10 December: Human Rights…for ALL!

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Virginia

Dashing about this weekend to parties, Christmas concerts & the mad ‘get-everything-ready’ holiday rush, it’s difficult to slow down amidst drinking Eggnog to think about – Human Rights??  But today back in 1948 a war weary world came together (pushed along by American former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt) to ratify the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Here’s a link to read it…  http://www.un.org/en/documents

So each year we commemorate this declaration – the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights gets a bit more media attention & folks working for justice around the globe have their sound byte, but tomorrow the world moves on to the next celebrity crisis…and we pass around another round of Eggnog.  Ho hum.

Have to confess that last year I probably totally forgot (so many things to do, so little time), but last week a good friend, Fatuma, sent an email to raise awareness of Gender Violence activities today (she’s in charge of global Gender programs for a large INGO.)  So thank you Fatuma, because I HAVE been thinking about Human Rights this week…and am so very, very grateful for those like you who have blazed the path for gender equality around the world.

Before taking that next sip of Eggnog (we have several jugs in the fridge, but you can pick your Christmas drinkie of choice!) think about the many girls & women who have been victims of gender violence –especially RAPE – in places like Bosnia, Kosovo, the DRC (Congo) & Sudan where it has been used as a weapon of war.   Often that’s just the beginning of their horrors. In Kosovo I met with a 12 year-old rape victim, but that was the least of her worries after being used as a human shield by paramilitary forces in the war zone… and in Africa often kidnapped girls are raped, then forced to be ‘wives’ for the conscripted soldiers.

Tanzanian girls- happy to study!

Thinking about basic human rights (and the lack thereof) sometimes it’s good to be American (note the ‘sometimes’ – we still have MANY challenges!)  but living in places where people had no rights, I am so grateful for our Constitution, the freedoms therein & opportunities made thereafter…

We take so much for granted… for example the right to EDUCATION.  So many girls (& boys in some places, but especially girls) don’t have a chance for even primary school since taking care of livestock & crops & fetching water is part of family survival.  Where I worked in the Middle East, all the schools were shut down for four years; even kindergarten teachers caught teaching their students were sent to prison. Then in other parts of the world girls still don’t have a chance to study because …they’re GIRLS.

Then there’s TORTURE.  (you can set the drinkie down now!)

If we would think more about the Golden Rule: ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ – maybe dehumanization would not happen & this great evil would not persist.

How would you feel if your wife, daughter, son, brother, sister, husband, or father was beaten, imprisoned, routinely tortured? How would you feel if the breaking of YOUR bones was considered “moderate physical pressure?”

So why is it ‘ok’ to torture anyone?? (According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: IT’S NOT OK!)

The most fundamental right, however, is the right to LIFE.

Here’s a paragraph from a younger Virginia in an old Christmas letter found this morning (in the 1st place searched, a total miracle!)  (re: Kosovo!)

“…and seeing mass graves of bodies hacked in senseless violence. I spoke with a farmer in a village near Podejevo. The bodies of his father (78), mother (72), neighbor (70), and sister (55) had been dumped into a mass grave we visited.  Although his sister’s husband had urged her to flee, she wouldn’t leave her feeble parents by themselves. His sister and parents were killed, their ears, arms and other body parts sliced and mutilated, and yet, with tears streaming down his face, this farmer said, “it’s not right that we burn Serb houses now.” When I asked about living again with Serbs, he said, “we’ve suffered so much it would be difficult,” but then later, however, he told me there was an elderly Serb woman living on his street, “she’s different, we will protect her because she’s our neighbor.” 

My Christmas letters were so full of Cheer(!) I still remember this farmer, vividly. He pleaded with his sister to join them as they fled their village to safety, but she said, “who will take care of our parents?  They’re so old & can’t hurt anyone, why would anyone want to hurt them?”   Indeed.

