Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Living in a rose colored world.......


Happy Valentine's Day a wee bit late.  I am not a huge fan of this holiday, seems like we all should be loving everyday but it was still nice to get roses from my husband.   He was a tad upset that they had some brown edges, but I think they are perfect for me.  I have some brown edges, too!  Flowers can't be perfect and either can love or life.  It is a work in progress, sometimes very hard work.  

 
My beautiful friend Holly gave me these beauties yesterday.  These are a thank you for helping her with some pain issues she was having over the weekend.  It is my pleasure to be able to help a friend in need.  She had no idea that tulips are my favorites.  I ADORE them!  Don't tell my husband he will feel even worse about the roses.

When I was growing up we listened to the news.  My parents kept the worst of things away from us but never sheltered us completely.  I was always aware, maybe still in my safe bubble but still aware of what was going on in my country and the world.  When I went away to college I had a different sense of reality.  Those four years are completely fun and  absorbing aren't they?  My best friend and roommate Julie never had a clue of what was going on outside of our direct orbit.  She could not name the head of any nation but the United States.  She never listened or read the news.  I used to tease her about it all the time.  She always told me she loved living in a rose colored world.  Frankly she still lives this way all these many years later and I am always in awe of her.  Really, why can't I be more like that?   

Let me be honest as you know I am.  I am not one to shy away from controversy and if you think oh Lord her she goes again you are right, but hang with me a while.  I wish that things were not as crazy as they are here in our country and many others.  I wish that we all were treated fairly, and that includes immigrants, people of any color, religious affiliation or gender.  I wish that this country was a safe place for all.  But that is not the case and putting my head in the sand, or my fingers in my ears so I don't hear about it is not going to work.  Not this time as the stakes have never been higher and the welfare of so many at stake.  I appreciate that you are all sick of hearing about what is going on, but I also appreciate those that bring these issues to light.  I am a busy woman, I work and I am a mother. wife, sister and friend.  I appreciate when fellow bloggers might mention something I might miss, something that is important to me and what I believe in.  It helps me see more of what is going on in the world and what is important to my friends..  You don't have to agree with me or my point of view, but discussion and seeing what is important to others is good for us all.  Seeing a different point of view, trying to understand something that is not comfortable makes us all think.   

My sister let me know that the link for children with special needs was taken off the Department of Education website, a link that helps us parents, teachers, therapists, counselors and administrators, in the public schools understand that laws that provide for these children, so they can receive the education they deserve.  I have learned many things that I was not aware of from my friend Teresa, things I might not have been aware of had she not posted links on her blog.   

The thing is that your blog is your blog.  You have the right to your opinion and the right to place on it what you feel is important.  Again, I might not agree with your point of view but I will defend your right to say it.  If you visit here I hope that you find information, the facts, and that you also find comfort.  If you visit here only for creative endeavors, well you might be out of luck as I am far too busy to get much done these days.  If you visit here to only see Little Buddy, well you are in luck there as he will always be a big part of this space.  He is important, and the rights he deserves are important, too.  The right to a fair education in our public schools.  The right to receive help in the schools, including therapies and extra time to take tests and learn.  He deserves to be treated fairly outside of school to not be mocked or bullied.  He deserves a safe country to live in, not a country that will treat him unfairly is he is gay or transgender or feels drawn to a jewish or muslim faith.  He deserves to be treated with respect as we all do.   

I wish I could surround him with the warmth of family and the cocoon of love for the rest of his life.  But when he is older I will not hesitate to tell him the truth, one he can handle depending on his age and maturity of course.  I won't let him put on blinders or rose colored glasses, he will have to see what is really happening.  That is the only way he will have a choice to stand up and make himself heard.  

I will stand up on this blog of mine if I feel that it is important and relevant to who I am.  I applaud all of you for standing up, no matter your beliefs.  Your blog is yours to do what you want with.  I will never tell you what to write about, what to believe in or what to care about.  

Reading blogs is not just about seeing beautiful things to me, it is about me connecting with you on a friendship level.  One that makes me want to know if you are ill, if your son/daughter graduated, found a job, got into the perfect school or won that tournament.  And that includes political things when and if you want to post about them.

Now for a little fun.  Seeing this face makes it worth reading to the end of this post I think.  The king of my heart!


38 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Well said Meredith! I too am unable to look at the world through rose colored glasses. I have seen too many rights of those I love be threatened now. We must stay vigilant!

bittenbyknittin said...

