Man Shoes- Book Review

Wow!  Can I just tell you what a joy it was to read, Man Shoes-The Journey To Becoming A Better Man, Husband & Father?  It is my privilege to review this book; I believe that the author, Tom Watson, has some real valuable wisdom to offer his readers.   Tom  was born to parents ill prepared to raise a child in a healthy & life affirming way.  He was placed into 13 different foster homes…some of which were little more than a systemic form of a physical & psychological torture chamber. 

Tom was placed into foster care because his Aunt Donna & Uncle Roy found the courage to report the erratic parental care that infant Tom was experiencing.  His parents would drop him off here and there and neglect to pick him up at the times that they agreed to.  At one year of age, he became a foster child because his aunt and uncle found the strength of character to endure family censure by reporting the situation to the proper authorities.  Tom expresses his gratefulness to them for doing so…even though he suffered greatly in multiple foster homes until he came to the place where his body and soul were nurtured.  His life story actually proceeds with joy and gratefulness.  To read the rest of this review go to:  Book In Review

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Why God…

When life throws the worst it has to offer at you; it’s hard not to ask, Why God?  Why me, or my family, my friends…why must we suffer so?  Watching the news and hearing the evil that takes place, the violence, the intolerance, the hate, the cruelty…it pushes the emotional hot buttons inside of the human heart.  It is not that you wish those horrifying things to happen to another human being…but, surely anyone who has suffered deeply wants to know why they are suffering.  That is natural, don’t you think?

There must be an answer to help hurting hearts to understand, that what is happening to cause them pain, isn’t happening because they are a bad person, or for no apparent reason at all.  The mind and the soul just needs to make some kind of sense of it all.  Understanding tragedy is no easy task.  People have differing opinions on why bad things happen. If you would like to finish reading this post click here: Writewhereyouare

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Military Deaths, Should Those Photographs Be Published?

        There is a debate brewing about whether news media should have access to photograph the coffins of returning military men and women, killed in the line of duty, when their bodies are returned to Dover Air Force Base.  There is strong controversy about whether this should be allowed or not.  In 1991, President George H. Bush enacted a ban on the photographing of the coffins.  It just was not allowed to happen, by the order of the President.

         This has been a matter of contention.  Some people believe that allowing  the photographs could make an impact on the  minds of the citizens of the United States as to the cost of war; as the death toll rises from the wars in recent years.  There are many who feel that by not seeing the evidence of the coffins, people would not understand the depths of the sacrifice that our service persons were making.  In effect, out of sight…out of mind. 

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The Secret To Overcoming Challenges

        I have been observing alot of situations in the news and in the events that happen around me…I’ve come to the conclusion that the secret in overcoming any challenges or events in life has to be in deciding not to let any circumstances or event define the rest of your life.  I think a person’s attitude or determination is the key factor.

        Have you ever known someone who has gotten stuck in life?  You know…the the type of person who just can’t seem to be able to get past a certain event, challenge or obstacle?  It is a person who dwells on all of the lost opportunities in life; any negative situations they have encountered, the after-effects or consequences from a trauma or difficulty that they have faced; events that have been a cross road in their life.  We all have them; so what determines who overcomes and who seems to be buried under a load of defeat? 

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God Help The Australians

       Breaking news of a horrific nature…Australia has been experiencing some terrible fires, overnight, that has caused major damage to some towns and at least 84 deaths.  Although that number may continue to climb as they gain control of the brush fires.   There are many who were hospitalized with burns and some of them may yet lose their lives because of their injuries.  This is the deadliest wildfire that Australia has ever had.  The areas that have been the most impacted were in the southeastern area of Australia; as well as  towns about 50 miles north and east of the capital, Melbourne.

         People have lost their homes, their livelihoods in some cases and many have lost their loved ones or their own lives.  Some people were killed in the fires as they tried to escape in their vehicles.  This is horrible; it is suspected that some of these fires were deliberately set.   If that is true; it is a crime, the murders of innocent people are on the hands of those who set these fires.  It is unfathamable why anyone would wish to do such harm.  The firefighters are bravely trying to fight the fires, which may take days to control.  I pray that God help the Australians by bringing some rain and helping the firefighters to gain control and help the people of Australia as they cope with their losses.

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Dangerous Liaisons-Drew Peterson’s Fiance Moves In

      Wow, I can’t imagine, as a parent, how horrifying it would be to me to have one of my daughter’s move in with someone who was suspected of killing not one but possibly two of his wives.   However, that is the exact scenerio that Ernest Raines, father of Christina Raines-Drew Peterson’s fiance, is facing this week. 

