Most of you know that I'm an avid follower of Cake Wrecks (www.cakewrecks.com). Well, a week or so ago, Jen and John (Cake Wrecks owners) decided to start a charity drive for the two weeks before Christmas. Each day, they've highlighted a different charity and encouraged readers to give a dollar to each charity each day. They even asked readers to suggest charities and have picked some awesome ones who I truly believe are doing great things.
Today, however, is different. Today's donations are going to a 27-year-old woman who, a few days ago, lost her house, her belongings, and, most importantly, her husband and two children, in a fire. She and her 12-year-old step-daughter were rescued, but the husband died while trying to save the other children. The fire still is under investigation, but one thing is known: the rental house in which they all lived was not equipped with working smoke detectors.
So, here's what I'm asking: First, please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers; they need to know that people care. Second, if you can help financially, I'm sure that every cent would be much-appreciated; a trust has been set up for the family. Donations can be made by either linking back to this blog or to Cake Wrecks. Third, PLEASE go home and check your smoke detectors tonight. This could easily happen to any one of us.
****Please note that I do not personally know anyone associated with this tragedy, but it's really made me think about how much I love my friends and family.****
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Something to Believe In
Yesterday, I went to lunch with a really good friend. As is often the case, our conversation somehow strayed to a random topic; I’m still not quite sure how our conversation stumbled upon the topic of religion, but I guess that doesn’t necessarily matter.
We began to discuss the ways that some of the ultra religious treat those who aren’t necessarily as stringent in their beliefs, as well as the opposite: how some of those who are strict atheists treat those who are Christians and are believers in a higher power. It seems to me that both sides are so totally and completely sure that they’re 100% correct and are equally sure that the other side is absolutely wrong. In turn, then, both sides judge one another and try to force their opinions on the other.
In this aspect, I fully believe that both sides are wrong. I don’t think it’s necessary to force your belief upon another person. Instead, I believe that it’s important for people to be allowed to make up their own minds and come to their own conclusions in regards to religion.
My thoughts, then, turn to this idea: wouldn’t the world be a much happier place if we all just lived by the principle of the Golden Rule? Wouldn’t we be better off to treat others as we want to be treated? If we were to treat others this way, including by not judging them based upon their belief systems, then perhaps the world would be a better place.
We began to discuss the ways that some of the ultra religious treat those who aren’t necessarily as stringent in their beliefs, as well as the opposite: how some of those who are strict atheists treat those who are Christians and are believers in a higher power. It seems to me that both sides are so totally and completely sure that they’re 100% correct and are equally sure that the other side is absolutely wrong. In turn, then, both sides judge one another and try to force their opinions on the other.
In this aspect, I fully believe that both sides are wrong. I don’t think it’s necessary to force your belief upon another person. Instead, I believe that it’s important for people to be allowed to make up their own minds and come to their own conclusions in regards to religion.
My thoughts, then, turn to this idea: wouldn’t the world be a much happier place if we all just lived by the principle of the Golden Rule? Wouldn’t we be better off to treat others as we want to be treated? If we were to treat others this way, including by not judging them based upon their belief systems, then perhaps the world would be a better place.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Home Sweet Home
I’ve never been one to get homesick. Even as a child, it was pretty rare for me to be homesick when I was staying somewhere else. It’s not that I didn’t love my family, but rather, I always enjoyed new adventures. Sure, there were a few times in college, especially my freshman year, that I longed for home, but they were very few and far between. It’s kind of surprising, then, that for the first time in my life, I’m really, truly homesick right now.
Three weeks ago, I flew to Florida for a week for work. While I was in DeLand, my phone rang and it was my mom, telling me that my grandpa had passed away. Before dawn the next morning, I was on a flight back to OKC. Once I finally landed, I hopped in my car, and within two hours, was on the road to Kansas to be with my family. After nearly a week with them, I headed back home, where I spent three nights before hopping yet another plane back to Florida…and here I sit.
The feeling of homesickness didn’t really hit until last night, as I sat in my hotel room, missing everyone and everything. I slept in an ungodly large and comfortable bed…alone. No Jason. No puppies. No one. My coworkers with whom I’m friends weren’t here yet, so I was on my own for dinner.
