Happy Birthday!

The R Word Again

So a few minutes ago I read a news article about some parents whom found a picture of their son with Down Syndrome had been used by media in an 'offensive' way.  Apparently, their son had drawn a picture and was holding it up for the camera.  But apparently the image of what he had originally drawn had been altered to say the words "Retarded News".

How sad.  How low can someone get??

And the media station apparently went on to say that the segment "Retarded News" is designed to highlight odd stories and is not about disabled individuals.

At least all of that is what I understand.

Well, dear media station -- in my book, and probably the books of lots of people, you just added injury to insult.

From the News Article:

"Last summer, the group "Spread the Word to End the Word," which campaigns to end the use of the word "retard" to describe people with mental disabilities, contacted the radio station about the photo."

I thought it wasn't so much about stopping the use of the "R-Word" as a medical term as it was stopping the use of it as a derogatory insult instead?

Then we have the people who try and justify it, like it seems this media station did.  Or we have the people who try and justify it by saying things like, "I don't use it to describe disabled people - only (insert profession here)." 

That is not okay.

There is no justification for being rude, mean, and disrespectful.  And then we have people who say, "Oh come on, it's just a word."  And that is their justification for it.

But maybe these people know they are wrong and so they form excuses?  I don't know.  But I do know that more and more people each day understand this hurts.  This is not okay.  More and more people are stopping using this word as an insult.

To all of those, thank you.

Had to get this out here tonight everyone.  Talk to you soon.

Nine Years...

...I keep track.  My brain and my heart still cannot help it.  Nine years since my world changed forever.  Nine years since caught in a collapse that I had seen coming at the time, but denied, and with all my heart and body tried to hold back.

It was a moment that would change my life forever -- and these are not just words I type.  If what happened today nine years ago did not happen: my life would be drastically different now.

I did it wrong.  I know that now.

What you say -- does matter.

And I wonder even if I did it different if it would have made a difference somehow.  Or if, by the time this day came to pass nine years ago, it was far too late to stop it.

I was younger.  I was naive. But I still believe in the things I believed in back then.  The things I believed in were not the problem.  And I have difficulty feeling those things now.  But I am stronger now too. And will not give up on me.  I will not.  I will not give up on being happy. 

It is vague for you all and I am sorry. But this is a marker for me.  Getting it in physical lasting form that says I am still here.  I survived.  Its been nine years.

I read somewhere recently, actually on the blog of Angie Smith, something she wrote in a blog post:

The roots go deeper than you think
You only see part of the page
You are still a young tree

Effectively, that is what the words she wrote said.

They stunned me in that moment.  I needed to hear them.  To see them and read them.  They go up there to me with the 'No Truer Words' Catagory.  And this year... this year I needed to hear them.  And already I've been reflecting on them alot.

Would I change what happened then if I could?

I don't know.

I have learned so much through it.  Became a different person through it.  Met many other people because of it.  But I just don't know if I would change it.  Because I sometimes miss parts of the person I was then.

I survived.  I look back on it now and read the notebooks I kept back then, now.. and my heart just breaks for the girl whom I was when I wrote that at the time.  I remember her so vividly.  And all her pain.  It is raw and real there in those pages.

But she survived.  She didn't think she would.  Never doubt the power of prayer, family, and friends.

I don't really think everyone leaves an age behind them as the next birthday hits them.

Somewhere inside me, there is still a 15 year old that hurts and feels with 15 year old feelings.  There is still a 22 year old.  There is still a 27 year old... and so on.

And each of them make us who and what we are now.  That's what I think anyway. Who would have imagined then that I would come this far?

God bless, everyone.  Goodnight.

--Debrah
04.17.2018

Happy Easter

....Happy Easter everyone. 

As a kid, I knew what Easter was about.  My parents made sure to let us know the true meaning behind Holidays like this and at the same time made it possible for us to enjoy the fun things about being a kid ...the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and so on.  We knew.  And it made it that much better.  Though I admit going to church on Easter Sunday was the last thing I wanted to do back then.  I wanted my Easter egg hunt and candy - though I did love getting to wear a really pretty dress.

