The sounds of tragedy are everywhere: howling wind, slamming water, splitting earth, cancer’s mutterings, growling of bloated bellies, clinking of bottles, jabbing of needles, mothers’ crying, and much, much more. What do we do when these sounds become faint? Distant? Far away whispers of an event or series of events that happened to “them,” “him,” or “her?” Do we keep our masks of indifference on, tuck our legs and heads in and retreat into our shells? Or do we allow sparks of empathy to combust within our minds? This ignition affecting quick reactions of assistance to “our” global family? What do we DO when we hear tragedy scream?
{this moment} – A Friday ritual. Photos – no words – capturing moments from the week. Simple, special, extraordinary moments. Moments you want to pause, savour and remember. “This Moment” is a ritual found on Life inspired by the Wee Man which I then kidnapped from Almost there by Sarah-Jane.
Feel free to share your moment below! Cheers!
Thursday Dedication is an event created by Jessica of Finding One’s Way. Thursday is a day to spread the word about another blog we frequent and share the love with a link back to that particular blog!
I have chosen Jessica’s blog Finding One’s Way for five reasons:
1. She is a survivor of domestic violence. I admire her beyond words.
2. She is a woman, mother, and designer who said, “NO!”
3. She is a sweetie and always ready to spread love and kindness.
4. She stands for justice. MLK said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We are part of a global humanity. When we grasp this concept, we will work for change.
5. She brings awareness to an important cause. We all should have a zero tolerance for violence against another human being whether it is physical or emotional.
If you haven’t visited her site yet, check it out! In doing so, you will unite against domestic violence and further a cause that needs to reach an even larger audience! Grab her badge!
Yesterday was my Christmas with my children. They returned after being gone for a couple of weeks and I was grateful. I looked at them in wonder. . .I gave birth to these two, beautiful, young adults??? It’s hard to believe. Seems like so long ago. No matter how much time keeps those big and little hands moving, no matter how much we are together or apart, when it comes down to it, nothing really changes. We’re a family. Families, despite sabotage attempts or psychological warfare, survive because you can’t kill love.
Some people try to. They mask their insecurities and fears through talking smack about others, lying, trying to buy others’ affections. These people believe, in their alternate realities, that love can be smothered, traded, stabbed, shot, bought. What they don’t realize is that love is eternal, infinite, impenetrable. Love is and always will be. So, these militant, bitter individuals can keep at it. . .stockpiling their arsenals, detonating bombs, attempting through charm to deceive. Some of these people receive wake-up calls and ignore the flashing, red lights and ear shattering buzzers.
To these individuals, I say, love isn’t going anywhere, any time soon. Might as well open your hearts to it. Let it fill those holes that need plugging. Maybe, in the process, you might uncover joy. Then, there will be no going back to the darkness, the bitterness, the hate.
Unconditional love sandwiched between respect and compassion make for some fantastic soul food. My kids receive this. From me. Have since they were babies. While, at times, they might not like me because I don’t give in to their every whim, tough. Those of us ,who had involved, caring parents growing up, respect and love our moms and dads who were quick to apologize and not afraid to say no. Kids grow up. They’ll get it, eventually. Time will be the great eye opener. My kids will see clearly how much I have adored them, do adore them. They will understand that love doesn’t die. Expressions of it might differ but it’s not going anywhere. Love is, was, and always will be.
Okay, so this is not a post for men (guys, you were forewarned). Women and female friends, you know the feeling I’m describing. Overwhelmed? Yep, good old life again. Sick kids who get better, get worse, a text from your ex-husband saying your son has a high fever and is vomiting, a call from the school’s clinic nurse saying to, “Please come get your daughter now. She came for a nebulizer treatment and has a 103 degree fever.” All while getting over cold amped up because of asthma that turned to yuck in your chest. Plus a major exam taken on four hours of un-refreshing sleep. Work (as much as I do love writing). Just lovely.
Men might understand some of this, if they are guys like my brother, who are super dads. But, and I hate those gendered boxes, most of the time it’s we, women, who bear the brunt of it. Many of us, especially single moms, consider it a spa day if we have time to shave our legs (in 30 seconds or less). Tweezing eyebrows? It’s a freaking Caribbean cruise! A bath??? We have to be at a resort. Our hair must be long enough so we can fling it up in a pony tail. Slap on a little make-up (Avon of course) and we’re good to go. Yep, then we get to deal with our monthly visitor and her gifts of ovulation, crabbiness, and the feeling of labor all over again or the host of issues that arrive when we stop receiving house calls from Miss Pain in the A$$ (I have yet to enjoy that). Fun stuff.
However, despite all of the craziness and the unforeseen incidents that pop up about our kids and our lives, we still wouldn’t trade being women for anything. So, female friends, here’s to you! Find some time (any time) this week to sneak off for a walk , lock yourself away for a ten minute bath, savor a cup of herbal tea, and shave those legs at a relaxed pace (take a whole 5 minutes to do it)! Do something for yourself and forget about feeling guilty about it!!! I’m off to finish my homework (reading ship shape by Dorothea Smart). I will get my ship into shape. You will too. But, it will only be reality, if we jump overboard (at least for a while)!
P.S. And, for those of you ladies who have no idea what this blog is about (I’ll try not to be too jealous), at some point you might understand. When you do, just remember, ship shape!!!!
