When Honor Is Perceived As Missing-Addressing Honor Killings

        Honor killings are used as a way to control behaviors typically in male dominated societies, often in the middle east.  Usually, we hear about a daughter, a neice, a sister, mother, or a wife who has been murdered for violating a traditional role in their interaction with other males outside of their family.  Unfortunately, this week honor killings are making news headlines because of a New York television owner’s death.  It is being alleged that Aasiya Hassan was killed by her husband Muzzammil under the heading of an honor killing because of her desire for a divorce after some domestic violence issues, allegedly between husband and wife.

         The Hassan’s started their television station in 2004; they did so because they wanted to combat any form of anti -Islamic sentiments that have been building since 911.  They called their station Bridges TV.

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Donny Osmond Announces His Competitive Side-On Dancing With The Stars!

      Donny and Marie Osmond were taping a show with comedian Bonnie Hunt when she asked him if he ever considered following Marie on Dancing With The Stars.  Donny grinned and said that he was seriously considering it and then he said, I guess I let the cat out of the bag.  That sounds like a confirmation to me…although, I dont think the contestants have been formally announced for this upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars.

        I dont know how ABC will feel about the premature announcement…but if it is true that he will be on Dancing With The Stars…then I think it will be a fun season.  Remember that Donny sort of did some impromptu interviews behind the scenes when Marie was on. 

        Marie is famous for her witty sense of humor and her ability to razz her brother…all with the trademark Osmond grin.  It will be fun to watch that competitive nature come out between brother and sister.   Not to mention, it gets me wondering who else will be competing against Donny.   Also, wonder who will be Donny’s dancing partner…which pro?  Julianne Hough won’t be back this season last that I heard…so it will be interesting to see this season’s premiere.  Best of Luck Donny ( I am sure Marie will say that you are going to need it!  >wink< >wink<)

Update:  Donny has c0rrected the impression that he gave that he would be on the upcoming season.  He says, he plans or is shooting to be on the fall season of DWTS.

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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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Vehicle Related to Jennifer Hudson Tragedy Found-Body of Child Inside

       Breaking news…a vehicle possibly related to the tragedy of the murder of Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother…as well as, the kidnapping of Jennifer’s sister Julia’s son, Julian has been found.  There is a body of a young black child inside.  Police were looking for Julian since friday; when he disappeared after the murder of his uncle and grandmother.  Jennifer had offered a $100,000 dollar reward for the safe return of her nephew Julian.  This is heartbreaking all the way around.  Will update when the information is available.   See related post:  https://writeasrain.wordpress.com/2008/10/26/when-your-safe-place-has-been-invaded/

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Stand Up To (2) Cancer

        Do you know anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer?  Did you know that 1 out of 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime…1 out of 2 men.  So unless you are a family of one, with no friends and you are the luckiest person in the whole wide world…cancer is going to touch someone you care about, at some point.  If you haven’t had to deal with the enemy cancer yet…consider yourself blessed beyond reason.  There is a movement afoot to Stand Up To Cancer.  It doesn’t matter if it is breast cancer, colon cancer, blood cancers, brain cancer,ovarian, or any other kind of cancer…it is a destroyer and needs to be eliminated.  Please join forces to battle a plague on the world that we live in…help fight cancer.

        The goal is to Stand Up To Cancer and understand it…take it apart…so that we can more efficiently battle it and WIN!  That is the end goal.   Cancer is the enemy…it is a thief…it has stolen enough, artists, doctors, mothers, muscians, pilots, cab drivers, babies, teachers, clerks, lecturers, fathers, students, writers, researchers, husbands, factory workers, miners, fire fighters, sons, nurses, daughters, child care workers, politicians, sisters, waitresses, brothers, lecturers, speakers, wives, caregivers, grandparents, role models, athletes, neighbors, librarians, friends, social workers, police men & women, military men and women, designers, dancers, clergy, you get the idea…Cancer is not picky about who it chooses to invade and try to destroy. 

          It could be you next, or someone you care about.  Cancer claims one life a minute each day!  Can you believe that?  One person a minute per day is too many loses! That is 1,500 deaths per day… that is unacceptable.    Protect your health best way that you can, eat right, exercise, protect your environment, take your vitamins, stay away from contaminants, be aware and educate yourself.  Honor those who have fought with everything they have…help out someone in a health crisis with cancer…be a supporter to someone in need. 

          Once cancer strikes…there are many needs, physical,spiritual, medical, emotional, financial, transportation, and daily care needs.  Do what you can to lift someone up!  Life is precious.  Will you make a commitment to be a force to be reckoned with and help make an impact in the fight against cancer?

         For us to win the war on cancer it requires courage, support, awareness, education and funding.  The television networks are joining together to bring those tools to the public and try to create a historic event that will hopefully rev up the odds of winning.  http://abcnews.go.com/Health/StandUp2Cancer/  There are many celebrities who are adding their voice and their talents to the project.  They have a wonderful website that you can view here that will explain more.  In the meantime, look for the program to hit the networks on Sept 5th, at 8 pm.  You can go to the website and read up on the idea here:  http://www.standup2cancer.org/  Let’s not be idle and let others do the fighting…there is something that we all can do…what are you willing to do to help?  Let’s envision a future without cancer!!!

