February 4, 2009
this is a test
December 1, 2008
I lost my mother last year. In my grief I was told by somebody that I am now a member of an exclusive club...one that no one wants membership to and only members can understand. You gain membership after you have lost both of your parents. I thought that was a profound statement. How does that relate to travel? Well let me tell you. On Thanksiving I was on a cruise, 75 degree weather, on a beach, it was great and very non-tradiional. My man and his family had gotten togerther 35 family members who were sailing with us. My man, sweetheart that he is, paid for his 84 year old mother to be a part of that group. She is a diva and loves to be taken care of. She is of sound mind and body and still works, but of course she was with her son and is quick to tell him, if he gets frustrated "I gave you life". And frustrated he was...anybody who has had to change roles with their parents where you are the parent and they are the child, can relate. She was non-stop, but I wanted to say to him "if I just had one more day with my mother, I would be a lot less impatient with her then I was too". But it's not something he can understand really until you join that exclusive club and deal with regrets, which is common. Me...I had a great time. I helped with her as much as I felt appropriate and had time to myself while he dealt with her personality. Another profound piece of advice I got when my mother was ill was that our children, our spouses and our parents are pretty much the limit of our capabilities to be responsible for another human being.
No responses yet | Make a comment
November 17, 2008
I had said that after the election that I would educate myself more on the Proposition 8 amendment that passed in California and Utah (whcih I understand was a clear majority in that state). From what I gather, in California in particular, over 75% of African Americans supported the proposition, which bans same sex marriage. It is interesting that the term civil rights and African American, at least in my mind, are synonyms, but we are willing to infringe on the rights of a group that feels they should have the same kind of rights afforded to them. Don't get me wrong, I am not sure myself how I feel about this issue. I am not certain that I think that what you do in the bedroom, between consenting adults, should somehow translate into a civil rights issue, but I still find it curious that a majority of Blacks in a certain region object to the issue. I don't know what to think.
2 response(s) | Make a comment
November 11, 2008
It is not like when we were children and Christmas was over and it was a big let down. Every day since the election I continue to experience some deep emotion. Prior to the election I was obsessed with the blogs and overwhelmed by the degree of hate that was spewed on these sites, but since the election, I haven't looked at them again. I don't need to. What I know is that the majority of the people in the US support change and change candidates. I know that though race relations aren't resolved, we have taken a big step in looking at "the best candidate for the job". That is one aspect that brings me joy. The divisiveness and scare tactics that were shameful in the last Bush campaign didn't resonate this time. People looked beyond that language and made a decision on what can take this country forward. As President Elect Obama said, the question is not if you are better off now then you were four years ago, the answer to that is obvious. The question is where will we be four years from now. We, as Americans, have done what we can to answer that question and I wish him the continued path to find solutions to the monumental taks that are facing him. God bless Barack Obama and God bless the United States of America.
1 response(s) | Make a comment
November 4, 2008
I voted early and not many people around me did, so I have been waiting to see that look on their face, to hear the pride in their voices, to observe their expressions and I have not been disapointed. People have been describing tears, goosebumps, upset stomachs, cheery interactions in lines with other people. One person described that an elderly person came to vote but didn't have her wheelchair. The election judges stopped the voting and one Democrat and one Republican judge took the voting booth to the car so the woman could vote. Doesn't that bring chills to you. It was described that no one in the line protested and in fact they applauded the judge's creativity. The story I hear most often is about parents and grandparents in their 70's, 80's and 90's voting today and praising this opportunity. I watched Barak Obama voting on the web and I was overwhelmed with emotion. WOW, this is a special, emotional and uplifting day and I know it is going to pay off for the entire country.
No responses yet | Make a comment
November 3, 2008
It is a question posed by a McCain supporter (I don't think he meant it the way I interpreted it). But it is a good question. How did we get to a place where a bi-racial man may very well become the next Commander in Chief? How did people all over the US become energized, evolved, and down right excited! How did these set of circumstances occur at this time and this place to make this possible! I have become addicted to blogs this campaign season and the venom and hate spewed from some people surely supports that this cannot be possible. But it is not only possible, it is probable. Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day and emotions will run high from one extreme to the other. The world is not going to implode on itself if he is elected. We will all go about our daily lives on Wednesday just like we are today, but there will be an extra bounce in some people's step because I BELIEVE!!!
No responses yet | Make a comment
November 1, 2008
I confess that I have been obsessed with the presidential campaign and know little about Proposition 8 that will be voted on by Californians next week. From my understanding, a "yes" to the proposition means that you are in favor of banning same sex marriage. it is also my understanding that the proposition will probably pass. I am curious that California, of all places, would support a referendum. Aren't they one of the most liberal staes in the U.S.? The most tolerant? What is going on there that the ban is supported? Hopefully after Tuesday, I will get a better sense of what that was all about. In the mean time...things that make you go huuummmm.
