You may say, I am only one person…what can i do?  You can support the National Association of Letter Carriers help stamp out hunger by leaving a bag at your mail box, on Saturday May 14, 2011, with non-perishable food items.  That is only 2 days from now.   Make sure that the items you are donating are not out of date or in danger of expiring any time soon.   Don’t have a lot to give; give what you can.  If you are blessed enough to have the means to give…give generously; we all have a responsibility to share our blessings with others.

Support businesses and organizations that sponsor the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.  This is an amazing grass roots program that blesses your local food banks.  All the food collected by your local mail carrier stays in your local area.  The people you help may be your own friends, family or neighbors. With the economy being so challenging in recent years more people are affected by not having enough to eat.  The numbers of children in homes without enough food is rising.  The elderly are having a harder time making ends meet.  Young wage earners are finding themselves without steady income to support their families sufficiently.   Natural disasters have hurt many families and those people still need to eat.  Churches can’t do it all…they need our help to provide food for those who are struggling with hunger!  Won’t you help?

Would you like to learn more?  Visit their website here:  Stamp Out Hunger and if you happen to have a Facebook account or a Twitter account…then Like them or Follow them to lend your support.  Spread the work online and off.  Tell others about the food drive…encourage others to donate.

Remember to thank your mail carrier.  They are dedicated to helping people stamp out hunger in your community.   Do you know someone who has had to use food from a food pantry or food bank?  Tell them about my friend Connie who heads up a website that teaches people how to eat healthier with the food that they bring into their homes through SNAP, food pantries, commodities, and farmer’s markets.  She does this in a way to help people stretch their budgets and to encourage the people who visit her website to form a community to share tips and ideas with one another.  Her site isn’t just for food stamp users…but for anyone on a tight budget who wants and needs to eat well.  Food Stamp Cooking Club

       The incident involved the forced, and coerced, tattooing of a 14 year old special needs student.  This student had been exposed to bullying at school; and, these so called adults (all over the age of 18) allegedly told him that the bullying would stop if he got a tattoo.  He said he didn’t want one; but still, he was allegedly threatened and forced to get a tattoo which had some kind of image along with obscene words on his buttocks. 

         Tattoos take time to apply to a person; even when a person wants to have one.  I can’t imagine what this young man endured during this “procedure”.  He’s been taunted at school by other students who are picking on him because of his special needs and then he is assaulted in this way.  Not only is he physically scared but he is also emotionally scared because these people chose to humiliate and abuse him. 

         This whole situation came to the attention of the authorities because pictures of this young 14 year old abuse victim were being circulated at school and a teacher reported it to the authorities when they became aware of the pictures.    Thank you to the unknown teacher who had the courage to do the right thing!  Teachers don’t often get enough credit these days for what they do at school for our kids.  Often, teachers are on the first line of defense when it comes to protecting special needs students from abuse or bullying.   Along the same lines, other students who are caring and filled with the strength of character to be an advocate for special needs students are becoming more rare these days.  To those of you who do the right thing in these types of situations…I thank you as well.

        I wonder, just how many people saw these photos and laughed?  Were they amused at the image, the words, or just the fact that someone that they considered to be of a lessor value than they themselves, or one of their friends, was put in this position of having their picture plastered all over the school for others to look at and make fun of him? 

         Were they not moved by compassion to report such a terrible crime?  How can a person take joy in the torture, humiliation, or abuse of another person; whether they know them or not?  Is not a special needs person worthy of protection, compassion, or caring? 

          I mean, even if someone does not know a special needs person; don’t they understand that they have feelings and emotions just like they themselves?  Everyone wants to feel safe, be loved, be accepted and have friends at school.  It is unacceptable that this situation was turned into a source of entertainment by some students. 

          The victim here was only 14 years old.  I think that those pictures should be considered sexual exploitation by anyone who had access to them or viewed them and did not report it.  Any person who was passing along the photos to others should suffer consequences as well as the people who were involved in the actual abuse of this young man.

       How can people who are supposedly blessed with average or above intellectual abilities treat another human being in this way?  What gives them the right to consider themselves better than another person; simply because of a perceived imperfection called special needs?   It is wrong, it is cruel, it is immoral, and it is…ILLEGAL. 

