Just My Opinions

Jean Horst

We Need A Better Health Care System

Things I Want My Kids to Know About Life

-Talking loudest during a discussion doesn't make you more correct.

-Refusing to listen to another person's opinion doesn't mean you won the argument.

-Just because someone else stopped talking doesn't mean they agree.

-A younger person is not automatically wrong even if they are naive.

-Being a parent doesn't make you always right.

-The person who says, "Just wait until you get older, you'll see". Is usually just bitter.

-Being right is not a license to be arrogant, mean, or rude - even to those who are wrong.

-An 8 year old can sometimes teach a 40 year old profound things about life.

-Kindness and compassion are not functions of the IQ.

-Dogs can smell meanness.

-Republican and Democrat are just the names of political parties; no more, no less.

-A girlfriend who runs out of her hair appointment with wet hair because she knows you are in trouble is a friend you keep for life.

-Adults should pay more attention to the things kids are saying.

-Listening to your enemies is not a sign of weakness.

-Before you complain and whine, you really should take time to count your blessings.

-Most Americans should never complain or whine.

-The most important things I can possibly do, all involve the next generation.

-If not everyone is laughing - it's probably not funny.

-It's hard to be mad at someone who makes you laugh.

How I Honor My Dad This Father's Day

I'm taking care of my dad now. He would hate to hear me say that. The aging process has been hell for him and he's fought it with all his strength. He's become more accepting now that he can't win, his sharp, inquiring mind increasingly trapped in a failing body. Arthritis is in control of his choices now. The once active, endlessly exploring person becoming content to explore in his mind through television's depictions of far-off places and people.

I don't mean to be maudlin or make you feel sad for him. He would hate that too. Plus, I wouldn't want you to think of him that way either. He is one of those people I wish every child could have for a Father. Those who had a great dad, would still be blessed to make his acquaintance. I love him dearly, you can tell. He was one of those rare parents who saw and understood the value of empowering his children to leave him and grow beyond him. He wanted us all to be set free when we left his house. He never fed us guilt trips or tried to make us feel beholden to him. He  is so proud of our accomplishments. Proud that a man from the farm with an 8th grade education raised educated children who went out and became successful in their work and with their families.

He was never one to lecture or pontificate. But he was one for conversation and discussion. I was astonished to find as an adolescent that other kid's parents did not ask them what they thought about world events or spiritual things. It was a regular occurance at my house. I have strong memories of discussing Watergate and astronauts on the moon with my dad, as well as talking about the latest thing he'd read in his Bible. I was astonished too that they were not included in family discussions, not trusted to learn to handle money or jobs. I began to see at that early age that I had been incredibly gifted.

I was launched into life by my dad's example. He fiercely followed his gut instincts. He has not allowed conventional wisdom or stilted tradition to dictate his decisions. He was unafraid to pray and strike out in the direction he felt was revealed. He'd swim upstream if he had to. Time has proven his decisions correct to his many doubters, though it may have had unintended consequences. I'm his youngest and when in my first year of marriage, I moved halfway across the country, I saw it turn his face gray with worry. But he never said anything negative. Just, "If that's what you think you're supposed to do..." He visited my growing family often and was an enthusiastic supporter of our putting roots in a new place. He winters with me now in the warmth and all he ever says is, "I knew you'd do fine."

Lately, I've talked him into trying electric scooters and letting me take him places in a wheelchair. I think he's been surprised that he feels empowered by them instead of diminished. Surprised that using the assistance is allowing him to continue exploring life and learning instead of making him feel dependant. I hope so. It's hard on me to see him controlled by aging joints and muscles while his mind is still strong. Hard on him too.

I thought he'd live forever. In some ways, the gradual slowdown has been a blessing. It's opened my eyes that the end will come sooner rather than later, so I'm thinking of things I want to be sure to say to him while he's still here. He's been awkward in expressing his emotions, so for the last several years, I've been making a point of always saying "I love you" at the end of every phone call, hugging and kissing him at every parting. At first, this caused consternation on his part.  Patting me on the shoulder, saying "Me too" and "Same here" on the phone. Gradually it has grown on him. Last week he volunteered, "I love you" first!

I dread our final parting. So I'm determined to have no regrets, he's not one for much sentiment but he's given me so many gifts. The life example, the faith in me, the faith in God, the adult friendship. I will honor him the very best way I can: by passing his example to my children, modeling for them as he did for me. Believing in them and launching them off to fulfill their life's purpose. That's what he would want.

The Christmas Story From the Bible

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." Isaiah 9:6 & 7

"But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of this father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, his kingdom will never end." Luke 1:30-33

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day..he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived." Luke 2:1-21

"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." Matthew. 2:9-11

All Scriptures NIV

• Previous Posts:

• We Need A Better Health Care System
• Things I Want My Kids to Know About Life
• How I Honor My Dad This Father's Day
• The Christmas Story From the Bible
• What Makes A Mother?
• Tyra Banks Is Fat???
• What to Buy for a Geek - The Geek Gift-Giving Guide
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