I admit it. I've scoffed and scorned and even made fun a little of a certain man. It's not his fault he wears a silly bow tie and his grin makes you feel like finger nails are scraping the chalk board. Or that his parents named him Orville and his last name is Reddenbacker. Nope, I've been unfair. But you see, his smugness about his popcorn perfection just seemed a bit to self righteous and down right irritating. Plus for a popcorn purist like me, the fact that he promoted flavored popcorn was just too much. Yep, I've shunned this poor man for YEARS. Afterall, why pay more for popcorn with a silly guy in a bow tie when the 'cheap' popcorn was just as good.
The lesson: I was desperate...out of popcorn after buying very inferior bulk popcorn that I tossed. Down the aisle at the market and wouldn't you know the ONLY brand available was Orville. Smiling, goofy, bow tiey. But you can't go without popcorn, it's a food group, so in the cart he went. And in the pan when I got home went his kernels. And wouldn't you know that those kernels produced HUGE, fluffy, yummy popcorn. At least twice the girth of my regular pop. The size of which I may never have seen. Plus I had to empty my pan 3 TIMES...when I usually only have to once. For 14 years I've blamed my less than perfect popcorn on my gas stove top when really it was marginal popcorn.
So the moral? Don't judge a book, or a person or popcorn by it's cover, for inside may await a treat you never imagined.
Some 50+ years married loveLast weekend I traveled with my aunt and uncle, Ray and Joy. It was a long trip 9-10 hours each way leaves a lot of talking time. I've always had a soft spot for my favorite Aunt and uncle, but this trip reminded me why. They have been married for over a half century. My aunt Joy has needed supplemental oxygen for the last 3 years. Ray teared up remembering how he almost lost her, he was quick and dedicated to make sure her needs were always taken care of. They like to joke together. He says, "If you don't wear your oxygen don't come running to me for help. But he was quick to add, DO send someone else." They know life is precious and fleeting, they are making the most of it. Joy still laughs at Ray's corny jokes. I do too. She matter of factly explains that she is a fast eater and he is slow. In their early days she might have cleared the table before he was done eating, they recognize their differences and embrace them. As we talked Joy mentioned they had never been a walk close together, hold hands kind of couple, but the rear view mirror seemed to sum it up. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. They for sure are.
Grandma Love
Nothing quite like holding your granddaughter for the first time. I know Joy has waited a long time for this opportunity and frankly I teared up watching them.
Granddaughter Love
This picture says it all though. Baby Amelia loves her grandmother too.
Grandpa Love
Ray was not shy to hold the little one. I'm not sure, but he may have been singing one of his famous songs. One that probably made Amelia's mother roll her eyes. It made me smile.
Little Boy Love
A good friend Carol and her son Andrew came along as well. Carol helped me drive and Andrew entertained us. Their love touched me as well. Carol, is a mother to emulate. She is kind, patient, full of listening, inventive, firm, supportive, and many more things. I really loved watching them interact. Here they are counting up how many red cars we passed on the way down. Tip to the wise...Unless you want to go broke, go with yellow cars!
First Time Mommy Love
It was a real treat to see my cousin Sharon in action as a Mom for the first time. She has embraced all the ins and outs of motherhood and does an excellent job. This picture evokes the emotion of motherhood for me.
First Time Daddy Love
Sometimes Dad's are unsure as how to jump into the parenting process. Not so with Ken. He is a champion Dad, has the rocking and shushing routine down pat. He will be an excellent guide for Amelia.
Happy Family Love
What more could a baby ask for but two attentive, loving, dedicated parents. Yep, she's one lucky girl and you know what? I think she knows it.
I'm one lucky girl too. Left home to their own devices, my family managed to not only survive but thrive. Emily had the kids up and ready for school on time, Mike took off work to have a Dad day with Ethan, food, clothing, baths were executed. The house was cleaned up for my arrival home and I was greeted with these timeless Mother's day cards.