       Parents, teachers, neighbors, grandparents, church leaders we must all take our roles of leadership seriously and start instilling in our young people tolerance, compassion and empathy towards others; especially the most vulnerable individuals in our society such as young children, the elderly or those who are afflicted with disabilities.   It is important that we do this because as a nation, we are losing our moral compass because people who can do these kind of horrible things to their fellow human beings and not see something wrong with it are becoming more common everyday.

         Hello…no-one SHOULD have to tell another person that this kind of behavior is wrong.   However, New Hampsire’s court system should make it clear; because these four individuals in New Hampshire have been arrested and charged for their actions.   Let’s hope that the legal system really makes an impact on others who think they can be cruel, and treat other human beings any way they want to and get away with it; by making the legal punishment fit the crime.   The punishment should be large enough to send a message to anyone else who may consider bullying or abusing a special needs individual, that it is NOT the right thing to do!   What do you think would be an appropriate punishment for someone who abuses another person in this way?

Nations around the world are moved towards a sensitivity to the suffering of the Haitian people.  Money and donations of life saving supplies are poring in however, getting the supplies to the most devastated areas are difficult.  There is so much destruction and people are desparate.   Medical care is critical and people have been being treated in the street and in tents.  There is, and has been, a thin line between life and death.  

 Compassion is the fuel that moves people from merely hearing the news of the suffering and becoming involved and committed to doing what each person can to help.  Many people are giving money, some are donating their skills and talents or their time-volunteering to help the people of Haiti.  I read an article that made me question peoples awareness of their sensitivity towards others in need and their own need for a moment when life goes on in spite of what is happening around the world. 

So, it came as a bit of a surprise to read an article about a cruise ship line that stops at a port in Haiti that has made the decision to continue stopping at their destination in Haiti.  After reading about this, I couldn’t help reading the comments at the end of the article.  There were people who were for the cruise ship line continuing to stop in Haiti.  Those people were of the opinion that continuing to bring in tourists with their money would help to keep the Haitian people who were employed at the port working, providing them income during this time. 

The problem is, from what I understand of the situation is that this particular port is on the far end of the island; somewhat removed from the devastated area.  Still, those people who are employed do need jobs.  They do need income.  It was said that supplies were also carried in on the cruise ships.  I don’t know if that is true or not…but, if it is…God bless them for delivering supplies to the island.  The need is strong for medical supplies, food, water, blankets, shelter (many are homeless including the elderly and small children)…and there is a need for caregivers and adoptive families for those who are now orphans. 

Those who criticized the cruise line were of the opinion that tourists had no business partying, drinking, and living it up on the island paradise when they knew full well that human beings were starving and dying of thirst for lack of clean and healthy water just across the island in the area of Port au Prince.  The dead and the dying do not have instant access to the plenty that the cruise line passengers and those enjoying the comfort of the port.  There were comments in this section that wondered how someone could possibly eat, drink and take advantage of the activities knowing of the intense struggle for survivial just miles away.   Is it justification by saying that continuing to vacation there is bringing in money?  Or is it true and therefore ok in the opinion of the reader here?

It just got me wondering…how the human spirit who is sensitive towards those in need decides at what point, life goes on?  I mean, do you do all that you know to do to help, in your spirit and contribute what you can giving yourself permission to go about your business?  Do you just ignore the suffering?  Do you allow the situation to paralyze you and keep you from moving forward in your own life; attending to the daily issues at hand?  Is it possible to find a balance of helping through charity, volunteerism, and prayer; and, living in gratitude for the gifts or blessings in your life?   When is it ok for those who are sensitive to the needs of others in peril translate to a life goes on moment without guilt?  It is going to take a long time for recovery; hopefully, people do not forget too soon and stop acting on the behalf of those suffering who have been traumatized by this natural disaster.

 What are your thoughts as you read this blog post?

See possibly related post: http://www.writewhereyouareblog.com/heros-what-are-they-made-of/

        For children, pets provide companionship, responsibility, compassion and they encourage physical activity.  For adults…surprisingly they provide the same thing.  The bond that can develop between human and animal is an amazing thing.  Pets have been shown to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, a sense of loneliness or emptyness…as well as lowering a person’s triglyceride level.  Pets need to be walked and groomed…this encourages exercise for both the pet and the owner.

         People who are struggling with chronic illness/disease such as cancer or diabeties; or are isolated from an active social life really tend to bond with their pets.   In some nursing homes, there is a resident cat or dog who can provide an emotional connection for the elderly, or terminally ill, who are not able to bring in their own pets to the facility.   These pet/human relationships are healthy and supplies them both with a mutual nurturing relationship providing comfort and care.