Every day I get more disheartened reading the news, but I still read it. I'm sure my senators are getting tired of hearing from me on "President" Trump's nominations. We all have to pay attention, though, and speak up. Otherwise, the mean-spirited rule.

Anonymous said...

Good post, Meredith.

I will say . . . there are times I want to just stick my head in the sand and ignore what is going on. Sadly, THIS time that is just far too dangerous.

Here in Jacksonville, I have found a group of women that will not LET me fall into complacency ...........we SHALL RESIST and resist hard!!!

P.S. Hugs to you for standing up for what you believe in and what is right for Little Buddy. He deserves ALL the good things in life and I know you will fight HARD for him to get them.

Fiona said...

Dear Meredith, I've been a visitor to your blog for quite sometime now and I have always enjoyed you telling us about your life. That hasn't changed with the change in your government. I welcome the information and facts that we don't get from our press in the UK. It is a very worrying time for not just your country but for the whole world. I also enjoy the comfort you give and of course who can resist a picture of your lovely son. Thank you for being here Fiona x

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Yes Meredith. Hugs. Love seeing that sweet smile today.
Joy

Araignee said...

I am having a very hard time writing anything on my blog these days to be honest. It all seems like silly drivel when I see families sleeping on warehouse floors covered in Mylar waiting to be deported. These are terrible times we live in.

Jo said...

xxxx Jo

Teresa Kasner said...

Bravo, Meredith! Well-said! I feel that our country has rarely been in such a dangerous place as it is now and we need to be vigilant, not bury our head in the sand. As I said recently, when the German people stayed silent against the nazis, millions were killed. I also will not be silent while I see our country led by those who merely want more power and to line their pockets with more money instead of caring about the whole country full of people. What is going on now is a disgrace and the rest of the world is watching and either shaking their head in disbelief OR worse, getting emboldened on electing racists to lead their countries, too. Keep on telling it like it is. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

yellowtulip118@gmail.com said...

I love your blog and your honesty, and you are right, it is your blog and you may write as you feel. If people don't like it, they don't have to continue reading. Blogging is a great way of informing people of what is going on in your world, warts and all. I am so saddened to see what is happening in the US under the new president, and yes, you have a responsibility to yourself to try and inform others. Keep it up!

Bridget said...

It would have been impossible growing up in our house to only see the world through rose-colored glasses! My parents believed that you should always know about everything. And I agree with you - you should be able to say and write on your blog about things that are important to you. No one is getting paid to read or HAS to read in order to continue living, so they can skip things that bother them.

I am fan of Valentine's Day, more as a chance to let people know you are especially thinking of them. Plus, the day after a lot of chocolate is 50% off ... ;-)

Little Buddy is the perfect Valentine!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

It is one of my favourite quotes, and is true now more than ever. So I say - speak your mind!

You may not know it all, you may not even be right - but speak up and start a conversation - and learn from the wisdom of others. That's the only way we make the world a better place.

CJ said...

Meredith, I'm so sorry that link about special needs children has been removed from the DoE website, that seems really unnecessary and unkind to take away something where no doubt many people have found help and comfort as well as being able to find out what they're entitled to.

And as always, well done for speaking out. My partner doesn't keep up with the news, but my view is that we need to be informed and hold people to account.

Beautiful flowers, bless your husband for giving you roses, what a lovely thing to do. Sending you a hug, CJ xx

CJ said...

Oh, maybe my comment disappeared, I don't know. Just wanted to say I'm sorry that link was removed, it seems very unkind for people who no doubt found help and comfort there.

Well done for speaking your mind Meredith, I am in complete agreement. My partner avoids the news quite a bit, but I like to stay informed. I think it's good to know what's going on and to hold those in power to account.

Gorgeous flowers, very well deserved I think. Hope you are okay and not too down, although I know the constant stream of bad news and negativity can be draining. Sending you a hug. CJ xx

mamasmercantile said...

We don't always get the news to keep up to date with the politics in your Country so reading your blog and the information Teresa gives keeps me informed of what is going on. I don't pass comments as sometimes it takes time to assimilate the information before forming an opinion but rest assured I always read your blogs and am saddened by it all. On a lighter note it was wonderful to see the beautiful smile of that little man and for him and all of our children we must fight for what is right around the world. Take care.

Betsy said...

Such pretty flowers from both your husband and your friend. My hubby had to work all day yesterday and then go straight to a class he was teaching last night. But even after such a long day, he stopped on the way home and got me a piece of chocolate cake at the grocery store. I thought that was very sweet of him. He knows I adore anything chocolate. This sitting in my chair all day every day is getting very old and I miss having people to talk to during the day. What a sweet picture of your little guy. He is so precious.
Blessings, Betsy

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Yes, well expressed Meredith. And it was definitely reading to the end to see LB, your King of❤️
Here's hoping we are all informed, help when we can and stay strong.
xoRobin

Between Me and You said...

