At This Time Of Year

 

Remember to reach out to those living with illness and pain especially during this time of the year.  It can be a very lonely and isolated time for them. Give them a call, a smile, a hand, a hug and an encouraging word that shows you care.

I doubt there is no one who could use an extra dose of caring from a friend, a relative and yes, even from a stranger.

Speaking personally, the month of December has proven to be a very difficult month every year.  It is the month when I lost both my husbands who I deeply loved.  December anniversaries and events keep running through my mind.

I don’t look forward to this time of year and wish it would hurry along, so that the new year may begin with feelings of freshness and hope for a better year.

 

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Pro-Birth Is Not Pro-Life

 

I was amazed when I read the headline, “Catholic Nun Explains Pro-Life In A Way That Will Stun Many.”  My curiosity encouraged me to read the article.  I thought, “What new slant/opinion/explanation would a Catholic nun give to this very heated, controversial topic that has been keeping right-wingers, pro-lifers, pro-family and “family values” folks, hot under their collars and vitriolic noises spouting from their mouths?”

Image above and quote below are from an article by Leslie Salzillo, originally posted in the Daily Kos, and appearing in the Liberals Unite news magazine, dated July 31, 2015.

In one simple quote, Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B. sums up the hypocrisy in the ‘pro-life’ movement:

“I do not believe that just because you’re opposed to abortion, that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I think that you don’t? Because you don’t want any tax money to go there. That’s not pro-life. That’s pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is.”

I would add to the above quote:  “not a child loved.”  When an unwanted child is born, in many cases, the parent becomes an abuser, and the child suffers emotional and, perhaps also, physical abuse.

Any individual who would take the time and use average intellect, should understand the difference.

I’ve had many conversations with individuals regarding, if laws were passed in our country restricting abortions under ANY circumstance, who would support all the unwanted children that would be born?  The extreme, religious conservatives in Congress and in some states, want to restrict contraception information and other health care by clinics to couples or women or men who can’t afford private physicians, by limiting or stopping federal funding.  State funding through Medicaid is restricted in some states, because of those states’ refusal to expand necessary funding.  It makes no sense to someone who looks at the world through clear, unclouded glasses.

What also makes no sense is the fact that women, who can’t obtain abortions safely and legally, will obtain them “in the back alley.”  They put their lives in jeopardy.  Let’s be realistic here.  If a woman is desperate for an abortion, she will try any means to accomplish her goal.  And, she may not want to “wait 24 hours to think it over.”

The ultra-conservatives in our Congress want the general public to believe that Planned Parenthood is aborting left and right – like it’s an epidemic.  And that fetal body parts are being sold as an additional “side business” to support expenses of abortions.  Not true.

From HLN:

• Anti-abortion group released video of what they contend is proof that Planned Parenthood sells organs and tissues
• Planned Parenthood insists it does not make a profit from fetal tissue
• The advocacy group says the money discussed on the video had to do with the cost to transport donated tissue
• Selling fetal body parts is against federal law

The following quote is from Vox:

Planned Parenthood uses federal funds to cover reproductive health services — but not abortions

Both Title X and Medicaid provide low- to middle-income women with financial assistance to cover family planning costs. Medicaid might, for example, reimburse Planned Parenthood when it provides a patient with an HPV vaccine. And a Planned Parenthood clinic could use Title X grants to subsidize the placement of an IUD, which can cost upward of $500 for an uninsured patient.

The exact family planning benefits that Medicaid covers varies from state to state. But generally, many states will cover contraceptives, STD screenings, HPV vaccines, and cancer screenings as well as sterilization and reversal procedures — and will reimburse Planned Parenthood when it is the provider.

For more information about the services that Planned Parenthood offer, please click on the following link:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/30/1406997/-Anti-Choice-Extremists-Shut-Down-Planned-Parenthood-s-Website-Homepage

BTW, Planned Parenthood clinics offer services for men.  I believe most people don’t know about those health services offered at the PP clinics.

 

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14 Wonderful, Unique and Funny Ways Kids Have Explained Disability

My granddaughter has Asperger’s on the Autism Spectrum. This post is a celebration of her and all the other kids who have what are known as “disabilities.” But, these kids DO NOT believe they are disabled. You will laugh at their senses of humor! 🙂

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes…

 

A shared article on my Facebook page touched me so deeply, that I had to share it with my WordPress readers:

A Dog’s Purpose?
(according to a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa , and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ‘s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.”

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said,”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The Six-year-old continued,

”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

• Live simply.
• Love generously.
• Care deeply.
• Speak kindly.

• Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.\
• When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you’re not.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.  So, love the people who treat you right.  Think good thoughts for the ones who don’t.  Life is too short to be anything but happy.  Falling down is part of LIFE…Getting back up is LIVING…

~ Source: Ultima National Resources, LLC

Fireworks At Walt Disney World

 

It was years ago that I used to travel to Orlando FL with my daughter, granddaughter, and sister to feel like a kid again.

No matter what your age, when you’re at that magical place, you let go of all your inhibitions, do lots of smiling and laughing, (and walking for many miles) and enjoy every minute.  I recommend it very highly.

