Memory

With all the confusing muddle of thoughts bouncing around randomly across the net, I thought I'd take time to clarify what 'memorial' is truly about.

Here's the definition from my huge dictionary and while it's not a Webster's dictionary (which I prefer), it serves me well. Memory: n. 1. The mental process or faculty of representing in consciousness an act, experience, or impression, with recognition that it belongs to time past. 2. The experiences of the mind taken in the aggregate, and considered as influencing present and future behavior. 3. The accuracy and ease with which a person can retain and recall past experiences. 4. That which is remembered, as an act, event, person, or thing. 5. The period of time covered by the faculty of remembrance: beyond the memory of man. 6. The state of being remembered; posthumous reputation: The memory of Washington will endure. 7. That which reminds; a memorial; a memento. 8. The information storage unit of a computer.

Here are some synonyms: recollection, remembrance, reminiscence, retrospect, retrospection. My dictionary also states, "Memory is the faculty by which knowledge is retained or recalled; memory is a retention of knowledge within the grasp of the mind, while remembrance is the having what is known consciously before the mind. Either may be voluntary or involuntary. Recollection involves volition, the mind making a distinct effort to recall something, or fixing the attention actively upon it when recalled. Reminiscence is a half-dreamy memory of scenes or events long past; retrospection is a distinct turning of the mind back upon the past, bringing long periods under survey.

Here are some antonyms: forgetfulness, oblivion, obliviousness.

For the purpose of this day and this blog post, I think we should focus on definitions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7. Almost 3,000 people were killed on this day in the year 2001, many humans from many countries and of many faiths. That was the year our middle child was born. While innocent lives were being snuffed out in the northern part of our country, I was at home teaching our son and taking care of our infant daughter. We lived in a trailer at the time, out in the country where the air is clean and fragrant with grass, freshly plowed dirt, gardenias and all manner of good, green and growing things. My husband, who was TACP at the time and stationed at Ft. Polk, LA, called me from work and told me to turn the TV on. What I saw was unreal, like a nightmare. Much like the Challenger disaster, which I remember watching as a child, or the Oklahoma city bombing, or a father decapitating his disabled son...it was a horror. Tears rolled down my face as I considered the possibilities, probabilities and magnitude of this occurrence. I knew that at a moment's notice, my husband could be called to go away and fight. At the time he was going through the process of cross-training into a different career field but I knew that didn't mean much until we got to our next duty station. So I did the only thing I could do at the time-I prayed. Then I took my son, who was 6 and watched the news footage with me, out onto the small deck. I told him to breathe, to look at what was around us and soak it all in. What is in existence today, may not be in existence tomorrow. Take nothing for granted. Breathe. Appreciate your freedoms and don't abuse them. And after a time of meditation and prayer, we returned inside and life went on with many prayers being lifted up.

So when I hear some fellow humans say things like 'I just want to forget.' or 'Why all this fuss?' or 'I can't wait until all this 9/11 stuff is over.' I have to wonder where they were on that day. I have to wonder if they were secretly cheering for the sorry, misguided souls who perpetrated this catastrophe when it happened. I have to wonder why they would be so callous of the effect this had on those directly affected by the disaster. Why should we remember? I believe we should remember because those poor innocent souls deserve our respect and honor. Those brave public servants who rushed in to save as many as possible regardless of the fact that they might not get out alive deserve our honor and respect. Those brave soldiers who heeded the call to stamp out terrorism, even though the task was daunting and still remains a threat to this day, deserve our honor and respect. When I see people calling this memorial a political thing, I find that degrading to those who lost loved ones in the catastrophe. I find it insensitive and inhumane. It's at times like these that we should remind people if they have nothing nice to say, they should say nothing at all. Please don't sully the memories of loved ones lost with your sour and misery-ridden comments. Please keep those carelessly thrown darts to yourself. The rest of us commiserate with these people. The rest of us lift them up in our thoughts and prayers, hoping to buoy them and hoping to learn something from this disaster that would make us wiser and better able to avoid such a thing in future. Why remember? Because we are all humans and we all share this planet. Why are our troops still fighting a war on terrorism? Because as long as humans inhabit this planet, there will always be a bully whose ravenous hunger for power above all things drives him to smash anything and everything in his path.

So lest we leave remembrance behind for ignorant oblivion, why should we remember?

So that we can live.

And breathe.

And thrive in freedom.

Remember to breathe...

Respecting My Elders

I just got to thinking about something today. I have a few friends who aren't comfortable around the elderly. These same friends may even mock them at times. They are entitled to their opinions and responsible for their own actions concerning this matter. But here is my take on respecting the elderly...in 10 topic sentences.

