I have taken a little break during the holidays. Hopefully I will have something for you later today.
In the meantime, have a happy new year!
Peace.
Bill
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas Letters
I must confess that I am writing this as a diversionary tactic. My wife wants me to write one of those, "let's update people on our family" Christmas card letters. I don't want to write one of those letters. I despise those letters. Please, do not misunderstand, if you write and send out an update letter every year, good for you. I do not mean to insult or offend your time-honored tradition. It is just that, we have never written on of these letters, and that is a time-honored tradition of my own that I would really like to continue. Nonetheless, the Mrs. has roared, and no matter how much I scoff, I do not believe I will get out of writing said letter. However, it is December 22 and though the Christmas cards are ready to go, the letter is not yet complete, so I have done and adequate job of procrastination.
We have received a handful of these letters this year. They are usually accompanied by a photo of the happy, clean-faced children, and in one instance, the clean-faced family pooch. A couple of the pictures included the parents as well, which is nice, because my wife and I can talk about how much older they look. I do enjoy reading these letters, and finding out what has been happening in their family over the past 12 months.
My reasoning for not wanting to write the letter is simple. I believe if people really cared about what was happening in my family, they would already know. Why should I write a letter to let people know what has been happening in my family, when they have not made an effort to find out? If these people really cared about us, there are lots of ways that we can be contacted. We have a home telephone, everyone but the 7 year old has a cell phone, we have several e-mail addresses, a Facebook page, this lovely blog, and there is still the good, old-fashioned US Postal Service delivering in sunshine and rain. Why has our society become so busy, that we have lost the art of communicating with each other on a regular basis. Are we really so relationship poor that the only communication we have with our so-called friends is a mass mailing annual letter? What ever happened to personal interaction and friendship?
I also feel these annual letters are a tad on the presumptuous side. Who am I to assume that if you have not contacted me in a year, you actually want to know what has been happening? Maybe there is a reason you have not written or called; you just don't care. By sending a letter along with a cute picture of my kids, (and they are sooo cute!) I am infringing upon your right not to know or care. It seems so self-serving. Why not include a donation request for the family vacation fund and a return envelope as well?
Again, for those readers who may enjoy sending out these letters, bless you. I will anxiously await the update. However, if you want more information about my family, give me a call sometime, I would love to chat.
What Honey? Oh, yes dear... I am almost done with that Christmas card letter...just a few more minutes...
Peace.
We have received a handful of these letters this year. They are usually accompanied by a photo of the happy, clean-faced children, and in one instance, the clean-faced family pooch. A couple of the pictures included the parents as well, which is nice, because my wife and I can talk about how much older they look. I do enjoy reading these letters, and finding out what has been happening in their family over the past 12 months.
My reasoning for not wanting to write the letter is simple. I believe if people really cared about what was happening in my family, they would already know. Why should I write a letter to let people know what has been happening in my family, when they have not made an effort to find out? If these people really cared about us, there are lots of ways that we can be contacted. We have a home telephone, everyone but the 7 year old has a cell phone, we have several e-mail addresses, a Facebook page, this lovely blog, and there is still the good, old-fashioned US Postal Service delivering in sunshine and rain. Why has our society become so busy, that we have lost the art of communicating with each other on a regular basis. Are we really so relationship poor that the only communication we have with our so-called friends is a mass mailing annual letter? What ever happened to personal interaction and friendship?
I also feel these annual letters are a tad on the presumptuous side. Who am I to assume that if you have not contacted me in a year, you actually want to know what has been happening? Maybe there is a reason you have not written or called; you just don't care. By sending a letter along with a cute picture of my kids, (and they are sooo cute!) I am infringing upon your right not to know or care. It seems so self-serving. Why not include a donation request for the family vacation fund and a return envelope as well?
Again, for those readers who may enjoy sending out these letters, bless you. I will anxiously await the update. However, if you want more information about my family, give me a call sometime, I would love to chat.
What Honey? Oh, yes dear... I am almost done with that Christmas card letter...just a few more minutes...
Peace.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Last Minute Gift Idea... FOR ME!!!
