I was a lucky one

 Rest In Peace Mom

So much of who we are comes from our parents.  It seems more and more these days like people just don't care.  I was a lucky one though.  I had loving and caring parents and Mom's kindness and love was apparent to everyone immediately.  Today is the anniversary of her death, and even though it has been eight years, I still think about her often.

This blog was never meant to be about me, but I do occasionally make an exception, especially when talking about my mother.  I wish you all could have known her.  I still remember the kindness of so many of you who posted comments here at the time of her passing.

There is a lot of hate in our world these days.  Mom would not have liked that at all.  Her whole life was the opposite of that.  If someone from a far off place were to come here and not understand the concept of love, all I would have to do was introduce them to Mom.  

My plan today is to reach out to many people and to spread as much love and kindness as I possibly can .   .   . in her memory.  Please join me in sharing the love too!

When?

Just as people were starting to talk less about the mass shooting in Atlanta, it happens once again - another mass shooting.  This time in Colorado, at a grocery store.  Is it safe to go outside?  When will the shootings end?  I have reported on shootings for many years - too many.  I've also been writing in this space about shootings, over and over again.

I have to wonder if anyone is listening.  I really have to wonder if anyone cares.  Oh there will be mourning and there will be outrage, but only for a few days.  Sometimes people stay angry a little longer, but it keeps happening and will virtually no change.

Yesterday's attack was the seventh mass killing this year in the United States.  Everyone will be talking about this today.  People will be thinking too about the shooting three years ago at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.  Also coming to mind will be The Orlando Pulse shootings, the massacre at Columbine High School, the Aurora movie theater attack, and the deadliest of all - the 2017 Las Vegas shooting that claimed 59 lives.  We may light some candles and say some prayers.  We may read aloud the names of the victims.  Will anything change though?  When?  

Around the world, mass shootings are rare, so why do they happen so much here?  Can we put an end to this violence?  Do people care?  What do YOU think?

We can make this happen

PLEASE HELP

I have said this before, and I will say it again and again if necessary. My stomach churns at the horrible news that seems to be coming more and more. Seriously. The increase in anti-Asian hate makes me sick to my stomach. There are several things here that bother me. The verbal and physical attacks are horrible. The discrimination is certainly bad as well. One additional thing though - the apathy. It really seems like people don't care.

We can't all change the world.  I will admit that.  We each can contribute though.  We each can so something.  I don't have all the answers.  I've actually asked here in this space for suggestions and was even met with silence then.  There was a time when people cared about strangers.  Do we no longer care?

Please.  I ask you once again.  Join me and take a stand against hate.  When someone is telling a racial "joke" let them know you don't appreciate it.  Call out any discrimination that you witness.  If you see a crime in progress, call the police.  Help your Asian coworkers and neighbors feel safe by letting them know you can trust them.  Patronize Asian owned businesses and show your support.

As I've said before, human beings can do some incredible things.  Let's see more of that, especially now when we need it so much.  End Asian hate.  We have the power!

Why not?

STILL STANDING AGAINST HATE

Wasn't it Hillary Duff that had a hit about eighteen years ago with a song called "Why Not"? (Can you believe that I am making a blog entry quoting Hillary Duff? YIKES!) That two word sentence though has become something of a mantra to me. I am ALWAYS asking WHY NOT!

You can't possibly do that many things? There is no way will will ever change our way of doing things.  Hate has always been around.  We will never get rid of it.  WHY NOT??  Racism isn't going away they say.  We can't do anything about it.  WHY NOT??  We'll never wipe out cancer.  Again, why not?  That guy will never date you! We're never going to have as many people in church as in ages past (according to some).  We couldn't possibly raise that amount of money! Business lost during this pandemic cannot ever be regained.  Again, why not??! Whenever that voice of gloom and doom rears its ugly head and says that something just can't happen, I say "WHY NOT"?

Perhaps my inspiration is the late Robert Kennedy who said "Some men see things as they are and ask, 'Why?' I dream things that never were and ask, 'Why not'?" Maybe my inspiration is Blessed Paul the Apostle who was in ill health and even was imprisoned, yet he still continued to spread the Good News.  Yesterday I had a few moments where all numerous hate crimes against Asians really got to me.  It wasn't the first time either.  I broke down in tears and kept asking "What can we do"?  Well, years ago a very wise man told me to never give up.  He was an inspiration too and I will continue to stand against hate - all hate.  You have to believe.

I will admit that there are discouraging moments, but we cannot give up.  I guess my message for today then is, don't take no for an answer! Always ask "why not"?

Women of the World

Today being International Women's Day, I wanted to shine the spotlight on a number of females from around the world, who did remarkable things through the ages.  Some of these names you know, but all of these names you should know.  I'm going to list a lot of people.  If you haven't heard of them, take a moment and look them up.

Long before our time there were Cleopatra of Egypt, Elizabeth I of England, Joan of Arc, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Olympe de Gouges, and Catherine the Great of Russia.  Most of these names are familiar from our history classes, but there are probably many things you don't know about them.  Make it a point to find out more.

More recently we have Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, Corazon Aquino, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Chase Smith, Barbara Jordan, and Harriet Tubman.  Add to the list Margaret Mead, Jane Goodall, Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, Rosa Parks, Emily Dickinson, Alice Walker, and Katharine Jefferts Schori.  (I could easily triple this list and then some).

Again, check out these women if you don't already know of their fame.  My point here is let's stop being so male dominated.  Women hold up half the sky and it's high time they were treated with respect and equality.  Let me be clear too - I am talking about ALL of our sisters, not only our CISters.

nothing

Every morning I sit down and write something here.

Does anyone read these words? Seriously. It would be nice to have a comment or two occasionally. Right down at the bottom you can give me your thoughts.

I've been especially thinking about this lately as I write here about hate.  We really need to end it.  I'm sure at least someone out there agrees.

I was originally going to write absolutely nothing this morning.

Nothing would mean no blog entry for this date. It might not even be noticeable.

Instead I wrote this little something about writing nothing.

Remember how Seinfeld was supposedly a show about nothing? Well today my blog is about nothing. (Except that it really is. It's a request for you to comment).

Oh and please feel free to share this with your friends too!