WHY I AM VOTING TOMORROW...

"The 'Night of Terror.  On Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms."

I am voting tomorrow.

Why?

Because I have a right to.  Because of the women that came before me who fought for that right.  Because of the women that were ostracized, oppressed, jailed, tortured  (and in some instances killed) in order to provide me the right to vote.

"They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air."

I am voting because in some countries, citizens are not allowed to vote.  Or, they are told whom they will  be voting for.  And if they go against their "government" they will be killed.

I am voting because I believe in equal rights.

I am voting because I disagree with oppression or discrimination in any form.

"They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women."

I am voting because I am pro life.  And by that, I mean I am pro life for me.  But, I believe that no person has a right to tell another person what they should and should not do with their body.

I am voting because I believe in compassion and helping others.

I am voting because there is no free ride.

I am voting because some people deserve help and a hand up.

I am voting for the millions of people with pre existing conditions that need health care.

I am voting because...well...I can.  As of 1920, it's my right.  It's my privilege and my thank you to those that came before me.

"When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press."

Please, vote.

And as always, choose love.





http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballot/womenvote.asp

WORDS FROM MY GRANDMA

WORDS FROM MY GRANDMA

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever. 

~Author Unknown

My grandma was everything to me.  She was the stay at home mom while my mom worked to provide for us.  My grandma was beautiful – like – truly beautiful.  The kind of beautiful that was so big inside, it sparkled out her eyes.

She was funny, and silly, and different.  My innocent eyes saw her as perfect.  She painted with me, did crafts with me, taught me how to shuffle off to buffalo, let me crawl in bed with her at night when I was scared and let me sit in her comfy chair with her and do word finds.  She let me lick the beaters, stocked my big wheel full of cookies and gum and refilled it when I’d pretended I’d “lost” them all.  She’d let me rub her soft, beautiful cheek.  My grandma had the softest skin – thanks to Ponds.  I’d feel the muscles in her arms and call her popeye.  She’d finish the food off everyone’s plates and still was small and slender, curvy and beautiful. 

My grandma made me feel safe.  There is no other word to describe how I felt with my grandma other than, safe.  Her love, her belief in me – the way she shared her soul.  I felt safe.

When she died, I no longer felt safe.  I was around 10 years old.  I’ve been working to find that safety since. 

I’ve felt her around me a bit more lately.  I wish I could remember what her voice sounded like.  I wish I could sit next to her and do word finds.  No talking, no fancy trips, no big treats – just sitting next to my grandma – feeling safe.  That was everything to me.

Now she is an angel.  I believe watching over her family.  I hope she is proud of me.  I hope she can see her beautiful great grandchildren, who would have just adored her.

These are some of the poems my grandma wrote for me.  She wasn’t on earth very long, but the impact she made in my life and in my heart is forever.

A granddaughter is someone

very, very special.

She can drink cool aid and have

the color ring adhere to her

mouth along with the chocolate chip

cookies, even after washing.  In

spite of this colorful array, she

still manages to be the most

beautiful little girl in the

world.

She puts on Grandpa’s shoes

and Grandmas scarf and carries

an oversized handbag, and is

all ready to go for a walk.

She will crawl up on your

lap and ask you to tell her a

story, and you find you still

remember, word for word – The

Three Bears, Sleeping Beauty and

Cinderella.  As you speak, she

listens as though you were a

great orator.

The songs she loves to sing!

You can sing “Ring Around the

Rosey,”

and “Jesus Loves Me”, as

if you had sung them every

day instead of the time lapse

of almost twenty years.

Spring is newer, summer

is more beautiful, fall more

colorful, and winter a little

warmer, just because she’s

around.

When she says, “Grandpa

and Grandma, I love you” –

We’re the richest people in

the world.

She’s three years old

today – our granddaughter,

Michele

Happy Birthday little one,

With all our love

Grandpa & Grandma Dishong

Granddaughter

Oh Michele –

The wonder you’ve given our lives.

A spring day is now alive with newness.

Summer, always hot, now bright with

flowers and butterflies.

The Autumn, so lonely, now full of

bright leaves and little squirrels.

And Winter, ah the cold, is white

fluffy snow, full of laughter.

The days aren’t long enough to

share each new wonder of you.

Oh Michele –

God Bless you – our very dear.

