The First Day of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, I went shopping with one of the loves of my life, my daughter.

We drove to an equestrian town with decorated horse statues scattered about. We explored little antique shops and dined in a blast from the past deli. The most memorable moment of the day was breaking and paying for a small piece of depression glass. So delicate and fragile that when it landed on the carpeted floor it shattered into a million pieces. I wish I had been quick thinking enough to tell the staff that I broke the piece. Then I would have achieved hero status in my daughter's eyes. LOL We made a hasty exit from the potential of additional disaster and headed out to peruse more stable wares. Good times!



I heard that many were busy taking down their Christmas decorations today and I am a little dismayed that Christmas is considered over instead of just beginning. I will not begin putting away the beautiful lights until the new year is upon us. To each his own; however, when it comes to celebrating the arrival of my Lord and Saviour the joyous occasion can continue even beyond Epiphany.

" When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him."

Matthew 2: 10-11

Toddlers, Tiaras & Swimsuits in Vegas

Am I just jaded from years of advocating for abused children in court and reading heartbreaking case files? I mean, is it just me? Or do others see the incongruity of little girls in two piece swim suits parading (or gyrating as a TV commentator remarked) their bodies in Vegas? Not to mention exposing your child on national television? What are these parents thinking?

What I am thinking is that every pedophile in America is TiVo-ing this program.

~

"For wisdom is better than rubies,

And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her."

Proverbs 8:11

My LEGACY

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others."
Phillippians 2:4 NKJV

Today my daughter completed training

to serve as a volunteer guardian ad litem

to represent abused and neglected children.
~
Because I have served in the same capacity for twenty three years,

I am thrilled
that she has chosen to follow in my footsteps.
~
Actually she will be walking in her own steps,

but it does feel good to think that I
may have had some influence on her decision.

~

She is a big part of my legacy.

I won't embarress her by saying I am proud of her.

She can be pleased with herself;

while yet remaining humble, of course.

~

Iay may oudpray ofay ouyay, earday!

~

Bummer!

That's my family today! Bummed on all sides. It isn't fair, but you know what they say about that...

A loved one lost his court case when he was the one in the right. It's a fact that whoever has the best lawyer or the most money wins. Doesn't matter that he was assaulted. The person who assaulted him now has won a monetary judgment simply because he was angry that he was arrested.

Doesn't matter that the assault was recorded and presented as evidence. Doesn't matter that you were simply doing your job when you were assaulted. Doesn't matter. There really isn't always justice in the justice system.

Now I'm double bummed!

An angry person assaults you.
You call the police.
The police arrest the assaulter.
The assaulter is angry and takes you to court.
Now You must pay your assaulter.
This doesn't make sense...

The criminal has free reign in the future because you can't afford to call the police again.

Sad.

Even sadder that you were simply doing your job and now this will be in court records forever.

Will somebody tell me what we have learned from this?

"With God we will gain the victory,

and he will trample down our enemies."

Psalm 60:12