“Nothing matters so much to me as human life.  It is something so serious and so profound, more than the violation of any other human right, because it is the life of the sons (& daughters) of God, and because this blood (the murders of so many in El Salvador) negates love, awakens new hate and makes peace & reconciliation impossible.”  Archbishop Oscar Romero

Kosovo...

Life IS a Gift… and so many like Oscar Romero around the world (& in this country)  laid down their lives in the pursuit of justice, equal rights – basic human rights FOR ALL.  Thanking God – today & EVERY DAY – for the gift of their lives & their legacy to continue fighting injustice wherever, whenever, however we can…

So DO pass around more Eggnog, raise those glasses high – and hear Virginia’s Human Rights Day toast:  TO LIFE!

No ‘ho hums’ around here – we CAN be Roses & root out the rubble of injustice around us & around the World… Let’s be about it!!

 “The Glory of God is a human being fully alive.”  St. Irenaeus

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Christmas Trees & BOOKs & Jan Karon’s Shepherds Abiding

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Virginia

It’s that time of year…we had to put up our Tree really early (last Saturday, December 3rd!!)  otherwise ‘twould be the ‘Night Before Christmas,’ but too many creatures would be stirring, including this Worker-Elf Mouse!

Not good. Worker-Elves need a BREAK (& have to get to Church the Night before Christmas, no time to decorate trees & redecorate whole living rooms & environs.. : )

whew. Tis done (pictures may be forthcoming… ‘may’ connotes effort to unearth camera after Atlanta overuse: click, click, click – TWO CAMERAs – no less; methinks the Woodward Duo didn’t miss much in The Aquarium with NINE hours of pics!)

To celebrate the Big Deed…Did I mention a Major Study shuffle of Books, Books, Books – a Two Day event – and the fact that I can hardly sit at the computer without some body part ACHING?? ( real pain… the kind that perks into a quick Boil with a bit of electric current… zzzZZZ—AAaaCK!)

TMI… so celebrating x2 with an icepack (& heat as necessary.)  It was way cool finding so many books under my bed (a few this Ditzhead bought TWICE, can you believe? someone’s getting some Great Books for Christmas!)

And it is WONDERFUL after several piling up years to see the books all neatly organized on my Papa’s Study shelves (alphabetical & by CATEGORY – yaaay!) & to SEE the books on the 3 big shelve sets in my room (hidden the past few years behind stacked piles on each shelf…)  NO MORE BOOK PILES! (oops, there is one teensy big box under bed that will have to WAIT.)

One happy unearthed find is Jan Karon’s Shepherds Abiding, a book I always enjoy reading again this time of year. Father Tim, Cynthia & the whole Mitford gang go about fall into Advent & Christmas, learning lots about each other, faith, friendship & the Love of the Christ Child…oh, & shepherds!  If you haven’t read this, check it out (literally, most Libraries have it) & if you’re looking for a good Christmas pressie, her latest In the Company of Others is an excellent read: Father Tim & Cynthia holiday it in Ireland and solve MYSTERIES.  One of her BEST, yet…

After 2 days of leftovers Mama & Papa may not share my extended excitement (re: the BOOKS! On SHELVES! And ORGANIZED!)  The Cook must dash & Do Dinner (meHopes a small side of leftover yummy baked Pea Dish will be acceptable with a New Mains!)

grace, peace & Joyful BOOKS*

Virginia

*& READERS  : )

p.s. it is very nice to rest sore Neck (x2) in front of beautiful Christmas Tree… & Papa has had visitors today from morning til evening (they’re still in there so can delay dinner a few more minutes!) & they all like The Tree.  Christmas is coming – YAAAY!

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WAKE UP WORLD!!! it’s AIDS day….

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Virginia

In Tanzania we developed an HIV/AIDS campaign entitled “Kuamka” –WAKE UP! – a challenge to parents & children for open dialogue before it’s too late.  Unfortunately for over 28 million victims of HIV/AIDS, it IS too late, but today the world recognizes their deaths & raises awareness to prevent more.