-         Alice Dishong

Christmas with Michele

Let us come into your

world, Michele.

On this wonderful Christmas

day.

To hear your laughter, darling

Michele,

As you go about your

play.

We’ve not forgotten, dear

Michele,

What it’s like at Christmas

time.

It’s in the back of our hearts,

Michele.

Almost lost in our daily

Climb.

For it’s not too long –

Only a moment –

A blink of an eye –

And it’s gone.

Let us come into your

World, Michele.

That magical childhood

Land.

Share our past joys with

us, Michele.

In your Christmas

wonderland.

Grandma

The Flower Super Moon 2012

"The moon is a loyal companion.

It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human.

Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.” 

― Tahereh Mafi

On May 5^th-6^th, get ready for moonlight! The full Moon is a special moon, as much as 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons of 2012.

Associated with this beautiful, big moon are:

Colors: Red, orange, yellow

Gemstones: Ruby, garnet, amber, Apache tear

Trees: Hawthorn, rowan

Nature Spirits: faeries, elves

Herbs: dittany of Crete, elder, mint, rose, mugwort, thyme, yarrow, cinnamon

Element: Fire

Flowers: lily of the valley, foxglove, rose, broom

Scents: rose, sandalwood

Stones: emerald, malachite, amber, carnelian

Trees: hawthorn

Animals: cats, lynx, leopard

Birds: swallow, dove, swan

Genesis 1:14 "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years:"

Luke 21:25 "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars"

It is the perfect time to surrender anything that you do not want to hold onto anymore.  Let go of old thought patterns and negative emotions that do not serve you.  Whether you write them down on paper and burn them or pray them away – let them go.

Write your wishes, hopes and dreams down in your journal.  Then set it on the windowsill and know that God and the universe will take care of it.  God knows your heart.  Trust that your wishes, hopes and prayers will be answered.

If you have personal stones/crystals don’t forget to sage them and put them out for regenerating and renewal.

As for me, well, I will be letting go of all expectations.  Expectations I have of myself and of others.  I will live in the moment and let go of what I think I should be feeling and just – feel.  I will let go of the fear of abandonment I have and accept that I am never alone.  God is always at my side, my angels all around.  I will stop looking outward for answers and will be at peace in knowing that God has already given me the answers - in my heart.  All I have to do is be still, and listen.

And as always, I will Choose Love.  <3

God is Everywhere

I don't seek comfort in the rules of the bible.
I seek comfort in the love of God.
-Me

I started reading a book today that brought up all sorts of issues.  The largest, being tossed an unexpected wrench in the perfect picture you create when thinking of how you want your life to be.

Goodness knows I've been thrown a few wrenches in my 40 years on this earth.  And I've reacted in anger, sadness, defeat, love, acceptance and everything in between.  After I feel all of those things though, I look to God.  Even if I've questioned the existence of God.  My soul knows that connection is real.

Often times, people turn to the rules of the bible/religion.  And that is great - for them.

But I tend to go right to the source - God.  God isn't about rules, lists of what to and what not to do.  At least I don't believe so.

Do we really think God is sitting around determining what is and what is not "sin?"  Do we really feel that God has a list of what is and is not acceptable from a religious view point?  Do we truly believe that God is watching to see who is following the most rules?  Are we interpreting Gods own words in a way that will suit the world?  Or are we maybe supposed to interpret God's word in our own way?  As an individual?  Through God's own gifts walking the path that God laid out for us.  Individually.

Of course, this is just my opinion.  And this is just what works for me.  I've never been one to follow the masses or believe what was told to me without following my heart.  That instinct/gift that God gave me - gave us all.  When we are born, we are given the way to God in our souls.  An imprint, so to speak.  It is up to us to listen, follow, believe in our own way.

Tradition/religion is a beautiful thing, when practiced with love, tolerance and acceptance.  When it is forced upon other people, it is no longer about God, it is about the person.  And thus, loses all credibility.

Reading that book I realized that our paths with God are so very individual.  God is so great and is everywhere, in all things.  God has created different paths for our souls to walk.

When a wrench is thrown my way, I look to God.  Not outside at what others are thinking, believing, feeling - but what is happening between myself and God.  It's a personal thing.  Beautiful and divine.  And I am so very grateful for it.

