Thursday, November 25, 2010

Helping others in Austin's name.

Tuesday I served dinner on the street to street people. As I do things for others, I feel like I am closer to Austin. I feel his smile on me as I feed hungry people.

Yesterday my husband cooked 2 big turkeys for hardworking Mexicans that risked everything to live and work in our great country.

Today we have 2 of our daughters in our home in Savannah to eat turkey and be thankful to live in this great country that is so generous.

My son, Ryan, can't be with us this holiday. I miss having him here, but I am also very happy that he has a job that he loves.

I am thankful for so very much, in spite of the tears in my eyes. That is the life of a mother that has lost a child. All emotions are mixed in with grief that never leaves the soul.

Monday, September 13, 2010

September 16, 2005


Sept. 16, 2005 my Austin died at age 24. It will be 5 years this Thursday. It hurts like it was 5 seconds ago. I can't accept the time passing, the gap of his absence lengthening...

Our country has divided itself with hate groups when we need to collectively come together in peace. Isn't the reason obvious? Austin had a kind and generous heart of great magnitude. Without Austin, the world is out of balance. I am out of balance.

It is all can do to remember to breathe... in and out, in and out. Seriously. I catch myself gasping like a goldfish out of water. Who knew that a simple thing like breathing could be complicated when your heart has been permanently broken.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Why do we need the Health Bill passed, you ask?

What makes you think that the health bill will cause more abortions? I can promise you that NOBODY ever wants an abortion. I, personally, have never had an unplanned pregnancy, but I know that I have no right to judge others' circumstances. Planned Parenthood is always being beat up (and blown up) about abortions, but it's primary business is taking care of a women's' health and PREVENTING pregnancies.

You are frightened of your husband's business closing? Preventive healthcare should help keep his employees healthier. At this time, you don't know the when/if of how this may affect your specific business.

The "elderly out to pasture" is misconstrued. I have an "advance health care directive" and so should everybody, young or old. I do not want to exist solely dependent on tubes and machinery while my brain is dead.

America is a compassionate country. What people fail to realize is that we aren't the only compassionate country that reached out Haiti and Chili's earthquakes. Many countries sent money and help to New Orleans, also.

But we are not perfect. We also tend to be "holier than thou", forgetting that we actually used other human beings as slaves to do our labor. Living in the South (Georgia) now and even though I knew my family's history as staunch Union supporters that was with Sherman in The March to The Sea, I didn't fully comprehend the reality of slavery. Yet, there are people that actually seem proud of the South's history and flaunt the confederate flag. Shame on them.

As an American that travels overseas, I am always amazed and delighted that every country I go to knows how to communicate with me in English. Here in America, You are likely to hear a (forgive me) redneck say, "This here's America! Speak English!" Minimally, we should all have been taught Spanish, considering we border Mexico.

As some of my Christian friends say, "WWJD?" Considering that Jesus was a compassionate, empathetic, democratic, non-judgmental Jewish man, what do you think he would do?

But for the grace of G*D, go I.