11 September 2001 - A MEMORIAL

A tribute to the innocent victims and the heroes of 9/11

September 11, 2001 is a day that will be remembered around the world; the day we witnessed the slaughter of thousands of innocent American civilians.  We watched horrified as live television showed hundreds of fireman and police officers give their lives trying to save others. 

 

We stared dumfounded at our TVs as appalling scenes of airplanes used as missiles destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, slammed into the Pentagon in Washington DC, and crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. America was being attacked by a unknown enemy.  All we could do was watch...

As Americans, all of us shared in the sorrow of this hideous massacre of innocent people.  In one way or another, this tragedy affected all civilized people from every country. 

Five years after the fact, America is still engaged in this struggle against terrorism. Some have said that this "war on terror" will continue for decades as two very different civilizations clash and compete for dominance.  War is no longer something that happens on foreign soil; it is now being fought on Main Street, USA.  God help us all.

MEMORIAL LISTS BY NAMES

Never before seen Video of WTC 9/11 attack

WERIEVENTS

This september was a day of many incredible and shocking stories: stories of survivors, stories of heroes. But there was one story that people didn't want to face. The story of the people who began to jump from the World Trade Center just minutes after the first plane hit. Their images were caught on videotape and in photographs, but soon they were never seen again, as if they had never existed.

Among those pictures is one of the most unforgettable images from 9/11 - a photograph of a falling man, frozen in mid air, his body perfectly parallel with the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

Firefighters, police officers,emergency personnel, reporters and many other eyewitnesses all reported explosives going off insie the buildings.Yet none of this is mentioned in the mainstream media .

The rumor is that Sarah Palin's fifth child, Trig, is actually her grandson, and Sarah's daughter Bristol is the mother.  The blogosphere buzz:

http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/30/121350/137/486/580223

http://www.236.com/news/2008/08/30/were_going_with_the_rumor_sara_1_8598.php

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/things-that-mak.html

Let me be clear.  I hate gossip; i hate personal attacks; i hate smears.  Doesn't matter what the politics is of the person or persons doing it.  The only reason i'm posting about this is because in my opinion, this is not a smear, this a danger for the Obama supporters who are pushing this story (like the Daily Kos diarist).

If Sarah Palin's teenage daughter got pregnant, had a son with Downs, and Sarah and her husband are raising it as their own, it would take a giant leap of the imagination to paint that as a negative against her.  It's really a wonderful thing.  And even the possibility (if the rumor's true) that she lied about it in calling it her own child is no strike against her, as she was merely protecting her daughter.

Any way you slice this story, the Palins have acted honorably and in a manner i hope any parent would act.  She has acted as i would have acted. This is nothing suitable for a political hit job and anyone hoping to defeat McCain better drop it, because it's not going to help Obama.  No way, no how.  This is a dead end street.

Let people have their personal lives.  Let teenage girls make mistakes.  And when their parents choose to act selflessly and help their children (and grandchildren), leave it alone, except to honor it.

None of this is to say Palin is qualified to be VP and a heartbeat away from the Presidency.  She's the worst VP pick of the modern era.  But it has nothing to do with her family or personal life, and those issues should be off the table for everyone.  Period.

This afternoon I was reflecting on the night she was born. I was in a place of frustration, burn out, and all the other crap that comes along with it. Satan had me completely twisted around on what I believed or thought to be truth. I was ready to give it all up until August 16th, 2004. A day I'll always remember. Not just because of Gracie's birth but also because it was the day where my heavenly Father revealed his love to me again. As I sat that first night, Jamie was asleep, and I was holding Grace in my arms, I weeped for this new love I never felt before; the love of a Father. I couldn't help but ask God, "This is how you felt about me all along?". I realized that my life is so much bigger than me or what I want to get from it. That love was about giving not getting.

God has brought Jamie and I to an amazing place in our lives since then. His blessings are too many to count.

I can't wait until Gracie gets old enough for me to sit down with her to tell her how she saved my life; how she's my gift, my gift of Grace.

I just went from a derma clinic inside a hospital for the elecrocautery of my warts. Beside the derma clinic is a clinic for diabetic patients. A patient just finished her check-up. She was fat and in a wheel chair. Both of her legs were cut off. The patient's companion was called inside. I heard the doctor telling to the companion that if she could not control her blood sugar her wounds would not heal and she might die. I pity her at the same time thankful to God that I only went to the hospital for my warts.