It is December 21st and officially WINTER in the Midwest. The high temperature in Cincinnati today was 21 degrees with wind chills below zero; in other words, it is "butt-lickin' cold". Yes, it is the time of year when the weather once again seriously interferes with my golf game. I love to play golf, but am a firm believer that golf should be played in temperatures when you can actually FEEL the golf club. I also find it hard to locate your ball when it is buried in 6 inches of snow. Putting is just impossible.
I have not played golf for over 2 months, and I am going through some serious withdrawal. There is nothing like stepping on a freshly mown golf course and breathing in the smell of the fresh cut grass, pulling that big ol' driver out of the bag, pegging your ball and unleashing a 300 yard drive down the middle of the fairway. I love watching the little white ball soar against a true blue sky and land softly on the green. Placing my ball on the green, lining up the birdie putt and confidently drilling that baby into the hole. And while it has only been 2 months since I have done any of those, IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS!
Therefore, if I may, I would like to make a plea for a last minute Christmas gift. If you are so inclined and able, I would really like to go somewhere warm and play golf for a couple days. Just to break the monotony of winter in the Midwest. You see, I have small children and work for a non-profit, so going off for a week-long golf vacation has never really been in my budget, but has been a dream. I am not asking for a week, just a couple of days, maybe a weekend. The grantor of this wish is also free to join me, as I do not like to play alone. I don't even need to go somewhere fancy or expensive, I would settle for anywhere warm with a golf course. Tampa, Miami, Myrtle Beach, Australia; just make it warm.
Yes, I realize this is a rather large and tedious request, but that is why they call them wishes. I know that there are probably those of you who would like to grant this request, but do not have the resources. To you I say, thank you. For knowing that you would grant my wish is gift enough. Please know that I too would love to grant your wish, whatever that may be, this Christmas as well. However, were I able to grant your request, I would have no need of making my own, would I?
So, whatever your wish may be this Christmas, may it come true. But whether we have our wishes come true or not, I pray that your holiday is filled with joy, laughter, and that you are surrounded by love. God bless us everyone!
Peace.
Bill
I have not played golf for over 2 months, and I am going through some serious withdrawal. There is nothing like stepping on a freshly mown golf course and breathing in the smell of the fresh cut grass, pulling that big ol' driver out of the bag, pegging your ball and unleashing a 300 yard drive down the middle of the fairway. I love watching the little white ball soar against a true blue sky and land softly on the green. Placing my ball on the green, lining up the birdie putt and confidently drilling that baby into the hole. And while it has only been 2 months since I have done any of those, IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS!
Therefore, if I may, I would like to make a plea for a last minute Christmas gift. If you are so inclined and able, I would really like to go somewhere warm and play golf for a couple days. Just to break the monotony of winter in the Midwest. You see, I have small children and work for a non-profit, so going off for a week-long golf vacation has never really been in my budget, but has been a dream. I am not asking for a week, just a couple of days, maybe a weekend. The grantor of this wish is also free to join me, as I do not like to play alone. I don't even need to go somewhere fancy or expensive, I would settle for anywhere warm with a golf course. Tampa, Miami, Myrtle Beach, Australia; just make it warm.
Yes, I realize this is a rather large and tedious request, but that is why they call them wishes. I know that there are probably those of you who would like to grant this request, but do not have the resources. To you I say, thank you. For knowing that you would grant my wish is gift enough. Please know that I too would love to grant your wish, whatever that may be, this Christmas as well. However, were I able to grant your request, I would have no need of making my own, would I?
So, whatever your wish may be this Christmas, may it come true. But whether we have our wishes come true or not, I pray that your holiday is filled with joy, laughter, and that you are surrounded by love. God bless us everyone!
Peace.
Bill
Friday, December 19, 2008
Happy anniversary to me
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of one of the best/worst days of my life. On December 18, 2007, I had a surgical procedure performed in my brain called Microvascular Decompression at University Hospital in Cincinnati. My doctor, Dr. John Tew, is one of the best in the country at this procedure, so I was in good hands. For those of you who may not know, I was suffering from a condition called Trigeminal Neuralgia, and had been from over 2 1/2 years.