Before moving to Africa in 2002, I thought I knew about HIV/AIDS.  In the early 1990’s while helping a group of Ugandan women in Washington, DC set up a local chapter of UWESO (the Ugandan Women’s Effort to Save the Orphans), I heard how HIV/AIDS was wiping out whole villages of adults, leaving children as orphans. I read Dominique Lapierre’s “Beyond Love” to learn more (still a great book, by the way, after you read his “City of Joy.”)  I cried my way around the AIDS quilt on the Mall in DC & learned about VCT (Volunteer Counseling & Testing.)  During international orientation in1992 with 8 other ladies (mostly seasoned medicals headed to Africa), we had a whole briefing on HIV/AIDS (an HIV/AIDS kit was included in our ‘must-take-with-you’ piles.)  Later during a globetrotting position developing a huge safe water initiative for 14 countries, I zoomed around Africa several times (finally visiting Uganda after so many years praying for folks there!) & saw the challenges of HIV/AIDS from a closer distance.

But NOTHING prepared me for the devastating toll of HIV/AIDS until I lived in Africa: mothers – fathers – sisters – brothers – daughters – sons – friends – colleagues – pastors – priests – teachers – doctors – nurses – politicians – the rich – the poor – CHILDREN … dead, sick, dying – soon to be dead.

So many victims…many brave enough to go through testing often cast out of their families & communities, sick mothers struggling to look after children, children left to care for smaller children…

So much ignorance…communities not understanding, judgmental faith-based-groups offering condemnation vs. open hearts of God’s love for ALL (especially the suffering!)

So much fear…fueling prejudice, apathy, blame, injustice & stigmatization…

…and so much HOPE… from courageous beacons across the spectrum, willing to speak out, help out, step out to educate & eradicate this disease…tireless hearts busy with healing & BEING love in action.

In Tanzania, the government set up TACAIDS to coordinate efforts with ALL government ministries (not just the Ministry of Health), Parliament & civil society … & they put a Military GENERAL in charge. Seriously serious (!) – this fight IS a war, not just against a virus, but against attitudes, prejudice & behavior that needs changing.

Starting with MINE.  It’s not ‘us’ and ‘them’ – the victims of HIV/AIDS, however they contracted the disease.  That could be ME – but for the grace of God go I…

This is OUR challenge… not just on World AIDS Day, but EVERYDAY of the year EVERYWHERE in this world…

grace, peace & global hearts (hurting for all!)

Virginia

p.s.  if you would like a good book to better understand this issue, check out journalist Stephanie Nolen’s “28 stories of AIDS in Africa” – an outstanding overview profiling 28 victims from all strata of society across Africa.  It’s the book I wanted to write upon coming home, but she did it first (& SO VERY INCREDIBLY WELL!!!)

http://28stories.com

HIV/AIDS awareness performances (Kigoma, TANZANIA)

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Annie Lennox: Christmas in December…& ALL YEAR!!

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Virginia

Last year Carol, a good buddy in the UK, posted on FB that “A Christmas Cornucopia” topped her December birthday ‘wish & received list.’  As a huge groupie of Annie Lennox FOREVER (from the Eurythmics to her every Album/Tape/CD/mp3 since!), I rushed to order one (Merry Christmas to ME~! you know those gifts, when you’re cyber-shopping for someone else & you see an amazing opportunity like this ON SALE & well, think of how everyone will enjoy the universal Gift of Music emanating from your Kitchen Christmas playlist! : )

This compilation absolutely ROCKS (in a tasteful Christmasy way)… no Santa or Sleighbells, just Annie’s gorgeous vocals soaring through traditional carols that generate Hope & Joy for the listener, ’tis true(!) … again & again & AGAIN.  After cleaning out last year’s Christmas playlists (that took up the whole iTouch – we like Christmas music around here!) i just couldn’t bump this one & kept playing it in February – May – July – September … ’til now.

Spirits a bit down or got-some-kind-of-Blues, this is a true pick-me-up all year through!