       Ernest Raines is extremely worried and concerned that his 24 year old daughter has moved out of the residence that she shared with her previous boyfriend, and moved in with Drew Peterson the former police sergeant from Chicago. 

        Christina and Drew became engaged in December after becoming involved with one another approximately four months previous to that.  Drew has been considered a suspect, by many, in the  suspicious disappearance of his fourth wife Stacy at the end of October 2007.  Drew’s third wife , died under mysterious circumstances, in 2004, and that death has recently been classified as a homicide. 

        It is no wonder that Christina’s father Ernest is seriously concerned about his daughter’s well being considering the fact that 2 of Drew’s 4 wives have either gone missing or died under questionable circumstances.  Not only has Christina moved into Drew’s home; but , so have her very young children, ages 4 and 5. 

        Christina is a legal adult and is free to make her own choices regarding her personal life; even if she doesn’t believe that she is in some kind of danger.  However, she is the parent of two young children and it’s not good parenting to put them in the middle of a situation where they could possibly be in danger. 

          Parents across the nation have had their children removed from their custody for lesser reasons.  There are reports that the two young children’s birth father, Tony Yauk,  has allegedly been asking authorities how he goes about getting custody of those children.  If  I were in his position…I would do the very same thing. 

          If you are a parent who perceives that your children are in danger and you do nothing…that is considered failure to protect.  I would ask Christina if her relationship with Drew Peterson is worth the possible loss of custody of her biological children?  Shouldn’t your own flesh and blood come before any romantic relationship?  If  her relationship with Drew is so important to her …maybe she should consider relinquishing custody to the father of her children; or, maybe even to her own parents or relatives; if they are appropriate people to be caregivers.

         You also have to wonder about a woman who would start a relationship with a man who is 30 years older than her; who has also been the subject of much speculation regarding previous relationships.  How do you put those concerns aside and consider becoming his 5th wife and move your children into that environment?  What needs, of Christina’s, are being met by being romatically involved with Drew Peterson?  Why would Drew Peterson want more attention drawn to him after all of this time of scrutiny from the authorities and the media?

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Caylee Deserves To Be Respected

     Ok…this is seriously outrageous.  Little Caylee Anthony, who was murdered in Florida, is the focus of an important court motion.  It is shameful that not only was the 2 year old murdered and thrown away, like an animal left on the side of the road after being hit.  However, it gets even worse because, there are “people” who are trying to get access to the pictures of the photographs of Caylee’s remains.  Matter of a fact, Caylee’s killer showed less respect for her life, than most people do when they hit an animal, accidently, while driving down the road.

       Prosecutors in the legal case are  allegedly asking the judge to put restrictions on the photographs of Caylee’s remains.  There are photographs on disk that are allegedly being given to the lawyer representing Caylee’s mother for the case.  However, reports say that big time media have paid money to get licensing rights to photographs and videos of little Caylee when she was alive.  Any kind of pictures would be of interest to those who wish to bring viewers a new picture before it gets in the hands of a competitor.  Prosecutors want to pre-empt any possible attempt of  improper use of the photographs that will be used as evidence in the case; that is just common sense.   They need to safeguard the process of the legal system, so that justice can be served without jepardizing the outcome of the case by the misuse of the evidence. 

     This should just be a matter of common sense…however, there are those who will push the envelope of decency.  Just earlier this past week…a gentleman who was skiing had an unfortunate incident on a ski lift and was suspended upside down, his pants and underclothing yanked off of his body, and pulled down to his ankles.  Here he was, hanging upside down…naked from the waist down to his feet…and, people actually took pictures and posted them on the internet.  It appears that people truly do not care about decency or respect of another person’s misery.  In Caylee’s situation, she is not alive to be humiliated or saddened; however, she had family, friends and neighbors who are horrified by the idea of having pictures of Caylee’s remains published and put on display;  for money, or for ratings.

        It is outrageous that these types of legal measures even have to be considered.  Caylee was a victim of murder.  She was tossed away and hidden.  She was not buried in any semblence of respect or caring.  She was offered no dignity in death.  She was a little girl who deserved to live; but, because someone stole her life from her, she was not protected from this further indignity.

        I hope that the courts impose very strict guidelines regarding how these sad photographs can be used.  I think that anyone who makes money off of photographs or video’s of the young child should be ashamed of themselves.  Even the pictures of a happy, living, breathing Caylee only seem to underscore the horror of the knowledge that she died too young and in a horrible way.  Programs that would use the videos and pictures to build stories around, are to me, another assault on the memory of Caylee. 

        People all around the nation have gazed upon the pictures that are already out there of her.  We know in our hearts and minds that an innocent 2 year old child should be remembered as just that, an innocent 2 year old child.  She should not be remembered as she was left in the woods.  Her short life should not be marketed for a news program or an entertainment program.  She doesn’t have to be humanized for the masses…because we all know and love other children her age; it isn’t hard to imagine what she was like. 