I just finished (yes I know it's a week overdue now, the fines will be worth it) reading the book 'The Element-How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything' by Ken Robinson. {Thank you Marni! It was a great suggestion.} He is a school reformer/creative thinker/Inspirational Enabler. It was a fun read, a make you stop and take count kind of read. I like those.
The element is 'the point where natural talent meets passion.'
These are some of the ideas I identified with most in the book:
*Instead of asking 'How intelligent are you?' Ask 'How are you intelligent'. We all have natural, and I would add God given intelligent and shouldn't we be searching to find out in what areas that intelligence lies?
*When you find your element you have periods when you go in and out of the 'zone' The zone is where creativity and imagination meet and nothing can stop them. The zone fills us with energy rather than exhausts us. Ideas fly, things happen. But it is natural to not 'always' be in the zone. Creativity fluctuates.
*Fear is the most common obstacle to finding your element.
*The Author quotes another book and the title says it all.
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
*The difference between lucky people and unlucky people is attitude. We make our luck. Lucky people notice and act upon opportunities, they listen to their intuition, and the expect to be lucky. When misfortune arrives they 'see' it as an abnormality rather than what is expected. Lucky people reframe 'bad luck' into something beneficial.
*Just because you find your element doesn't mean you have to be a professional (meaning making a living) at whatever it is. The word Amateur means lover, devoted friend, or someone who is in avid pursuit of an objective.
*It is not too late to find your passion and your element. "Human lives are cyclical, different capacities express themselves in stronger ways at different times in our lives. Because of this we get multiple opportunities for new growth and development, and multiple opportunities to revitalize latent capacities" {my words talents}
So...are you in your element? What IS your element?
A normal drive home from school includes an argument about who sits in the front seat. An argument about who said what, when and why. Perhaps one about lunch, or a teacher or an assignment or yadda yadda yadda. Today our regularly scheduled argument was interrupted by this interchange.
I picked Emily, Tim & our Carpool friend Katelyn up from school after the School Talent Show Tryouts. There was general consensus that none of them felt particularly great about their audition or chances.
Tim: I thought people should have clapped more for you Emily. Emily: I was just glad I got any claps. Tim: Well even if you had done the worst job of anyone ever there would be clapping...because I was there and I would clap for you anytime. Pause Teary eyes {Emily's eyes} Emily: Wow...thanks Tim.
I got a new calling. For those of you unfamiliar with my faith, it is the practice for each member in a congregation to hold a position to make sure all functions of the congregation are performed.
There are a few 'dreaded' positions foremost the calling of NURSERY LEADER. A close second would be GOSPEL DOCTRINE TEACHER. I got one of those and it wasn't the nursery leader one.
This is where I know God has a sense of humor, for no mortal man would think it a grand idea for ME to teach adults the deep gospel doctrine of the Old Testament. But apparently God does.
And as it turns out, he must have a sense of humor about how I get these calls. For when I was called as the nursery leader, the person in charge made one slight slip and forgot to ASK me before announcing it over the pulpit as is custom. He knew it instantly as my head jerked up in surprise and maybe a 'little' trepidation. This time as it turns out...I was just given a warning. The Sunday School Counselor in charge of teachers gave me a call and the conversation went something like this.
SS: Since you are one of the new Gospel Doctrine Teachers would you mind teaching on Sunday? ME: I think you have the wrong number...me no speaky english. Oh yeah, and nobody bothered to tell ME that I was a new Gospel Doctrine teacher.
As it all turns though I think this is just a cosmic plan to get Mike to regularly attend class because you KNOW he'll be there when I teach...or else.
* Your kids come when you call * Sometimes they do their jobs without complaint * Sometimes they laugh and laugh together * Sometimes they really are the best of friends * Sometimes they make the right choice * Sometimes they make your heart ache with their hurt * Sometimes they make you beyond proud with their answers * Sometimes they teach you lessons
That exclamation was made by Savanna last week as she cut open her first pomegranate. Tons of bright red seeds met her eyes in an amazing star shape. But even more surprising was the size of the HUGE mango seed...and let me tell you that fruit ain't givin' it up easy. The protective pouch is fibrous and thick! Who knew you could have so much fun cutting 'Fruits' open.
