HPV

Took Q in for her sports physical yesterday.  This is the second time the topic of the HPV immunization has come up.  Had a very interesting conversation with our Catholic pediatrician, and I learned something about my own beliefs about people that I'd never really contrasted with anyone else's before.

We talked about where the HPV virus comes from.  It became quite clear our differing stances on pre-marital sex.  I know I am definitely in the minority on this issue.  She sides with the majority.

The topic of good vs. evil came up.  I made a comment using the word "wicked" in it.  She grabbed onto that and I noticed that she said something later referring to "wicked" people.  This opened a conversation about how I don't think people are wicked.  I think we're all born good, but it's our raising and our choices that make us into who we are.  I also shared with her that I believe that anyone can change.  We're not wicked, it's what we choose that is wicked.  Repentance is always possible.

So, I'm very torn on the whole HPV thing.  Anybody have any opinions about this one?  I have left this in Q's hands.  It's her choice, and the doctor tried to persuade her in every way she knew how, but Q didn't take the bait.

S-C-H-O-O-L

DJ just shared with me that the word "school" is really an acronym for "Seven crappy hours of our lives."

So, nice not to have to worry about S.C.H.O.O.L. for the next couple months.  So, what lies ahead?  Next to NOTHING!  Yay!!!

Soccer, cross-country practice (to get in shape for soccer), a retreat for Z, Cub scout day camp for B, high adventure for G, finishing statistics by the end of August for me (yep, you heard that right--woohoo!), the Hamm family reunion at the end of July, and other than that, trips to the library, free movies at the theatre in the mornings a couple times a week, an occasional trip to the zoo or OMSI, and just hanging with the kids enjoying every second of having them around.

AHHH summer, don't you just love it?

S.U.M.M.E.R.--Some Uninterrupted Marvelous Months of Emotional Relaxation

Much is Given

Last year, on the last Sunday in June, I was having heart problems while at church which took me to the maternity ward.  By evening, I was induced and having a baby.  Woah!  That can't have been a year ago.

Q had just returned from Girls' Camp the day before, and G was heading to Scout Camp early the next morning.  It's just amazing to me how fast time is passing by.

Before last year, June 28th held no special meaning to me.  Now, I will never forget it or November 11th, October 4th or 10th, September 4th, December 28th, or January 3rd.  When I was a child, I never knew there would be special days marked in my life by special people whom I would help create.  Wow!  What a concept!  How very blessed I feel.  What a huge job lies before me and is my everyday reality. 

Where much is given, much is required.

Looking at Life Differently

Tonight I had the opportunity to listen to this man...

His name is Alter Wiener.  Behind him is an image of himself shortly after he was rescued from a Nazi concentration camp by Russian soldiers on May 9, 1945.

This man, by sharing his story--the experience of losing all 123 members of his immediate family during the Holocaust, his survival of five different concentration camps, and the torture and terror he endured--saves lives.

Tonight, he changed the lens through which I see life.  I came home, and the first thing I did was peek in on my sleeping baby.  The one who was told in her blessing that she would "see much in this life."  Those words are daunting.  I am concerned for what she will see with those sweet blue eyes.  My hope is that she will never see what this man, Alter Wiener, has seen.

The other thing I felt strongly from his message was the importance of writing.  He has written a book about his experiences.  He shared with us tonight that we were his 617th presentation.  What courage this must take!  I felt proud of him for revisiting his experiences over and over again that others could benefit from his experiences.

He is now 84 years old.  He said he is one of the youngest of those who have survived.  How sad it is that my youngest children will never get to hear a first-hand account of one who experienced such tragedy.  Sad, because they will never feel the urgency to keep these kinds of experiences from ever happening again.

I felt that although my life is mundane and relatively easy, I also owe it to my children and grandchildren to write and share my story.  There are things they can learn from my failures and successes.

I'm so grateful for this courageous man.  This is one of the last things he shared this evening.  I thought it was worth sharing here:

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out--
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out--
because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me--
and by that time no one was left to speak up. 

                                                                         --Rev. Martin Niemoller

Good for him for speaking up; for sharing his story.  Now, if I can only be so brave.

Soccer Season Gone Awry

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!