Proud to be an American

Written Sept. 11th, 2015

I had the unexpected opportunity , today, to teach a 6th grade class about September 11th. So often as a substitute teacher , I administer busy work and while away the time. 

I surprised myself with my ability to help these kids process and understand something that happened before they were born, but which has impacted their parents and family so uniquely. 

Though I have hardly even noticed the date in recent years, I found myself emotional when I did stop and reflect on that great tragedy. 

It's strange, isn't it; that a fourth grader in California with no relatives back east could grow up and still be so deeply affected?

As a grown up I've heard dark hints at how political the attacks really were. From conspiracy theory to commonly held opinion it seems we've pretty much devolved into staunch factions all arguing about what really happened, and why our reaction to it was not correct. 

As I sit and try to sift through my childhood perspective of this national tragedy and compare that to the information  I have waded through as an adult, I am struck most poignantly with this thought:

That despite what anyone callously professes on facebook, despite those articles about how Finland is better because it has a TV show with a strong female lead, and despite globalization and current political trends I still love my country.

 I don't love everything about our government as it currently stands, I don't love every stretch of freeway, or all of our current societal trends. But I do love the rocks and rills and templed hills. 

I love the sprawling desert that stretches from here to my parents' without interruption. I love the taste and smell that accosts you the minute you step outside the Honolulu airport. I have heard God on these mountains and seen bravery protect them. 

I am proud to be an American. 

Whether the terrorists who attacked on September 11th all those years ago were attacking for one group or another doesn't change that. Whether or not I knew any one of those little specks jumping desperately from the high windows doesn't make their final acts lose resonance.  The September 11th attacks were a direct attack on a land, a place, a community, and a people that I believe in. That I love. And that is both sad and empowering.

As I choked back tears and answered the questions of the most attentive and engaged class I have ever taught, I did my best to convey my message.

 And I was filled with hope as I saw that, for that brief moment, they got it. 

On Thoughtfulness

Yesterday I filmed a funeral. It was a come and go and I ended up staying there until about 8:30 at night. The funeral filming is an interesting experience in and of itself, but more about that another time.

I wanted to share a moment that I share about a another person's thoughtfulness and how much it meant to me.

Throughout the long evening there were stretches of down time during which I chatted with one of the funeral attendants. I told him Justin was studying to be a Physical Therapist, and he told me he'd tried to convince his son, a geologist who had struggled to find work in his field, to think about PT as a career.

"The schooling is very tough though, " I told him "Justin wakes up at about 5:30 am each morning and doesn't get back until 9, 10, and often 11 at night."

"Oh boy, " said Richard

and then quietly

"that's got to be hard on you then."

Richard probably doesn't know that I had to bite my lip to keep myself from losing it right there.

I am so incredibly proud of what my husband is doing. School is not easy for him because of his ADHD. On top of that this program is accelerated so the classes are stacked up pretty heavily. We've had ups and downs and through it all he's held on to his dream.

Sometimes though, I feel forgotten. Physical Therapy is a career path that's recognized. People know the schooling's difficult, they know that Justin is doing great things. And me, well I've just got this little business plus a milllion side jobs, handling all the household responsibilities and raising my kid.

I know I'm not the only one. With the price of education going up, the economy being what it is, and the woman in the work place, I think there are a lot of people like me - the spouse who's working day and night in a non-traditional way.

So here's to all you mom's and dad's shouldering the burdens of the household and striving daily to help your spouse realize their dream. You are not forgotten.

Richard is thinking about you.

April Showers Bring May Weddings

I have neglected to blog for the past few months, as I continue to try and grow my videography business and be a good mom. It's been a very busy but fun couple of months. I have also FINALLY put my poetry book together. Look to upcoming posts for all the details.


Until then, I also want to share some pictures from Aimee's bridal shower! My Aunt Shelly, sister Marissa and I had so much fun putting it together and I got WAY trigger happy with my camera. Here are a few of the best pictures for your viewing pleasure.

We dipped oreos in chocolate molds and then messed around with glitter sprays and powders.
These are the pretty survivors.

  My Aunt is really crafty, whether she will admit it or not! She made these cute signs. That's my handwriting there...that's right I helped!

My littlest sister Jillian is really cute!

These are hand-knit little heart bags that my Aunt and her sister made...because they're amazing. We filled them with kisses and gave them as favors.

This is Aimee and her fabulous future mother-in-law. This woman is the sweetest person, you'd never guess that on-duty she's a bad-A cop ;)

Lindsay Dunn is pretty much the cutest chick I've ever met in person.

Aimee and her friends. Adorbs. Ew...just kidding I would never I promise. 

Aimee feeling awkward about what was in that Frederick's bag.