Don't get me started on what's a fruit and what's a vegetable because through our research I found there really is no such thing as a vegetable...except maybe those guys that sit on the couch all Sunday watching football. It's all a conspiracy to get us to eat our greens and they don't really exist. Well, roots, tubers, greens and florets do, but Veggies...nope. What a relief huh? You can scratch that resolution off your list.
All this must mean just one thing. It's science fair time. And you know what? I LOVE science and I'm not embarrassed to admit it. {I even like science projects AND science fairs.} Yep, I'm certifiable. Here are some highlights from Savanna's first ever science fair project.
Her Hypothesis: Big Fruits have little seeds Little Fruits have Big Seeds
Big Fruits have more seeds Little Fruits have less seeds Step 1: Measure the Fruits
Step 2: Pull out the seeds Step 3: Count the seeds (approximately)
Conclusion: The size of the fruit does not determine how many seeds or what size seeds the fruit has. {Savanna's Words}I was most surprised about the pomegranate. I thought it would have medium size seeds but it a lot of small seeds. I was surprised to see such a big seed in the mango.
Wish her luck tomorrow!
And just in case you are ever so blessed to get to do a science project with your kids here are a couple awesome sites that will help you right through it all.
www.sciencebuddies.org Step by Step instructions for science projects for grades k-12 http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createAgraph/ Easily and Quickly creates graphs of all kinds.
Ethan and I decided to make cookies today. It turned ugly. Thankfully these are not chocolate chip cookies so my self created Chocolate Chip Cookie Master reputation is still intact.
It's been 28 years. 28 years since as an 8 year old I lost my Mom. 28 years since the path of my life was defined--literally forever.
I sit reading through my Mom's journal tonight. She wasn't great at keeping one, but she tried. She has entries like:
"I held a canning demonstration on the 8th for the young adult girls. It was fun."
"Joan had a supper and made her pasties."
"Willard took us out to dinner at Juniper Inn."
"Kathryn had a school picture this year." (Giggle see a few posts back on that subject.)
"The winter has been long and cloudy. It still is cloudy. We are hoping for sunshine soon!"
"Mother is well. Grandma Thornley is still not well. Grandpa T. went to the concert though."
I LOVE reading my Mom's journal. I only hope my blog entries will be as entertaining to my posterity. Pretty much all the memories I have of a child before she died are recorded in her journal. All in short bursts with little detail. I had no idea of knowing she recorded those things, but it gives me comfort to know the things I remember as being important, she did too. As I read the journal I find out she is real. She is busy. Sometimes she is frustrated. Sometimes she is down. But mostly she is positive. Mostly she is appreciative of her blessings and her trials. Mostly she is amazing.
As a teenager, people would offer sympathy for not having a Mom around. At the time while I appreciated the thoughts, it didn't bother me so as I didn't know any different. As a Mom now, I cry for the things SHE missed out on. I can't imagine how hard it must of been for her to leave. If she were here I would love to tell her a few things.
She might be surprised to find out that the too shy, too quiet little 8 year old that sat still for more than an hour while she visited with her visiting teachers one afternoon because she was too embarrassed to ask to play has since gone on to get a Journalism degree, spoken out at city council meetings and even participated in a reality style Radio program contest.
I would love to tell her about my kids. How her granddaughter Emily Annette who share her name is now 13. How responsible and thoughtful she is. How talented and driven she is. How completely like her Grandmother she is. How her grandson Tim is a thinker, a reader, a planner, a dreamer. How her sweet granddaughter Sierra is quiet like me...but not shy in the least. How inventive she is. How charming she is. How her spunky granddaughter Savanna loves Winnie the Pooh. How I love reading it to her like my Mom read to me. How full of life and joy she is. How Ethan is adorable, funny, loving and thoughtful. How being a Mom is so important to me and how much I want to be like my own Mom.
Somehow I do think she knows these things. Her last entry in her journal goes like this.
