Finally at Peace

I don't have much time to write today, but I just wanted to say that my grandmother (who I blogged about last year here) passed away yesterday morning. She was a sweet woman who lived to the ripe old age of 90. She had 2 children, one who unfortunately pre-deceased her, 4 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She had only a 4th grade education but she taught me so much about how to live, love, and treat other people. She was a strong women, in an era when you didn't have to trod over other people to be strong. I think I only saw my grandmother cry twice in my entire life, both times over my mother.
The tears I shed yesterday and today are bittersweet, because although I miss my grandmother, I'm glad that she is no longer suffering. I'm glad that she is with my grandfather and my mother and all those others she lost before. She was the youngest of 9 children, 7 girls and 2 boys. I used to love to hear her stories of growing up on a farm in Cuba. Stories of how her older sister would voluntarily take her monthly dose of castor oil for her, stories of how she didn't learn to cook until she got married because she always had a sister to switch off cleaning for cooking when it was her turn, stories of what my mom was like as a child. So many stories in a rich full life.
I just wish my younger children had gotten the chance to know her like my older son, A. did. He's hurting today too but like me, he knows that we lost the women who was my grandmother years ago when the ravages of age and disease ate away at her mind. Now, at lest, she can finally be at peace.

Adios Abuela. Te Amo siempre.
(Goodbye Grandma, I love you always)

I Support the Supreme Court's Decision

Yes, I realize that isn't a popular opinion in blogland and I was going to keep quiet about how I feel to avoid conflict. But you know what? I don't have to keep quiet and if anyone wants to never read my blog again because of my beliefs, then welcome to the land of the free. Feel free to go away or feel free to stay, it's up to you.
Personally, I believe abortion is wrong. I could never do it, ever. I realize that's just me and other people have different beliefs but I'm glad today to live in a country where reasonable, thoughtful people can disagree. Will overturning Roe v. Wade be next? I sure hope so. I believe life is precious and it begins at conception and nothing anyone does or says is going to change that belief.
I know there are cases where people truly believe that abortion is necessary (i.e. rape, incest, danger to the life of the mother, etc.) but let's be real here. According to most statistics I was able to find, there are approximately 1,000,000 (1 MILLION!!!) abortions performed a year in this country. What percentage of those were because of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother? I mean, seriously, come on, how many? Yeah, I don't know either, but I'd bet it was less than 5%, probably even less than 1%.
So we'd have to assume that MOST abortions are due to unused, misused, or failed birth control. Right? Well, maybe it's just me but it seems like the time to decide to decide whether or not you can afford, want or could support a baby is sometime before you get into bed and spread your legs. (Not trying to be crude, just realistic). What's wrong with abstinence? Or using reliable, even double protected, birth control if you are going to have sex? If you're on the pill, use a condom too, or contraceptive foam. If you're using a condom, use contraceptive foam also. Is it too much to ask for people to take responsibility for their choice to have sex?
I know my opinions probably aren't popular and won't be well received, but I don't care. I believe abortion is wrong and I won't hide that because it's not a popular opinion. If you don't like it, tough. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go shine my "Choose Life" license plate.

The Wooden Bowl

I just had to share this one, you'll see why. It brought a tear to my eye. I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.

"We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor." So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl!

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life".

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.!