I didn't really like high school. I had my small circle of friends who I adored, but in general the importance put on looks and clothes and what you had... ick. Judgments Judgments everywhere. I looked forward to being an adult. To when people would understand that if we all thought the same... if we all looked the same... if we all wanted the same things, the world would be SO boring. The beauty of our world is that there ARE people who want to have 19 kids, and there are people who WANT to focus solely on the career that is their passion in life. The beauty of our world is that there are people who feel that their lives are made whole by worshiping a Savior, and those who feel their lives are be made whole by worshiping a football team. Differences... differences everywhere.
It's an old comparison, but it's true. Imagine a quilt made of all the same material. It would keep you warm at night, but looking at it wouldn't make you gaze at it's beauty. Now... imagine a quilt made of hundreds of colors and patterns and textures... intricately sewn together in a pattern that rivals the greatest works of Da Vinci or Picasso. It too keeps you warm, but brings beauty into your life. Which would you choose?
I blog. I read blogs. I tweet. I facebook. And I'm getting close to stopping all of them. I'm so tired of nastiness and narrow-mindedness and judgment and cattiness. I'm so tired of little comments made that seem to indicate that if someone isn't EXACTLY like you, then they are "weird" or "dumb" or "insert cool derogatory term of the day." Really? REALLY? We're in our 30's and 40's and 50's and we're STILL doing this?
What would we think if it was our kids? What would we say to them if we found out they were being mean to someone on the playground just because that person were "different"? I know I wouldn't stand for it. Why is it ok to do as a grown up? Aren't we to be setting an example?
Please. Remember. That funny user name on Twitter... that clever blog Title... those are public faces of REAL people. People who have hearts and feelings and who have people who love them and think they hung the moon.
Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Reflections on Memorial Day
The Big Gulp* and I had a pretty mellow day. Slept late... realized we had nothing for breakfast about 11... went out and got groceries... came home and had lunch. Went to the pool for a couple hours... ate supper.
Then we planned to go to Stone Mountain park for the Laser Light Show with Special Memorial Day... extras.
Of course it was raining up to about the time we were to leave. But the showers passed and by the time we got to the big lawn to watch the show, the stars were even out.
They had music blasting and The Big Gulp were dancing and having a grand time. The lights went out and the show began.
With fireworks.
2 of those bright bright spot ones that make the REALLY loud bang.
All I associate with that sound is happiness. 4th of July's spent with my mom and grandma watching the fireworks as we ate our popcorn. The sign of the end of the day at Sea World, standing shoulder to shoulder and front to back in a throng of people that all smell strongly of sunscreen and faintly of fish.
But for the veterans in the crowd... and for people in a great many nations in our world, that sound would be the sound of terror. Of violence. Of death.
Now, I'm not ignoring those in our country who have been victims of violent attacks, but I think for the vast majority of Americans, their thoughts upon hearing that sound would be the same as mine.
Tears poured down my cheeks. The overwhelming thankfulness that because of the sacrifice of over a million men and women, that sound doesn't strike fear into my heart, it sparks joy. Our language does not contain the proper words to express my gratitude.
________________________________________________
*The Big Gulp - because they are now 7 and 11, The Ladies will be referred to as "The Big Gulp" until December. (For those of you without prior knowledge of 7/11's, their signature big drink is called "The Big Gulp")
Then we planned to go to Stone Mountain park for the Laser Light Show with Special Memorial Day... extras.
Of course it was raining up to about the time we were to leave. But the showers passed and by the time we got to the big lawn to watch the show, the stars were even out.
They had music blasting and The Big Gulp were dancing and having a grand time. The lights went out and the show began.
With fireworks.
2 of those bright bright spot ones that make the REALLY loud bang.
All I associate with that sound is happiness. 4th of July's spent with my mom and grandma watching the fireworks as we ate our popcorn. The sign of the end of the day at Sea World, standing shoulder to shoulder and front to back in a throng of people that all smell strongly of sunscreen and faintly of fish.
But for the veterans in the crowd... and for people in a great many nations in our world, that sound would be the sound of terror. Of violence. Of death.
Now, I'm not ignoring those in our country who have been victims of violent attacks, but I think for the vast majority of Americans, their thoughts upon hearing that sound would be the same as mine.
Tears poured down my cheeks. The overwhelming thankfulness that because of the sacrifice of over a million men and women, that sound doesn't strike fear into my heart, it sparks joy. Our language does not contain the proper words to express my gratitude.
________________________________________________
*The Big Gulp - because they are now 7 and 11, The Ladies will be referred to as "The Big Gulp" until December. (For those of you without prior knowledge of 7/11's, their signature big drink is called "The Big Gulp")
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