The story of the Pilgrims and Indians shared every year in November leaves out something that I want to elaborate on, the date. Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving in late November? Is that when the Pilgrims and Indians had their first feast? No one knows the date of that first feast of Thanksgiving. It was probably in the early 1600 but that is only speculation. So how did we come to the designated time we now celebrate as Thanksgiving Day?
December 18th 1777 was proclaimed by our first President, George Washington, as a day of Thanksgiving to thank the Almighty God for the military victory over the British. Each year there was a different day proclaimed as the Day of Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for a various reasons, depending on the current events. None of these were held in November until 1863 when the forth Thursday of November was observed as Thanksgiving Day and continued until 1939. F.D. Roosevelt was President and he changed the date to the third Thursday of November for two consecutive years then made it a part of Federal Law that Thanksgiving Day would be held on the next-to-last Thursday of November.
If we can accept this as our National Thanksgiving Day, knowing that it is not the actual date of the Pilgrims first feast with the Native Americans, why can't we accept December 25th as the day of celebrating the birth of Jesus without having problems?
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
In Rememberance
I guess since Saturday was Halloween and it was Melissa Shaw's birthday my thoughts have been on the remembrance of loved ones lost. I heard several of her friends say things about her as a way of remembering how she was, but I also know of some of her friends that mourned the loss of her all over again on her birthday. Unfortunately some even used it as an excuse to get out of responsibilities (which is NOT something she would have wanted) but I also know that many continued on in their duties, some wearing a camouflaged ribbon pinned over their heart, to honor her commitment and devotion. I am proud of those that carry on, not forgetting or making light of her death but continuing steadfastly as she would have done herself.
I can remember when my Grandpap died, I didn't go to his funeral which shocked a lot of people. I had three young children at the time and I had been to West Virginia to visit him just months before and I knew that was the last time I would see him. We talked about God and his beliefs and I knew that he would be okay with me wanting to hold on to our visit in the hospital as my final memory of him. I want to remember the good times we had together and don't see a need to be mournful when I think about him.
Why is it that some people have to make death such an ordeal? Why do people believe the more elaborate the funeral the more the person who has dies was loved? Why is it that some people feel the must make a scene at the funeral and days and days after the burial? Some people may just need to mourn openly and dramatically I guess, I am not that way. I have always believed that the only death that should be mourned greatly is the death of a soul that is bound for Hell. I know that may sound harsh to some but this is how I feel and this is why I feel that way; anyone that has died and is going to Heaven is NOT suffering, NOT sad, NOT even missing those they left behind. Sure we miss them and wish we had more time to make memories and share good times with them but if they are in Heaven they are better off, no matter what any of us think at the time of their death. One moment they are here and the next moment they are in the presence of God. How could I be sad for them? How could I cry for THEM, even if they had a short life here on Earth; is it fair of me to wish them back? If I do it is only for selfish reasons, not for their benefit only for mine.
I hope that when my time on Earth is over my loved ones will not waste money, time and energy on elaborate material efforts to show they miss me. I hope they will perform the basic customs that will comfort them, I sure won't care anymore about what happens to my flesh. I, my soul/who I REALLY am, will be with God in Heaven looking forward to the time when everyone can enjoy being there. When my family and friends that are still on Earth once I have left think of me I hope they can remember things they learned from me that has helped them in life. I hope that when anyone would want to honor me it will be with happiness and enjoyment not in sorrow and tears. I won't be sad so don't dare be sad for me.
I can remember when my Grandpap died, I didn't go to his funeral which shocked a lot of people. I had three young children at the time and I had been to West Virginia to visit him just months before and I knew that was the last time I would see him. We talked about God and his beliefs and I knew that he would be okay with me wanting to hold on to our visit in the hospital as my final memory of him. I want to remember the good times we had together and don't see a need to be mournful when I think about him.
Why is it that some people have to make death such an ordeal? Why do people believe the more elaborate the funeral the more the person who has dies was loved? Why is it that some people feel the must make a scene at the funeral and days and days after the burial? Some people may just need to mourn openly and dramatically I guess, I am not that way. I have always believed that the only death that should be mourned greatly is the death of a soul that is bound for Hell. I know that may sound harsh to some but this is how I feel and this is why I feel that way; anyone that has died and is going to Heaven is NOT suffering, NOT sad, NOT even missing those they left behind. Sure we miss them and wish we had more time to make memories and share good times with them but if they are in Heaven they are better off, no matter what any of us think at the time of their death. One moment they are here and the next moment they are in the presence of God. How could I be sad for them? How could I cry for THEM, even if they had a short life here on Earth; is it fair of me to wish them back? If I do it is only for selfish reasons, not for their benefit only for mine.
