Stereotypes

Many of my 'regular readers' know I have been working on this post for some time...it may well just be deemed 'a work in progress'...

As I write this, I am sitting in the cafe of the pediatric hospital where my daughter was healed - six times - of heart failure. It's a friendly place - a hot air balloon that at one time featured free rides from the Lower Level to the Mezanine of the cafetieria silently watches patrons below its retired, though lofty precipice. Whale-topped weather vanes and whispy wire butterflies stretched with silky tulle soar above the room. A dull hum of conversations around a half-dozen tables drowns out the faint, tinkly sound of Muzak...yet I hear a familiar tune of Mozart and my childhood orchestral memories break through the low drone, spinning thoughts through my head...


I recently joined FaceBook. Almost immediately, one of my best friends from high school contacted me. Then, his little sister (previously a cheerleader in my graduating class) sent me a 'button' proclaiming that I am "a COOL band geek." After receiving this gift for my 'wall' (more FB talk), I reconnected with one of the 'smart guys' from my graduating class. It's all gotten me thinking...thinking about stereotypes.

Most of the day today I lamented about the historical decision our country made yesterday in terms of its next president. I felt sad that my personal political party of choice has come to exude such a negative emotion and impression from so many of my fellow Americans. Let me say that I am thrilled that we have elected a president of Euro-African decent. I am not thrilled with his politics. But, the country embraces him. The world embraces him (edited: I said, until I read this...). And I pray he can make the positive changes in our country of which he speaks so eloquently.

But what do we say about these 'stereotypes' - about stereotypes, in general? Am I, at the age of 35, a 'band geek?' A 'cool' one, at that? Is my friend's little sister a ... (gasp!) cheerleader! Or our classmate Greg - a smart guy? I begin to wonder about my own kids...one with a sporty bent, one with a calm, intelligent demeanor...the diva...the fussy one (destined to be a public defender??).

Before our children were born, my husband did not desire a stay-at-home wife. I never planned to stay at home with my kids - I have a Master's degree. Why would I go through 6 years of higher education to stay home, barefoot and pregnant, taking my kids to McDonald's for unhealthy lunches, eating bon-bons and watching soaps while they play, unbathed, in the corner of our dirty home? Why would I choose that unprofession when yet even today, so many negative connotations are conjured up in our minds with the term 'stay-at-home mom?' Just like those images of 'the band geek, 'the brainiac,' 'the cheerleader.' The Republican.

Are stereotypes beneficial? Are they detrimental? How is it that some can use stereotypes without regard to their offensiveness, yet others are 'closed-minded' and 'hateful' in using their own? Aren't stereotypes no more than one person's value judgment in the short term, yet God sees us for eternity? He admonishes us in John 7:24 to "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

In light of the time I have spent trying to adequately put into words the thoughts I entertained last week as I sat at a table, alone (without kids!), in a place that held so many poignant, life-changing memories for me...let me direct you to this Biblically articulate man. Perhaps he can shed light on some thoughts He has on stereotypes...

Until next time,
Blessings~
Karin

Stereotypes...stay tuned

Do you fit into a stereotype? What type of person are you? Is there a mold that suits you best? Perhaps the cast was shattered once you came upon this earth...

For days (and days and days and...) I have busily photographed Halloween happenings and other fall festivities around my 3 school-age children's schools. I snapped over 200 pictures of cute (sometimes s.c.a.r.y.) costumed characters and 100s of pictures of robots (yes, I said robots). I have edited, processed, taped, formatted, copied, scanned, ate, cooked, cleaned, dreamt, and even finished taking, processing, and sharing all these photos with their intended recipients as of tonite. I think I'm tired of taking pictures (oh, I'm not fooling anyone - I LOVE taking pictures --- almost as much as I love my new camera. OK. Actually more. Fine. Moving on.)

Tonite I valiantly worked to publish a post on Stereotypes. I actually began writing it a week ago (notice no new posts??? This one is taking a while...) And as I sat at the computer tonite and the clock slowly ticked towards midnight and panic quickly began to build in my chest over my fear of no sleep and need for extra doses of morning caffeine because of it...I decided to tickle your tastebuds for the real post I am writing and share some of these cool robot (yes, I said robot) photos I took this morning. And I can go to bed. Post completed. (Well, except for the one about Stereotypes...maybe he'll stay in draft form like my If You Give a Mouse a Cookie made-for-blog story of the mother with ADD...for another day, that one is. Don't steal my idea.)

So. Tonite? What type of robot are you?

Are you the kind who's always happy? Never showing the world a frown?

Or the one, in a world of giants, feeling rather down (here)...

Maybe you're the full-time cook. Your children call you by name.

Perhaps it's love you're seeking.

Or someone to tame your wild mane.

Vacation sound appealing? You're going a little nuts?

At least you don't resemble this guy...in the rain, he's gonna rust. (That's 'look old' in robot speak)

Well, let me be there to help a lending hand. Push your buttons back in. Take your hand. Share a smile.

Cuz in robot land, there are no stereotypes. George Lucas writes your rhymes. And all good children go to bed. Early.

'Night!

Through a Glass Darkly

This post was not my original blog post for tonite --- in fact, I have entertained a few different ideas as the day progressed. I even sat in the cafeteria at the pediatric hospital where my daughter was healed - 6 times - of a failing heart, writing a post out with pen and paper before my support group meeting tonite. Yet, I am not posting that story this evening, either.