1. They made it to the age they are.-They must have had some kind of tenacity to get to the age they are today. For sheer determination in surviving the things life throws at all humans, they deserve my respect.

2. They have lived through many experiences.-They have had to deal with many things we can only imagine in today's world of fast everything. In doing so, they've had to make do with what they had, which was sometimes not much at all. For their ingenuity, they deserve my respect.

3. They are or were hard workers.-Back in the day, you actually had to work to get recognition or honor of any kind. Back in the day, if you didn't work, you didn't eat. Back in the day, everything was work and work was constant. Washing clothes, cooking, keeping the house clean, keeping the yard looking nice-all these things meant hard and diligent work had to be done...constantly. For that, they deserve my thanks and respect.

4. They know a few things.-Things may have changed a bit, but human nature remains the same. Trust me. I've learned quite a few things from my grandmother, who is also my hero. I may not always agree with her, but I can still respect her opinion because she may have something-something I probably missed. Last time I checked, I was still a kid to her, still her granddaughter, and still not quite as smart as I think I am. For their knowledge of the world around them, they deserve my respect.

5. They care.-Most people razz you or criticize you because they care. There are indeed a few who do so out of spite, malice and jealousy. But if these people are friends or family, they are doing this because they care. Listen to them. Take the bits of what they say that make sense, those bits that you understand, and apply them. See what happens. For their care and concern, they deserve my care and respect.

6. They take the right things seriously.-I find that most elderly folks are most concerned about their family. I think they have that right. I think family should be the most important thing to all of us. And I think there is a lesson to be learned here. How many of us think we never have enough time to stop? I think I'll take the advice of the elderly and be sure and spend some time with the people I care most about every day...or at least as often as I can make time. For their time, they deserve honor and respect.

7. They've been there. They've done that.-There is no advice like the advice from someone who's been there. Like I said earlier, times may have changed but human nature hasn't. Listen to what the elderly have to say about what they learned in life. Chances are, you will learn something new and helpful. And even if you don't, there's probably a good story to be heard. For their helpful words and advice, they deserve my respect.

8. They can teach others.-Where many of us (the young'uns) have no patience, I find the elderly have it in plenty. And they have so many things they can teach us. For the lessons they are willing to share, they deserve my thanks and my respect.

9. Storytime-I love hearing the elderly relate stories of their childhood or young life. Many of these would be frowned on now because political correctness has torn down so many good walls as well as some of the bad ones. For the stories they are willing to share, they deserve my willing and eager ear and my respect.

10. They are educated in many ways.-Most of the elderly are smarter than we give them credit for. Their school was actually much harder than the stuff we were/are made to learn today. Their teachers were not allowed to go over the test questions before the test was given. Their teachers did not keep the rest of the class hindered because one or two students were behind. They kept up, or they got left behind. There's a reason for that. They had to be strong to survive in the world of yesteryear. Their minds had to be as strong as their bodies. A strong mind has to be worked and stretched into shape just as the muscles of the body must be worked and stretched in order to be strengthened. For their determination to succeed, in order that they may pass on their hard work for the benefit of their children and their children's children, they deserve my heartfelt gratitude, my respect and great honor forever.

And that's how I feel about the elderly.

Just Blogging

Been a while since I last had a chance to blog here. Just finished watching disc 3 of the Robin of Sherwood series that aired on tv back in the 1980's. I'm not sure but I think it aired on public television here in the states. I only saw one episode back then but it hooked me and I couldn't believe Netflix had it! Now to see if I can locate a copy of it for sale.

Well, once again, my God has supplied all my needs. Isn't it wonderful to be able to rely on someone? As humans, we will all fail someone at some time but God never fails. I refuse to be cynical about that.

The above statement is my opinion and not meant to offend anyone. Having said that, I wonder why people do get offended at the mention of God. I realize some people serve a different god and I respect their decision, as I respect their person. I truly wish we could all get along though I know how hard that would be. But anything worth having is worth working for in my opinion. Boy! I'm sure full of opinions today.

I'm off to stay with my grandmother again this week. I'm glad she can still do many things for herself. I know it helps her to feel like she's still a person after half her heart is gone. You know what I mean? I know if I was in her position, I would never completely get over it and I would never want anyone else other than the man I have now. I wouldn't want to have to go thru all the adjustments all over again. Not saying it's not worth it! Not saying that at all! Please don't misunderstand. It's just a lot of work to have to start all that when you're middle aged or older. And I guess I'm just too serious of a person to feel as happy go lucky and carefree as some folks are blessed to be. Wish I was like that some time but then I realize it wouldn't be me at all...

If this doesn't make up a muddled and murky blog I don't know what would. I did warn you, though. It's the title of my blog so...

Well, guess I'll go for now. Laugh a lot! Remember to breathe.