I hope that when my time on Earth is over my loved ones will not waste money, time and energy on elaborate material efforts to show they miss me. I hope they will perform the basic customs that will comfort them, I sure won't care anymore about what happens to my flesh. I, my soul/who I REALLY am, will be with God in Heaven looking forward to the time when everyone can enjoy being there. When my family and friends that are still on Earth once I have left think of me I hope they can remember things they learned from me that has helped them in life. I hope that when anyone would want to honor me it will be with happiness and enjoyment not in sorrow and tears. I won't be sad so don't dare be sad for me.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Autumn
It's the time of year
that winter draws near;
cold winds begin to blow,
green things no longer grow.
Gold, red, orange and brown
leaves are falling to the ground.
Sweaters and jackets are what we wear;
pumpkins and apples are sold everywhere.
Winter's coming that is for sure;
snow will cover the ground so pure.
Those are the days I think unfair,
I can't hibernate, cuz I'm not a bear.
The days are short and the nights are long,
a tropical island is where I belong.
Following along with nature's rhythm
we celebrate harvest during autumn.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Reasons
Most people wonder why things happen, some do not. I can't imagine going through life never asking the question, "WHY?", can you? I always want to know the reason for everything. I am like that inquisitive 5 year old that won't stop asking, "Why is the sky blue?, Why do zebras have stripes instead of spots?".
Many people just accept things for what they are and never question it. I have always wanted to know why things happen.
I am a Bible believer so(hey, don't roll your eyes)I have read and believe that for every thing there is a time and a reason. There is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to harvest; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to cry and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;.... you get the idea, right? Because of this third chapter of Ecclesiastes found in the Old Testament of the Bible I think that all things happen for some reason, and I want to know that reason. I have discovered that not all things are to be known, at least not at the time you wish to know them; but all things have a purpose just as all created things have a purpose, just as all people have a purpose. It's hard to find out what that purpose is sometimes but there is one, that I believe to be true.
It is very hard for me to accept that there are somethings I just won't ever understand, I hold on to hope that as my life continues and as I grow and develop that I will learn more and more of God's purpose for me and and explanation for the things I don't understand. The more I learn the more I find that I have YET to learn. So I am always looking for the reason for what happens, hoping to learn yet another life lesson. I will always ask why and as long as I live, I will learn more reasons I will find to keep asking "WHY?".
Monday, October 5, 2009
Grief
Just in case anyone reading this blog feels that I am thick skinned and heartless, I just wanted to invite you to read the posts that I will have in my next Blog. I will be starting a Blog on a new topic (I haven't decided what to call it yet) dealing with death. I will write more on this topic in that blog. The posting in this blog about Melissa Shaw was written in the spirit of her strength not to make light of the loss we all feel. So don't go hating on me for the things in that post, OK, just read the next Blog on a new topic.
I realize that dealing with death is hard and each person has to handle it individually. I just wanted to clear up any misconceptions about my statement about "making it about you" in the previous post. Some just go too far with it that is all I meant to say. Oh and read my next Blog.
I realize that dealing with death is hard and each person has to handle it individually. I just wanted to clear up any misconceptions about my statement about "making it about you" in the previous post. Some just go too far with it that is all I meant to say. Oh and read my next Blog.
Melissa Shaw
It helps to write about things, it really does. It also helps to know that you are not alone when you are scared or sad. That is why I am writing about this, the death of Melissa Shaw's body. I say body because that is all that has died. Her spirit still lives, out there somewhere in eternity. Her legacy lives on, as long as we remember her. Death is never easy to deal with. Death doesn't always have to be an ending. It is our choice to find a positive way to handle a negitive situation.
Melissa Shaw was a strong person, everyone that new her well will testify to that. She lost her mother two years ago, almost to the exact date of her own death. I dare say that many people that met her during the time of her mother's death even knew she was greiving. She was a rock. A tower to which many of her friends could lean on. I beleive that one way to keep her legacy living is to stand in her place. Be that strong tower for those that need a refuge. She would have done that if the situation would have turned out differently. If she had survived and Jumper would have been lost, she would have been sad, there is no doubt about that; but she would have been strong for her friends and loved ones. She would have reached out to hold all that need holding and comfort those that needed it. She also would have been the one to grab someone by the sholders and shake them and say "Get a grip, this ain't about you." Ok maybe it wouldn't be those exact words but you know what I mean.
