July 9, 2016
Can it be a 'good' morning when I start the day with tears? Dear God please be with the families who are suffering with great loss. I don't mean just the families of the slain police officers, but also the families of those who were killed by law enforcement. There is such great fear in our country now.. The police have always known their job can be very dangerous, but with so much anger and fear they now make decisions that later prove to be wrong. I keep hearing that we need to stop racism, and yet people keep it in the forefront all the time.
So difficult for me to understand, growing up in the 'north.' I had good friends all through my school years that were black. They were not "African-Americans" they never saw Africa. I loved them just as I did my other friends. I truly didn't 'see in color' and still do not.
The only time I think about the color difference is when others bring it up. I am so blessed that God allows me to see beneath the color and love people for who they are, not what they are.
I see couples of mixed races at the ballgames and my thought has always been that one day everyone will be of mixed blood and maybe then this divisive crap will end.
I will agree, even though it seems absurd, that parents of boys of color need to instruct them on how to behave if they are ever questioned by policemen. I don't care if you are white, black or purple, if there is suspicious activity and you RUN? You will look guilty. It doesn't matter what color you are. And if you are a young man and carrying a gun? You will be feared by law enforcement as they are also afraid for their lives.
In my opinion the only thing that will stop all of this is for all of us to find unity with each other. We are ALL children of God! In the eyes of God we are ALL brothers and sisters. We need unity in our family. We need to stop those factors that continue to instigate bad feelings. That keep the division there and add to the span of the chasm.
I wish you a good day. I pray that EVERYONE realizes that HATE of any kind is only going to separate us more and make it worse. LOVE is the only thing that can heal our counry... and God is love....
I love you, all of you, and nothing will ever change that..
July 10, 2016
This is the day the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it. I will Praise The Lord for the many blessings He has bestowed upon me. I had a good night's sleep, though I woke up late, nearly 8:30 am.. If the dogs tried to wake me earlier I didn't know it! lol
My Cubbies got clobbered by the Pirates yesterday... congrats Sarah Elizabeth McCarren. Their huge lead for first place is truly getting a lot smaller.. hmmmm
The amazing Blue Wahoos won their battle with Biloxi. I left early but the radio was working for a change! lol
For the first time ever, I saw a young woman who sat and ate her popcorn during the National Anthem... She was deliberately ignoring everyone around her, even her boy friend who did stand but did not salute the flag.
A while later she was coming up the stairs and I stopped her and told her this:
"I am so glad that you have the freedom and the right to not stand and salute the flag during the National Anthem. I just want you to know that my only brother was killed in the Vietnam War so you can have that freedom and that right."
She just looked at me and said "I'm sorry"
I hope she at least thinks about it... I've often seen players that stand with their hands behind their backs, etc. and generally they are citizens of other countries. I would not expect them to salute our flag... and at least they stand with their teams!!~
July 11, 2016
Another hot sunny day in Paradise! Another Blue Angels on the beach that I will have to miss... still haven't been able to get my car fixed.
The past two days I have read in one of my Bible studies about miracles.. and I realized that besides the 'usual' miracles we all pray for... winning the lottery, getting a new car, healing from disease, etc. We ALL need to start praying for a huge miracle in the USA and the world. We need the miracle of peace!
Not all of my friends out there pray, but we all believe in love right?
I am not a woman of color. I am not a member of the law enforcement community. I honestly cannot even imagine the trepidation and raw fear that some people are experiencing.
I AM a child of God! And the God that I worship and adore is a God of LOVE!! I was created in love! My parents did not have grehat faith but they had great love, and I was created from that love. The God I worship tells me to love EVERYONE! And I will admit that is very difficult sometimes. It's much easier to dislike someone because of their appearance, their behaviors, etc. But easy isn't the best way. I try to approach everyone I meet with love. I am so blessed that God has given me so much love to share and the more I give away the more I'm filled with love to share!!
I saw a cartoon once that I will never forget.
A man stood in the middle of two large sacks. One was overflowing with money and one was filled with love. As he gave away the money, that sack eventually became empty. But as he gave away the love? That sack kept filling up with more and more love to share.
Not so long ago I had a job that had me in close proximity with people who some call the 'unloveables.' I will admit it wasn't easy but was always my goal to treat them all with respect, dignity and love. Who am I to say who is and isn't deserving? Even today I try to walk around with a loving smile on my face as I never know who I will come in contact, or near contact, with that really needs that smile!
Yes, I am a hugger!! I try to hug everyone I can. If it's someone I just met, I ask first, but always offer a hug.
I've heard that we all need 8 hugs a day to stay healthy! How do you get 8 hugs a day? You GIVE 8 hugs a day! Remember that when you give a hug, you generally get one back!!
So here is a big HUG for all of you to start your day, and mine!
And please know what a blessing you are in my life and that I love you all very much....