If you have never heard of Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), it is one of the most painful conditions known to man. Imagine sticking a taser to your face 20-30 times a day and leaving it there for about 20 seconds each time. That is what I was going through. The condition was getting worse by the day, there were no medications that I could take to alleviate my pain. Brain surgery was my only hope. I was not looking forward to having a hole drilled in the back of my skull, but I could not live with the pain any longer either. While TN is not considered a "life-threatening" illness, I believe in many ways it is worse because my quality of life was so poor. I couldn't eat, talk, or sleep without pain. I couldn't kiss my wonderful wife or amazing children without pain. The medications I took to help try to control the pain made me a zombie, (and in one case almost DID kill me). My job was being affected, my marriage, was being affected, my relationship with my children was being affected, and most importantly, my spiritual walk was being challenged.
I will never forget the first time I experienced what they call "acute" Trigeminal Neuralgia pain. I was actually taking a drink to swallow a new medicine the doctor had prescribed. When the glass touched my lip every nerve on the left side of my face fired at the same time. From my temple to my jawbone, every nerve was burning. This lasted for about 20 seconds, and I am not kidding when I tell you that had there been a gun on the kitchen counter, I would have shot myself to end the pain. The same thing happened during a meeting a work about 4 hours later, and I couldn't talk or explain what was happening, so they thought I was having a seizure or something and it freaked everyone out.
When the surgery was over, I was on some pretty good pain killers and other drugs, but I remember Dr. Tew telling me that this surgery was the only thing that would have eased my pain. There was an artery and a blood vessel fused to the trigeminal nerve in my brain by scar tissue. Dr. Tew removed the scar tissue and wrapped Teflon padding around the nerve. When I woke up, I could tell immediately that something was different; the pain was gone. My life would be restored. The moment would have been more complete had they not given me Percocet, which I had never taken and did not know would cause me to be vomitous for about 8 hours. The Dr. eventually switched me to Morphine and all was well.
Thus, one year ago today, that I stepped out of University Hospital a new man. I have not had one flash of pain since. There is a chance the pain could return someday, and there have been other side effects from the surgery. I had mild case of Bell's palsy, some numbness on my skull, and a small dent in the back of my head. I will take all of those for they remind me that life is so precious and there are so many things we take for granted. I thank God for Dr. Tew and the knowledge and skill that he has. I thank God for another day to share with my family and friends. I thank God that I have lived pain free for one year, and sincerely ask that be a trend that continues for a long time.
Peace.
If you have never heard of Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), it is one of the most painful conditions known to man. Imagine sticking a taser to your face 20-30 times a day and leaving it there for about 20 seconds each time. That is what I was going through. The condition was getting worse by the day, there were no medications that I could take to alleviate my pain. Brain surgery was my only hope. I was not looking forward to having a hole drilled in the back of my skull, but I could not live with the pain any longer either. While TN is not considered a "life-threatening" illness, I believe in many ways it is worse because my quality of life was so poor. I couldn't eat, talk, or sleep without pain. I couldn't kiss my wonderful wife or amazing children without pain. The medications I took to help try to control the pain made me a zombie, (and in one case almost DID kill me). My job was being affected, my marriage, was being affected, my relationship with my children was being affected, and most importantly, my spiritual walk was being challenged.
I will never forget the first time I experienced what they call "acute" Trigeminal Neuralgia pain. I was actually taking a drink to swallow a new medicine the doctor had prescribed. When the glass touched my lip every nerve on the left side of my face fired at the same time. From my temple to my jawbone, every nerve was burning. This lasted for about 20 seconds, and I am not kidding when I tell you that had there been a gun on the kitchen counter, I would have shot myself to end the pain. The same thing happened during a meeting a work about 4 hours later, and I couldn't talk or explain what was happening, so they thought I was having a seizure or something and it freaked everyone out.
When the surgery was over, I was on some pretty good pain killers and other drugs, but I remember Dr. Tew telling me that this surgery was the only thing that would have eased my pain. There was an artery and a blood vessel fused to the trigeminal nerve in my brain by scar tissue. Dr. Tew removed the scar tissue and wrapped Teflon padding around the nerve. When I woke up, I could tell immediately that something was different; the pain was gone. My life would be restored. The moment would have been more complete had they not given me Percocet, which I had never taken and did not know would cause me to be vomitous for about 8 hours. The Dr. eventually switched me to Morphine and all was well.