So take some time to greive, then stand strong as Melissa would have and don't make this about yourself. She hated drama, that is one of the last public statements she made was that she hated drama, so don't turn this into a contest to see who can break down the most, who was the dearest friend, who loved her more than anyone else. Please honor her as she would want to be honored. Grieve, get over it and be strong, stand Melissa Shaw Strong!
Melissa Shaw was a strong person, everyone that new her well will testify to that. She lost her mother two years ago, almost to the exact date of her own death. I dare say that many people that met her during the time of her mother's death even knew she was greiving. She was a rock. A tower to which many of her friends could lean on. I beleive that one way to keep her legacy living is to stand in her place. Be that strong tower for those that need a refuge. She would have done that if the situation would have turned out differently. If she had survived and Jumper would have been lost, she would have been sad, there is no doubt about that; but she would have been strong for her friends and loved ones. She would have reached out to hold all that need holding and comfort those that needed it. She also would have been the one to grab someone by the sholders and shake them and say "Get a grip, this ain't about you." Ok maybe it wouldn't be those exact words but you know what I mean.
So take some time to greive, then stand strong as Melissa would have and don't make this about yourself. She hated drama, that is one of the last public statements she made was that she hated drama, so don't turn this into a contest to see who can break down the most, who was the dearest friend, who loved her more than anyone else. Please honor her as she would want to be honored. Grieve, get over it and be strong, stand Melissa Shaw Strong!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Diversity
Wester's dictionary says that to divert is to turn away from or to change the set course of a burdensome activity. It also says that diversity is difference. Have you noticed that our natural instincts tell us to divert diversity. Why is that? We have many other natural instincts that are not always positive like selfishness and pride. These instincts can be used in good ways but they have to be skillfully taught and practiced. For example, if you divided up a preschool classroom on the first day and placed red shirts on half of them and white shirts on the other half and observed thier behavior you would find that most all the white shirted children played together, ate snacks together and wanted to take naps together. If this continued through out the year relationships would be formed from the color groups. If students were given a different colored shirt each day this would have a different effect. The students would develop relationships with each other not based on the color shirt they wore but on things they liked about each other or things they like to do together. Children may still desire to cling to those that have the same colored shirt as them but not all children would react this way, some would rather stay with the same group they were with on the first day.
What makes us want to shy away from people that are different? What makes us afraid of change?
Sometimes we need to repeat things to learn them but then we need to try new things, to learn new things and meet new people.
People that don't look like us or listen to the same kind of music that we listen to or dress differently than we do are all opportunities for us to learn something new. Why can't we accept diversity easily?
What makes us want to shy away from people that are different? What makes us afraid of change?
Sometimes we need to repeat things to learn them but then we need to try new things, to learn new things and meet new people.
People that don't look like us or listen to the same kind of music that we listen to or dress differently than we do are all opportunities for us to learn something new. Why can't we accept diversity easily?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sabbath Day
Ever wonder why so many church goers look down their noses at people who work on Sundays? Well I used to be one of them. I used to cast judgment on the people that would be working in their yards on my righteous ride to church. I looked at the waitress through rose colored glasses as she served my order thinking she should have been in Sunday School somewhere this morning. I even glared at the clerks in the department store as I wondered why they were not at the Worship Service today. I too was like those people that question your absence from last Sunday Evening Service when you return the following week. Thursday morning at school I was asking my friends why they were not at the Youth Service Wednesday night. Then one day my view of these sinners became clear; if their actions were sending them to the Devil they would have to wait in line behind me.
I failed to see that by going to a restaurant after church to eat I was requiring the waitress to be there to take and serve my order, as well as all the others that the restaurant hired to work on that day. As I sashayed into a department store I was requesting the services they offer by paying employees to be there on Sunday. How many times have I stopped at a convenient store for gas, breath mints or donuts and a soda on the way to church, was I not demanding that they be open and available to serve my self righteous self? What about doctors and nurses, policemen and firefighters, are the emergencies that happen on Sundays to be ignored? Then how about the people that work at church, song leaders, instrumentalist and pastors, is their duty not work? Do we view their services different because they work in the house of God? They are paid for what they do, that makes it their job. Sure some view it as working for the Lord, and that is admirable but it is still a job and why would their services be required on the Sabbath and not others?
I believe that the Sabbath Day is one day out of seven that is to be set aside for rest and restoration. How can it be possible that the whole world would be able to do that on the same day? I believe that in order for everyone to have a day to refresh and renew themselves we have to rotate the responsibilities. Not everyone can take off work on the same day to attend a church service, so there should be church services offered on more than just one day of the week- FOR ALL DENOMINATIONS, not just a few. People could find a local church of thier faith that has a service on the day their day of rest, because everyone has a different day to reflect and restore. I don't know if that would solve the problem of empty pews in churches but it would make it easier for all us sinners to make it to church and still be employed.