As Joseph Was A Walking he heard an Angel sing, this night shall be the birth time of Christ the Heavenly King – so sings Annie, accompanied by the South African Children’s choir.  When she sings the Allelulahs, however, methinks the Angels are hanging out close by. Seriously… very, very CLOSE BY.

The CD ends with “Universal Child” that brings the Christ Child into the now – today – where so many children around the world are suffering. As Annie sings ‘i’m gonna try to find a way to keep you safe from harm’… she’s seriously serious.  As a global activist for HIV/AIDS, malaria, women & children’s rights, she has done SO much for so many.

Check out The SING Campaign (& the SING video – it REALLY rocks!)…an effort Annie launched to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS et all..

http://www.annielennoxsing.com/

& even if you’re not a fan of Modern Music, you will really like this Christmas compilation. Trust me… (& my Mama likes it!)

grace, peace & Advent Angels (the singing kind!)

Virginia : )

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….a Week of Thanksgiving…

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Virginia

Fun Times at the Georgia Aquarium (photo courtesy of Dwight Woodward : )

My brother & I returned Tuesday evening from a quick jaunt to Atlanta just in time to ‘do’ Thanksgiving for the Savvy Saints & our family. (The Cook had to don her apron for the Big Day, dashing in & out of Grocery Shops for all the trimming makings along the way!) Of course, the Cook (that would be ME) was VERY TIRED from playing Tourist in Atlanta with her ‘let’s-go-see-everything’ brother dearest.  We zoomed in to see the Georgia Aquarium (staying literally across the street.) Saturday morning dawned bright with Dwight hurrying me along (mind you, it’s 7:30 a.m. & the Aquarium doesn’t open until 9:00 a.m.) “but Ginny, we only have NINE HOURS to see it!”

Nine AMAZING hours later we trudged back in awe of God’s Heavenly Paintbrushes – BUSY at work underwater (not just in sunsets & Autumn leaves!) Then Sunday & Monday we pounded the pavement through the Art Museum, World of Coca Cola, CNN & the ZOO…& spent a lovely evening out on the town with dear family friends, Pepper & Gwen…

Back to the Tired Cook – for some reason in America our Forefathers (& Mothers) decided to be Thankful with FOOD: a feast of Thanksgiving after the harvest. Maybe all the hard Harvest work needed prayer (for things like rain, protection from wolves etc,) so the Pilgrims gave God the credit with thankful hearts (& full tummies!)

This year I am so grateful for so many things (not just all the yummy food – my sister Shere’s Scalloped Oysters & PIES & my sister Cindy’s Pea Casserole & Cranberry Salad – oh la la! : )  … & it’s nice to be HOME.  I worked through so many Thanksgivings overseas – one year zoomed my boss around to meetings the whole day in Dar & realized at 9:00PM on the way home ‘it’s Thanksgiving(!)’ so stopped at a favorite Indian restaurant for Dal takeaway, eaten with Thanksgiving in my hot African apartment!

Being Thankful IS GOOD – very good (see previous posts re: kicking the cranks by giving thanks) – but it’s also good to be thankful all the time vs. one day of the year. Check it out – all around us, within us – God’s Hand at work. Busy, busy. Sometimes we need to open our eyes a bit wider or slow our daily sprint down to a take-it-in shuffle. Even in the rough harvest patches, there’s still stuff to be thankful (maybe not for the worms – but plump worms feed birds & plump birds eventually become Thanksgiving Food for non- Vegetarians!)

If you’re reading this, you must be alive. Life is a Gift – a good start to the ‘be grateful for’ list. Life CAN be tough & not seem like a gift but a chore (to survive the next month, week, day, hour…) but HEY – asking God for  daily Grace, Joy, Peace, Wisdom & LOTS of Mercy – helps us find the Gifts around us & within us & what’s needed to face the worms in our Harvest.    A Thanksgiving Amen (!)