Thus, one year ago today, that I stepped out of University Hospital a new man. I have not had one flash of pain since. There is a chance the pain could return someday, and there have been other side effects from the surgery. I had mild case of Bell's palsy, some numbness on my skull, and a small dent in the back of my head. I will take all of those for they remind me that life is so precious and there are so many things we take for granted. I thank God for Dr. Tew and the knowledge and skill that he has. I thank God for another day to share with my family and friends. I thank God that I have lived pain free for one year, and sincerely ask that be a trend that continues for a long time.
Peace.
Monday, December 15, 2008
But...Sally got a Lexus for Christmas!
A Car for Christmas
By Bill H.
They come around this time of year,
Those ads that make you whine,
And dream, wish, or shed a tear
For bows and things that shine.
These ads we see each Christmastime,
They bring such joy and cheer,
with ideas that seem sublime
To get a car this year.
So if this year beneath the tree you find
a Ford, Lexus, or Koengisegg,
Kiss your loved one and then enquire
Where do you get a bow that big?
Seriously, who gets a new car for Christmas and why are they not related to me. The advertisers that write this stuff, what us to believe that receiving large, extravagant gifts is "normal" practice at Christmas. But, please, keep in mind that the true meaning of Christmas is giving, not receiving. And, while I would love to get a car for Christmas, that is really not what the holiday is about. We were all given the most priceless gift of all in Jesus, the true meaning of Christmas.
On a lighter note, Audrey's class went to the Cincinnati Museum Center today to see the Holiday Train Display. When she came home she was going around saying, "Trains go, 'Toot', 'Toot'!" Very cute, cute!
Peace.
Bill
By Bill H.
They come around this time of year,
Those ads that make you whine,
And dream, wish, or shed a tear
For bows and things that shine.
These ads we see each Christmastime,
They bring such joy and cheer,
with ideas that seem sublime
To get a car this year.
So if this year beneath the tree you find
a Ford, Lexus, or Koengisegg,
Kiss your loved one and then enquire
Where do you get a bow that big?
Seriously, who gets a new car for Christmas and why are they not related to me. The advertisers that write this stuff, what us to believe that receiving large, extravagant gifts is "normal" practice at Christmas. But, please, keep in mind that the true meaning of Christmas is giving, not receiving. And, while I would love to get a car for Christmas, that is really not what the holiday is about. We were all given the most priceless gift of all in Jesus, the true meaning of Christmas.
On a lighter note, Audrey's class went to the Cincinnati Museum Center today to see the Holiday Train Display. When she came home she was going around saying, "Trains go, 'Toot', 'Toot'!" Very cute, cute!
Peace.
Bill
Friday, December 12, 2008
Free my TV!
The topic today contains mature elements. Not intended for younger readers. This means you Michal Beth, so stop reading here and go do your homework!
I have a major gripe. There are certain advertisements that come across my television screen at that I do not want to see. Particularly in the middle of a football game, golf tournament, or any other programming for that matter. You know the ones to which I am referring. The ones that promise a more "satisfying sexual experience" through chemistry. Swallow our little pill and your too can sit in an empty bathtub and watch the sun set over the Sierra, Nevada then have a romp in the hay. These ads do not belong on network television during the day time, night time, prime time, or anytime as I am concerned. Were I to need this chemical enhancement, I am sure my doctor would be aware of the product and help me to select the right one. I mean the Bengals' game is torture enough with out an ED commercial every 20 minutes, too.
But it is not just the ED commercials that bother me. There are commercials for "female" products that I just don't need to know about. I saw a jeans ad the other day where the people in the ad were taking their jeans off, why? There are commercials for when you are "going and going", or when you can't go, and if you ask me, they all need to go. And what about "Smiling" Bob, I'd really just like to break a few of those teeth in his smile. I don't care what his secret is.
Then just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I was shocked by a commercial for a new jelly, and it ain't made by Smuckers. It is apparently made in Kentucky, and comes in a two pack; one for her and one for him. This commercial was doing nothing but openly promoting sex. Don't get me wrong, I like sex. But I don't want to have to answer the questions from my children at 4 in the afternoon about why would anyone need jelly in bed. I will never forget the first time my oldest daughter asked me what an erection was because she heard it on TV. I believe we were watching "The Andy Griffith Show" on TV Land, so you know she didn't hear the word "erection" from Aunt Bea.