I failed to see that by going to a restaurant after church to eat I was requiring the waitress to be there to take and serve my order, as well as all the others that the restaurant hired to work on that day. As I sashayed into a department store I was requesting the services they offer by paying employees to be there on Sunday. How many times have I stopped at a convenient store for gas, breath mints or donuts and a soda on the way to church, was I not demanding that they be open and available to serve my self righteous self? What about doctors and nurses, policemen and firefighters, are the emergencies that happen on Sundays to be ignored? Then how about the people that work at church, song leaders, instrumentalist and pastors, is their duty not work? Do we view their services different because they work in the house of God? They are paid for what they do, that makes it their job. Sure some view it as working for the Lord, and that is admirable but it is still a job and why would their services be required on the Sabbath and not others?
I believe that the Sabbath Day is one day out of seven that is to be set aside for rest and restoration. How can it be possible that the whole world would be able to do that on the same day? I believe that in order for everyone to have a day to refresh and renew themselves we have to rotate the responsibilities. Not everyone can take off work on the same day to attend a church service, so there should be church services offered on more than just one day of the week- FOR ALL DENOMINATIONS, not just a few. People could find a local church of thier faith that has a service on the day their day of rest, because everyone has a different day to reflect and restore. I don't know if that would solve the problem of empty pews in churches but it would make it easier for all us sinners to make it to church and still be employed.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Emergency drama
I would like to start off with a note of appreciation to all the medical technicians, doctors and nurses that provide life saving services across our nation. Many lives are saved each hour of each day because these people put themselves in the line of duty every day. My blog is in no way meant to say anything to discredit thier service.
My children, I have three, have been in and out of Emergency Rooms no more than the average kid. All of those trips were anywhere from 6:00 p.m. up until 3:00 a.m. and for things that range from what was later diagnosed as asthma to a fall from a playground equipment. Some of those trips were during my employment of the local hospital, so I know a little about how crazy it can be in an ER. While it is not always a dramatic as what you see on TV, it certainly does have those kind of moments. However what I can NOT understand is the use of an Emergency room in place of a doctor's office visit. If you have a cough, or sinus infection call your physician for an appointment. If you don't have one look in the phone book or check with your insurance for a covered provider list and choose one from there. I mean who really doesn't have a family doctor? Everyone should have one or at least you could go to a convenient care facility or a minor emergency clinic, key word there minor. Even when my son's nose was hit with a softball during PE I didn't take him to the ER, I took him to an convenient care facility. However he should have went due to the severity of his injury but that was my error based on his lack of patience to sit in a waiting room for hours. Which exactly what some people with emergencies end up doing when you go to the ER because too many people go there for the wrong reasons. Some people go there for the flu or stomache virus when the people that should be there are people that have been seriously injured in an accident or have an illness that has suddenly taken a turn for the worse in the middle of the night (as they sometimes do), someone that is bleeding profusely certainly belongs there. Someone that has chest pains or severe and uncontrollable pain have just cause for being in an Emergency Room. However, I didn't expereince these tramas on my most recent visit to the local ER.
My daughter was at color guard practice and during the routine when she was supposed to land on her right foot she landed on her ankle and fell to the pavement. (Yes the band practices on the parking lot) I was almost finished at work and found it odd that she was calling me just minutes before practice was scheduled to end. Another band parent was on the phone and told me Joy had taken a bad fall and I should come right over. Once I arrived band practice was ending and everyone was gather around her to see how she was, I got the gist of what had happened and we loaded her into the car. Once I had gotten a chance to remove the ACE bandage and look at her ankle myself I didn't really believe that it was a bad break but couldn't rule out a fracture, after all I don't have xray vision. I would feel better having it xrayed so I decided to take her to a minor emergency care, I could immidiately think of two. One was closed so I headed toward the other, which was located on the same side of town that we live on AND it is near the hospital. Noticing that it had transformed into a Heart and Vascular facility since I last needed it's serviced, I headed to the ER. I should have known better but I have yet another fault, I don't have the medical service provider directory memorized and didn't know the closest location of another clinic to try. I knew how to deal with a sprained ankle, I had plenty of them as a teenager but also was afraid of putting it off and having a similar reoccurance of my son's broken foot that didn't heal properly due to procastination. We entered the ER, which surprising ly now has a metal detecting entrance with security guards, to find almost twenty people sitting in the waiting room. We sat in this increasingly crowded waiting room for three full hours with people that for the most part, just needed to have a shot, or prescription. These people could have stayed at home and called thier doctor's office in the morning and made an appointment or went to a minor emergency center. Instead they are sitting in the hospital where severe medical cases and accident victims are supposed to be treated in a efficient manner. This place that is to be reserved for tramas and emergencies is now bogged down with people that admit to the only reason they come here is because they don't have the money to pay for a doctor visit. Someone explain this to me, please!
