Listening to and watching the news in recent months makes it difficult at times to concentrate on all the "good stuff" happening. Seeing these beautiful children and hearing their happy voices sing about the wonderful world we live in cannot help but lift one's spirit. Thoughts of blue skies, rainbows, friends, and loved ones resonate throughout the different cultures. The smiling faces on the children in this video remind us that even though we are also seeing the horrific massacres of children taking place in Syria on our television sets, there is hope for the children of the world.
According to UN officials, the war in Syria has created one million children refugees, three-fourths of which are under the age of 11. Only a year ago, this figure was 70,000 children. This does not account for the millions of children trapped in Syrian villages and cities. More than 3,000 of these children have crossed borders into neighboring countries unaccompanied by or separated from their families. And the latest atrocity of chemical warfare has now killed many of the children left behind.
Our visions and prayers for a peaceful world must also include immediate help for these poor little members of our earth family. When a child is in pain or suffering of any kind, we all suffer. And our future will suffer if something doesn't happen to stop the slaughter of so many innocent lives.
None of us -- well, almost none of us, wishes to have our military be involved in another war. The American people are war-weary. Too many of our troops are fighting in/for other countries. And the cost of war is astronomical. What can be done to help the Syrian people? The children? Are arming the rebels and sending them supplies enough?
Then there is Egypt. And another attempted school massacre in the United States. And multiple shootings of innocent people by juveniles in our midst. Kidnappings, rapes. It's hard to turn on the news or view it online without hearing of another horrendous happening. I long to hear more good news than bad. But that doesn't make for ratings, and ratings make for money, and money keeps societies going. I must look for more of the Good News websites I used to read. (I found one I think you'll like.)
Grandson Tanner, who turned 14 this summer, stayed busy playing tournament tennis, winning a few matches and placing in others. He is quite the tennis player, taking after his Papaw Bob, who played on the tennis team in high school and later in the National Guard. His dad, Branch, entered into several competition swimming events in recent months. He won a few medals himself, and beat his own time over and over. In April I enjoyed watching him swim at one meet at the University of Texas. Branch is a "youngster" compared to some of the swimmers who were competing. Some were in their 70s and even 80s. Talk about being fit!
Youngest grandson Travis, age 11, is taking after his late grandfather Win, and has become a good golfer this summer. He entered a few tournaments, the largest one when they were on vacation at South Padre. It was held in McAllen, and Travis won second place. His dad loves to tell how many "birdies" this kid gets. The photo at right was taken when Matthew and Travis went to Pennsylvania in June to attend the U.S. Open. The trip of a lifetime for these two avid golfers. (I think Dad might have visions of another young Tiger Woods.)
(You may click on any of the photos in the blog to see a larger version.)
Granddaughter Audrey and her mother Carajean spent a week this month playing violin at a music camp in California, before Audrey moved to North Carolina to begin work at Duke University on her Master's degree in Environmental Science with a concentration on Ecosystem Science Conservation. Whew! That's a mouthful. Audrey also is really "into" birds, and participated in bird banding in May.
According to UN officials, the war in Syria has created one million children refugees, three-fourths of which are under the age of 11. Only a year ago, this figure was 70,000 children. This does not account for the millions of children trapped in Syrian villages and cities. More than 3,000 of these children have crossed borders into neighboring countries unaccompanied by or separated from their families. And the latest atrocity of chemical warfare has now killed many of the children left behind.
None of us -- well, almost none of us, wishes to have our military be involved in another war. The American people are war-weary. Too many of our troops are fighting in/for other countries. And the cost of war is astronomical. What can be done to help the Syrian people? The children? Are arming the rebels and sending them supplies enough?
Then there is Egypt. And another attempted school massacre in the United States. And multiple shootings of innocent people by juveniles in our midst. Kidnappings, rapes. It's hard to turn on the news or view it online without hearing of another horrendous happening. I long to hear more good news than bad. But that doesn't make for ratings, and ratings make for money, and money keeps societies going. I must look for more of the Good News websites I used to read. (I found one I think you'll like.)
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Which reminds me that there was some "good stuff" happening this summer. I was cheering on our Democratic Texas State Senator Wendy Davis when she filibustered for 11-hours in June. She effectively (although only temporarily) blocked the passage of anti-abortion legislation, which would result in closing down all but a handful of the Planned Parenthood facilities in the state, denying many women much-needed care - not only abortion. Wearing a back brace and sneakers, this single mother from Fort Worth made women proud. I immediately sent her an email stating that if she ran for a higher office, she definitely has my vote! She hasn't decided whether or not to run for Governor, but I think she would be an improvement over the misogynistic, conservative governor we now have. Sadly, the front-runner Abbott has many big dollar donors backing him. There's that "money" thing again.
I like to think my son Craig is right when he said that Texas may not be a blue state yet, but it is definitely turning "purple". We need more progressive candidates like Wendy Davis to guarantee women's rights are protected in Texas.
I like to think my son Craig is right when he said that Texas may not be a blue state yet, but it is definitely turning "purple". We need more progressive candidates like Wendy Davis to guarantee women's rights are protected in Texas.
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Youngest grandson Travis, age 11, is taking after his late grandfather Win, and has become a good golfer this summer. He entered a few tournaments, the largest one when they were on vacation at South Padre. It was held in McAllen, and Travis won second place. His dad loves to tell how many "birdies" this kid gets. The photo at right was taken when Matthew and Travis went to Pennsylvania in June to attend the U.S. Open. The trip of a lifetime for these two avid golfers. (I think Dad might have visions of another young Tiger Woods.)(You may click on any of the photos in the blog to see a larger version.)
Granddaughter Audrey and her mother Carajean spent a week this month playing violin at a music camp in California, before Audrey moved to North Carolina to begin work at Duke University on her Master's degree in Environmental Science with a concentration on Ecosystem Science Conservation. Whew! That's a mouthful. Audrey also is really "into" birds, and participated in bird banding in May. 
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There are four more grandchildren to cover for the summer. After reading just this much, you know what? There may not be a lot of "good stuff" making headlines in the world at large, but in my little world it's all good!
May your world be full of love, peace, and lots of good stuff,
Marilyn
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