But these days, this Holiday is so much more.  Means so much more.  I am truly amazed by the sacrifice that was made on a hill for me, for me and everyone ever on Earth since, before and after.  It amazes me to think that maybe while it was being made, Jesus thought of me.  He knew how much I would sin in my life and how much I would be unable to master it on my own. And he loved me enough to die for me.  Just like he did for all of you.

How Amazing is that. How loving is that?  That kind of love is just.... wow.

I want to love like that too.

Happy Easter Everyone.

Love,
Debrah.

This Year I...

February...

So, here I was, worried about not posting anything in January, right??? Annnnddd... as of 12 tonight, February 2013 is already gone.  ^_^

Guess its shows its been a different month.  A rather distracting month out here.

So a few things, in light of missing out on an entire February...

To Dianne - Absolutely!  I would love it if you followed here.  ^_^  Sorry I have not been able to get back until now but I am still very much here.

About Liebster.. well.... I guess I missed out on that one.  To the person who nominated me, thank you so so much. I had every intention of a follow through and had even picked a few blogs and had written my own questions to ask up.  But the month did get a bit overwhelming...  however, I shall still at least post the answers to the ones you have asked.

Some families to pray for this month?

The Clancy Family, their little girl suffered a near-drowning and is now at home in a light coma.  I love them so much!

The Salem Family - are going through a rainy season right now.  I love them so much too.  Please pray for them as well.

Also, can you please help Team Iris!  They are trying to find a sweet little girl with HIV a home.  And she does seem so very sweet!  This same family has just adopted two children one whom is an older child and omg their story is so touching.  This same family is also advocating for another little girl called Kate whom another friend of mine is advocating for as well.  Is Iris yours?  Is Kate yours?  If not, do you know where their family is?  Can you advocate and pray for them?  Kate is in Russia, I believe.  And there is a recent ban on American adoptions there.  I have heard that it isn't effective for another year - but keep in mind I COULD BE WRONG about that.  So anyone thinking about Kate needs to make sure of these things.  Either way -- she still needs us to find her a family!  Canadians are welcome to adopt her I believe (check this too, to be sure).

So, thats all for now everyone.  Sorry about missing February, and will try to do better in March.

Have a good one!
--Debrah.

Liebster

..I'm onto it!  Thank you!  ^_^

On Giving - Part 1

2 Corinthians 9:7 

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Absolutely, I will!

 Hi everyone,

I have been quiet this month.  I am trying to figure out how to type why.  I am guessing its because I just don't know how to say the things I want to say, because there are several topics I want to blog about.  And yet, only one entry until this point for January 2013.  I've thought about it for the past few days, that come December or so I would look back on my blog for the past year and notice how empty the month of January was.  Empty, because I am not sure how yet to put nicely the topics I am thinking on.  Empty, because alot of what I have to say I might be purely ignorant on.  And so, I might have inadvertently been avoiding blogging simply because I didn't know what to say.

So, why is all this relevant to the absolutely beautiful video posted above?

Because...

Despite all that, today I felt absolutely driven to log into my blog, to try and find a way to post something - to try and find a way to word something good.  But I didn't, despite feeling driven.  I still put it off.  I wrote on a story, worked on my digital modeler, took a nap this afternoon, made a few phone calls, paid a bill, fixed dinner and was contemplating a shower when, unavoidably, the urge was still there -- Go check your blog, it said to me.

Again, and again, and again...

And so, I decided to just sit down and do it.  To sign in.  To blog something...

To check the comments.

And there it was.  On a post I had written two years ago, the following comment was left:

"Would you please share this video!!We are going through the process of adopting our son Aiden and need people to spread this video to the masses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXo7VMc5Ex4"

And suddenly I knew why I felt so driven.  A comment was left for me, just that same day, maybe hours earlier. There was indeed something very good to post up.  (It is just after midnight as I write this,yes, so the dates will not match up.  But it was left on Jan 24, the same day I felt I had to sign in.)

Dear Sweet Family -- absolutely, I would. I will stick it in the sidebar of my blog even if I can - soon as I figure out how.  I am thankful for you tonight for reminding me of the good.  My prayers are with you all and with your sweet little son.

Please everyone, support this family, with prayer if not financial help.  And with the video they have provided a whole list of links to make that possible.  Visit the video on You Tube, and then click where it says "Show More" just under it.

