In Protest

There will be a vigil in Great Bend tonight for a murdered 14 year old girl.
She was quite possibly a troubled young girl. She was murdered in a way that no one except a forensics specialitst might be able to determine, but escapes the rest of us at this point.
So there is to be a vigil at Jack Kilby square in the middle of Great Bend, Kansas. There might be a few speakers to proclaim the glory of God and how we should turn to him now.
The event (and that seems to be what it has turned into) has attracted the attention of Fred Phelps and his church of hate. Seems he is going to show up and picket the vigil and spread the word of hate of "fags" and how the world is going to hell and how the girl's murder is yet another punishment from God for loving queers. Just a special time.
Along with Fred will be the Freedom riders and the Patriot guard, in all their flag waving attire and glory. They will be protesting Fred.
This is where my hackles start to rise.
Rather than paying attention to a quacking hate monger, why not turn their backs on him and support the family. Have the riders leave their patriotic attire at home and support the family as common people recognizing the agonizing grief these people are experiencing. Say the prayers for the dead. Say the prayers for the living. Come together in compassion.
Not hate.
Let the girl be in peace now. Help the family achieve some peace. Stating there is a lesson in all this won't help. Hating and protesting against the Fred Phelps of this world will not help either.
Help the family.

It could happen

There was a skit on the original Saturday Night Live which is as funny today as when it first aired. Gilda Radner going off on some tangent and after being confronted by Jane Curtain, her response was "It could happen!".
Something happened in a town nearby. A young girl went missing. Last seen getting in to a vehicle with a young man to attend a party.
It has been 2 days.
Today a body was found. Burnt beyond recognition.
The girl is still missing. Not a huge leap from one fact to another.
I have 2 daughters and a son. It would be comforting to think it would never happen to them.
Very comforting.
But the girl is missing.
There is a body...

It could happen and it scares the hell out of me.

Looking Back

I went to coffee with people I graduated from hig school. There weren't many there but it was nice to see them. Keep in mind, this was the first time I have done something like this. Ever.
I have avoided reunion anything until today. I am not sure what made me finally decide to go. A woman always known to be down to earth and downright funny was to be there. Maybe that was it. Maybe it was being asked by someone the other day if I had great memories of my junior and senior years. She just had a wonderful time during those years. I could not agree with her.
Oh, there were some good times. But to want to relive them or say they were wonderful years? Nope.
So, I went and it was nice. Do I want to make a regular event of it. Hmmmm. I would have to think about it.
I do know what I came away with. I do not want to go back to the teen years. I like the present. I like who I am now.
There is a favorite quote of mine I was reminded of today.
"Education is a wonderful thing, but I prefer wisdom."

Answered

I had a prayer answered today. It did not dawn on me til just a few minutes ago what had happened.
Our oldest has encountered some, hmmm - what should I call them, learning opportunities. Yup, that is what they are, learning opportunities. And when she decides to learn, we all get the opportunity to learn.
Anyway, things are ok, just a bit bumpy.
A few days ago, thinking about her travails, the heat in general, looking at finances, thinking evil thoughts about my oldest's former, working and just fretting in general, I felt pretty despondent.
It was then I offered up a prayer.
God, I need a little help here. I'll be glad to do the work. Just need a little boost from you. No smiting. Nope, not asking for that. Nothing flashy, just not needed. But something to give a little light on life.
Then in conversation this evening, the boost was given. Just a little thing. Nothing flashy.
As I sat here perusing the internet, the conversation replayd itself in my brain and there was the answer.
God, you answered!
Then, in a voice from inside, "About time you noticed."

Thank you.

Been a while

It has been a while since I could string words together and make sense. Maybe it has been the heat rendering me mute. Perhaps my ranting at God over the unfairness of life. Maybe it just sheer laziness. The dog days of summer have struck me dumb.
I may have been mute but the brain continues on.
I have watched my children go through tough life lessons. Dragging us along with them.
Why don't they listen to what we have done and learned? Why must they learn the hard way?
George and I have said to ourselves, "Whatever we need to do, we will".
Damn.