large families

Last night Beka came home from her class at UCF and shared her very uncomfortable experience in "the real world" of being politically correct,

The discussion centered on the news that the Dugger family was expecting their 19th (?) child in the coming months. "How irresponsible can people be to have that many children? The gene pool begins to run dry and those poor children will turn out to be complete idiots, morons, unable to function in today's world." Okay, I am paraphrasing a bit here but not far off the mark. The argument for limiting family size went along the lines of large families being a burden on society, financially and the impact they have on the enviornment. We tend to take up a lot of space, we tend to use up a lot of natural resources, we breathe a whole lot of precious air, we have nothing to offer this planet...just because there are so many of us???? Go figure. Now if we actually marched into that classroom, the whole bunch of us and gave them our credentials they might come away with a far different perspective on large families. We are a group of remarkable individuals. I am not blowing my own horn here. I will follow in line behind my family here. They are successful, hard working, community minded, fully functional, responsible toward out precious enviornment, healthy, making a living without relying on the government to support them, paying their own way through school, having served in the military to protect the safety of those who throw out these insults and accusations, and the list could go on and on. We have never asked the powers that be to pay for our children's education, we have fully funded their schooling from our own homeschool through the university setting.

I do not write this to blow my horn or ask for accolades from my readers- I write this to say that we are ordinary people, raising ordinary children, who become hard working, ordinary adults who may do some extra-ordinary things with their lives, but who ask for no praise, just respect for who they are: people created in the image of God. Just like all those who have such strong opinions of large families. We know many large families and they are living in much the same way as we live. They are independent and hard working. They live simply and quietly, doing the work that is set before them. They are easy to be around as they are content with the bare essentials of this life. They get along well with most everyone they encounter and are able to flex with changing circumstances.

As I write these words I realize that we are very rich in the supernatural meaning of riches. You cannot compare apples and oranges, so you cannot try to reason with those who measure success by this world's standards. The riches that we possess are hidden from the visible world of big homes and fancy cars. They are the treasures of relationship, sacrifice, service, contentment, faith, hope in all that is worthwhile and beautiful, and a connectedness that cannot be bought but can only be...can only BE.

Beka was so very wise in her restraint last night. She felt the climate was too hostile to try to defend her position. It has given us a lot to think and talk about. She wants to present her position in writing- in a project required by the professor. She will have time to make her thoughts and opinions clear and share them in a respectful and gentle tone. That will be the best way to handle this in the public arena but here, I may express my strong feelings and not hold back. I will not win the war of public opinion and do not care to. My mission is to care for those who have been entrusted into my care. I do an inadequate job of that but I do my best. The Lord will sort it all out in the end and I entrust all of this into His care.

here is a challenge...

I have committed myself to joy....
We must not be afraid to announce it to refugees, slum dwellers, saddened prisoners, angry prophets. Now and then we must even announce it to ourselves.
In this prison of now, in this cynical and sophisticated age, someone must believe in joy."
- Richard Rohr

A gift...

The dear sisters in Heart of Mary gave me a sweet thank you gift for serving on the board last year. I was amazed when I opened it to find a lovely little statue of Mary holding Jesus and then a necklace and prayer card of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Especially amazing is that I had just filled out a Secret Sister form and stated that I love all things Mary and that Our Lady of Guadalupe is my favorite!! How amazing is that? I have a special fondness for her as I grew up right next door to Guadalupe, a little town just outside of Santa Maria. I really believe that Mary has been watching over me all these years and that those early stirrings in my heart to become a Catholic had a lot to do with her intercession. So I will wear this beautiful necklace with a humble heart and gratitude for those dear friends and for our Lady, herself, who has been so near to me all of these years.

A year ago...

I have hesitated to post this picture. Life is not always picture perfect and neither is death. One year ago I spent the last few days of my dad's life at his bedside. As difficult as it was for him to communicate with us, he did his best to mouth the words, "I love you", and gave us his bravest and best smiles. He held on for as long as he could but his body was too tired and he passed into the wonderful world beyond us here. How thankful I am for being able to see him, touch him, and love him before he slipped away. He was a remarkable man and continues to live on in my heart and the memories I hold so dear will never slip away. I will always love my Daddy.