         In some cases, pets can serve a dual purpose in that they also function as a service provider for the disabled when properly trained.  There is a great organization called Paws With A Cause that is celebrating 30 years of  positive impact.  I applaud them and the work that they do.   You can learn more about them and the work that they do here:  http://www.pawswithacause.org/history.asp .  If you can provide them some support please do.  You wont be disappointed because the work that they do gives back to the community and the individuals in it.  Do you know of a special relationship between a person and their pet that you could share with the readers?

             If you are blessed…give thanks to God above…and do what he calls us to do; Deuteronomy 15 vs 11 says “There will always be poor people in the land.  Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor & needy in your land”.    People who struggle financially do so for a variety of reasons…many of them are not at fault for their situation.  Don’t judge.  If you are blessed and have enough, or more than enough….you must respond to your hearts prompting.  Give…give generously and without strings.  Do it with sensitivity and in such a way as to honor their dignity.  It is hard to accept help from others.

          You can give money, you can give time, you can give produce…you can give your skills, knowledge or talent to improve the situation of others.  Did you know that many children are getting fed at school because they have so little at home?  They are on food programs at school…but what about weekends?  There is no school on weekends…are those children getting enough to eat during that time?  Many are not.  Feeding America, formerly known as Second Harvest, has a program that provides backpacks of food for children on weekends.  For every $1 donated…it provides $14 worth of food.  http://bit.ly/2YzhwU

            The children aren’t the only ones going without the basic healthy items they need to eat a well balanced diet.  Families are spread all over the country.  Many don’t live near their elderly parents and therefore, they don’t know their true financial situations.   Pride keeps many elderly people from sharing their difficulties.  They would rather go without than share with others the fact that they do not have enough to eat.  This is unacceptable in America where we have the means to feed our children, our poor and our elderly members of society; if we all do our part to fill the gap.

            Talk to your local food bank or Commision on Aging about helping out the elderly in your community.  If you have enough to eat, why shouldn’t they?  There is always a need.   You can help fill it…making a positive impact on those around you.  What does your heart tell you to do?  Please support and donate to these organization to uplift people.  You just never know how this will impact their lives or your own! Thanks! 

           This leaves many people without the healthy foods that their families need to survive.  It used to be that America was the country that everyone else came to help supplement their food supply…now we must create an awareness for those with plenty that there are  many in our own nation who struggle to feed themselves or family members with three healthy well balanced meals a day. 

           Did you know that 1 out of 8 people are at risk for hunger in this country?   This includes, children, working men and women, the elderly…hunger doesn’t know any boundaries.   Chances are that you know someone who has struggled with feeding themselves or their families.  Please, wont you go to www.welchs.com/harvest and click…it wont cost you anything but a moment of your time.  Please, let others know to support both Feeding America and Welch’s.   They are doing good things!

           So, today it is my pleasure to tell you about a movement or a joining of two forces , Feeding America-which was formerly known as America’s Second Harvest and a company that has produced quality grape juice for generations of American families-Welch’s, to provide 100% grape juice from their harvest of concord grapes.  They are teaming up to help donate food to food banks to help those who are struggling.

        This program is free for you the reader…and is a wonderful way to do something that can make an impact on the hungry.  Welch’s and Feeding America have a link that when clicked will donate 8 eight ounce glasses of 100% grape juice to families who are in need.  This program is being called a Harvest of Help: www.welchs.com/harvest .  Please click and spread the word.  I want to thank both Welch’s and Feeding America for caring enough about hunger here at home to begin making a difference. 

          If you read my previous post, you know that my son and I recently harvested our own fruit of the vine.  We picked and canned 70lbs of grapes.  Can I just tell you that once processed, those 70 lbs of juice provided us with 9 quart jars of juice and 7 pint sized jars of jelly.   http://www.writewhereyouareblog.com/?p=2468

         Now think, about what Welch’s is doing…they are providing 8-80z glasses of juice, rich in nutrition, every time someone clicks on that link… up to 1 million servings; that is outstanding!  Please, outside of clicking…can you make an effort to purchase Welch’s products when you are shopping for your own family?  Any company that goes to this extreme to help attempt to feed America’s hungry deserves to be supported by as many people as possible.  I am going to do my best to support their continued efforts. 