(Miss Blogger mush dash as The University of Virginia is playing Virginia Tech – did i mention that Virginia – from the State of Virginia – also went to The University of Virginia?? yep. Wahoo WAAAAAAAH! Papa says that UVA may even have a chance this year. My 1st year Tech trounced us 40-0; since half my high school went to Tech & roadtripped for the Game, this was quite humiliating… that continued all 4 years!  well, we’ll see…Papa always watches Tech games, so SOMEONE will be happy tonight!!)

grace, peace & LEFTOVERS!!!

 

 

    Virginia : )

 

 

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100+ INSPIRATIONAL MOVIES!!!!

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Virginia

Virginia the Movie-Mogul has been busy, BUSY the last month compiling a list of inspirational movies that can be viewed on the Page above (For Email subscribers, you need to visit the actual site & click on ‘Movie List’ on the Menu Bar to view it : )

Kinda fun sorting through movies on the mind shelves the past month (& generating dinner conversation, ‘what’s YOUR favorite inspirational movie??’)  The thing is, lots of my favorite movies are not necessarily inspirational, believe me – i tried to think how “The Nightmare Before Christmas” could fit on this list (watched 4 times in the Movie Theater in the Middle East – because all my different friends NEEDED to see it, it was so AMAZINGLY AWESOME!) … and then there’s the new Star Trek (i am NOT a Trekkie, well, i WASN’T one until this movie came out!)… but i saw that one a few times in the Theater, too — & maybe that could be considered inspiring (Spock does change, sort of..)

Back to this list — i tried to think of movies we’ve seen that are inspiring – straight up (not circuitously through inspired Halloween Ghouls Taking Over Christmas or James Bond saving the world, AGAIN!)

Be sure to check out the Movie List & comment with your own favorite ‘inspirational’ movies… (the Entertainment Officer is always looking for evening viewing options!)

To start, here are 10 of Favorite Inspirational Movies (it’s kind of hard to pick a “Top Ten” especially as the 1st three are dead heat all-time favorite FAVORITES!…)

  1. The Keys to the Kingdom (1944) Gregory Peck, Vincent Price
  2. The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958) Ingrid Bergman, Robert Donat
  3. Chariots of Fire (1981) Ben Cross, Ian Charleson …
  4. The Sound of Music (1959) Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer
  5. Amazing Grace (2007) Ian Gruffudd, Benedict Cumberbatch, Albert Finney
  6. Remember the Titans (2000) Denzel Washington, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst
  7. Paradise Road (1997) Glenn Close, Pauline Collins, Frances McDormand
  8. Return to Me (2000) David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Bonnie Hunt
  9. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier
  10. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore

If you haven’t seen these – they are REALLY good!!

grace, peace & Movies, Movies

Virginia : )

 

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OUTCASTS UNITED: Refugees, Soccer & a Small Town in Georgia

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Virginia

That’s right – GEORGIA.  Refugees relocated from all corners of the globe to Clarkston, Georgia.  For my international buddies, Georgia is located in our American SOUTH… folks tend to be set in their ways, so an influx of resettled refugees in the 1990’s caused no small stir.  I also live in the south – Virginia, the State of  (I know, I know what’s with being named after a State? but my Mama’s name is Virginia, my Great Aunt – Virginia, my Great Grandmother – Virginia, my Father’s oldest sister – Virginia – and his Mother was Virginia Clare, so we are ‘Virginia-ed’ on both sides of the family!)  But the State of Virginia is not SOUTH like Georgia…  Folks in Georgia are kinda set in their ways. Change takes time.

In this VERY inspiring book, Outcasts United, news reporter Warren St. John documents how change eventually does come to Clarkston through an unlikely source – a diverse group of refugee football (soccer) players united together by Luma Mufleh, their dynamic coach & founder of the Fugees Team.  Luma, a Jordanian who grew up loving Football, came to the U.S. to play women’s collegiate Soccer (there are very few opportunities for women to play a men’s sport like Football in Jordan!)  She definitely is a Rose in the Rubble as she shakes up the status quos of the town, impacts the lives of the players & sacrifices so much of herself for them.