The problem is, these pharmaceutical companies contribute huge amounts of money to lawmakers. So, lawmakers don't want to rock the boat and ban these ads for fear of losing their money. But I believe it is time for America to speak up, and get these ads off of TV. At the very least, limit the times for which they can be shown. Between 3 and 4 am would be perfect. There is enough sex and drugs on television as it is, do we need it in our commercials too? I believe not.
If you have a moment, call, write or e-mail your congressman and ask that these ads be banned. If enough people speak up, we might be able make a difference.
I have a major gripe. There are certain advertisements that come across my television screen at that I do not want to see. Particularly in the middle of a football game, golf tournament, or any other programming for that matter. You know the ones to which I am referring. The ones that promise a more "satisfying sexual experience" through chemistry. Swallow our little pill and your too can sit in an empty bathtub and watch the sun set over the Sierra, Nevada then have a romp in the hay. These ads do not belong on network television during the day time, night time, prime time, or anytime as I am concerned. Were I to need this chemical enhancement, I am sure my doctor would be aware of the product and help me to select the right one. I mean the Bengals' game is torture enough with out an ED commercial every 20 minutes, too.
But it is not just the ED commercials that bother me. There are commercials for "female" products that I just don't need to know about. I saw a jeans ad the other day where the people in the ad were taking their jeans off, why? There are commercials for when you are "going and going", or when you can't go, and if you ask me, they all need to go. And what about "Smiling" Bob, I'd really just like to break a few of those teeth in his smile. I don't care what his secret is.
Then just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I was shocked by a commercial for a new jelly, and it ain't made by Smuckers. It is apparently made in Kentucky, and comes in a two pack; one for her and one for him. This commercial was doing nothing but openly promoting sex. Don't get me wrong, I like sex. But I don't want to have to answer the questions from my children at 4 in the afternoon about why would anyone need jelly in bed. I will never forget the first time my oldest daughter asked me what an erection was because she heard it on TV. I believe we were watching "The Andy Griffith Show" on TV Land, so you know she didn't hear the word "erection" from Aunt Bea.
The problem is, these pharmaceutical companies contribute huge amounts of money to lawmakers. So, lawmakers don't want to rock the boat and ban these ads for fear of losing their money. But I believe it is time for America to speak up, and get these ads off of TV. At the very least, limit the times for which they can be shown. Between 3 and 4 am would be perfect. There is enough sex and drugs on television as it is, do we need it in our commercials too? I believe not.
If you have a moment, call, write or e-mail your congressman and ask that these ads be banned. If enough people speak up, we might be able make a difference.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Music of the Season
The other day I heard someone say that they did not like Christmas music. Their exact words were, "I HATE Christmas music." I was shocked and disturbed by this. How can you not like Christmas music? Now, granted there is some Christmas music recorded by artists who are looking to simply to put some more coin in their piggy. They have no concern for the quality nor the message behind the songs. These tunes and albums can leave you feeling sour. But to say you HATE Christmas music. That is unthinkable, unconscionable, and undeniably wrong.
I have a rather extensive collection of Christmas music. I love Christmas music. In fact, I have been known to listen to it in the the middle of the Summer. Christmas music reminds me that there is still decency, purity, and hope in the world. And when you really stop to think about it, with a few exceptions, most Christmas songs are about hope. Hope mixed with joy. Hope and joy mixed with peace. Hope, joy, and peace wrapped in a package of love. Sure, some songs are about grandma's forlorn journey home, or heart-broken holidays, who mommy might be kissing, or even missing teeth. Alas, there are some songs that should not have been written, let alone recorded. Yet, even songs that are not inherently religious, can still get your toe a tappin' or warm your heart. How could anyone not enjoy Bing crooning his heart out on "White Christmas" or Mariah flat-out blowing on "All I Want for Christmas is You", and, I am not a Springsteen fan, but I dig his version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Other songs like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", "Up on the Housetop", "Winter Wonderland", "Let It Snow", and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" make the season merry and bright.