You see, a sweet, sweet mommy-to-be told me something tonite that took my breath away. And I have to write it down. I pray that this story would reflect my heart this evening. And I pray, too, that in spite of my bumbling chatter after she shared her story with me, that she would know truly, truly how much she touched my heart. What you said, S, makes everything much clearer. As the Bible says, For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

It is not often that God lifts the veil in this life...to see clearly the path of our struggles and to give it meaning. Why do we suffer? Why is it allowed? S, you have given me - and my family - an Amazing Gift tonite...You have clarified, at least in part, the reason we have been where we have been...

In providing a little history, a sweet young woman and her loving husband attended one of our heart support group meetings several months ago. As is so sadly the case in today's medically advanced world, with so many children with heart defects being born and living abundant lives, this young couple, pregnant just through the middle of her second term, was told by a medical professional that their unborn baby had a heart condition and recommended that they consider terminating the pregnancy. Obviously devastated, the couple then visited a pediatric cardiologist who painted a completely different picture of life, with surgeries, but life and eventual health with their still-growing, inside mommy, baby girl. This couple then attended one of our heart parent support group meetings. They shared their emotions, their frustrations, their joys and their sorrows with us. And we embraced them, knowingly, compassionately, lovingly. It is a path many of us know too well - discovering before she is born that your dear baby has a heart defect.

Through the course of the next several months, this mommy-to-be opened up even more with us. She shared her heart. She let us in on her struggles - dealing with this unplanned bump in the road during this, her first pregnancy. Much of the innocence, much of the joy of those first maternal feelings of anticipation and excitement having been stolen from her with that initial diagnosis, she awaits the unknown day when she will deliver her precious bundle only to have that newborn baby whisked away to an operating room to correct a defect - the smatter on a glowing green screen that indicates this baby, this baby that kicks and hiccups within her growing belly, is just. not. quite. perfect. to the rest of the world.

This baby will share my daughter's name. I noted that when I first read the email sharing her name with our group. And Mommy noted it to me tonite. On a certain night several months ago, when this young couple attended their first support meeting, I brought my kids with me. And S saw Pookie. And though she and her husband had considered Pookie's name before this meeting, they had decided to consider other names. S shared that when they saw Pookie, however, she and her husband decided it was a sign. Pookie is so strong now. So vivacious. So full of life. She is a fighter. And to this mom and dad, that gave them Hope for their Little Pookie.

In living the life we have led with Pookie, Meiners, T and Baby S - I circle back time and time again to the fact that we go through our experiences in this life so that we can help others. It is what gives our life meaning. It is what allows us to praise Our Maker at all times. Tonite, this young, scared, overwhelmed, but blessed young mommy-to-be gave me a gift she may not even begin to understand --- until she, too, one day sits on this side of her struggles. S, I do pray that you understand I had to write this down for my own baby --- that she would see that her life is precious. She has a purpose here. And so does your baby. I cannot wait to meet her.

In fact, I wish that all of you could see these kids. See how lovely they are. How much we, their parents, love them. I thank God that most of you will never have to see what we, as parents of children with heart defects, have seen. Or that your babies will have to survive what ours have survived. But, when it is possible, I thank God, too, that He shows us His Divine Plan. Everything happens for a reason. Most of the time we will not discern the reason. Tonite, I saw more clearly. I am forever humbled. I am forever grateful.

Have I Changed?

As our country watches, hopeful, expectant, waiting to see what change is ahead for our great nation, I thought I would add a little levity to Election Night with the following...

5 ways I have changed since high school...

1. My hair...Then

Now...

2. My drink...Then

Now...

or, after a REALLY tough day...

3. My Ride...Then

Now...

4. My Politics...Then

Now...


5. My free time...Then

Now...

Face Book

My friend Frizzy and I go way back. Waaaaaaaaaaay Back. (OK, 20 years. Holy Batman that sounds worse than it feels!) And two days ago she sent word that she'd gotten in touch with an Old Friend of ours from high school via FaceBook. Last Fall she'd opened a spot on the FB (as all of us 'in the know' call it...) and invited me to join her to keep in touch. My only experience with FB - if you'd call it 'experience' was watching a news story unravel where a local teenage girl took her own life after a FaceBook mishap - and I wanted nothing to do with it.

Fast forward 12 months and she sends me this note. My curiosity was piqued. I Google'd 'FaceBook.' (I'm daring and dangerous like that - must. Google. first.) It looked fairly harmless and for all intensive purposes, it looked like I could create an account and invite no one to be my friend and ensure the Boogie Man could never find me, so I did it. I registered and created a second place in the blogosphere that I could call my own. Since then, I've made real live contact with two old friends, and I am cracking up. My one friend hasn't changed a bit. Crude. Funny. Grey hair's about the only change I can see. It got me to thinking. How have I changed since high school? How am I the same? Sounds like a blog post to me! So stay tuned - I'll have some pictures that will make you laugh. And some insight that will make you think. (Well, maybe. It may just be about the funny pictures.)

That's me in the back - and JO with all his girls (bwahahahahahaha...)

And here he is 20 years later...all grown up, I tell ya.

Until then,
Blessings!
~k

Giving Thanks

These little goblins scared off October.

I couldn't be any more grateful...

Now on to more relaxing days of Holiday Preparation!

Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou Romeo?

In the car the other day...

"Mom?"
"Yes, Meiners?"
"You know those girls that love me too much?"
(Stifling a laugh) "Yes, Honey, I know those girls."
"They always want to sit by me. I tell them to sit somewhere else."

Well, Dear...one day you'll be wanting to sit by them.

I guarantee it.
(and maybe we should be a little nicer to them until then...)