Warren St. John weaves Luma’s story with the stories of the refugee families from the DRC, Sudan, Liberia, Bosnia – the challenges where they came from & when they arrive in the U.S. – and the story of Clarkston, as many town members did NOT provide a warm welcome (some examples of ignorant injustice may require a few ‘let-off-steam-abouts!’)

Luma is a no-nonsense Coach who instills a high standard of excellence into the boys – on & off the field – with tough workouts, mandatory tutoring & disciplined commitment from each player. As she engages with the players, she encounters the shattered lives of their families…and is there for them.  Luma & the Fugees face almost insurmountable challenges – 1st unity, as the players come from all over the world, some barely speaking English; then there’s the concrete practice field (& at times no playing field); lack of equipment (shoes for the players, no Goal for almost the whole 1st season!), gangs-about the practice area; & town prejudice – all as Luma must juggle her own personal & professional struggles to squeeze in time to coach.

Working in the past with refugees in Africa & the Middle East, I know firsthand many challenges refugees face overseas, but knew little of the resettlement process in America. This book definitely provides an eye-opening education of what refugees face here. But at the core this is an inspiring story of Hope, Overcoming Adversity, Change-Agents-in-Action, & Sports (with lots of exciting Football/Soccer matches!)

We need more resilient Roses like Luma, her buddies, and the people of Clarkston – who eventually (it’s a long road!) rally around the team to welcome the refugees in their midst.

Go FUGEES!

Here’s a link to the Fugees website – be sure to check out the inspirational video of Luma & the team!!   http://www.fugeesfamily.org/index.htm

 

Football in Africa - a universal Sport!

 

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Part 2 – Instead of having the Cranks, give THANKS!

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Virginia

instead of having The Cranks, giving thanks for 6 YEARS hanging out with the Savvy Saints in Williamsburg, Virginia (vs. the rest of the exciting globe…)  Did i mention that Willsb is a small town? That i am over 40? That even over 40 you are always still a kid – in my case ‘the baby girl’ of 5 siblings? That even after dodging bullets, stones, landmines & disease in international postings, my Mama still tells me to wear my jacket out when it’s cold? That i had a leadership position in a large (very large) NGO in Tanzania? That domestic stuff is not my ‘shtick’ – (except as THE COOK : ) 

…and now for Part 2’s (somewhat-exciting-ish) conclusion:  How to overcome Homebound Cranks with Thanks…

Last month we celebrated 81 miracle-filled years of Papa’s life & this month we’re celebrating SIX YEARS since this relief & development globetrotter came home to help.  Altho the ‘helping’ bit was plotted more as a pit-stop before pursuing a PhD in Public Health, the time has zoomed by with no PhD, but more coursework taken in that ever-elusive Masters of LOVE – there’s ALWAYS more to learn!

Part of overcoming ‘Homebound Cranks’ (or ‘wherever-you-are-Cranks’) is knowing you’re where you’re supposed to be (‘taint always easy, figuring that!)

In July we celebrated 10 years my brother, Dwight, has been home helping my parents & Librarianing it in the Book Mines of our regional Library (this the cause of the Upside Down Pineapple Cake blog…) Six years ago July we met up for a holiday in South Africa (thankfully no casts or broken ankles that go round!) We had a Grand Time, but i sensed holding down the fort with the Savvy Saints was beginning To Overwhelm.