The music of Christmas can bring people together. Children's church productions, a choral concert, or a Christmas parade can lift your spirits and warm your heart. If you have ever been caroling at a hospital, nursing home, or even house to house, you have seen the smiles, tears, and pure joy that singing a few simple songs can bring (even when you forget the words). Music has a power to heal that transcends the seasons, but for some reason Christmas music is on a higher plain.
Christmas music reminds us of that first noel when on a silent night it came upon a midnight clear that sweet little Jesus boy lay away in a manger in that little town of Bethlehem. The herald angles sang joy to the world from the realms of glory; oh, what a holy night. So this year, when you hear the silver bells on Christmas day, then put on your Christmas shoes and go tell it on the mountain that everyone should come and adore him, Emmanuel. May God rest ye merry gentlemen and women and it is my prayer that you will have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Peace.
Bill
I have a rather extensive collection of Christmas music. I love Christmas music. In fact, I have been known to listen to it in the the middle of the Summer. Christmas music reminds me that there is still decency, purity, and hope in the world. And when you really stop to think about it, with a few exceptions, most Christmas songs are about hope. Hope mixed with joy. Hope and joy mixed with peace. Hope, joy, and peace wrapped in a package of love. Sure, some songs are about grandma's forlorn journey home, or heart-broken holidays, who mommy might be kissing, or even missing teeth. Alas, there are some songs that should not have been written, let alone recorded. Yet, even songs that are not inherently religious, can still get your toe a tappin' or warm your heart. How could anyone not enjoy Bing crooning his heart out on "White Christmas" or Mariah flat-out blowing on "All I Want for Christmas is You", and, I am not a Springsteen fan, but I dig his version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Other songs like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", "Up on the Housetop", "Winter Wonderland", "Let It Snow", and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" make the season merry and bright.
The music of Christmas can bring people together. Children's church productions, a choral concert, or a Christmas parade can lift your spirits and warm your heart. If you have ever been caroling at a hospital, nursing home, or even house to house, you have seen the smiles, tears, and pure joy that singing a few simple songs can bring (even when you forget the words). Music has a power to heal that transcends the seasons, but for some reason Christmas music is on a higher plain.
Christmas music reminds us of that first noel when on a silent night it came upon a midnight clear that sweet little Jesus boy lay away in a manger in that little town of Bethlehem. The herald angles sang joy to the world from the realms of glory; oh, what a holy night. So this year, when you hear the silver bells on Christmas day, then put on your Christmas shoes and go tell it on the mountain that everyone should come and adore him, Emmanuel. May God rest ye merry gentlemen and women and it is my prayer that you will have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Peace.
Bill
Monday, December 8, 2008
Life lessons are always hard
The past few days have provided some interesting life lessons for our oldest daughter. Lessons about trust, values, faith, and parents. I do not want to go into great detail or give any names to protect the innocent (and the guilty). But I will share the overview.
Friday, I picked Michal Beth up at school and it was obvious before she got into the car she had been crying. Her first words were, "I am never speaking to (friend's name omitted) again, and you can't make me." Well, being the in-touch, loving father I am, I said, "OK, what happened." Again, not sharing the details, I will just say that the person Michal Beth thought was her best friend had done something she should not have done and in the process, Michal Beth was questioned by the school resource officer. Michal had done nothing wrong, but had knowledge the officer needed. Furthermore, Michal's friend had been telling her things for months that were simply not true. Michal Beth felt betrayed, hurt, angry, sad, and many other emotions.
Lynne and I prayed with Michal and told her that she should be praying for her friend, now more than ever. There was a chance she could face criminal charges and/or suspension from school. To abandon her friend in a time of need, is not what Jesus would want her to do. Michal is such a caring compassionate young woman and I am so proud of her. Yesterday, she told me that she was angry at her friend on Friday, but now realizes that she probably needs a friend now more than ever, and that she would help her any way she can. When I picked her from school today, Michal told me her friend came up and gave Michal a hug and said she was sorry. Michal told her that she would be there to talk or help however she could. I couldn't help but think that I have raised a beautiful, caring young woman. Nevertheless, this young woman is also still only a 12 year old child, which leads me to life lesson number 2.