No responses yet | Make a comment
November 1, 2008
Should this be under entertainment...probably not. Chicago is undergoing some dramatic times and the way that is affecting the citizens is interesting... First of all we may very well send the next President of the United States to the White House There is excitement and for me, personal disappointment. Why can't I get a ticket to the election night gala? I have donated to the campaign, albeit a modest amount, I have vounteered, though the campaign canceled the event and I feel I am one of his biggest supporters but...some things never change. I don't think I have the connections to secure tickets, which serves as a reminder that there won't necessarily be an immediate, significant change once Senator Obama becomes president. But my real purpose for making this point is that there are actually citizens in Illinois who are questioning why we would have a gala celebrating this event, citing the cost (which he is paying for). We are sending a president to the White House and you don't want a celebration, a recognition? You don't feel pride that he wants to share it with us. I don't get it. The other, and in some ways more significant way that drama is defining Chicago right now, is the Jennifer Hudson tragedy. Signs are pointing to the fact that it had nothing to do with the neighborhood, but involved domestic issues. But it does not stop the conspiracy theorists from spinning these wild stories, told and repeated as if they have first hand information, as if they are in the inner circle or they were at the scene. Whatever happened, it is a tragedy and I don't think whoever did it will be smart enough to get away with three murders, so why not let the evidence speak for itself. Why further malign, speculate and tear down this family when you don't have the facts. To me, that speaks more of the neigborhood and its people and further exacerbates an already horrendous situation.
No responses yet | Make a comment
Illinois,
United States
Every day I grow and learn.
Great post. It is a sentiment all young people need to carry!
I voted early. A columnist I read said that those of us who have already voted are no longer interested in the campaign. That can''t be further from the truth. I feel relieved,proud and uncustomarily emotional. The campaign just sent me a ticket to the VICTORY party today in Grant Park and like most of us, I can''t stand large crowds. But this is different, I am going. To be part of a historical event is an overwhelming proposition and I wouldn''t miss it for the world. I will welcome our new president and Commander in Chief to his new position and I suspect there will be many tears flowing and some will be mine.
I am not a fatalist. I don''t necessarily think that we are destined for what comes in our lives. I generally feel that things happen as a result of our actions, but this is different. This is Obama''s destiny and nothing can be done to stop it. As one of McCain''s supporters said "how did we get here"? How did Obama, who really is inexperienced by political definitions get to this place where he very likely will be the next President of the United States. All of this has been divine order.. this place we find ourselves in where a Black man will be our Commander in Chief and even if President Obama might be sacrificed (and it is a real possibility if you have seen the hate and filth posted on these many blogs), it is all his destiny and I am so proud to be a part of this experience.
Great post. You can''t help but wonder what difference Barak will make. Our young brothers who insist on hurting people that look like them, young parents trying to eek out a living, the campaign not really addressing poor people at all. Will it really make a difference in their lives? I understand that the middle class is targeted because if we don''t work, they don''t eat, but with our own concerns of feeding our own families and having a roof over our own heads, how does that "trickle down" to people who $6.00 is a lot of money. I don''t necessarily think it will change poor people''s lives but I do think it will give the next struggling young child the energy and knowledge to know that they CAN be the next "whatever they aspire to be". HOPE!!!
You have made a lot of assumptions. Just because the mother is lacking in one area does not necessarily mean that she is across the board. (Although I am one who abhors men peeing in public against a building, in an urban area, when there are generally restrooms available all around). I do think that psychologically she gives her son a message of entitlement by saying that it is okay to relieve/release yourself inappropriately and as you please, but I want to give her the benefit of the doubt that she was 1) with her son, if that was indeed her child and 2) tending to his needs. But every decision that is made as a parent can be scrutinized, criticized and critiqued. It is a tough job, with no instruction manual and we, as parents, make mistakes. Let's hope that is just one slip of judgement against the hundreds of important, insightful decisions she makes for her child(ren)
Wow! Scary and it lends credence to "nothing good happens on the street late at night". Times have changed and it is important to try to avoid putting yourself in volatile situations, but how do you do that? It can happen anytime, any place; all you can do is live your life, be aware of you surroundings (which gratefully it sounds like you were) and trust in God. I love you and I am glad that you are safe.
Definitely required coordination. It is a big world out here...hope that's not one of those video hoaxes.
A story that needs telling over and over again...there is always hope
It never ends...needing hep. The trick is the willingness to accept the help. ometimes even when you think you are open to help you become defensive..."because you didn't like the way it was said".."you don't understand", etc. When every moment could be a teaching moment if we were just silent and think about words and advice given. Not everyone is willing to help and somethimes the help doesn't help, but the iwllingness of another to even try should be appreciated. Everyday I NEED HELP!
Times are getting harder.
This summer, in
Chicago, there are daily broadcasts of killings of young, black males. Where are their fathers. ..fathers of the victims, fathers of the offenders..would knowing, loving, respecting and having a father who is involved make a difference in these young people's life. I know that sometimes women make it difficult for a man to be involved with their children, but isn't it worth the fight...your father proves that it makes a difference. I wish the same for all Black children and their fathers.
| September 2010 | ||||||
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | ||
No responses yet | Make a comment