He's a sweetheart, you're a sweetheart. I love that you're so honest and forthright. Them that thinks otherwise are fools to themselves. xxx

Between Me and You said...

ps GG - Season 6 - Wow!! All I'm sayin'! xxx

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Wise words.
S
xo

AnnieOBTextiles said...

Meredith you express your thoughts and beliefs in such a clear, articulate way, I only wish I could do the same. I have lived with a disability through much of my life and know life is not always rosy. It is thanks to people like you who are prepared to stand up and fight against injustice and discrimination that things have improved over the years. It is scary this progress is being halted and may even be reversed. Thank you for sharing your views through your blog as it helps give me the strength and determination to keep fighting in my small corner of the world. I also enjoy your knitting projects but most especially pictures of Little Buddy, his achievements and smile, as he brings so much joy.

Judy S. said...

Mere. you are always spot on! I, too, heard about the disappearance of that website and was totally disgusted. It seems that every day brings a new low.
Love the Valentine photo of LB; your pictures of him warm my heart. Hugs to you and him.

Caffeine Girl said...

I've never owned a pair of rose-colored glasses. And if I had, being a special ed teacher would have knocked them right off my face! Many of my students live in such terrible poverty. I feel like too many political leaders don't know what that means and how it affects children. I am still in shock that the resource page was taken down from the US Dept of Education Web site. Really? It reminds me of how you and I live in states where the governors are determined to pretend global change is a myth.

But then there is Little Buddy's smile! That's how I feel about my students. They are worth the effort. If only the system was willing to invest more in them!

Pradeepa said...

There are many days when I feel depressed after reading the newspaper and there are days when I think I should stop reading newspapers at all but I can't. Though I don't delve deep into anything the headlines are enough to make me worried. The flowers are beautiful.

The Well Fed Wheel said...

You are so right about speaking out. It's so important now because we need to resist but I have been struggling with it lately. I'm just so upset with everything that is going on right now. I find myself caught between disbelief and horror. It's terrifing to think that Republicans are just sitting back and letting our democracy be taken over by Russia. Keep those photos of Little Buddy coming though. It's the only thing that made me smile today!

Anonymous said...

First I laughed a bit, about the roses and the tullips.
But then I stopped laughing. You're right. I must admit though, that I'm sometimes so sick and tired of the news, that I don't watch on purpose. I get so annoyed and irritated, angry and scared...
I wish I had to guts to tell what I think on my blog :-)
ps: I liked what I read about the friendship between us, bloggers. <3
Take care and keep up the good work,
Sigrid

Val said...

I am inspired by your honesty and forthrightness Meredith - thank you. I live in the UK but have dear friends in California who are feeling just as you are. We are having similar difficulties here but maybe in a more covert way which is just as worrying. My 18 year old granddaughter went on her first march in London (the Women's March) and is taking part in an anti-racism march very soon. I was sheltered from much of what was going on round the world as a child but as a teenager in the 60's I first became aware of the Civil Rights Movement in the US and so began my passion for equality in all its forms. I had polio as a baby and grew up having the confront prejudice regarding my disability. It took me many years (and a good husband ) to appreciate my own worth but I found throughout my life that I drew towards me quality friends who could see beyond my disability. I've always seen this as a blessing and a bonus of having a disability. My prayer is that Little Buddy draws towards him quality people who will bring love and light into his life as the years go on. He's certainly off to a wonderful start with the family that surround him now.

Christina said...

You are right, your blog is yours and you get to choose what you write. I hope you didn't get any snarky emails saying otherwise. I enjoy every line and I am glad I have somewhere to go and read about all the current challenges in your country that are not reported on in the UK. It is the 'little' (not so little) things that are particularly worrying, like removing a useful source of information from the DoE website. I kinda resent people who choose not to speak out ever. It feels like silent consent. The political situation in your country is too volatile too be ignored. I don't speak out much on my blog but I do try sometimes. I wish I was half as articulate and politically educated as you are, my dear friend.

Of course I also love to see Little Buddy, he brightens up even the darkest days. xx

Jo said...

You're right, when we read blogs we form friendships and I like to hear about the things that are important to my friends. How terrible that the children with special needs link was removed from the Department of Education website, I do hope that children won't miss out because their parents and carers don't have access to the information it provided. Lovely photo of Little Buddy.

kristieinbc said...