How many times that we presumed our wants as our needs. Many people have their happiness attached to worldly things. They are so attached to this world that they even spend lots of money to take care of their corpses when they died. People just want and want all of his miserable life and finally when he died he never felt true happiness. All of the material possessions are just temporary, it will fade fast and gone.

"What does a man gets when he gains the whole world and yet looses his own soul". It is only normal to people to be ambitious. Ambition is the fuel for the achievements of man. But it must also have a limitation. Ambition must not be for the glory of man but for the glory of God. We must know when to stop ambition and starts contentment. Let us not reach the level of loosing one's soul. Let us be contended when our wants are affecting our happiness. I believe that theoretically man should be happy. The life that God gave him should be enough to make him happy. If that ambition is making one sorrowful do not wait that it does not only take your happiness but also your faith.

It is very hard to be contented in this world. Everywhere you look is a temptation. Most of us are not saints and contentment is a virtue. But as time passes and your dream fail, that is the time to embrace contentment.

Continue reading >>

This is a request from my officemate, Ricci. She wanted an ambigram for her two little angels, Iya and Ally. Those are their nicknames. I chose them instead of the real names since its easier to work on.

The ambigrams went well since the letters cooperated. Especially with Ally where the LL part is a natural ambigram. Designing Iya was a bit tough but it came out great.

Ricci wanted something girly for her girls. Thus, I added those ornaments with the design. What I liked about the designs was that I was able to use the same style for both. Its not that often I can do that. Now they can use it proudly.

El anterior disco lo pusieron para descargarse por la voluntad.

Dios (lease Damien Rice) versionó esta canción. (junto a su famoso Blower´s Daugther)

Una canción de "esas" que nos marcan.

I know that anyone with teenagers can and does have the "attitude" issue.  I know from personal as well as professional experience.  I have a teenager right now, and I have a daughter well past being a teenager.  And of course I have worked with many, many teenagers.

So sit tight back and check out what we are going to do this week to help you to get rid of teenage attitude.

I am thrilled because I have been asked to be a guest on Tame the Teenager Series.  It will be replacing my regular GEM Parenting Secrets-Live with Grace-Wed evening program.

Check it out at: http://www.GEMParenting.com

In this hour-long teleseminar I will be discussing:

What are the six main dilemmas facing parents of teens these days?

And I know if you have a teenager right now you have got to be worried about some or all of these dilemmas.  And if you are coming up to teenage parenting why not get acquainted with the problems before they are in your house.

Remember as a parent of a teen you may not actually like what your child is doing, but your responsibility is to nurture, protect and love your child.  And with these in action as well as mind you will help your teen learn to live with confidence, make appropriate decisions, and have reasonable self expectations.  And you will live the peace of mind that you are on top of things, not somehow lost at sea, waiting till the teen years are over, and hoping to land at a nice beach.

Terrific Tuesday 

Mark Todhunter who is hosting Tame the Teenager will be sharing his expertise about teen issues and solutions.

Wednesday Wisdom

We call this Wednesday Wisdom because this is the day you get the real GEM Parenting Wisdom.  In the morning you can come check out the article that I have written.  And in the evening you can come join us for Live With Grace- GEM Parenting Secrets.

I am really excited about this topic- Tame the Teenager- and thrilled to be a guest expert of Mark Todhunter.  I am going to share with you all about the six main dilemmas facing parents of teens these days.  Most of the answers are just what is concerning you. 

This will be a lively discussion, with the opportunity to have your personal questions answered and elaborated upon.  If you are a teen or preteen parent you have got to join us.  If you don't it is not our fault when things screw up and you are so lost you can't figure how to even be in the same room with your teen. 

This teleseminar will be at 8:00pm eastern/5:00pm pacific.

To register for free and to get call in information for all four classes in May, please type your first name and email address below.

And since I am the guest there is no charge for this.  (Even though our normal charge in minimal-it just helps with overhead)

And you can be anywhere with a phone, so you don't need to worry about what to wear or worry about much.  A teleseminar is simply a seminar done by phone.

Thoughtful Thursday

Now if you simply can't make the live teleseminar, we will have the podcast available for you on Thursday.  And if you are unsure of what a podcast is, it is a recording that you can down load to your computer or mp3 player.  This means you can listen to it at your leisure-while sweating away at the gym, taking a calm walk, driving wherever you go, or curled up in your jammies with a cup of relaxing tea.

Feedback Friday

You have got to come back because I almost always have a few more thoughts I didn't get in or new thoughts that came to me after I was done, and of course this is the day I have answers to the question you have sent in.  Now is a really good time to send in your question about Taming the Teenager. 