Today, I heard Michal Beth talking about the book they are reading for the book club at school. She said it has the "f" word in it. So I picked up her copy and read a few pages and found the content and language completely in appropriate for a 12 year old girl. Especially a 12 year old girl that we have raised to have Christian values. Thus, her mother and I informed her that she would not be reading that book and I would sending an e-mail to her teacher voicing my concerns. This did not go over well with my daughter. She is a 7th grader and by definition, insecure and overly worried about what other may think. I believe she did not want to be singled out by her parents, thus giving the "cheerleaders" more cause to make fun of her. She also argued that she hears that stuff every day in the halls. But we again talked about values, faith, and that she wouldn't be able to watch a movie with that language, why would we let her read it in a book? Furthermore, she cannot control what anyone else does, but she can control what she puts in her mind. She said she understood and calmed down.
Every night I tell a Bible story with the help of some stuffed animals to my girls. Well, being the opportunistic father I am, tonight I chose to go with "... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8. We then talked about how what you put into your mind will often times come back out of your mind at times you really don't want it too. I know that Michal gets annoyed at me for such lessons, but I will not stop teaching because I do believe in "train up a child in the way [s]he should go."
Life can be hard, and when you are a Jr. Higher, even small things become major dramas. But the truly major dramas... those are the times for a life lesson from dad.
Peace.
Bill
Friday, I picked Michal Beth up at school and it was obvious before she got into the car she had been crying. Her first words were, "I am never speaking to (friend's name omitted) again, and you can't make me." Well, being the in-touch, loving father I am, I said, "OK, what happened." Again, not sharing the details, I will just say that the person Michal Beth thought was her best friend had done something she should not have done and in the process, Michal Beth was questioned by the school resource officer. Michal had done nothing wrong, but had knowledge the officer needed. Furthermore, Michal's friend had been telling her things for months that were simply not true. Michal Beth felt betrayed, hurt, angry, sad, and many other emotions.
Lynne and I prayed with Michal and told her that she should be praying for her friend, now more than ever. There was a chance she could face criminal charges and/or suspension from school. To abandon her friend in a time of need, is not what Jesus would want her to do. Michal is such a caring compassionate young woman and I am so proud of her. Yesterday, she told me that she was angry at her friend on Friday, but now realizes that she probably needs a friend now more than ever, and that she would help her any way she can. When I picked her from school today, Michal told me her friend came up and gave Michal a hug and said she was sorry. Michal told her that she would be there to talk or help however she could. I couldn't help but think that I have raised a beautiful, caring young woman. Nevertheless, this young woman is also still only a 12 year old child, which leads me to life lesson number 2.
Today, I heard Michal Beth talking about the book they are reading for the book club at school. She said it has the "f" word in it. So I picked up her copy and read a few pages and found the content and language completely in appropriate for a 12 year old girl. Especially a 12 year old girl that we have raised to have Christian values. Thus, her mother and I informed her that she would not be reading that book and I would sending an e-mail to her teacher voicing my concerns. This did not go over well with my daughter. She is a 7th grader and by definition, insecure and overly worried about what other may think. I believe she did not want to be singled out by her parents, thus giving the "cheerleaders" more cause to make fun of her. She also argued that she hears that stuff every day in the halls. But we again talked about values, faith, and that she wouldn't be able to watch a movie with that language, why would we let her read it in a book? Furthermore, she cannot control what anyone else does, but she can control what she puts in her mind. She said she understood and calmed down.
Every night I tell a Bible story with the help of some stuffed animals to my girls. Well, being the opportunistic father I am, tonight I chose to go with "... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8. We then talked about how what you put into your mind will often times come back out of your mind at times you really don't want it too. I know that Michal gets annoyed at me for such lessons, but I will not stop teaching because I do believe in "train up a child in the way [s]he should go."
Life can be hard, and when you are a Jr. Higher, even small things become major dramas. But the truly major dramas... those are the times for a life lesson from dad.
Peace.
Bill
Sunday, December 7, 2008
What Then Shall I Now Blog
I opened my e-mail today to find that a friend had found my weak attempt at a blog, and was actually looking forward to reading something I had written. She was dismayed, distraught, disappointed, and decided to tell me about it. Thus, due to her prompting, I decided to give it another go. This is now, and will henceforth be my attempt at blogging my thoughts and occasionally giving updates in the lives of my family. So, without further delay, let the blogging begin.