Thank you so much everyone. 

Always,
Debrah.

January 5

So.. a new year.

I've been trying to write this blog for ..five days.  But couldn't really think of anything New Years to say.  So, maybe I'd try uplifting?

Already, I know that the beginning of 2013 is going to be difficult.  But I am determined to have a good year this year.  I am determined to remember the good times during the upcoming trials. 

And honestly, right now, a positive entry is difficult to write.

I don't really do resolutions, as in setting a big one each year.  It's just not my thing really.  I just try and make it a good year.  I do have hopes for 2013.. but those are for another post.  I do have several coming.  Just not sure where to start.  So, I thought wishing you all a happy 2013 and actuallly writing my first post of the year was a good place for it.

Best wishes for a good year to all of you,
Debrah.

One More Time 2012

2012.

What a year.

Honestly, not the best year.  So many changes.  Many loved ones lost.  But honestly?  A blessed year.  We received a precious baby girl in our family this year.  We learned alot about love. No, really, we learned alot about love.  I learned that ...as a body fails, spirit and strength grows ever stronger.  And not just for the survivors, for the person passing to another life as well.  I always thought I respected my elders.  I always did, but this past year, I really learned what the tone of that truly meant.  It doesn't mean yes ma'am or sir.  It doesn't mean that at all.  It means, to me, that even if someone is old or disabled or young or whatever -- they are feeling.  They are caring, deeply, beyond words.  They are loving and hurting and worth every second you can give.  They are worth that phone call.  They are worth that drive across town. 

I also learned alot about myself this year.  I want to say I struggled to change things about myself.  That was my goal.  Not a resolution, but a goal that carries until it is complete even if it is past the end of the year.  But I know, looking back at the last eight months (it wasn't set last New Year) that there are times that I could have and need to put more into obtaining that goal.

In all honesty, this has been up there on the list of 'worst years of my life' but it was also a very teaching and heartfelt year.  And that, my friends, is what I plan to take away from it, carry with me, and live and grow on.

Happiest of New Years to you and your families and friends,
From Me, and Mine,

Debrah.

Merry Christmas

For the Children...

Unique Date Today

Check out the date: 12.12.12.

This is a date that is unique for a couple reasons.  The triple twelves in a row, and also that it is the last time a tripled date such as 02.02.02 or 09.09.09 or 12.12.12 will happen until the start of the next century - 01.01.2101.

Pretty cool huh?  Unique date. Thought I'd mark it here.  And by the way, the entry I wrote a couple posts ago entitled 'This is Important' -- I've not forgotten about it...  and also by the way -- the comments section is not a place to spam sales of your car at!  Especially on that entry.  Especially by saying that God is everywhere in the sentence right before that...

Have a good night everyone!

Thankful..

Thankful today, for my family, for my friends near and far.  Thankful that there is food in the refrigerator.  Thankful that my doors have locks.  Thankful for safety, security and love.  Thankful that knowing no matter how much I mess up, God loves me still, my family loves me still, my friends love me still.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone.
--Debrah.  

This is Important:

We teach by example.  We lead by example.  We learn by example.  Your actions are testimony to who and what you are, who you stand for.  What you believe in.  We are all not perfect.  We all make mistakes.  We all live with wrong ideals.  We all do not agree. But we should all respect each other and not spout off "knowledge" as fact when we don't really understand or truly know what we are talking about.  It leads to hatred.  It leads to negativity.  It leads to people feeling bad and sometimes making poor choices.

I believe that everyone has a good heart.  I believe that God loves everyone.  I believe that everyone is entitled to the things they believe in.  I believe it is no one's place to judge others.  I believe I am struggling with some of these statements myself and have to work on them.  

Over the next few days I have to get my thoughts together. I have been praying over how to do it,  but there are some things I want and need to say, though as this blog is centrally an adoption blog, I will probably be posting them somewhere else.  I will be leaving the link soon.  

If you are religious, remember God is there.  He is the same God today as he was yesterday and as he will be tomorrow.  If you are not religious, maybe take extra time to find things that make you happy.  All of us should anyway.  I don't think anyone should focus only on the bad.

Take care everyone.  

Love,

Debrah.