Great Quotes

1. "Well done is better than well said."
Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790)

2. "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on."
Winston Churchill
(1874-1965)

3. "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."
Mother Teresa
(1910-1997)

4. "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."
George Washington
(1732-1799)

5. "The time is always right to do what is right."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
(1929-1968)

6. "All the adversity I've had in my life, has strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."
Walt Disney
(1901-1966)

7. "Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today."
Abraham Lincoln
(1809-1865)

8. "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."
Vince Lombardi
(1913-1970)

9. "It is better to light the candle than to curse the darkness."
Eleanor Roosevelt
(1884-1962)

10. "A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
Dwight Eisenhower
(1890-1969)

11. "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Nelson Mandela
(1918 - )

12. "We must become the change we wish to see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi
(1869-1948)

13. "The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen, not touched, but are felt in the heart."
Helen Keller
(1880-1968)

14. "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently."
Henry Ford
(1863-1947)

15. "Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music."
Ronald Reagan
(1911-2004)

My Boys

This has been quite a week. The Dad is gone on business and I am here, trying to keep the home running smoothly. A birthday has come and gone. Try-outs for high school soccer are over. The outcome was not as we would have like it but we will "learn to live with it", as the birthday girl would say. But the best part of the week is that my boys have been there for me. That is the best!

Jason popped in early one morning to share some mourning with me over the loss of his grandpa, my dad. We spent time laughing and crying over that most eccentrically wonderful man and realized that we are so very much like him. He is so much a part of who we are and it is very good, indeed. No need to apologize for being so wild and crazy, just live life to the fullest. That is the mantra and we're sticking to it. It was cleansing for me to be able to share with dear son all the thoughts and feelings that I've been stewing over. It was also good to do a little grieving since I've been doing my best to keep it all so light and unemotional. Tears are good. Tears are cleansing. Tears unite us. What a gift it was for me to have that time to be together and to be real. Thanks, son, I needed that.

Today was one of those days. We were off to celebrate birthdays of Abby and her buddy from our homeschool group who has the same birthday as she has. It was a fun day for them both and the little friend who was invited as their guest. We saw a movie and had lunch and ice cream. Just perfect for 6 year olds. On the way I spoke with Noah about a family dinner and my plumbing crisis du jour. He was happy to offer advice and was ready to add our plans to his calendar. It is so good to be able to call on a son and have them ready to offer aid in whatever form.

When the practices were over and it was time for baths the reality of our plumbing crisis was beginning to grow larger than this mom could handle. So phone call goes out to the next son, Adam, who was on his way home and could drop by to help. It ended up being more than Walmart could handle and we are now on hurricance mode, which means we are turning water on and off outside our home so as not to run hot water down the drain for days on end with no way to turn that water off inside the home. It keeps you humble. It keeps you careful. It makes you very thankful for that water that you have to crawl under the house to turn on so you can get a drink or to wash your hands. This is a good lesson to learn in these days of re-evaluating out wants and needs. Water is a need and we are going to learn to be grateful for that precious, wet resource that we must conserve and work hard to use.

But the greatest thing I treasure from all of this is that God has blessed me with children, some all grown up now, who are there for me. That sounds kind of selfish but I point out their unselfishness in being willing to drop their plans to come to my rescue. They have willing hearts and hands that are ready to aid those in need. It does not have to be this family. They are there for others all the time. They are capable, willing, smart, sensitive, and I am so proud of them all.

The ones who are not mentioned in these few lines are right there behind them. The lawn was mowed by one very hard worker. Others have dreams and plans that amaze me and they are hard at work reaching for the stars. Others have been face to face with great disappointment and yet have found the silver lining in the dark cloud. Some are tender and patient. Some are full of laughter and mischief. In all these things I rejoice because no matter what happens, I am blessed beyond measure. And so I give thanks for these children, young and old, who are there, for me, and for others. Thanks be to God!

Porch