"I'm glad I started this book in 1968. It has been a great help to me. I hope my grandchildren and children even are given some help and encouragement from this book! I want to express my testimony. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know God hears and answers prayers. I know that by paying your tithing you receive the blessings promised to you. I believe that in the resurrection we can be reunited as a family if we live for that blessing. I'm grateful for all the blessings I have received from my Father In Heaven. I believe Jesus is my Savior and I want to try to do the things necessary for eternal life. Again, I know God answers prayers. I give this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ Amen." April 12, 1981
She had 7 more months. She gave the greatest gift of all to her children and grandchildren. I only hope to be like her someday.
In the past, we have never created 'wish lists' for Christmas. As little kids, I pretty much knew what my kids would like and I also knew what I would NOT get them, so having lists was not necessary. As my kids get older, however, I feel the need for some assistance. (And before anyone thinks I'm nuts for thinking about Christmas in November, please remember I have a business that has its VERY busy time coming up starting in about 2 weeks. If I don't do it now...well, stress.) Anyway, since I wanted some ideas for my older kids I let the younger kids do lists too. [MISTAKE] I now hear--I 'WANT' this, I 'WANT' that! Mom, Get me that for Christmas! Yikes, what have I started. In the past my kids have not been too bad with the gimmees but I may have ruined them. So starting now the wish lists are CLOSED.
Here are a few of my favorite items that made the lists though:
A Cannon Fake Flowers Balloons A Big Pickle Train I don't know Warm Socks
I'll give you 10 bucks if you can match up the items with the requester. (note not all children have list items represented here.)
That's what I served up for myself yesterday with a topping of whipped chagrin.
You see yesterday was
ELECTION DAY Namely the first Tuesday after the first Monday of the Eleventh month of the year. (Look it up you'll find it in the Constitution.)
Anyone that knows me, knows I'm passionate about election day. It all started when I was young and listened to my Grandma Thornley talk about voting. She was born in the year 1900 in England. She loved her country greatly but immigrated to America with her Mother and Brother after they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She also loved her new country but was content with still being an English citizen until one day when my Dad was in grade school. He came home one afternoon and asked if she was an 'alien'. When he explained that it was not the super natural kind but the non-citizen kind, she decided she needed to become a citizen of the land she loved so dearly. From the point she became a citizen she never missed an election. I saw her even when home bound direct my Dad to help her with her absentee ballot. She is a hero to me. She describes American to me. She has been the inspiration in me never missing a general election ever. (And never missing a primary election in the last 15 years.) I want to be like her.
Yesterday was election day and...
I didn't vote before I took my kids to school. I didn't vote before I went on Savanna's field trip. I didn't vote before I picked up Ethan from Joyschool. I didn't vote before I took Tim's emergency pictures to school. I didn't vote before I went back to the rest of Savanna's field trip. I didn't vote before I got the kids home from school. I didn't vote before the kids went to piano lessons. I didn't vote before I fixed dinner. I didn't vote before Mike took the van and my babysitters to scouts and young women's. I didn't vote before I told Sierra to get in the shower.
I've never understood how someone could 'forget' to vote. I may have even mocked those that claimed it. After all as Theodore Hesburgh said, "Voting is a civic sacrament." or at least in the words of a less succinct patriot "a license to complain". However, last night as I sent my kids off to get ready for bed so we could read some stories I plopped on to the evil known as Facebook and my top entry was from my niece Kimberly (Kimma on here). Her status update claimed, "Today I did my civic duty." I was so far in La-La land that the thought, "Wow I wonder if she had jury duty" crossed my mind." Then it hit me. IT WAS ELECTION DAY and even more disturbing I FORGOT.
I looked up at the clock and saw I had 28 minutes until the polls closed. I had no one home over 8 (the oldest of which was dripping wet) , and no transportation. I considered leaving Sierra in charge and running the 4 blocks to the poll. But instead I ran to my friends house in a tizzy. Luckily, they love and 'know' me well enough to understand how voting could be an emergency. :) I dropped the kids off and the two of us drove to the school. I texted Mike and he met us there.
