humanity
Humanity begins at home.
I Don't Believe What You Believe
The cool thing is that we should believe different things because we are different people. My world view has been impacted by genetics, nurturing, indoctrination, and inundation. What I believe is the product of my surroundings and the messages I have heard. Even when we see the world from the same perspective, the sum of our experiences changes what we see, how we view it, why it is meaningful, and who is impacted. Over the decades, I have observed members of the same families, same traditions, or same faith groups who imagine that they hold the same beliefs. Still, when questioned, they demonstrate that the truth is more relative than absolute. Our access to information and facts and opinions are at once extraordinarily open and inordinately selective. Bias may be the primary principle in belief.
By Bob McInnis6 years ago in Families
Bittersweet Tomorrows
For those of you who have not read my previous articles, I had the scare of my life Christmas Eve- a possible breast cancer diagnosis. Tomorrow, I will be going in for my mammogram to check out the hard lumps which have grown at an alarmingly quick pace. Today I am feeling scared and worried, unable to anticipate the results of tomorrow. Throughout my life, one of the hardest lessons I have had to learn is letting go when I have no control over how something will turn out. In my search to connect with others who have experienced trauma or abuse in their lives, I have realized we all share many common characteristics, but the one that stands out the most is our inability to control the things around us and the affect it has on us. I have come to accept that I am unable to change the results of tomorrow-that is not something I control. What I can is to lean on those who will help me through it, whether I have a really long road fighting cancer, or it is simply a surgical procedure to fix the growth. I can make sure that my kids are provided for, with loving, caring people who will honor my wishes. I can surround myself with those who can help me or support us all through this, and draw a boundary for those who will not. In the past 2 weeks, I have come to find out who will truly be there to help me through this, the people who have shown up for me and been there. But I have also found the ones who will not, those who simply revealed how they truly feel towards my children and myself. I am not so worried about the diagnosis itself, as I know I could get through it-no matter how exhausting and daunting that particular journey may be. What has kept me awake with worry is one simple fact: How would it affect my children? With that, I decided to do everything I can-the things in my control- to make sure they have the best outcome possible (within my control). I no longer look at them wanting to cry because of the painful outcome that MAY be, but rather I hold on to them and make new memories, ones that will stand out and hold them up. We spend our days playing hide and seek, minecraft in real person time, Movie nights with mom (and all the fixings of course, which in our household includes pizza, twizzlers, and other snacks), and mattress surfing down the stairs. No matter the diagnosis tomorrow, I have realized that is what is truly the most important. Making new, beautiful memories with my children, that they will remember and carry with them. I should draw the distinction that with this, I have not thrown out the rules of my house that have always been there. Those remain in place, but I have simply made more time and been more involved with their playtime than I have recently. They are my rocks, my center in the universe that reassure me that everything in life will be alright. I can handle what comes our way. After all, I have survived much worse and so have they. Now it is our turn to be happy in life! That happiness is ours to seize, and develop, together. These beautiful gifts that I have been blessed with are the very reason I live and breathe. They are my everything! I know they will prove to be my strength tomorrow as well-no matter what I find out, I can get through it as long as I have them. Their beautiful smiles, the joy in their laughter, and seeing their faces when they say "I love you Mommy," throughout my day- these are the moments that design my road in life. This is true love at its finest. No love will ever be as strong or faithful as that of a mother and her child.
By marion scott6 years ago in Families
Inspiration for My First Book.
Book published by: Blueberry Illustration. Author with rights to the book: Lisa Jacovsky Disclosure: this post contains references to a published children’s book, Lets Talk! A story of Autism and Friendship, that may be found and purchased at the readers discretion at common book sellers or the authors website.
By Lisa Jacovsky 6 years ago in Families
The Little but Mighty Porch
The concept of home has always ran across as strange to me. It’s as if we are supposed to have this exact physical place engrained in our minds. A place filled with our families and cherished memories. We close our eyes and see a cookie cutter house, with a white picket fence, and a golden retriever running through the yard. Everyone is surrounded together enjoying a nice dinner. Suddenly we blink and a flash of truth rushes over us as we quickly realize our own reality. This is not our concept of home. In fact, it may be quite the opposite.
By Katy Pfefferkorn6 years ago in Families
The King Who Wouldn't Castle
The King Who Wouldn’t Castle Once upon a time there was a little girl named Joey. One day Little Joey was very excited because her Uncle Chester was coming to visit. She was Little Joey’s favorite uncle because Chester first started calling her little Joey, and taught Little Joey how to play her favorite game. Chess! Every visit Little Joey tried as hard as she could, but never beat her uncle at the game. Afterwards, Little Joey would ask questions and learn something new. Little Joey heard the doorbell, and ran to the door to greet her uncle.
By Emmanuel Pace "Uncle Stinkee"6 years ago in Families
The day my entire world shook
It was 8:05pm on January 6 2020. I was sitting in our sofa, watching TV while my husband was trying to cook some eggnog for the very first time. We lived in Ponce, one of the biggest cities in the south of Puerto Rico, a small island in the Caribbean. We were living there because I started my doctoral studies in clinical psychology, in that city. I look at our Christmas tree moving slowly, swaying from side to side, in a passive way. "It is shaking..." I tell my husband. It wasn't the first time, but this time, something was different. "Don't worry sweetie, everything will be okay" he replied. I got a bit anxious and decided to text my mom, and tell her about it. I told her I did not want to stay in the house, and that I wanted to go stay with her. It was kind of late in the night to drive for half an hour, so I stayed.
By Deborah Santoni6 years ago in Families
Following My Father
Our last summer in St. Helena ended with a shock that set both Bevy's family and my family into turmoil. Bevy and I were kept in the dark for a while, but sensed something was going on. We began to overhear snippets, even though the grown ups stopped talking when we approached. One day Bevy figured it out and whispered to me, "Sylvia is pregnant!"
By Caroni Lombard6 years ago in Families
Being Homeless
Being homeless isn't always a good thing. One thing to know about being homeless is difficult when you have a baby. I had my daughter at nineteen. My husband's mom had us in a program to help us get a place. After being with her for three days, she had us move to a hotel. She was not allowed for us to stay there for more than a month. The program did not help us for the first few days because I did not have my cash aid card.
By Vicky Alcazar6 years ago in Families
