Merry Christmas Eve

Quote of the day:

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder

     A couple of days ago, my son asked me why some people are throwing such a fit over the fact that people are saying "Happy holidays" instead of just "Merry Christmas". I patiently explained to him that Christmas is not just another holiday that we celebrate. We have Christmas only becasue of Christ, not Santa Claus, or raindeer, or snowmen or elves. It is "CHRISTmas", not "SANTAmas". When we take the entire meaning of Christmas, and make it just another holiday, we dishonor Christ, and all he did for us. 

     I'm not against Santa, or decorating with elves, or giving presents, and cookies and milk. All those things help to bring fun traditions and memories that children will forever treasure. What I believe is that when we remember who Christmas is about, then the real spirit of Christmas will suround us and those are the things that children will remember.

 

Merry Christmas to All!

To Live in Such Times

Quote of the Day

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Yesterday, December 14, 2012, a psychotic 24 yr. old man, broke into an elementary school in Connecticut, then shot and killed 20 children, and six adults. The majority of the children were kindergartners.  The shock and horror of what he did is still unbelievable. To realize that 20 beautiful defenseless children were mowed down like scene from a disturbing video game is not only frightening, but terrifying.  The coward gunman apparently committed suicide after perhaps finally realizing what he did. My heart goes out to the parents of those beloved children and I hugged my own just a little bit harder and closer last night,  grateful that they not only did not know about this incident, but also that they have not experienced such a hateful and horrible thing. I do not, and will not ever understand why these things happen. What I do know though, is that we must teach our children to love and respect everyone, to treat them well, no matter who they are. The motive for this senseless crime is not clear at the moment, but what is known, is that the type of person that did this had hate built up in him, a hate and perhaps hopelessness that drove him and took over. We cannot change what has happened, but we can make sure that those that we love the most know it. We can make sure that we live each day to the fullest, and that we don’t give up.  

Am I enjoying or enduring?

Quote of the day:

“Life is to be enjoyed, not endured”
― Gordon B. Hinckley

I like this quote. It reminds us that most things we do are because we choose it. I choose to be a wife and mother. I choose to work part time to help support my family. I choose to go to school full-time. I choose to do my very best at all I do. I choose these things, not some random person. Therefore, I need to enjoy my life , and everything I choose. I choose life!

“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy”

      Quote of the Day

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that
something else is more important than fear.”
― Ambrose Redmoon

   

        Today is December 7, 2012. It’s hard to believe, but 71 years ago today, Pear Harbor was attacked and bombed by the Empire of Japan. The year was 1941, and it was a beautiful warm and sunny day in the islands of Hawaii.  Hundreds of unsuspecting tourist and military personnel were relaxing on the beach, or getting up to eat a leisurely breakfast. No one knew it what was coming, who would? Who would have guessed that secretly under the guise of peace talks with the US, The Japanese Imperial fleet crossed the Pacific with one thing on their mind, the destruction of the US, specifically, the Navel and other bases located on the Hawaiian Islands. Pear Harbor bore the brunt of the attack. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four being sunk. Six of these ships were later repaired and returned to service. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and one minelayer. The attack came as a shock to the American public, and led the President Franklin D. Roosevelt to declare that this would be a day that would live in infamy. War was declared on Japan, and brought the US into WWII, something they had been trying very hard up to that point to stay out of.  The USS Arizona was one of the destroyers that were sunk that day. It lies today still under the warm waters of the Pacific as a silent memorial to the 1177 sailors that died that day within its belly.

        I remember the first time I visited the Arizona memorial in Pear Harbor. They show a short video of old news clips of what happened that day. After that, they take you out on a boat where you can go aboard the memorial that spans the breadth of the sunken destroyed. Unbelievably, you can still see oil bubbling out. Some call these the Arizona’s tears. You can’t help but have a solemn and hallowed feeling when you go there and see it for yourself. Certainly something I will never forget. I am thankful for those men and women that serve our country, and to those that gave their lives, in any war to preserve the freedom of the United States, I say thank-you for your sacrifice. I pray that we as a people can live up to their service.

On Being Thankful

                                                                                            

Quote of the day:

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”

― Epicurus

This quote is for all you Black Friday shoppers!

This week was Thanksgiving. I am extremely thankful for good health. I was sick during Thanksgiving and very much appreciate feeling better. We humans are funny beings. I have noticed that we really don't appreciate something until it is either taken away from us, or something brings it to our attention. Good health, for example. Most of us take it for granted. We get up each day, live our lives, and don't really think twice about it unless it somehow touches us in some way. Most people who are involved in breast cancer awareness campaigns, marathons etc, have either had breast cancer themselves, or have someone in their immediate family who have it. The same goes for pretty much any kind of fundraising that goes on for any kind of illness. How rare the person who gets involved simply because they want to. Since we are coming into the season of giving, it made me think of service for others, and how it makes you feel. Funny, but I think that most people don't realize how good giving service to others makes you feel.  I think about Mother Teresa, and how she dedicated her entire life to service of the poor and sick. She was not a rich lady, but you know that she was rich in character. Can someone be addicted to the good feelings that you get when you help others? I wonder.
What does that have to do with being Thankful? Well, hopefully, when we recognize what we have, then perhaps we can look around at others, and see what they need. Not because we are somehow involved, or are compelled to, but simply because we want to. Here’s to optimism.

Quote of the day:

“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.”
― Herman Melville

I really like this quote. It rings true, especially to writers. To everyone who is writer, or aspires to be,

I urge you to find your own unique voice. Don't try to be or sound like everone else. How boring would that be?

Just a thought :-)

Presidential Election 2012 Assessment

Quote of the Day:

“Give the People what they want - and they'll get what they deserve.”
― The Kinks 

       This quote may sound depressing, but after watching the presidential electon last night, I have to

admit I was very disheartened. I awoke yesterday, with a hope of what could be, only to find that  same

hope being crushed by the re-election of President Barrack Obama. Don't get me wrong, I do not hate him.

I just dislike the choices he has made over the last 4 years he has been president. I worry about what will

happen to our country because of the choices he made, or those he failed to make.

     When I awoke this morning, I was sad. Sad for our country, and sad that so many were not able to see

through the "front" put up by the liberal press about the President and his policies. In frustrated

response, I posted this on my facebook this morning: 

Congratulations Liberal Media. Your completely biased, distorted, unethical reporting managed to re-elect a man who thinks he needs to apologize for America to other countries. A man who tells Americans to vote for him out of “revenge”. I am assuming he wants revenge against the other 53% of Americans that don’t rely on him for help. A man who lied to the American public about the Libya Benghazi Attacks stating that it was all about an anti-Islamic video that sparked a protest, when in reality, he knew in REAL time that it was a terrorist act that tortured and killed the Ambassador there. What was his first reaction? Why to fly to Las Vegas of course. His re-election was more important than world affairs. I hope the liberal media is happy with the way they pushed their agenda on the American public. Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it!

Too over the top?  I don't think so.  Perhaps tomorrow things will look better. Let's hope so!