It is there I met up with my humble pie....how could I have forgotten? What about my very ordinary yet busy day was so important that I forgot the privilege of being American. Today as I think about my Grandma, it is the 109th anniversary of her birth, I am so grateful for a social network, a niece and the fact I can look to heaven in remembrance of a great citizen and say:
I just love the CAN'T do attitude...not. Yesterday I ordered some donuts for the two birthdays we have at our house today (more on that later.) Since our day was filled to the brim instead of making a cake I decided donuts and apple cider was the way to go. BUT, I thought it would be fun to still have the birthday wish involved so I requested the bakery (that daily decorates hundreds--ok probably 10's of cakes every single day...and now on Sundays) to simply pipe the words Happy Birthday Mike and Happy Birthday Savanna on two chocolate Covered Bismarks.
This was the response I got:
Bakery Clerk: *DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS STRESS LOOK* "We can't do that." Me: "What do you mean? You decorate cakes every day." Bakery Clerk: "We can't decorate donuts." Me: "Can't you think outside of the box here for me?" Bakery Clerk: " Still with a stunned look on her face...we CAN'T do that" *Shaking her head*
Really? You CAN'T do that? Prime example of a Can't do attitude.
Yesterday I read in the paper about a local elementary that is apart of a program called 'No Excuses University'. The idea is that the kids get invested in the idea of going to college and own it. And that no excuse from them is legitimate to not reach their educational goals.
This combined with the can't do attitude of the poor bakery clerk got me thinking. What things am I using the 'CAN'T DO Attitude' on. Embarrassingly, I could come up with 3 biggies almost immediately...and I have to tell you that was uncomfortable. I'm not sure I'm ready to share my excuseful personal issues--yet. But I am definitely on the path to changing my attitude.
I also thought of the 3 middle school girls I hiked with to the top of Maylin's Peak last week. They were searching for excuses...any...every excuse not to make it to the top. I encouraged, cajoled, supported, helped them all the way...up on top they slumped in a heap without even looking at the view (You can see the picture in my header). I noticed they had still not moved when it was time to go so I told them they HAD to come see the view or I would not let them go back down. With much encouragement I lured them to the overlook and was thrilled when the first word out of their mouths was an awed, 'WOW!'
Is how long we have been a diaper changin' household. Yep for the last 13 years, 2 months and 12 days we have had at least 1 sometimes 2 kiddos in diapers. That is well over 20,000 diapers if you were to average 4 per day.
I'm sorry Kimberly-Clark, but the days of us single handedly keeping you in the black are OVER!
Funny isn't it how things can change so fast. A week ago I was lamenting, and then 3 days ago the switch flipped.
What, you might ask, made all the difference? SPIDER-MAN.
If you know me at all you know I'm NOT a fan of marketing super-heros to kids who aren't old enough to watch the movies. I actually despise it. I do all in my power to not buy things that are related--my mini boycott if you will. But, YES, I broke my resolve. You see a certain 3 year old while never seeing the movie is a HUGE fan. (Thanks to a buddy of his.) He knows the web slinging poses and everything. Friday, Mike suggested we buy him some Spider-Man underwear. I told Ethan if he could stay dry for a day, he could wear them, by Sunday afternoon it was all over. The switch flipped. I'm not naive enough to think we are completely out of the woods yet, but out of 5 kids I've never seen someone so invested in the cause.
So grudgingly, I offer my sincere thanks to the Super-Hero in red and blue.
Coming from the East the scheduled Union Pacific train that carried the railroad's Vice President Thomas Durrant was delayed in Wyoming by 400 laid off workers waiting for back wages. The workers chained the train in place and refused to budge until they received their pay. After the delay, heavy rains in the Weber River weakened a bridge enough that the engineer would not cross with the engine. Instead he gently gave each passenger car a push across the unstable bridge. On the other side Engine #119 came from Ogden, UT to their rescue.