I don't understand why they would take the link down. It makes no sense. Of course, that would be in keeping with the overall course of events since Trump was elected. Sigh...

Thanks for the Little Buddy picture!

Needles and Wool said...

I loved this post Meredith! I agree with you that there should be love shown everyday of the year and not just on Valentine's day. It's nice that your husband got you flowers and then you got some from your friend. I appreciate reading your views on this whole thing and I sometimes think of you and buddy with all the craziness that is going on in the states. I like that you use your blog to discuss your thoughts and feelings on these issues. That is horrible that they took down the link to access information that concern people with special needs, I am worried that there will be way less transparency and there will be more to hide now that the government feels like they can take that information down. I follow animal rights organizations and they have said that they have taken down the link to see how animals are being treated in Zoos and places where animals live. I worry about this lack of transparency too will they think they can mistreat them now that it doesn't have to be on the website? it is very horrible to think of that but that is what it looks like. I hope that you have a good weekend! good for you discussing these issues and it sure gets people talking.
Hugs
Lisa

Melanie said...

I grew up with rose-colored glasses as far as "the world" was concerned. My parents were very religious and while my dad read the newspaper every day and watched the news, he never shared anything with us. They sometimes talked about world events from a Biblical standpoint, which was fine, but they didn't get involved in politics, etc. Loong story short, I stayed in that religious group most of my adult life - up until about 3 years ago. So, I am just now getting acquainted with the world of politics and learning more about it. I still don't watch the news as I don't have the stomach for it, but I know read things online and keep up-to-date. I just don't prefer to use my blog as a place to talk about these things. However, that's just me. I don't mind others talking about world events and politics on their own blogs. Like you, I believe that when you have a blog, you can talk about whatever YOU want on it. If someone doesn't like what they're reading, then move on.

Thank you for the smiling picture of Little Buddy. Such a happy, beautiful little boy.

kathy b said...

I was so hoping for a LIL Buddy Valentine thanks!

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Well written, Mere! I try not to get into politics alot. Many things happening now are not good. Praying for our nation daily! Your roses and tulips are lovely! And Buddy is always an added plus to your blog! Hugs and blessings my friend!

Jodiebodie said...

Sometimes I wonder if ignorance is bliss - it would certainly be less stressful in the short term; but in the long term, the news catches up and affects us all eventually. Forewarned is forearmed when it comes time to fight for our wellbeing and for that of people who are unable to fight for themselves.

I'm so disappointed to read about the disability support links disappearing. Are you sure they haven't been moved? With all the propaganda flying about, it is more important than ever that we check our sources to the best of our abilities. I pray that the support for children with disabilities is not cut back but news about disappearing online supports is very worrying.

Disability support services have been undergoing an overhaul in this country lately too with major change to my services sometime next year. It has caused me a lot of stress already because I fear possibly 'falling through the cracks' during the changeover. The amount of time and energy I've already needed to spend on bureacracy, and anticipate needing, means that I will have to give up some of my other personal plans for this year in order to stay on top of it. :-(

There are so many important disability issues to be addressed but at least they are on the mainstream political agenda at last instead of being swept under the carpet and remaining unheard.

Dianne said...

So very grateful to you and Claudia for your courage to speak out about the horrific things happening to this country. Definitely not the time for rose colored glasses when our democracy and human rights are being threatened.

On a positive note, Buddy looks wonderful and so happy. It may be an old fashioned cliche, but my how he has grown! How I wish he would only know positive days with needed support his whole life. Once again, thank you for this great post.....Dianne

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

As always, Meredith, you write from the heart and I agree with everything you say. My craft group met yesterday and when someone said they don't usually get involved with politics, a group member from California said that we should never feel that way. We should be involved and we should care, especially when things are so very wrong right now. Just reading through all the comments here, I'm pretty sure that individual rights, animal rights, environmental rights are all going to be stripped because none of that makes money for the big boys and they are only concerning themselves with matters of finance and deal making. It's unscrupulous and unfathomable. We cannot put our heads in the sand. We must do all the good that we can to counteract all the bullies of the world.

Babajeza said...

Life is not only roses and tulips (I've seen yours!). But it's worth fighting for a better world every day. Hopefully, we will never get too tired. Hugs, Regula

handmade by amalia said...

Everything worthwhile is worth fighting for. I don't always fight enough and then feel that I've let myself down so you're an inspiration for me Meredith. In more ways than one.
Amalia
xo