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The Unwritten Sibling Rule

     In my family (and I expect many other families as well) there was an unwritten sibling rule.  It was understood that no one else, in my presence, could pick on any of my siblings.  It would be a punnishable offense to pick on one of my siblings; if i was around…no one was allowed to do that…unless it was me, of course.

       Oh to be sure, we had our differences…every family does.  However, on the school playground, in the neighborhood, on the buses or anywhere for that matter…we protected one another.  It was a matter of loyalty.

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Patrick Dempsey Cancer Center

        Cool information recently came to the public’s attention about a new cancer center that Patrick Dempsey contributed a large sum of money to help fund in Maine.  His mother is a three time ovarian cancer surviver.

        I love the fact that he is giving back to the community that he grew up in .  The hospital is also one that his sister works at; and, she will help to run the cancer center.  Everyone has a mother or a sister or both…and giving to something that touches so many families is a great thing.

           Ovarian cancer is a disease that is often mis-diagnosed until the cancer has progressed past an early stage.  There is no easy cancer and all cancer is an enemy. 

          I applaude all who contribute their time and money to such a worthy cause.

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First Born Birthrights Denied

        Wow, who knew that it mattered, when you were born, which side of the blanket you were born on when it comes to getting your birthright inheritence or whether your rights will be denied?

         Is a child’s birthright not automatic when that birthparent gives the child up for adoption?  No, it can be denied in the state of New York, anyway. 

          Today, i read in the news that a woman born over 50 years ago to a direct descendent of the jello fortune was denied by the highest court in New York the right to a portion of that said fortune. 

           It seems that the estate of the woman’s birthmother denied that she was entitled to a third of the estate; because, she had been put up for adoption and, because the laws of the state said that a child put up for adoption wasn’t considered a child of the person for whom the trust was established.

        The mother of the “child” went on to get married later after putting up the infant for adoption and went on to have two additional children who were entitled to their portion of the estate because they were born during her marriage.

         Does that seem fair?  The child did not have a say about when she was conceived or to whom she was born; she was born to the woman and allegedly, to a man who was married to someone else.  Is it her fault about the circumstances of her birth?  No.  Was it her choice to be adopted?  No.  Still, i guess legally…the decision has been made.

         My question is…morally is it a correct decision?  I wonder how the birth, half- siblings feel?  I mean, obviously the estate felt that they had a right to fight paying a portion of the trust fund to this woman; but, personally, if it were me….i would feel that she was entitled to a sum of money. 

         The woman started searching for her birthparents when she was 19.  She spent lots of money and time searching.  She didn’t start her search thinking that she was going to discover she was born to a family with incredible riches that she could inherit.  I am sure that she began searching strictly for the purpose of finding out more about herself personally. 

           Whatever her personal reasons for searching; I hope she found some kind of answers to her questions when she met her mother.  She did get to meet her and find out about her birth circumstances.  Hopefully she was able to heal those parts of herself that were filled with questions when she discovered she had a NEED to know about her beginnings. 

           It seems that these questions about the trust fund came up after the birth mother died.  Who knows what the birth mother’s feelings were on the subject.  That wasn’t reported in anything i have heard about this trust fund issue with the courts.  Was the woman and her siblings able to develop any type of postitive relationship?  If so, why the issue of money went before the court is curious. 

            If the half siblings contested sharing the money…i then wonder, what makes them in their own minds feel more entitled?  It is kind of sad.  Who knows how much richer their lives could have been otherwise.  I mean, i wonder if they would find joy in knowing their sister had there not been money involved?   Maybe it isn’t just an issue of money; could it be some other reason that they feel she is not entitled to a share of the wealth?   I wonder is the sister the kind of person that would not be welcome in a family whether they had money or not?  Is she a good, friendly, moral person?

             Some how, it feels like an injustice.  I mean, the half siblings got to grow up with their mother.  The woman did not.  They were born to a comfortable lifestyle; did the woman live in comfort?  Should she be compensated for being rejected at her birth?  I don’t know.  But regardless, it just feels a little unfair to me. 

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Illnesses That Doctors Can’t Figure 0ut

     I don’t know about you…but, over the last few years, anytime any of my friends or relatives have gone to the doctor about some major sickness/disease; the doctors have not been able to diagnose it. 

       Now, it isn’t because they all go to the same incompetent doctor or anything like that.  These are all well respected, professional doctors.  What is it then, why is it that illnesses/sickness/diseases are so very hard to pinpoint over the last few years or so?

        When the body functions as it should…it really is a major miracle as far as i am concerned.  With all of the things that can go wrong…when everything goes right…it is truly and honestly because God has designed a marvelous thing…the human body.

          When things go wrong…it is scary and confusing.  At the moment, i have a sister that is very ill and no one seems to be able to figure it out and she is getting weaker and weaker.  I know several people in the same sort of position.  It is frightening. 

           So, I lift up those people to God and pray that wisdom is bestowed upon the doctors and nurses who treat patients that are ill when there is no clear cut diagnosis…may healing flow over those God has created!

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