         Put yourself in the position of a person who is hearing impaired, or a person who lives with special needs; and, consider some environments they they may experience differently than you; such as a trip to the hospital or emergency room.  How different would the experience be for you if you were the one who had difficulty making your needs known to the health care professionals.  Or say you are an elderly person who is experiencing hearing loss…how are you going to communicate with other residents or say the staff?   How about shopping or getting educational services at college or in elementary school?   How about ordering a meal in a restaurant?   Do you see how the quality of life can be improved for people impacted in this way?   Can you see how sign language could open doors for people if others in the community took the opportunity to learn it from someone like Louise or through her DVD’s?

Click on Image to listen to Interview

        If you are interested in learning more about Louise and her educational services please listen to the interview here:  http://www.rapidcashmarketing.com/lorrainesinterview/signingfamilies.htm

         I have a suggestion…after you have abused all of your willing friends and neighbors by giving away as much extra produce that you can…why not consider donating to your local food pantry or food banks, local commission/council on aging, or department of social services?  If you can’t keep up with the canning/freezing/or giving away…please do NOT let it go to waste.  Not everyone has the room or the ability to garden.  Fresh fruits and vegetables is important for health and well-being.  Many folks are having to get a big portion of their groceries from a food stamps program, a food pantry/food bank, or a commodities program.  Getting enough food to “save up or preserve” for winter isn’t always an option. 

        Due to financial situations, many elderly who live alone, and many families, will do without having access to healthy fresh fruits and vegetables because they can’t afford to purchase it.  Giving to those who are in need is a great way to give back to your community and to share the blessings that you may have been blessed with.

         I have a great friend who goes by the name of Mother Connie on Twitter (@Motherconnie).  She started up a wonderful blog to HELP people learn how to make healthy and delicious meals; with the food items that they get from a food pantry/food stamps, or commodities program.  I would like to ask you to remember during this season of harvesting that others would love to be blessed with your extras.  Please donate to your local communities pantry or program in the name of,  The Food Stamps Cooking Club Blog.  Then leave them the information to give to their clients about how to go to her site and get some great tips/recipes.   The website address is: http://foodstampscookingclub.com/blog/ . 

          Drop in and say hi to Mother Connie; it would make her day, and her night, to know that she was able to help someone out by getting something that they didn’t know what to do with from the food pantry.  She is a fountain of knowledge and she isn’t stingy with her help!  Tell her Rainy sent you!  She will make you feel right at home.  Blessings!!!

         I just can’t seem to get into the mind set of paying  a large amount of money, per person mind you (I have a big family) only to be crowded, charged more than I can afford for food and drinks, and jostled around by those hustling to and fro from one entertaining event or ride to another.   Some of these places also have waterparks attached to them. 

            Safety is a big issue…not only physical safety…but, a personal awareness of those who are around your family members.  Remember, you don’t know each of the other people surrounding you…you don’t have a clue who has a criminal background or boundary issues.  Keeping an eye on those who are vulnerable such as the elderly, young children or teens who are vulnerable to manipulation by persuasive or charismatic people is important.  Just because this is an entertainment/amusement park doesn’t mean you can relax your normal responsibility towards physical, emotional or sexual safety.  It can be a bit stressful. 

           Oh, there are some events that I force myself to go to for the kids, spend more money than is wise to spend…only to hear whinning because they ONLY got to ride the rides X amount of times.  I am forced to listen to more whinning as they see this shinny thing, or smell this wonderful treat (that is terribly unhealthy) that they are not allowed to have.   Other people’s children are running around and screaming and pushing and crying; trying to manipulate to get what they want.   Those who run the games and the rides are sometimes unsavory looking characters that  I wouldn’t let near my family, at any other time.   Other workers are just normal everyday people looking to earn a living…sometimes, looks don’t reveal the intention behind the smile and the polite demeanor.   You can’t judge a book by it’s cover…so you have to follow your instincts.  If you are uncomfortable …move on and teach your children to do the same.

            I feel that I need to keep my eye on each and every member of the family so that no one becomes seperated in the crowd…that just is not safe.  After all, people with ulterior motives hang out at these events too.  I don’t want my family to be affected by someone with evil intent on their hearts and minds.  Too many children (and adults) are assaulted, faced with violence, become a victim of a crime, or come up missing when they are in environments that have loose boundaries and where people tend to blend into the crowd becoming anonymous.   The old saying applies well here, it is better to be safe than sorry.  No one wants to be that person on the evening news…who has had a child taken, become the victim of a crime, or who has been injured because the amusement ride has broken down due to poor maintence and caused injury, to those who were on it at the time.

