Thissss......

This man said it so well!   He said what I couldn't say in my heart brokenness as I sat in shock, watching city after city being ravished by thugs!

He Says It For Me!

Unrest

How do I say what is on my mind and in my heart.  If I let go of my filter, my words will anger some.  Yet I need to get this off my chest.  

What happened to George Floyd was wrong,  pure and simple.  He was a victim of a bad cop....and 3 others stood by and did nothing.  Unjustified use of force, Unjustified level of restraint.  Senseless.   Heartbreaking, Sad.  I understand the anger at the injustice. I understand.

The act of one should not label all.

You scream racism?  

Is violence and destruction the way to protest a wrong?

Law Enforcement is being targeted all over the country because the death of George Floyd.  

Innocent peoples shops, stores are burned and looted.  

What does that prove?

I could give two shits about color.

But I'll tell you one thing right now.....what is happening...the violence in retaliation...does nothing but solidify my thought of you....thugs....mob mentality. 

You prove nothing by what you are doing.  Your actions speak loud and clear...and they do not speak of honor or show integrity. 

You want reform?  You want your life to matter and stop being labeled?

Do something honorable....do something in George's name!  

Look in the mirror. 

BE THE CHANGE!

Memorial Day 2020

A day of remembrance.  Not only for those that have passed in our lives, but also for those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice ... their lives....for this wonderful country of the United States of America.

We take so much for granted in our lives and in this nation, especially the tremendous gift of Freedom.   Freedom.   A powerful word, especially this year.    When Coronavirus (Covid-19) hit our borders, I believe Freedom took on an entirely different meaning for a lot of people.  And perhaps, for the first time in their lives, some truly understood why it is so important and why it needs to be protected at all costs.

As the country went in to isolation mode, the suspension of certain social liberties/freedoms made a lot of  citizens weary and apprehensive.  What would this mean?   How will we survive?  How long would this last?  What will the future look like?

We are urged to stay home and practice social distancing.   Stores shut down.  Bars, movie theaters, restaurants, personal care establishments.....closed.  Jobs lost. livelihoods lost.  Schools shut down, sports cancelled, the travel industry obliterated.  Grocery stores empty of  meat, milk, eggs, bread and basic staples because of fear.  Food chain broke down; grocery supplies can't get the product on the shelves because plants are shut down, yet farmers throw away produce or let their livestock perish because they can't get the product to the suppliers/plants.   Cost of their product dwindles  to nothing, yet the cost to the customer skyrockets.  

Tensions rise.  Political divide, prevalent before the virus, is downright malicious during the nationwide shutdown and reopening.   The greatest nation on earth....crippled.

Citizens are weighing in heavily and using their Freedom of Speech to voice concerns. Demonstrations to closures, re-openings, the right to wear a mask or the refusal to do so. The right to live life or the right to isolate.  The freedom to make the choice for ourselves.  

Yet, through all the uncertainty, through all the despair, there is Hope.   

While life isn't as we have known it in the past, and which may take on a different look in the future, there is a resiliency - a strength - in human nature seen before in this country through the generations.  

We are an innovative culture.  When doors close, we open them.  When we are told, no....we say yes.  When we are suppressed, we rise up.   In times of isolation or social distancing, reaching out to each other through technology to stay connected.  Neighbor helping neighbor, the fortunate helping less fortunate.  While alone, we are still together.

As in the past, we will rise past this time of conflict, despair and hardship.  We may be broken and battered....for now....but it is a temporary thing.  

Our human nature to survive will always win.

 

Mothers Day

Today is Mother's Day for most people.....but for me it's just another day.   When my mother and mother-in-law were alive, I used to celebrate with them.  I'd buy cards, cakes, flowers and I'd always make sure that I saw them or called them - or both.   I miss those days.   I miss my Mom.     What I wouldn't give to call her up right now and tell her how much I love her and to hear her words of comfort.....or to feel her loving arms wrap around me and hold me as I pour my heart out to her.   She had a quiet way about her where she wouldn't say much....she'd just be there for me.   

She was an amazing woman who lived for her family.   Her number one priority was to see to her family and to make sure we had everything we needed in life.  She wasn't a confident woman....except when it came to her family.   In that sense she was a true matriarch.   Sometimes I feel as if we (my siblings) don't give my mother full credit or enough credit for how we all turned out.   Our father was such a polarizing man that our memories and thoughts always gravitate to him.   But Mom....Mom was the glue that held us all together.   She was soft spoken and had a funny way of scrunching up her nose when she laughed.    She was stern though and often the disciplinarian compared Dad's soft spoken ways.   Maybe that's why our memories turn to Dad more?     I don't know.   But what I do know is when Mom got riled up, you could see the fire in her eyes.  Then you'd better stand back.  LOL   (Sounds familiar).

I see a lot of my mother in all of my sisters.   Probably more so in my sister Judy though....just in her whole demeanor.   But every one of my sisters has my mother's loving qualities and deep, deep devotion to their families.    

I see those same carried on down to my nieces as they raise their families.   

If I could have her with me today, I'd love give her the biggest hug and never let her go.  I'd whisper in her ear how much I love her and how much she means to me.   And I'd pull back and look at her face, her eyes and her smile....and I'd memorize it and cherish that fresh memory to take with me in to my next 40 years.     

My mother's legacy....her love...lives on.