Coming from the West the Central Pacific Railroad train carrying Leland Stanford was delayed when workers failed to notice a green flag on the first of two trains traveling together. The green flag signaled that another train followed behind. However, workers did not heed the flag and a log tumbled on to the track. The second Engine (called the Antelope) hit the log and was severely damaged. Leland Stanford had to transfer to the first train at the next station to continue on to Promontory.
It took some effort to decide where the meeting spot for the railroads should be. Each side wanted to get as much money from the government as possible as they were paid per mile of track on a scale that took into account difficulty and terrain. Because of that before Promontory was chosen each company prepared and graded parallel land for track for 250 miles.
Once at Promontory they prepared to celebrate the joining of the rails. Unfortunately all those in charge had somehow forgotten to bring an American Flag to fly at the occasion. After asking those attending the festivities if anyone had a flag they finally found a small regiment of soldiers that was attending and someone had a flag in his knapsack. However, the flag only had 20 stars. In 1869 there were 37 states. The 20 star flag only flew for one year in 1818 before another state was added. This flag, no doubt an heirloom, was 51 years old! Still today at the Historic Site they fly the 20 star flag to reflect what happened that day.
(I love this photo...all the kids and tourists moved out of the way so I was able to get just the locomotives and their engineers. All in period costume. It's a bit hard to see in this picture, but I think I might print this one LARGE for Ethan's room.)
INTERESTING FACTS:
There were 4 spikes 'tapped' into place at the Gold Spike Ceremony--2 Gold, 1 Silver & one Gold and Silver Spike
The replicas of the Locomotives are painted in the same colors and manner as the originals. Engine #119 has a pictures of Johnny Appleseed on it.
The Jupiter (Central Pacific Railroad) was a wood burning locomotive and Engine #119 (Union Pacific Railroad) was a coal burning locomotive.
None of the ceremonial spikes are at the Gold Spike National Historic Site. They are housed in other collections in California and New York.
I 'think' I have a relative that was there. Peggy can you help me out here? Is it true or just a rumor?
P.S. I had so much fun photographing yesterday I just had to share one more.
I'm slow. I have to learn a lesson over and over and over (and over and over) before it really sinks in. You see, I am a TERRIBLE potty-training Mom. At least in the sense of getting it done and getting it done fast. Not a one of my kids has been out of diapers before the age of 3 and all have them have been at least 3 1/2. ( I think Savanna may have slipped in at 3 yrs and 5 months.) Each experience of potty training has been pure torture~certainly for me and in all honestly certainly for the poor child involved. You see, strangely, (can you see the sarcasm dripping) I get really uptight when I have to clean up bodily function messes. I have been known to yell, cry, scream, throw things. Eeek that is really bad andI'm very sorry for doing it.
I often thought before I had kids that the worst part of being a parent would be potty training and I was RIGHT. Yep I said it I WAS RIGHT! It sucks.
I have read the books, viewed the methods tried to apply just about everyone of them at one point or another, and it still stinks...literally and figuratively. I have friends that have had kids just up and got rid of diapers at 16 months one day and went on their merry little way with nary a mess to follow. To them I say, while I love you...I hate you. ;) No not really, I guess you probably have to deal with other not so fun issues like keeping clean underwear in drawers and knowing where all the restrooms are in any given 5 mile radius.
I have had looks, whispers all out shock at my 'too old' unpotty trained kids. To them I say...do you want a crack at it?
So through it all, I ask myself. Why is this so hard for me? Am I just potty training impaired? Am I lazy? Are my kids lazy? Well maybe, the jury is still out, but while they are debating I have decided that I really can't face becoming the crazy, psycho, potty-training Mom again so I MUST do something different. But what can you do different when you've tried all the 'things to try?" There is only one answer...
ATTITUDE
And much to my chagrin that doesn't mean the attitude of my sweet, stubborn three year old. Unfortunately the only attitude I can change is my own.
And on that note...I'll leave you with my potty training gratitude list:
Home Depot! Ethan is about a third of the way through his sticker potty chart and the reward at the end is a trip to Home Depot to buy a tool with Dad. I sure hope they don't pick out a $300 drill.
