November 11th, 2010

It's been a couple years since I wrote a blog in Remembrance of our fallen and our troops over seas. I'm not sure what was up last year, well I am, but that's not for this post, but I feel like I dropped the ball so I'm back this year to continue to show my support for our men and women that have fought bravely to protect our freedom.

Military has never been a big thing in our family, but we know we owe our freedom to the men and women that protect it. However, my dad served in the Canadian Navy for a short time and both my grandfather's served in WWII. My maternal grandfather was even old enough to be overseas for WWI. Grandpa Hoberg in particular spent 3 years in Europe, away from his family during WWII. My mom was born just before he left and she had no memory of him, when he came home she thought he was a stranger and tried to kick him out of the house! Funny, and yet, sad too.

So today my tribute is not just for the troops, but for the families that have sons & daughters away from home, for those that have lost mother's and father's, for the spouses left alone to care for their children at home. Here's to you that hold the home fort while our brave men and women protect the freedoms of our country and try to help free oppression in other countries. God bless our troops and their families.

Who in your family do you remember or know that bravely kept/keeps the home fires burning for a loved one serving away from the comforts of home?

Mark Schultz, "Letter's From War"

Judged...

Warning: long post!

I have been catching up with some blog posts by the woman that inspired me to start my own blog, Dawn Meehan. I was shocked and dismayed to find out she’d recently finalised her divorce. It has been so long since I’ve read hers, or anyone’s blog, that I had no idea she even had marital problems, let alone that it had gone that far. As I read her posts and about how she is not just accepting but moving forward, Dawn continues to inspire me by her amazing character and strength as a woman and now a single mom. In searching for more information, I came across this blog post on judging others from 2008 and although I understand the original context in what she wrote is different from my situation, I believe the message is universally applicable.

Let me explain…

Recently I found myself drowning in judgement from a friend I thought would always understand me, a friend I’d always thought of as a sister. After months of silence from her, I wrote an email asking what I had done that she seemed to be so upset with me, upset enough that even when I spent a few days in hospital in April she really didn’t seem to give a crap. The reply I received from her felt like someone had taken a knife and stabbed me in the heart.

Engaging in a short email conversation via fb, I received replies that had accusations that felt judgemental, accusatory and essentially indicative that because I was struggling in my Christian walk and faith (perhaps one day I will feel ready to write about this) that I was no longer “good enough” to be acknowledged. I read her words and found myself feeling that if I “get my shit together” (my words) I will then be acceptable to spend time with??? Did she bother to ask me what was going on? Not at all. Did she take time to learn that I spent a lot of time keeping my mouth shut around her and not sharing some things because I didn’t want to worry or upset her? No, instead I was accused of not thinking of her at all, that I didn’t take time to stop, whilst in my own personal hell, to see how my actions were affecting her life. What??? Other comments in her emails indicated that she had the idea that my faith struggles were based on some whim, that I “decided” God no longer fit my lifestyle so perhaps it was better He didn’t exist. That I traded in God for activities, the internet and men (I’ve dated one guy in the past year, what a ‘ho I am ! And heaven forbid I not spend every spare moment in or near a church or listening to sermons). Not once, to anyone, did I ever say God doesn’t exist. I cannot now, or ever, deny His existence, I’ve seen too much and experienced too much and felt too much to not believe. It wasn’t about not believing, it was far bigger than that but when I tried to explain to the one person I thought would understand I got pushed away and I didn’t hear from her for months until I sent that fateful email a few weeks ago.

Hurt, angry, confused and in tears I retaliated with accusations of hypocrisy and other words that I knew would hurt. Yet I still kept back most of what I really wanted to say as I still had hope that our friendship was salvageable. I tried to start an explanation of why I was in the place I was AND that I was actually working my way out of that black place (with the help of extremely supportive and non-judgemental friends). Her reply indicated that she had no idea I had been struggling (yet I know I had tried to explain months earlier) and left me feeling she was not interested in hearing what I had to say, that all I said in explanation fell on deaf ears. Comments such as “I had to distance myself to protect my faith as you were taking me to a dark place” Huh? Then in complete contradiction of that saying, “had you talked to me about it I would have been there to help”?? Ummm, I TRIED and my email was deleted (apparently on fb now if you delete an email it’s gone from the sender’s box as well) and I didn’t hear from her until I initiated a new conversation months later. After writing an angry and hurt filled email which I never sent, I finally wrote that I saw no point in attempting to explain further or argue my side, as she appeared uninterested, to say the least, in listening to what I had to say. I got no reply to that email, just another deleted conversation. So where do I/we go from here?

