The Work of Remaking America

Inspirational. That is the word I use to describe today. Never before have I been inspired enough to watch a presidential inauguration. Today I heard a powerful, moving speech that sparked hope, patriotism and pride. Not only was today a historical day as our country embraced our first African-American Commander in Chief, but a day the touched and moved our nation. What a momentous day! God bless Barack Obama, his beautiful family and his presidency. Let him be the change agent we all believe him to be!

Youth Sports

You know what? There's not much I enjoy more than watching my kids play sports and being involved with the individual teams. Now granted I'm pretty particular in the teams I choose to have the kids participate in and the coaches I select to have as role models for the boys. Nonetheless, having chosen wisely, it is a distinct pleasure to go to practices and games and watch the players grow and improve while sharing the experience with a great group of parents and siblings.

I was a competitive athlete growing up and I know how important sports team interaction can be and the influence coaches have on their players. I didn't have a coach that I would consider a good role model - he was a yeller screamer, someone who didn't think twice about telling a 10-year-old they needed to lose weight. Crazy! Thankfully there are great coaches out there that put those bad coaches to shame.

Win or lose, there is nothing better than a coach that handles a team with grace and style, showing the players how to be leaders and good sportsmen. The Champions of Character program is a great example of what I'm talking about - character building as the focus rather than a simple focus on winning. Creating lifelong winners who are successful on and off the field is just what today's athletes need!

Plans & Schedules

As I sit for the second day waiting for the in-laws to decend for time with the grandchildren, I have to wonder... who says they are coming to town without giving a specific DAY or calling to let you know when to expect company?

I sat around the house all day yesterday waiting to hear from them. The grandchildren anticipated their arrival. Not a word was heard. It is already noon today, and still no word!

I just have to wonder: what happened to common courtesy, especially among family?

Nurturing... or Not

I know I'm no expert and that I'll make my fair share of mistakes as a parent. However, having married into a family that is night and day different from my own, and that is full of tension, misunderstandings and hurt... I often find myself wondering, "What's wrong with these people?"

Let me back up a minute. About two years ago, my husband and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary with a trip to where it all began - Des Moines, Iowa. My husband's family lives about 30 minutes from Des Moines. As this was a weekend to celebrate and enjoy each other (without our children keeping us company), we didn't travel to see his parents.

That's when all heck broke loose. We received 42-point type e-mail filled with anger as a result. Not only did we hear about not visiting, but about events that took place 15 years prior (before my entrance to the scene). Now, being one easy to succumb to guilt... I asked around about this reaction. What I found was that while some parents might be disappointed, that is the highest level of angst this event should have resulted in.

Now, I knew that my husband's relationship with his parents was not as nurturing or loving as my relationship with my own family, but I was truly amazed by the reaction (still am). Husband has not had a relationship with his family since. Now, it seems to be happening all over again - this time to his brother.

It leaves me wondering... what is "normal"? The loving, nurturing, supportive household I grew up in? Or this aggressive, hostile environment my husband and his brother seem to have lived through? I know there are families that go through much worse, but the emotional and psychological abuse parents can submit their children to is incredibly damaging. It is a credit to both these men that they have overcome and are doing as well as they are.

What doesn't make sense to me is how someone can be so eager to blame others, yet never recognize their role in creating the very situations they claim to be offended by. How can a grown adult fail to take responsibility for their own actions when they are screaming for others to take responsibility for their own?