And just to let you know, next week I am going to be talking about what to do if your kid did not do well in school this year.  So if you have concerns about this send in those questions as well.

There is no better way for me to help you than for you to send me your questions and concerns.  And that is my number one goal-help you be a happy, relaxed, reliable and responsible parent.  So please take a moment and send me your question.

And of course Saturday is...

Creative Crayon Club

Here I am going to provide you with activities and ideas you can do with your teenagers that will spark their imagination, make you look like a totally cool parent, build your new bond, and help you stay the responsible parent that I know you can be.

According to the 60 Minutes report we the society are ignorant to this, and that it happens more often than we think. That's kind of obvious to me, I mean I don't ever expect any form of consensual incest to occur, but there are always sick individuals in the world that are willing to step over that line.

60 Minutes got a psychologists on the show and he says this is a case of what is called "Genetic Sexual Attraction", so it's a condition with a name for it, very disturbing. I'm just glad that the psychologist later goes on to say that although this occurs the people involved are ridiculous and stupid to take it further and advance on their attractions, they are adults and should know better.

The 60 Minutes video interview inside

Forbidden Love

Don't think that I'm attacking anyone. I'm simply putting the facts on the table. I'm sure the Tibetan monks understand exactly what I'm saying because China is making a clear statement to them that their lands could be used to feed the wants (not needs) of the expanding Chinese stomachs.

TBC

Our wonderful friends, they are more family than friends, sent us a wonderful box of steaks and burgers. Thanks to them I had a delicious supper last night. Our family and friends have been great this holiday. I received cards and gifts. My Aunt, Granny, and Dad all sent wonderful cards. My dad sent a big box full of goodies for the kids and me. We had a great time.

I made a special Valentine's outfit for my daughter. I'll get those pictures loaded sometime this weekend. I only have about 200 shots to look through to find the best ones to post. She received a lot of compliments on the outfit today. I was worried about how it would turn out because it was the first try on this pattern. I stumbled several times in the making, but it turned out pretty cute. I also learned some valuable things about making the pattern work better.

I hope every one had a great Love day! Check back for the pictures of the Love outfit.

Cece Winans- When I listen to her music it always ministers to me, she comes across like one that is a true worshipper- one that loves the Lord with all her being giving Him the praise in every way. Apart from being an award winning artist (six times Grammy awards winner), Dove award winner, Soul train award winner and actress… she is also a teacher and mentor…Her album Throne room is my all time favourite, not just the melody but the words always bring healing and joy to my soul, I feel sometimes listening to her songs and feel like I am intruding in her personal time with God. I most admire about her is a passion for the youth, especially young girls. In Oct of 2005, Cece developed and hosted the Always Sisters conference which focuses on support for young women ages 13-26yrs, where she offered words of encouragement and self esteem was discussed. This is her passion that young women will walk in the fullness of God glory and self worth of their everyday lives. At the conference she presented the young ladies with tiaras as a token to the girl, She said…”My prayer was that they know God and know who they are”…”He is the only one that can really teach you who you are, how beautiful you are, how powerful you are, that you deserve the best and not to settle for less” This are the kind of things I like to see and hear..Older women mentoring the younger ones and empowering them on who (we) are as women/princesses and should be treated as one by ourselves and others. Cece has been married for over 21yrs with two children (boy/girl) Cece the wife and mother has managed to balance her personal and professional lives with relatives ease….this for me is a woman living a life with purpose.

 Oprah Winfrey- Born January 29, 1954 is the American multiple-Emmy Award winning host of The Oprah Show, the highest-rated talk show in television history. She is also an influential book critic, an Academy Award -nominated actress for The Color Purple. And a magazine publisher of O, The Oprah Magazine and O at Home. She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century, the most philanthropic African American of all time, and the world's only black billionaire for three straight years. She is also, according to some assessments, the most influential woman in the world {} raised in rural poverty by her grandmother, born out of wedlock by a mother who was a housekeeper and father a coal miner, at the birth of Oprah, but later became a councilman. Regardless of background and a challenged home life she was able to rise above it all at 13yrs received a scholarship to attend Nicolet High School in the Milwaukee suburb of Glendale, Wisconsin after which she won an oratory contest, which secured her full scholarship to Tennessee State University, a historically black institution, where she studied communication. This is a woman that has accomplished so much in the world of media I could go on, but what I would like to spotlight and truly admire is her Leadership Academy for Girls  in South Africa, she intends teaching a class via satellite. Oprah is not married, but instead has been in longstanding relationship of over 20yrs with partner Stedman Graham. She never had children of her own but had this to say about the girls of her Leadership Academy….”I never had children, never even thought I would have children. Now I have 152 daughters; expecting 75 more next year. That is some type of gestation period…I said to the mothers, the family members, the aunts, the grannies — because most of these girls have lost their families, their parents — I said to them, “Your daughters are now my daughters and I promise you I'm going to take care of your daughters. I promise you.”   