I’ve struggled with this question for awhile now as her friendship, her complete understanding of me, the things we shared, meant everything to me, beyond the popular term of bff she was the sister of my heart. The person I thought I knew, the one single individual I thought would tell me anything without fear, and I her, has become a stranger. There were indications over the past couple of years that there were changes I wasn’t crazy about, maybe I changed and it’s not her? But 18 years of friendship are essentially down the drain. She was the one person I could go to and tell ANYTHING to, she knows things about me that very very few people know. It’ll take me time to trust anyone again the way I trusted her after feeling trampled over and abandoned. I was accused of not thinking of her when she has no idea what I was thinking, that I should know better and that my life choices were unacceptable. Essentially I felt that because I am not a perfect Christian, that I have moments where I have struggled in my faith, then I have to “get better” before I’m “good enough” to receive her friendship. This is where I am left feeling, if it was intended or not, this is the message I picked up.

For the most part it’s been a busy summer and I’ve kept this on the backburner. My faith is renewing, I have amazing friends both online and in person that stand by me and I by them. I’ve been spending time in a fun activity that keeps me and the boys off the computer and outside playing. Until I read Dawn’s blog I could keep my hurt hidden, I could avoid deciding how to react, then these words popped out at me from that post…

Matthew 7
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”

"It's easy to judge someone else and decide that they're incompetent when things are going well for you... A look (or word) that says - I understand; I'm sorry you're having a tough time, it’s ok.

I'm telling you, don't judge others. Let your words and actions be a blessing to them.

Even if you think you know all about the other person or the situation, you don't. Not until you've walked a mile in their shoes, can you truly understand.” ~Dawn Meehan

This is EXACTLY how I felt after our fb email conversation. It’s easy to sit in your Ivory Tower, with no financial struggles, no unpredictable disability, confident in the love of your husband and in a “holier than thou” voice point fingers at those that struggle in their day to day life, alone, financially struggling, debilitating disabilities and feeling unloved. I don’t pretend to understand where my “friend” is at in her world, from my side I see something akin to a perfect life and although slightly envious, I’m also very happy for her and proud of her. What I see, and I don’t think she does, is that it’s far easier to keep a strong faith when you’re life is going well, it’s much harder when your life feels like it’s falling apart. I hope, should I ever have the blessings of a much “easier” life, that I never forget the struggles that brought me there and that I never hand out judgements as if I’m better than the person I am pointing at. No matter where I am in life, I am no better or worse than the majority of those I share this world with.

The more I think about things that have been said and actions that have been observed or lack of action, the more I realise we are no longer as similar as we once were. As I look at these things and the differences I see in the two of us that were never there before, the more I realise that the season of this friendship is over. I don’t understand. I have tried, I have struggled, it just doesn’t make sense to me but there it is and I can’t abide intolerance of the frailty of the human condition, physical, mental, spiritual and emotional, none of us are infallible. I am not perfect, I never will be, and as the beautiful Norma Jean Baker once said, “If you can’t handle me at my worst, you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best”. I will stand by my friends through all their trials and triumphs, give praise and hugs when their lives are going great, be a shoulder to cry on and pray for them when times are tough, but I will not put up with being made to feel like I’m unworthy unless I subscribe to anything other than who I am.

“A real friend is someone that knows all about you, but loves you just the same.” ~E. Hubbard

“He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.” ~E. Hubbard

May the Lord Bless You and Keep You…

~Shannon.xo

The Flu Vaccine Debate….

I’m asserting my opinion on this debate, this is NOT a medical opinion, I am not a professional. Please do your own research, weigh the pros and cons for you and your family and talk to your physician. Also, if you have a different opinion, good for you, I will never push my beliefs on another. I merely share what I feel is best for my family. Do what is best for YOUR family! ps. this is long, have a cup of coffee near by if you dare to read LOL.

Regarding both the seasonal influenza vaccine and H1N1 influenza (swine flu) vaccine and based on my own research, myself and my younger children will NOT be getting either vaccine.

I have been favouring the “do NOT” side for some time but still teetered on the edge of the fence. The media hype regarding the spread of this flu and the government insistence that this is necessary was at war within me against all I believed in about the danger of ALL vaccines. Hearing the reports of reactions (from mild to severe and even death) related to the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine, had me concerned and weighing the risks of vaccine over contracting either virus. In fact, fear mongering has the exact opposite reaction for me, I distrust those that would use fear to push their agendas and that in and of itself was pushing me on the no vaccine side of the fence. Based on experience and research this is how I came about my final decision. Although my decision is for both vaccines, I am focusing on H1N1 here as that is the hot topic right now and the vaccine they are pushing.

