because all the kids need to feel good about themselves.  Let me tell you, to come back and accomplish something you had struggled with really makes you feel good about yourself, because you EARNED it.  And learned good sportsmanship and social skills at the same time.

My parents were not rich.  We didn’t have the best things.  And there were four of us children.  SO, when we got old enough to drive, and got our licenses, we still walked to school and home, until we had jobs to pay for a car.  Our parents never gave any of us a car, becuase they couldn’t fford to.  We worked to pay for our own cars, and that made us appreciate them and take batter care of them.  My own two daughters had to do the same thing when they bought their first cars.  They had to work and make the payments.  That is the way we were taught, and the only way we knew to teach them.  IT doesn’t seem to have hurt either one of them.  Oh, sure, their first cars weren’t as fancy or as new as some of their friends, but, they didn’t go out and wreck them in the first few months, either.

So, when I hear or read these stories about how Susie or Jimmy got into trouble because it was someone elses fault, I too long for the ‘good old days’ of common sense, accepting responsibility, and common decency.  In todays world, it is sadly lacking.

I think It’s Time for Spring

Well, tonight we set the clocks ahead and lose that one precious hour of sleep for another six months….(for those of you who are clueless, daylight savings time begins tomorrow morning at 2 AM.)  And I don’t really know that it is such a big deal, other than the one we make out of it ourselves.  And we DO tend to do that, don’t we?

I, for one, think they have it all backwards….we need daylight savings time in the winter, when we have shorter days.  In the summer, although I enjoy the longer daylight hours, we get them anyway.  Like today, it is now nearly 7 PM, and still daylight.  Tomorrow night, at this time, it will be nearly 8PM.

Now, I ask you, do you really want it to stay daylight until 10 at night?  think of how late that makes the drive in movie have to wait to start, and the fireworks on the fourth of July.  But, on those cold winter days that are already less than 8 hours of daylight, that extra hour would be a help, don’t you think?  That way, you might actually make it home from work before it gets dark.

Ah, anyway, I really wich that they would just decide on one or the other and leave it alone.  Just about the tie I get used to one of them, it is time to switch back again, keeping me confused… (and I don’t need much help in THAT department,)

Anyway, IF anyone reads this, I really would like to hear your thoughts on DST, and how it affects you.  I enjoy writing about things that interest me, but I love to hear other points of view, as well.  Maybe you can convince me that DST is really a good thing, and that losing that hour of sleep really isn’t that big of a deal.

Excuse me now, I have to go and set all the clocks, and the microwave, and the clock in my vehicle, before I fall asleep…..