Baby accidentally Kills Mom

       There will be many people who will have harsh judgements about what has recently happened when a two year old boy reached into his mommy's purse and took out her gun and killed her.Now a mother is dead, a husband has lost his wife and two other children have lost their mom, in addition to a two year old who will end up with scars at some point in his life knowing he killed his mother.
       What will happen to him, to a poor toddler who did what many children do when sitting in a grocery cart. They peek, they snoop, they search and get curious. All, so very innocent and not knowing the age of the two brothers, will they hold this against him? As they grow older, will they remind him? Will they blame him? How will he handle knowing this ? He is the one, along with his brother who needs so much tender loving care.
       Blame? Sure many will blame the mom, but she took the ultimate sacrifice possibly thinking to carry a gun would protect herself and her children. This is only sad, so very deeply sad. Now for the family just love, support, don't judge and pray for those kids and husband.

Welfare, Financial Education $$$$ Receipients

       Maybe others have thought of this before but I never heard it until tonight. I have heard about a back to work program, free college, drug testing, free babysitting, free bus tickets and repeating the family welfare cycle but never anything about teaching people on welfare how to manage money.
        Many, many of us could use that but who better than those who rely on public assistance to receive training on financial education ? My son's wife came up with this. Great going Kelly ! A young working woman now with two boys and a stay at home hubby, also part-time photographer, does very well with financial management considering all unexpected things life gives and takes to and with us all :

• she uses what she has for sometimes more than one purpose, recycles
• consignment shops
• buys gently used
• exchanges and welcomes new ideas
• sews - a very good help
• has a circle of supportive friends
• a great husband-and I know many are single, so use a man in your home church, home town, a friends husband, for small repairs
• join a church
• stay in the community where you can give, share and receive help
• start or be part of community gardening
• pray

These are just a few things that come to mind in addition to a better suggestion from Kelly that those on Welfare should receive financial training so the next time you shop, before that you will have made a meal plan, one that is nutritious, then a list from that plan and your money will be well spent. The next time you plan on shopping for kids clothes, check out friends to exchange with, Church stores offer free kids clothes, as well as the Salvation Army and craigslist.

He was only 32 !

    I know, what about old people, so take from this what you can and use it.
This morning I notice a picture of a young man. He was 32, jumped off his home in Brooklyn NY. But he was just thirty- two !  The possibility of anyone doing anything for him is slim at the time, but who knows. His family did say he was having a hard time again lately.
   If someone wants to help a person with depression do this:

• Give them your phone number
• buy them a headset
• talk to them about doctors & meds ( have they missed doses? )
• see if they have family, family that is still family
• ask about hobbies and give
• see what you can do or others, like buy a months of bus passes
• check out a local Mental Health Association
• find out if they go to church
• ask about education, books, vacations, journals, music
• see if they like to garden and get a few garden boxes/containers
•  ask if they are allowed to have a pet if they rent
• be a friend

We lose too many young people because of mental health problems, loneliness, drug and alcohol abuses and I know we all do our best . As adults many will do as they're going to do anyway, so do what you can do.Maybe one day you will be that one person to change a life.

What a Rehearsal

What a Rehearsal!

Unexpectedly a call came

Sadness enveloped him

And he knew it was time once again

To rehearse and hold up his chin,

Hearing in a background

Oh no, I’m sorry, what can I do

Words never enough, never

To just get you through.

Rehearsal like the choir

Rehearsal like a wedding you see

But nothing like a death

Is enough rehearsal, for you or me.

He knows he cannot cry

He cannot shed a tear

He has to be so strong

Rehearsing without fear

He will face those who loved

And all of those who lost

A child, a friend, a special someone

Buried in winters frost

Standing tall and seeming strong

A last good-bye has come along

Grief endless and pain alone-Rehearsal for a life, a life now gone.

 

A Child's Truck...a poem a day

A Child's Truck

 

Have you seen my truck today?

or did my truck drive away?

I looked under my bed this morning

and on the porch as light was dawning.

 

I played with it all of yesterday

waiting for it to drive away

it wouldn't go where I thought

was it because it was bought?

 

Like people my truck is sometimes pretty

and some people live in New York City

I saw trucks drive in the street

where people cross and trucks will sweep.

 

I saw trucks in the country too

I wanted to travel with drivers who

saw the world with their big truck

 but my dad said I have to grow up.

 

Have you seen my truck today

I now keep it under my bed

and when I go to sleep at night

I keep driving in my head.

 

I think I'll take my truck and I will pack it full

Inside I'll put a pillow and a blanket made of wool

I'll add some snacks,  and a map of course

 and I'll also take along my very happy horse.

 

Good night mom and good night dad

Thank for imaginations you both have

you gave me dreams to wish about

when I grow up in my own house

 

I'll teach my kids like you taught me

to take your trucks seriously

I'll give them ideas and happy times

show all my trucks in neon limes

 

Reds and greens, blues and browns

show them the city and country towns

show them roads on all kinds of maps

cars and trucks without mishaps

 

Have you seen my truck today-or did my truck just drive away?

 



Moms & Dads Everywhere, The Good Ones

       How do you know if your a good mom or dad? I think if you have it together mentally then you know you are. Sometimes we don't know just what kind of a parent we were and are until they grow up and are on their own. You can also be the best parent in the world and have your kids turn out completely opposite  of your parenting job. All the love you have at times just doesn't help. Personally I believe it's the foundation which is set early on. Kids may wander from your beliefs, your role modeling, work ethics, and all that right and wrong stuff we teach them, but as they develop and encounter peer pressure, get out into the world, well they just end up doing what they want to do as individuals.
       We all know about rotten parents and wonder when we know a kids story, how did his kid turn out so good? They just decided not to be what and who they saw in their own parents. Good for them for standing up for a better life. I sometimes think it's those kids who are more thankful for the successes in life. Those kids more or less do it on their own.
       To all of those Good, Responsible and Wonderful Parents, the world is a better place. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, live long and...well you already have prospered.

Those Evil Step Parents-How Dare they

    Hey you mean step parents...what's wrong with you? How dare you try to help and support a family? You have some nerve trying to replace a parent, after all they took off, left, don't have time, not paying support, dating, have a new spouse and new kids and just seemed to no longer have interest in the children they helped bring into the world.
    On the other hand, did you do the same? Sorry, has to be asked. I know there are mean step parents who try to use a dictatorship type household to command respect from someone else's children. But, yes but there are also plain ol' moms and dads who do the same. The difference here is all about blood, how you came into the family and who does the main discipline.
    Can you simply be a support parent figure without discipline? I don't think so, but ground rules need to be set by both parents and step parents. If there is too much hostility between the adults who parted how do you think the kids will react. That is just it-they react, not respond. So do adults. Calm down everyone.
    Maybe one thing you bring to the table is ask the kids how they feel about everything. Come to some agreements and show that you do care about how they feel. Also just a suggestion, go to church as a family. You may be different religions or none at all, so start. Go to a non-denominational church. Don't start off going during a holiday. It' so busy you get lost and most people don't even notice you-unless you sign a guest book, ask for  a visit or to volunteer. Now remember this is my opinion. The Christmas holiday is coming up soon and if theres' one thing most of us know it's, Joy To The World, so don't listen to me, go to church and mend those fences before they fall down completely.
   To those who might read this , if I'm wrong(hardly ever:)) add something better and more positive. There are many parents and step mom and dads who could use some good advice as well as all of those hurting and confused kids.