The Faces Of Children...

Aaahh, there is nothing like a face of a child to make my heart melt, put a smile on my face and lift my spirits.

I thank god for the life of children of all ages. I am in awe of them when I watch how they explore the world, explore their own environment, taste, see, squeal, talk, laugh, take for granted every little thing, learn, grow, and set out on their own.

The human life is truly a miracle. But even more so when we are able to observe the human progression from infant to old age. And better understand what makes us tick, how we are all impressionable at various ages, how we struggle for autonomy and then back to wanting support.

I love to hear the stories of people and where they came from, where did their choices take them, and how they felt at those various stages in life. I also love to hear their hearts when trying to make life decisions or strive to understand their process as they struggle to make life decisions. I am amazed how and what we all go through to make simple decision let alone huge, huge decisions. And what will then come from those decisions. I love to hear old stories of people's families, their grandparents, their parents, siblings and what they thought were the most interesting parts of their own lives. I think it is wonderful how every one has a story of their own. It is unique, it is definitely personal, and yet at some point is a treat to hear about.

I can not wait to see these amazing and beautiful kids in person and watch what god does with each of them in their lives.

Each smile makes me want to smother them with kisses, kindness and love.

These faces and so many more tug at my heart strings and help remind me what my purpose in life is. To help these children and many more have a better life by getting my hands dirty along side them.

I dream of children almost nightly. I dream about a life of goodness and prosperity for each and every child I have laid eyes on, and for those I have yet to see.

I pray often for a child or two or more to not give up on life, so they can know there is more to life than what they are experiencing.

The faces and lives of these children are priceless.

And I Wonder...

There are so many people that I know who are depressed or struggle with depression.

I am one of those persons who has had to get on a mild anti-depressant in order to help correct my brain chemistry. I must say, the medication is helping greatly in this area as well as with my migraines that I also struggle with. So, I have been able to kill two birds with one stone so to speak.

I am one of those who always felt (and been told) that one was weak if one had to go on meds for psycho stuff. I was always afraid to believe that I was not a strong person and that I could be thought of as crazy. Unfortunately, it is a universal stigma, but it has begun to be less of one as the years go by and more and more folks are struggling with brain diseases.

Mental illness is a rampant evil among the homeless. And what a horrible disease for them it is. There is just not enough funding to help the homeless, to help the parents of a teen or to help a family with a parent afflicted with mental illness.

Unfortunately, it would take some one, in a higher government position, who has a family member, who has mental illness, before any attention or money would be affective with the growing rate of psychological and psychotic illnesses.

It is always the children, the poor, the ill, the old who suffer the most in the world because they are the most vulnerable and the least able to fight for themselves.

What the hell is matter with our country, our pharmaceutical companies, our well-to-do neighbors and government-held seatings that are not doing all that they can for the most vulnerable? Unfortunately, it won't ever be high on any agenda, as long as those in power whose family members or themselves are not vulnerable and/or in need of such assistance by their own government.

And I wonder... What will I do to help make a difference in this arena?

People's Lives...

I've been looking forward to the holidays on one hand, yet dreading it on the other.

The holidays are my most favorite time of year. Actually, Winter is my most favorite time of year. I just love the quietness of the world, the nakedness of the trees, the sound of all that rain, the cold, cold air and bundling up with blankets and a good book.

But this holiday season there is a burden of helplessness that I have been having since the Hurricanes, the unnecessary and ongoing war that we are still a part of and the continued realization of so many who go without every day.

But this season brings up the close to home thing - those who have suffered due to Katrina and Wilma and they are mostly those who have little or no money or possessions.

I pray that these families will be able to find some joy and peace in their lives as they continue to struggle to return to the normality of their lives, and get through this holiday season. I pray that money, materials, jobs and resources continue to come their way in order to find a way to return to some sense of normalcy. And that many are able to find a place to celebrate the holidays with other folks or families, and hope that they are glad to be alive.

I just wish I had gads of money that I would not have to worry how much I spent on those who need it. I so wish I could be the fairy god-mother who waves her wand and all the things, the resources, the food, the medication, the housing, the toys, the shelter these folks could ever need would be given unto them freely.

I wish I could be the one who would stop the war right now and let all the men and women soldiers return to their respective homeland and just be with family and friends. Perhaps to celebrate whatever could be worth celebrating after seeing so much death and destruction.

It is people's lives that I hold so compassionately within me. It is people's lives whom I know nothing of them. It is people's lives that show me how I am truly fortunate in so many, many ways.

It is people's lives who are caught between countries at war and an earthquake aftermath in which they must sustain a harsh upcoming winter.

It is people's lives we must never forget and take for granted the things that we are given and the lives that we are so fortunate to lead.

The holidays are always about giving... Remembering others in need... Sharing what one has oodles of... And trying not to feel guilty for what we do have.

But ultimately, we must understand and place ourselves in the shoes of others so that we may be able to live humbly and without ignorance.