September 10th

On Monday, September 10, 2001, a family had dinner together for the last time. A dad put his children to bed and kissed them goodnight for the last time. After a long day of meetings, a tired business woman looked forward to the morning flight that would take her home...but that flight wouldn’t reach its destination. A little boy went to bed in PJs with fire trucks all over them. They were his favorite, because his daddy told him stories about how he gets to go to work and ride those trucks everyday. His dad was his hero, and the next morning his dad would be the very real hero to countless others, but he wouldn’t be home for dinner that night or any night after that.

Orange Starburst

Poor orange Starburst. Undesired. Unloved. Unwanted. REJECTED. Just like the unathletic kid in PE, they are the last ones left in the bowl.

Who hasn't felt like the orange Starburst on occasion? I know I have.

I'm Naked!

A quick Google search for the most common nightmares reveals that many of us have nightmared (not a word, but "dreamed" seems too pleasant to use here) about being naked or "nekkid" as we say in my native tongue. You know the deal - you're on a stage, in a classroom, or down at (the) Walmart, and then the realization hits you...you ain't wearing a stitch of clothes.

This situation, as it should, ignites an inner monologue of critical analysis:

• Everyone is staring at me! - OR - No one is even looking at me. Which is worse? 
• Did I come here in my birthday suit? 
• Did I just strip down spontaneously in aisle 7? Why? Why did I do this?
• Why is Sponge Bob here? Maybe he will give me his pants. Why does he even wear pants? He's a SPONGE, for crying out loud.

Be the Bridge

Dear, my people -

I no more believe that you - my family and friends - are deplorable, racist, sexist, immigrant-hating, gay-bashing, gun-slinging rednecks than I believe that you - my family and friends - are nasty, abominable, God-hating, terrorist-enabling, baby-killing, freeloaders.

Can we PLEASE stop painting each other with these GINORMOUS strokes??

I (incurable optimist that I may be) believe that every single one of us on all sides of this circus, love this country and hopefully expressed that love through our votes. Maybe we can ALL just agree that we want what's best for America, even if we disagree on what (NOT who) exactly that is.

Let's stop assuming the worst about each other and try to understand different points of view. I am so so very thankful for every single person that can read this post, and the diverse perspectives that you teach me about all the time (YAY for social media!). In this age of social media, we have an unprecedented opportunity to share our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and experiences with each other. We can use this vehicle to separate ourselves even further or we can use it to LEARN...learn about the things that we weren't exposed to growing up and/or learn about what other people are experiencing in communities outside of our own. What a gift!

I'm not going to unfriend/unfollow/un-like anyone. You all have a lot to teach me, and that is way too valuable in my limited view of my immediate surroundings. You are my people, and I love you!

"In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that can bridge all divisions and heal all wounds."

- Henri J. M. Nouwen in Bread for the Journey