Why am I homesick? I live alone and usually enjoy some solitary time, but this time, it’s different. I’m guessing it’s because I’ve finally had enough time to process all of the events from the past month.
The good news is that it’s better today. I’ve been very busy and will remain busy right up until it’s time for me to head home.
I enjoy traveling for work and I like to see new things and places…and meet new people. But there’s definitely something to be said for being home for a while!
Three weeks ago, I flew to Florida for a week for work. While I was in DeLand, my phone rang and it was my mom, telling me that my grandpa had passed away. Before dawn the next morning, I was on a flight back to OKC. Once I finally landed, I hopped in my car, and within two hours, was on the road to Kansas to be with my family. After nearly a week with them, I headed back home, where I spent three nights before hopping yet another plane back to Florida…and here I sit.
The feeling of homesickness didn’t really hit until last night, as I sat in my hotel room, missing everyone and everything. I slept in an ungodly large and comfortable bed…alone. No Jason. No puppies. No one. My coworkers with whom I’m friends weren’t here yet, so I was on my own for dinner.
Why am I homesick? I live alone and usually enjoy some solitary time, but this time, it’s different. I’m guessing it’s because I’ve finally had enough time to process all of the events from the past month.
The good news is that it’s better today. I’ve been very busy and will remain busy right up until it’s time for me to head home.
I enjoy traveling for work and I like to see new things and places…and meet new people. But there’s definitely something to be said for being home for a while!
People Watching
One of my favorite activities is people watching – just sitting back and observing the behavior of people in a random setting. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve learned that one of the best places to people watch is in an airport (after all, I’ve had plenty of experience with it lately!). Yesterday morning, I had a 6:15 am flight out of OKC. As I sat and observed those around me, I began to wonder about their stories, including where they were going.
How about the woman about my age who was walking through the airport in jeans, a hoodie, a flipflops, carrying a laptop backpack? Looking at her was kind of like looking in a mirror – except, of course, for the fact that she had dark hair and was skinnier than me. Is she traveling on business, but like me, traveling in comfortable clothes because she detests flying in a suit? Is she flying somewhere for vacation? Going home slightly early for the holidays?
Was the very large, Santa-resembling man sitting in my row traveling to see his family? On business? Or does Santa fly Southwest when he’s got a horrible cold and his sleigh isn’t working?
I do know that the woman sitting next to me was flying from New Orleans to Albany, New York, because she readily told me, even though I didn’t really want to talk; she’d been to see her grandchildren. (I was annoyed with her because there was a nearly totally empty plane and she sat RIGHT beside me – not even in the aisle seat – and didn’t smell great.)
And the man in the emerald green velour track suit, with the burgundy fanny pack, and Barbie pink hat? I have NO idea and, honestly, I’m a little scared to ask!
The cool thing, though, is that airports really show you a true picture of life. You see people of all walks of life, from all different backgrounds, with all different stories. It’s just a little reminder that the world is a very big place.
How about the woman about my age who was walking through the airport in jeans, a hoodie, a flipflops, carrying a laptop backpack? Looking at her was kind of like looking in a mirror – except, of course, for the fact that she had dark hair and was skinnier than me. Is she traveling on business, but like me, traveling in comfortable clothes because she detests flying in a suit? Is she flying somewhere for vacation? Going home slightly early for the holidays?
Was the very large, Santa-resembling man sitting in my row traveling to see his family? On business? Or does Santa fly Southwest when he’s got a horrible cold and his sleigh isn’t working?
I do know that the woman sitting next to me was flying from New Orleans to Albany, New York, because she readily told me, even though I didn’t really want to talk; she’d been to see her grandchildren. (I was annoyed with her because there was a nearly totally empty plane and she sat RIGHT beside me – not even in the aisle seat – and didn’t smell great.)
And the man in the emerald green velour track suit, with the burgundy fanny pack, and Barbie pink hat? I have NO idea and, honestly, I’m a little scared to ask!
The cool thing, though, is that airports really show you a true picture of life. You see people of all walks of life, from all different backgrounds, with all different stories. It’s just a little reminder that the world is a very big place.
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