To wrap up this blog, I am glad to report that I was right, my daughter's ankle was NOT broken. She had a sprained ankle and my first reaction was indeed the best. I should have just taken her home and propped up her foot and applied ice and ibuprophen for the next 24-36 hours. Went to a medical supply store and purchased an ankle brace, let her use her brother's old crutches and treated her with the tender loving care that only a mother can provide.
My children, I have three, have been in and out of Emergency Rooms no more than the average kid. All of those trips were anywhere from 6:00 p.m. up until 3:00 a.m. and for things that range from what was later diagnosed as asthma to a fall from a playground equipment. Some of those trips were during my employment of the local hospital, so I know a little about how crazy it can be in an ER. While it is not always a dramatic as what you see on TV, it certainly does have those kind of moments. However what I can NOT understand is the use of an Emergency room in place of a doctor's office visit. If you have a cough, or sinus infection call your physician for an appointment. If you don't have one look in the phone book or check with your insurance for a covered provider list and choose one from there. I mean who really doesn't have a family doctor? Everyone should have one or at least you could go to a convenient care facility or a minor emergency clinic, key word there minor. Even when my son's nose was hit with a softball during PE I didn't take him to the ER, I took him to an convenient care facility. However he should have went due to the severity of his injury but that was my error based on his lack of patience to sit in a waiting room for hours. Which exactly what some people with emergencies end up doing when you go to the ER because too many people go there for the wrong reasons. Some people go there for the flu or stomache virus when the people that should be there are people that have been seriously injured in an accident or have an illness that has suddenly taken a turn for the worse in the middle of the night (as they sometimes do), someone that is bleeding profusely certainly belongs there. Someone that has chest pains or severe and uncontrollable pain have just cause for being in an Emergency Room. However, I didn't expereince these tramas on my most recent visit to the local ER.
My daughter was at color guard practice and during the routine when she was supposed to land on her right foot she landed on her ankle and fell to the pavement. (Yes the band practices on the parking lot) I was almost finished at work and found it odd that she was calling me just minutes before practice was scheduled to end. Another band parent was on the phone and told me Joy had taken a bad fall and I should come right over. Once I arrived band practice was ending and everyone was gather around her to see how she was, I got the gist of what had happened and we loaded her into the car. Once I had gotten a chance to remove the ACE bandage and look at her ankle myself I didn't really believe that it was a bad break but couldn't rule out a fracture, after all I don't have xray vision. I would feel better having it xrayed so I decided to take her to a minor emergency care, I could immidiately think of two. One was closed so I headed toward the other, which was located on the same side of town that we live on AND it is near the hospital. Noticing that it had transformed into a Heart and Vascular facility since I last needed it's serviced, I headed to the ER. I should have known better but I have yet another fault, I don't have the medical service provider directory memorized and didn't know the closest location of another clinic to try. I knew how to deal with a sprained ankle, I had plenty of them as a teenager but also was afraid of putting it off and having a similar reoccurance of my son's broken foot that didn't heal properly due to procastination. We entered the ER, which surprising ly now has a metal detecting entrance with security guards, to find almost twenty people sitting in the waiting room. We sat in this increasingly crowded waiting room for three full hours with people that for the most part, just needed to have a shot, or prescription. These people could have stayed at home and called thier doctor's office in the morning and made an appointment or went to a minor emergency center. Instead they are sitting in the hospital where severe medical cases and accident victims are supposed to be treated in a efficient manner. This place that is to be reserved for tramas and emergencies is now bogged down with people that admit to the only reason they come here is because they don't have the money to pay for a doctor visit. Someone explain this to me, please!
To wrap up this blog, I am glad to report that I was right, my daughter's ankle was NOT broken. She had a sprained ankle and my first reaction was indeed the best. I should have just taken her home and propped up her foot and applied ice and ibuprophen for the next 24-36 hours. Went to a medical supply store and purchased an ankle brace, let her use her brother's old crutches and treated her with the tender loving care that only a mother can provide.
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