We were lucky enough, one night, to have a good viewing spot to watch some fireworks (which are a nightly extravaganza), and here are some photo results:

Here is another photo, showing the entrance.

 

Thanks To Jim Obergefell, Lead Plaintiff

 

Same Sex Marriage is Legal in all 50 States

 

Bans on Same-sex Marriage is Unconstitutional

An historic day in America

.Jim was interviewed by CNN’s Pamela Brown and said, in part:

“I don’t feel worthy…it’s hard to let it sink in.”

His decision “was based on Ohio’s refusal to list my name on the death certificate of my husband, John.”

President Obama called Jim on his cellphone, congratulated him, and said, “You have helped change our country.”

After a few minutes, President Obama made a statement from the White House on the same-sex marriage Supreme Court decision.  Parts of his statement, as I took notes while he spoke, follows:

“A thunderbolt…guarantees more equality…equal protection under the law…ends patchwork system of legal marriage in some and not in others…offers same-sex couples dignity…victory for Jim and other plaintiffs and gay/lesbian couples and their children to have respected lives…victory for America…we are all free…seemed slow for so long; shift has been so quick…for all our differences, we are one people…how you love and who you love is possible now…we’ve made our union a little more perfect…this is the consequence of small acts of courage of millions of people across decades who stood up and came out…who love their children…believed in themselves and who they were…ordinary people do extraordinary things.

America should be very proud.”

Yes, indeed.

In loving memory of children-whatever age they are

I’ve been following Mimi for 1 1/2 years now, and this post really got to me. I feel her feelings and commiserate. Hearing about children being harmed or dying, is too emotional for most people. Mimi’s description of her feelings regarding the topic is spot on. Thanks, Mimi, for this post.

psychologistmimi

In loving memory of children-whatever age they are

Ever since I gave birth nearly seven years ago my appetite for the local news diminished. It may seem like a weird association but let me explain.  Before seven years ago, I could not get enough of the news. Any news channel. I loved CNN, MSNBC, local news channels.  Watching live news coverage helped me feel connected to an outside world. I felt in the know and in the now.

Then I gave birth to this little boy who came onto the world with his eyes wide open and filled with curiosity.  His first few seconds in this world I watched his eyes taking in everything. I had never seen anything like it.  The image is still seared into my brain.  I can run it over and over and never tire of it. He is almost seven now and I still watch…

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These 5 Hero Moms Will Give You Extra Reason to Celebrate Mother’s Day

To my special daughter – I love you very much. You are my inspiration.

At the end of the day …. “Letter From A Mother To A Daughter”!!

This gallery contains 16 photos.

Originally posted on It Is What It Is:
~~May 10, 2015~~  I know that many of you may have already seen this. I think this is a fitting way to end this year’s Mother’s Day. I can relate so well…

MOHS Surgery on World Cancer Day

 

I just found out that tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 4th, 2015, is World Cancer Day. I’m scheduled for MOHS surgery on my nose.  Yes, my nose.  The third time.  How apropos!

My nose isn’t going to be so happy after tomorrow!

It was four and a half years ago that I had the first two – a month apart.  It was an upsetting time, for sure.  If I had known, many years ago, that my exposure to the sun would have caused basal cell cancer on my nose, or on any part of my face (I had cancer removed from my upper lip prior to the MOHS surgeries), I wouldn’t have exposed my precious skin to that killer of healthy cells.  The sun can be and is a murderer.

Tomorrow, at 9:00am, I’ll be there in Palm Beach Gardens FL for my surgery.  It will take approximately an hour (allowing for rush hour traffic on the Turnpike) to get to the surgeon’s office.  So, leaving early has made it necessary for me to change my usual Wednesday morning “ritual” to today to give a “special grooming” to my cats – Patches, Romeo and Rusty.  It’s “ear cleaning” time, added to their grooming.  Yes, they are very pampered pussycats3.  But, if nothing else, they do have clean ears!  🙂

My sister (thank you, Merry), will be accompanying me.  Moral support is not only important; it is necessary.  I was told the surgery will take about 3 hours this time.  It’s really not the surgery that is upsetting me (but I’ve been having nightmares at night about it lately).  It’s the anesthesia that is horrible.  PAIN!

After the surgery, my next step in the process is to the plastic surgeon, who will close the wound.  This is an added precaution, because the cancer has appeared right on the scar line of one of the past surgeries.

So, I’ve been preparing for tomorrow.  In my (organizing) way.  I’ve compartmentalized the day – tomorrow – in my mind.  I want it to be completely free of any other concerns.  I do have a bit of OCD – I firmly believe it’s a family trait:  affecting some more; and some a little less.

It’s as if I’m going on a vacation, and I have to make sure the house is in tip-top shape.  Laundry, fresh linens on the bed, etc.  Dishwasher will be run this evening.  It all gives me a free mind to prepare myself for tomorrow’s ordeal, and for the recovery days afterward.

One more thing:  Lunch.  Must eat, right?  Sandwich for Merry is ready, and I will fix my usual salad for myself.  If I have to keep the plastic surgeon waiting until lunch is consumed, so be it!

 

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