       I don’t think we have heard the last of things in this case that will offend us, outrage us, sadden us, or just plain disappoint us in the condition of our culture’s humanity levels; do you?

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John and Kelly (Preston) Travolta Lose Their Son In The Bahamas

     Sad news today; John and Kelly Travolta lost their son Jett today in the Bahamas.  Jett had developmental delays and was prone to seizures.  He was found at the Old Bahama Bay Hotel on the Grand Bahama Island; which is where they were spending time on a family vacation.  Jett was sixteen years old.  He is the only son of his parents; he does have an 8 year old sister named Ella Bleu.

       All attempts to revive Jett Travolta were unsuccessful.   I am sure that there will be more information coming down the road on this tragic situation for the Travolta family.  There is never a good time or a good place to lose a child to death.  It is a terrible thing to go through no matter who you are…rich or poor.   Sending prayer skyward for their family and friends. 

        The Bahamas is such a beautiful place and now it is the tragic scene of two celebrity family deaths… Anna Nicole Smith and her son Daniel; and now, Jett Travolta. 

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Giver of Life

       Got a call for a prayer request today for a young woman, recently married, who is 5 weeks pregnant and having severe pains.  Of course that is never good when you are expecting.  In the last several months, we have known several women who are expecting who were in the same situation.  Their pregnancies were in jeparody. 

         My own daughter has been in that situation twice now.  It is a fearful thing to have to be on bedrest….trying to buy more time for the child in the womb…just to get them to a safe time in the pregnancy to be born.   God is the giver of life…and he is the protector of life.  We dont know the mind of God regarding these things.  But, it is a miracle that from the time that the mother is aware of the life inside her…she has the ability to bond with that child; sight unseen.   Why are some children conceived and are miscarried or lost shortly after birth?  I don’t know.  Why are some people allowed to carrying a child to term only to abandon it or abuse it?  I don’t know.  Why is it that some people who desperately want a child are denied the opportunity due to infertility issues?  I don’t know.  Why are so many babies lost to abortion?  I don’t know.  Why are some children unwanted?  I don’t know. 

         I have pondered the mysteries of such issues when my husband and I lost two pregnancies ourselves.  Those are questions that we just don’t know the answers to at this time.   All I know is that God loves us and wants the best for us.  I pray for this young woman and her child…I know the fear and anxiety.  I also know that she wants to bring this child into the world.   Let’s hope that she gets to greet this child at his/her moment of birth and is able to give thanks to the giver of life!

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Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow-Bye Bye Bessie

        Parting is such sweet sorrow…and I know this to be true.  Today, I lost Bessie.  We weren’t together long enough.  I had only known her for about 5-6 years.  Long enough to appreciate her…long enough to know all of her faults and her good features.  We were pretty much inseperable for most of this last year and a half.  I am grieving the loss of her. 

           Oh to be sure, Bessie could be tempermental…but, hey so can I when the mood strikes.   We were only apart for a couple of weeks last year due to a very strong virus.  It almost took Bessie from me this past summer.  We were lucky…she was able to bounce back.  I grieved the loss of her then too…but, i was lucky and got to have a little more time with her.  I don’t think I will be so lucky this time.

           After I posted to my blog early this morning…Bessie made a most unlady-like , violent popping sound and then she was gone…without any warning…no goodbye…see ya later.  Nothing!  She was  most silent; not as in a temporary silent treatment either.  One moment she was there, vibrant and alive…the next minute…my beloved computer was no longer with me.  I was left alone with my thoughts.

            Last time…the computer doc was able to rescitate her and bring her back to her full glory.  This sound that she made, sounded most ominous.  I don’t know if she has any more life left in her.  She will take so many pieces of me with her if she is truly gone.   The writings, the pictures, the look and the feel of her keyboard..Oh Lord, the files; this could be very traumatic.   Ahhhh….I am most blue.

              I am sending these greetings to you via my husband’s lap-top.  I don’t like driving another person’s vehicle and i most definately don’t like writing on another person’s computer.  If only i was independently wealthy….then, i would deck myself out with the top of the line…super streamlined…computer that would hum beneath my fingers and spill out all that I hold dear, to you my friends and readers. 

           Still, until there is no hope of breathing new life into Bessie…i will have to do the best that i can to communicate on this laptop.  It will be quite some time before i can afford to break in a new computer who will work with me and not mind my lack of technical skills.  If you don’t mind…send a few prayers Bessie’s way.  She could use a little help from above,  just like most of us!!!

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