Pink Pull-UPs. At least they gave me a laugh. We were out of pull ups the other night and Mike managed to scrounge up one last princess pull-up from Savanna's day. When I went to help Ethan put it on he balked. He was a boy and a BOY DOES NOT WEAR PINK PULL-UPS. I told him he did if that's all we had. So the next day I decided to go PINK. When I got them home explaining that all the boy pull-ups were mysteriously 'out of stock' so I had to get pink I hoped he would go directly to the bathroom, do not pass go and well...go. But alas his reply was "I like princesses" Grr...
TWO stickers. For the last week Ethan has had one success a day. He felt it quite unnecessary to be successful more than that. "Ethan time to go to the potty" "No, Mom, I already did today..." So today, we set a goal to get TWO stickers. YEAH FOR ETHAN FOR MEETING HIS GOAL.
Finding success amidst many failures. Just like in life you can look at the bad things that happen or you can focus on the good. My tenure as crazy, psycho, potty-training Mom has included WAY too many bad thing episodes. Today I am committing to focus on the good.
(Please reassure me that he will be done before Kindergarten!)
On Tuesday September 8, 2009, President Barack Obama will have a televised speech specifically for school aged children throughout the country. Reportedly the speech will "challenge students to work hard, set education goals, and take responsibility for their learning."
Many school districts in Utah will be notifying parents if their school decides to show it, and many will provide 'opt-out' activities for those children whose parents don't want their children exposed to such political rhetoric.
Really.
Have I gone down the rabbit hole? Do you remember the song in South Pacific called "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught"? Basically it is saying that fear, hate and prejudice must be taught. We aren't innately this way but grow that way from the influences around us that teach us.
I think as an American Society we are doing a HUGE disservice to our children. All the way from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid down to inflammatory talk show hosts and conservative activists. We are carefully teaching our children that opposing ideas, no scratch that, opposing people are bad, evil, wrong. Is it so hard to believe that two people with opposing ideas can both love their country...so much that all they want is the best for it?
Apparently yes, and we see that example in our leaders, in Nancy Pelosi's thrilling autobiography she mentions a story about wanting to buy a house when her and her family first moved to California. Finding the perfect house with the perfect yard, in the perfect location, she asked the homeowner why they were moving. It turns out the family was moving to Washington D.C. to take a position in the Nixon administration. When she found out they were Republicans she decided she couldn't buy the house after all because there was no way she would live in a house a republican owned.
What were her children carefully taught? We have example after example on BOTH political extremes of hate being carefully taught.
Right wing author/columnist/commentator Ann Coulter has books out such as Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism or How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must): The World According to Ann Coulter. Obviously she has the right to speak her mind, but the approach she uses along with countless others is inflammatory, degrading and counterproductive to her position.
My question...what are we going to do to stop it? I am so tired of the arguments on both sides and frankly, the common phrase on both sides--'well the other side did it first' is just plain crap.
Are we back in Kindergarten? How about civil discourse. How about not jumping to conclusions. How about respect, Real respect. How about listening for a change before spouting off. How about teaching our children carefully. Carefully that all people have value. All people are children of a loving Heavenly Father. Carefully teaching them important truths that will guide them in making good and right decisions. Carefully teaching them that if you disagree with someone it doesn't make the other person a BAD person, it merely means they have a different opinion. Funny that we have been endowed by our creator with individual personalities and minds that DO NOT think the same. Do you think it chance? I don't. We have seen time and time again that growth comes from opposition. If we all agreed on every issue there would be no opposition. Without opposition there is no reason to progress, grow and become better.
I will be the First to admit that I am not President Obama's biggest fan. But darn it, I will NOT teach my children to hate him, to be disrespectful of him, or to diminish the office he legally and lawfully holds. Much of this furor was fueled by a Farmington Elementary showing a video about service to the kids. I don't agree with everything in the 'I Pledge' video. There are probably 5 or 6 phrases in that video that make me cringe. But darn it...there are another 3 minutes of pledging to do things that are right and good.
I pledge to find the good in opposing views and respectfully and carefully teach my children to treat all people with respect.