I have been a parent now for 12 and a half wonderful years. My two beautiful girls have taught me many things through the years. I have learned that 7th graders are way better at math than I am. I have learned pre-school teachers are the most wonderful, patient people on the planet and should be given about a $500,000 per year raise. (Special Needs preschool teachers are granted instant sainthood upon death.) I have learned that an adult male can take only about 10 consecutive minutes of Hannah Montana music before brain cells begin to die. But the thing I think I have learned above all is that kids stink. I do not mean that figuratively. I love my children dearly and God has truly blessed me by bringing them to my life, but they stink. Children have this way of developing smells that can boggle the mind. Some examples of this are the standard releasing of gasses, not bathing for days, or forgetting deodorant then sweating in the hot sun all day. But my children have special stink gifts like smearing food in their hair or clothing and leaving it there all day, or wearing leather shoes all day with no socks then taking them off in the family room and sharing the aroma with everyone. I won't even mention the unmentionable moments involving feces in places it should not be.
One day I noticed a particularly pungent odor emminating from under on of my children's bed. Upon investigation I found a half eaten bologna sandwich that had begun to decay. When questioning said child I was told she was saving it for later, but she wasn't usually hungry in her room., but she will eat it when she gets hungry. I confiscated the forlorn snack and lovingly and tenderly explained the joys of refrigeration, complete with full-color diagrams and a map to the big metal box in the kitchen. I must admit that my lecture was selfish in nature. You see, had she eaten the sandwich, my least favorite stink more than likely would have presented itself. That would be the smell of vomit. I HATE the smell of vomit. It is one of the worst smells God created. Don't get me wrong, I am not a sympathetic puker, and I will help my children when they are ill (until mommy arrives anyway). I have been fortunate that my kids have not been sick very often. So I have not had to deal with it that much. But the smell of vomit is just wrong.
So in my first blog this year, I share these insightful, clever words of wisdom. Kids stink. But I love them more than anything and cherish them, and their smells, with all my being.
Peace.
Bill
I have been a parent now for 12 and a half wonderful years. My two beautiful girls have taught me many things through the years. I have learned that 7th graders are way better at math than I am. I have learned pre-school teachers are the most wonderful, patient people on the planet and should be given about a $500,000 per year raise. (Special Needs preschool teachers are granted instant sainthood upon death.) I have learned that an adult male can take only about 10 consecutive minutes of Hannah Montana music before brain cells begin to die. But the thing I think I have learned above all is that kids stink. I do not mean that figuratively. I love my children dearly and God has truly blessed me by bringing them to my life, but they stink. Children have this way of developing smells that can boggle the mind. Some examples of this are the standard releasing of gasses, not bathing for days, or forgetting deodorant then sweating in the hot sun all day. But my children have special stink gifts like smearing food in their hair or clothing and leaving it there all day, or wearing leather shoes all day with no socks then taking them off in the family room and sharing the aroma with everyone. I won't even mention the unmentionable moments involving feces in places it should not be.
One day I noticed a particularly pungent odor emminating from under on of my children's bed. Upon investigation I found a half eaten bologna sandwich that had begun to decay. When questioning said child I was told she was saving it for later, but she wasn't usually hungry in her room., but she will eat it when she gets hungry. I confiscated the forlorn snack and lovingly and tenderly explained the joys of refrigeration, complete with full-color diagrams and a map to the big metal box in the kitchen. I must admit that my lecture was selfish in nature. You see, had she eaten the sandwich, my least favorite stink more than likely would have presented itself. That would be the smell of vomit. I HATE the smell of vomit. It is one of the worst smells God created. Don't get me wrong, I am not a sympathetic puker, and I will help my children when they are ill (until mommy arrives anyway). I have been fortunate that my kids have not been sick very often. So I have not had to deal with it that much. But the smell of vomit is just wrong.
So in my first blog this year, I share these insightful, clever words of wisdom. Kids stink. But I love them more than anything and cherish them, and their smells, with all my being.
Peace.
Bill
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