Then came a bit of Affirmation (there’s been a few Blazing Signposts in the past, a good thing to look back on when dodging bullets & stones! : ) – this a tad more subtle, with a dash of Holy Hilarity mixed in…

In my St. Teresa of Avila devotional book toted to S. Africa, each day included a Scripture, her writings, a prayer & hymn.  The last morning I wrote out the hymn of the day into my journal… then almost fell out of my chair when Papa & Mama called that evening & began by singing that very SAME HYMN (adapted slightly…)

“Softly & tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you & for me; See on the portals He’s waiting & watching, watching for you and for me. Come home, come home, ye who are weary come home; Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling, calling oh GINNY come HOME!!!” (Will L. Thompson, 1880)

After their boisterous singing, Papa asked me to come home: they needed MORE HELP.  It took a few months, but i came home from Africa the following November. Since then, WHEW!  Overseas I often put in 18 hr days & worked through weekends, but here for some reason i’m always TIRED.  Our daily routine starts most mornings at the crack of dawn & goes & goes & goes… (My sister Shere came to help one afternoon & afterward exclaimed, “there wasn’t even time to PEE! : )

It hasn’t been easy & i’m still learning lots, but God is Good (all the time) especially with strategic Grace Dispensings. In Africa I often got down on my knees to pray (& PRAY) for big proposals (malaria, HIV/AIDS, refugees) – all so important (indeed!) But pushing the mop here or dusting my Dad (oops, helping him) it’s JUST AS important to pray because we need God’s help wherever we are.   AND (here’s the kicker) – the HOW really matters. How we do what we do: with Joy… by Grace… for Love (not just love for my parents, but Loving GOD 1st or else i’d just be a muddled puddle under The Mop!)

So, every day I DO thank God for the opportunity to be here… and altho i had other job opportunities 2 yrs after coming home, things got REALLY interesting shortly thereafter when my Mama went through six extremely challenging months as she PAINFULLY lost the use of her left arm & hand.  MRIs, doctor appts, therapies… & help needed with everything. Running between Papa & Mama, grace (& lots of caffeine) kept Nurse Ginny going.  Mama’s pain eventually subsided but she still can’t use her arm; however, she can zoom her wheelchair into high speed & get into all sorts of trouble… (Yesterday I warned her, “Mama, we’re gonna give you a Chill Pill!” Her eyes immediately brightened, “Is it sweet?” : )

Affirmation has also come in surprising places.  Last year my friend Gina encouraged me to attend our 10 Year MBA reunion at William & Mary (with deeper pockets, i would have loved Georgetown for grad school – but W&M added AWESOMELY Amazing tools to the Toolkit!)  I didn’t want to go (kind of embarrassed to explain how ‘helping my parents’ utilizes all that Leadership training) but my classmates totally floored me.  With comments like ‘what a noble thing to do’ & ‘hey VA, your toolkit is the kind that’s always needed’ (i do though sometimes worry about it rusting out) … then one said that both his parents also have health issues, but they have to live in SEPARATE PLACES – ‘so Virginia, helping your parents is keeping them together…’

did i mention the high-volume tickets of the Mush Police ? how my parents still hold hands? how Papa gets separation anxiety if Mama goes out of the room?

So, overcoming Homebound Cranks (& angst) is just like working overseas (or being single or married or fat or thin or in $ or out of $…) – It’s important to pray each day for the grace to be content in ALL SITUATIONS (sound familiar? St. Paul prayed it first!) Affirmed by advice Papa emailed to Kosovo that I mind-trot out often: “the Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God cannot keep you.”

Amen.    Six Years?? but who’s counting…

grace, peace &  AMAZING GRACE

Virginia

p.s. Some of you may wonder how Virginia can be Catholic when her Papa is an Evangelical Pastor (& her older brother, Dean, pastor of a Willowcreek-ish type church) – What’s up with THAT?