First of all, as I said, using fear tactics caused me to DISTRUST those pushing the vaccine, the opposite effect they intended obviously. This pushed me to do research on my own (a good thing) and look closer at the assertions, but not pushiness, of those against the vaccine.

Secondly, lack of sufficient testing of the swine flu vaccine. This vaccine was proven to cause a myriad of severe reactions in the past and yet is once again being pushed, with the “new & improved” brand. But they have no proof of the improvements and the adjuvants are just as dangerous as always. I already know I react to thimeresol, would you believe they used to put it in contact solution… c’mon everybody, let’s pour mercury in our eyes WTH??

Nearly there on my decision, I then discussed the H1N1 vaccine with my bff. Her husband is a doctor of chiropractic medicine, I trust chiropractors before MD’s. They are not getting the vaccine, reason: too little testing, too risky, too many adverse reactions. That solidified how I feel. However with the virus spreading quickly through our small school concerns continued to nag at me, hummmm what’s a mom to do?

I am a single mom with several medical issues, the worst of which is fibromyalgia & CFS, I have no one to back me up if I’m sick, no matter what the cause. So now you may be thinking, well don’t you want the vaccine then??? No thanks, I had the seasonal flu vaccine a few years ago, I didn’t know why at the time, but I was sick, weak, fatigued and in pain for weeks after, most of the winter in fact, but oh goody, I didn’t get the flu! Two weeks ago I caught what I assume was the seasonal flu virus (not sure, but I don’t think it was swine flu). On the first day I was headachey, body aches, high fever, nauseated (without vomiting), muscle weakness and couldn’t walk to the bathroom without holding onto walls & counters. I was FULLY recovered in four days! No residual effects, no sudden return after getting better. My 8 yo also had seasonal flu (again not positive) about four weeks ago, same thing, FULLY recovered in less than four days. I think we’re doing pretty darn good at building up our immune system.

Today I learned that both vaccines can cause severe and lasting debilitating reactions to those with fibromyalgia, CFS or any of the chronic pain syndromes. Well, that explains my previous winter, apres vaccination. I’ll be darned if I can afford to be nearly bed ridden again for an entire winter. I have attached a video from youtube.com, a physician specialising in infectious disease AND an endocrinologist, Dr. Kent Holtorf is NOT getting his children immunized with H1N1 and indicates that it has been shown to be “devastating” to those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. So based on my research, we’ll take our chances with no vaccinations and continue to keep our immune system fortified with healthy eating and daily vitamins.

Best of luck to everyone in making your decision and prayers for staying healthy. God bless!

A Pittance of Time....

Remembrance Day – also known as Poppy Day, Armistice Day (the event it commemorates) or Veterans Day – is a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War. It is observed on 11 November to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918.

Please take a few minutes to Remember those that sacrificed the comforts of home and their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms we have in our country. God bless all our troupes & Veterans!


Click on the logo above for the official Terry Kelly home page.

A Pittance Of Time
Written by Terry Kelly © Jefter Publishing - SOCAN

They fought and some died for their homeland.

They fought and some died, now it's our land.

Look at his little child; there's no fear in her eyes.

Could he not show respect for other dads who have died?

Take two minutes, would you mind?

It's a pittance of time,

For the boys and the girls who went over.

In peace may they rest, may we never

forget why they died.

It's a pittance of time.

God forgive me for wanting to strike him.

Give me strength so as not to be like him.

My heart pounds in my breast, fingers pressed to my lips,

My throat wants to bawl out, my tongue barely resists.

But two minutes I will bide.

It's a pittance of time,

For the boys and the girls who went over.

In peace may they rest.

May we never forget why they died.

It's a pittance of time.

Read the letters and poems of the heroes at home.

They have casualties, battles, and fears of their own.

There's a price to be paid if you go, if you stay.

Freedom's fought for and won in numerous ways.

Take two minutes, would you mind?

It's a pittance of time,

For the boys and the girls all over.

May we never forget, our young become vets.

At the end of the line,

It's a pittance of time.

It takes courage to fight in your own war.

It takes courage to fight someone else's war.

Our peacekeepers tell of their own living hell.

They bring hope to foreign lands that hate mongers can't kill.

Take two minutes, would you mind?

It's a pittance of time,

For the boys and the girls who go over.

In peacetime our best still don battle dress

And lay their lives on the line.

It's a pittance of time

In peace may they rest,

Lest we forget why they died.

Take a pittance of time.