I found doing the research for this list quiet reflective and it sure did reinforce things about myself that I am absolutely sure are no coincidences anymore… all the women that I admire, truly sum me up …Out of the box, Passionate, Motivational, Strong, Natural nurturers, Called to run “their own” race, Unique with a large heart of service to others and effective to their immediate society and the world!

 None of these women are perfect and have made mistakes in their lives, they have had their share of challenges and adversity, but it never stopped them...

Life must have purpose!

Who inspires you? 

Who do you admire?  

 And Why? 

1- Mrs Clara Onelum, You may not all know her but I do, she is my “mummy” She is an inspiration and note worthy.She is passionate and devoted to her children and family, an example of a woman, Classy, hardworking and committed. My mother has always been my first role model. She worked in the bank for 16yrs, refused promotion so as not to be away from raising her then very young  children, So to keep herself busy and fuel  her entrepreneurial spirit, she qualified as a hair dresser/stylist from Revlon in the States, opened her own salon first in the house and then later expanded it to a shop next door with a dressmaking section to it…she had a wholesale distributorship too all she did from home…no matter how busy she was we always sat together for our meals which she cooked ( that left a lasting impression on me) she was able to be a mom and also be productive and fulfilled…she later went to catering school and qualified as a chef which she did in the UK until she retired 5yrs ago…but that has not stopped her. I could go on but will stop there :)

 2-    Nike Davies Okundaye – Now when Vanity Fair was looking to have “African” Icons on its cover why was Nike not part of it I say! She can only be described by me with one word as an enigma! She is naturally talented and creative. She is one of Nigeria’s most successful contemporary artiste, and the very few to gain international reputations as an artist and designer, all this from a woman with no formal training. At a very young age learnt indigo weaving and dyeing ( Adire) from her great-grandmother. She refused an arranged marriage and ran away with a theatre group. To read more about how she gained independence and escaped the violence and abuse of her first husband and how she has developed a centre of the arts in Lagos, Oshogbo in Ogun state and Ogidi in Kogi state of Nigeria and also how she is helping rural women gain financial freedom as well as build up their self esteem by training them in the arts of Adire. http://nikeart.com/main.htm  and read her biography http://blackartstudio.com/Nikespage.htm  

3- Maya Angelou- She is a woman of great substance and elegance a true beauty. She is one of many of the contemporary voices of literature…Her poetry, like one of her own many titles are just “Phenomenal” (Phenomenal Woman is my all time favourite poem of hers) she is an historian, bestselling author, play write, civil-rights activist and I hear producer and director too…The beauty of her words and lyrical flow just blows me away..Her original name is Marguerite Johnson. Her book I know why the caged bird sings was about her childhood,  spent between her grandmother in rural, segregated Stamps, Arkansas and St.Louis, Missouri where her mother lived, her rape at 8yrs by her mother’s boyfriend  to age sixteen and with the birth of her son, by the time she was in her early twenties she was a Creole  cook, a streetcar conductor, a cocktail waitress a dancer, a madam and unwed mother, the following decades saw her emerge as a successful singer, actress and playwright, an English-language magazine in Egypt, a lecturer and civil rights activist. In 1993 Angelou gave a moving reading of her poem On the pulse of morning at Bill Clinton’s Presidential inauguration which gave her wide recognition

Poetry break....

Title: Omu iya du (Mothers mike is sweet)

We are sitting at lunch when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of starting a family. "We're taking a survey," she says, half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?" "It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations...." But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop her best crystal without a moment's hesitation. I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give
it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years-not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.I want her to know that a caesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honour. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or a cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reach across the table, squeeze my daughter's hand and offer a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. This blessed gift from God . . . that of being a Mother.

Authour Unknown.

PS: congratulation on making school council :)

Happy 10^th Birthday my Ruchie-girl

 We love you and pray all of God’s blessing in your life.

May you fulfil your purpose and walk in the 

 fullness of your destiny in this lifetime.

Amen!

Love always,

Digby aka Daddy, Mumruch aka Mummy, 

Lijipoo aka Elijah-baptiste

and  Princess Jo-jo aka Jeunelle.