          I admit, that it is a time of frustration in the family.  Children want to go, do, and spend.    They are not aware of all of the dangers; they only see an opportunity to go have fun.   It is up to you as a parent to think of these things and try to prevent those things that you can prevent.   Kids want total freedom to just wander around with some of their friends…but, my husband and I do not feel that in today’s world that is a safe option.  So we compromise (alot)…no one is truly Happy…but, we all try to find a middle ground where we each get a little of what we want.  I spend more than I want and less than they want, we go do more than I wish and less than they do, they get to choose their rides within the financial guidelines we set at the beginning…and, I stand near the ride praying the whole time that this ride that has my child in it’s grips is safe and the operator knows what he/she is doing; all in all, it seems to work in a masochistic kind of way.   So, it is mid July…here we go again!

         My daughter had 3 children in a fairly short period of time.  The youngest is about 5 months old (and teething at present time).  So when she said, the other day, how would you like to take the two older children for a day or two?  I said oh yeah.  She could use some much needed rest…and, I could have some fun.

          So tonight, I added a 2 year old and a 4 year to my already busy household of a 10 year old, a 17 year old, an 18 year old and a 19 year old.  Ahhhhh busy-ness.  So in preparation, I made a double- batch of home-made play dough.  I cooked,  baked and I planned us a time of over- night bliss.  We’re having a campout in the living room with a video marathon.  LOL  I told them, at bedtime, we could all make nests in the living room with our sleeping bags and watch their favorite movies.   His is CARS and hers, is Hannah Montanna.    Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into?  That is a long time to watch movies… I do love CARS though. 

        In the meantime, we have played on the swing set, rode bikes on the driveway…looked in on the baby chicks and the watched the fish in the pond.  A few minutes ago….they were dragging out their sleeping bags, their stuffed toys, and asking when it would be bed time.  Hahahahahah…their mother would be very un-impressed that they are in a hurry to go to bed at grandma’s house.  Not because I have the magic touch; oh no, it is because they can’t wait to watch the movies; now that their bellies are full…and they are anticipating the joy of sleeping on the floor and having fun.  I hate to tell their mother that it is only 7:15 pm.   They never want to go to bed early, just like most kids.  I should suggest a campout to their mom; for the days when they are giving her a hard time.   You know the kind of really loooooooooooong days that every family experiences, at one time or another as the children are growing up. 

        All of this day’s events have been celebrated amongst laughter and giggling.  I love this.  I’ve been a grandma a long time…and, it never gets old.   The only thing better, would be if all of the grandkids were here together!  Woohoo…then we would have a grand time for sure.    So, that had me thinking about a really sad (and angering) news story that I read about yesterday. 

          The story revolved around a 21 year old woman (old enough to know better-old enough to be ashamed of herself) who was caught prank calling her, own 69 year old, grandmother and allegedly threatening to kill her.  The young woman and a “friend” allegedly called the grandmother 45 times in the same day… allegedly saying things like, they were watching her and that she was going to die. 

          When the police got involved…they too, heard the female caller.  The young womans alleged explanation to the investigators was that she was “bored and she wanted to scare the grandmother…not kill her”.    I don’t know if there is any kind of mental illness involved, or any other kind of explanation for such behavior; but, I can never imagine having a relationship, with the children of my children, that would leave room for that kind of treatment.  It is an awful thing to even consider.

          I don’t imagine that grandmother ever considered such a thing happening in her family either.  Imagine standing in a hospital room, looking down at your newborn grandchild and envisioning a future where your grandchild could do such of a thing to you.  It is heartbreaking…where is the natural connection between one generation to another?  Our society is  breaking down in ways that a compassionate heart can not imagine.  We are becoming a nation of selfish and cruel people; when this kind of thing, and worse, happens between people who are supposed to love and support one another.    It begs the question, is time with the grandkids  found to be filled with an attitude of  love, indifference, insensitivity, or is it hate?   What is happening, or not happening, that is allowing some of the younger generation to be insensitive to the needs and feelings of the elders in our society?  Is anyone else shocked by some of the things that are happening in our country, even within our own families?  Elder abuse is becoming more common and it is wrong!