When a wrench is thrown into your life - look to God.  Not rules, God.

And always, Choose Love.

Peace.

 

A mothers fierce love...

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.  ~Elizabeth Stone

Remember.

As I sit here going through all of my sons’ old medical records (evaluations, MRI’s, CAT scans, GI studies, etc.) the feelings come rushing back.  I remember the worry, the fear, the unknown path I was walking and how alone I felt.  Will my child grow up and be happy?  Will people make fun of him?  Will he be loved by others?  Will he be safe? 

When you have brought up kids, there are memories you store directly in your tear ducts.  ~Robert Brault

A new, familiar path.

We are getting ready to head down a new path.  My son, who has come leaps and bounds, is getting ready for another myriad of tests, studies and diagnoses’ and treatments.  We’ve had two years reprieve.  Two years where we just lived.  We purposefully forgot about his issues, his diagnosis’s.  We forgot about the years of therapies he attended multiple times a week.  We forgot about the tests, the doctors, the meetings.  We lived.

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children.  One is roots.  The other is wings.  ~Hodding Carter, Jr.

Collide.

And now there is no more forgetting.  We need to face whatever it is that needs to be dealt with.  Our safe world is now colliding with the unknown.

Kids spell love T-I-M-E.  ~John Crudele

The unknown.

It’s a scary place, the unknown.  Yes, the tests, the doctors, the paperwork, the monetary issues are all scary.  But it’s the unknown that is the most frightening.  My son knows something is different about him.  And much like the doctors, he can’t quite figure out what it is.

Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music.  ~William Stafford

Balance.

Advocating for a child with special needs while making sure his twin brother is still fulfilled and given the same amount of attention and love is a tricky balance.  They are blessed to have each other.  It is hard to explain to a child why his brother receives so much special attention.  But he understands.  He always has.  Maybe it’s the twin connection.  Or maybe, he was born with a compassion that is just so very rare. 

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.  ~Marc Brown

Fierce love.

He is so very loved.  As is his twin brother.  And there is safety in that.  From the beginning I’ve had to fight for my babies.  To conceive them, to carry them to term, to birth them and then to get my child diagnosed and treated.  I fought with the most love I have ever felt in my life.  This love is fierce and nothing can ever make this love stop or lessen.  It’s a love that is unexplainable and unstoppable.  It’s a love the makes me smile when there is no reason to.  It’s a love that allows me to fight when my body and spirit feel their weakest.

While we try to teach our children all about life,

Our children teach us what life is all about.

~Angela Schwindt

The future.

We don’t control the future.  We control how we react to what comes our way.  What I know for sure is this – my children are my rainbows and there is NOTHING that I won’t do to make sure they know they are loved, safe and worthy. 

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity; it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path. ~Agatha Christie

Onward my sweet Noah Beanie.  You are strong, you are smart, you are compassionate and you are important.

We will get through this.  Because we have each other.

Choose Love.

A New Year

A New Year

When someone walks out of your life,

let them.

they are just making room

for someone better to walk in.

A New Year means new hope, new goals, new dreams and the knowing that wonderful new memories will be made.  A New Year means letting go of the negative thoughts, people and situations that are holding you back.  A New Year is another chance to treat yourself like the beautiful, sacred soul that you are.  A New Year is another chance to start fresh – let go and believe in yourself.  Believe in your worthiness, your self worth.

First – Let Go.

Sometimes you need to let people go.  Though it may be a hard thing to do, because of the love you once shared for someone, or the time you feel you wasted if they just exit from your life now, it is often necessary.  Let them go, with love and look forward with love.

Let go of the negative thoughts you have about yourself.  If you had a friend that talked to you the same way you talk to yourself, how long would you keep that friend?  Think about it.

Second – Believe.

There are billions of people in this world!  There is most certainly someone out there who will show you compassion, give you more of their time and tell you how much they appreciate and love you and treat you the way you deserve to be treated.  Believe that you are worthy of the very best a person has to offer.

Third – Trust.

God, your guides and your angels are all working together to bring the people that you deserve in your life to you.  Open your heart and trust.  Love can not walk into a closed heart.  Trust that when you know you deserve better, you will be shown better. 

A New Year means the promise of all good things.

Let go, believe and trust.

Choose Love.