 Eons ago my faith-walk led me to a Holy-Spirit filled Gospel Catholic African American church in Washington, D.C. …Singing in the Gospel Choir (the only Red Head) was one of the best experiences of my life as our worship ROCKED the Roof (& other houses close-by…) Taking evening classes at Georgetown & reading & learning & praying (& seeing the Gospel revved up into major ACTION through our Church to the inner-city community around us!) my heart led me to follow Christ into the Catholic Church (this after accepting Jesus in my heart as a 5 yr old & following Him up mountains & through the valleys of life since then..)  Last Pentecost marked 20 yrs for me as a Catholic Christian —

 Unfortunately, i run into so many folks who are ‘either-or’ Christians, when i see our faith as ‘both-and’ (especially working for ecumenical ministries & worshiping God in every kind of church, hut, hovel where His love IS!)  I pray for my parents’ church & am so grateful to God for the ministry there… every week i pray that God will bless my brother & his church… as I pray for the priests & ministry at my church (and folks serving in many denominations all over the world…)

 Hey, it’s pretty dark some places out there & all those different Light bulb brands – together – make for Brighter Light! : )

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Instead of having The Cranks, give THANKS! (Part 1)

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Virginia

Sunday i woke up ALL OVER sore after Saturday’s major ‘switch around’ house project.  Stepping gingerly to the floor, soreness morphed into full-blown PAIN (zzzzz -NECK!); almost simultaneously a bad case of The Cranks pain-planked in (or Grump-Generator manufactured the Grumps) Take your pick: Miss Virginia was not ready to be Miss Sunshine.   Morning Joy + Pain = Porcupine Sunshine

Before encountering other entities to inflict with the Cranks, i had a loud Mindflash: INSTEAD OF HAVING THE CRANKS, GIVE THANKS.

woah!  Take a painful step back. Breathe deeply. Thanks?? be thankful??

Even if pain blurs things a little (sometimes A LOT!), there’s usually so much for which to give thanks. So, i started thanking God … 1st for the grace to complete the #@&#% project for which i was in pain (leaving out the #@*#%! If my Mama washed my mouth out with Soap, imagine what Super-Soap God would use to wash out my mind – kinda scary, that!)

Gradually the Cranks decreased as my thanks increased… the pain was still there (loud & clear) & i did warn the Savvy Saints (my parents) it was ‘better be nice to Ginny Day.’  Unfortunately, Papa did not get the memo, asking me to ‘squishy’ his eyeglasses THREE TIMES! Sometimes methinks he likes to test my faith, as fervent “oh Lord, help, help – GRACE NEEDED” prayers zoomed upwards (he actually had some sleep in his eye… go figure! : )

This month in America we set aside a whole day for giving Thanks, appropriately called ‘Thanksgiving.’ Besides eating lots of Turkey (or piles of yummy Veggie sides if you’re Vegetarian) most folks take time out to be thankful. So cool this year lots of folks on FB & in the Blog-o-Shere are making November an Advent of Thanksgiving (as seen launched on John Scalzi’s ‘Whatever’ blog) by giving thanks each day for something or other…

The thing is, I usually start each day with thanksgiving … well most days (!)  Looking outside to see the absolutely glorious fall trees: fire orange, yellow, red & all hues in between (keeping those Heavenly Paintbrushes BUSY!)  I start down my to-thank-God-for-list. Sometimes it’s kinda long & most times repetitive… especially when thanking God for the saints who have gone before us –(Elijah & his ‘buckets of water’ faith, Moses surfing through a dry Red Sea, Joshua & his courage, Isaiah & his prophecies, Peter’s denials & ‘Rockyness’ – that give me hope, Andrew’s fishies, Thomas touching the wounds of Christ… and then on from Benedict to Oswald Chambers to Mother Teresa…)

But ALWAYS, I thank God for the Gift of Life – especially for my Papa & Mama. We just celebrated Papa’s 81st birthday at the end of October – A TOTAL MIRACLE.  When Papa turned 70, Dr. Shaw (his Pulmonologist & dear friend) said, “Dick, do you realize most quads don’t make 65?!”

Now EIGHTY ONE, Papa keeps on keeping on by the grace of God… busy writing books on his computer with voice-activated software (working to finish 3 new ones by Jan 1st), mentoring folks, meeting appointments, serving as Pastor Emeritus of a large church in Williamsburg & as mover/shaker of a global ministry … AND writing blogs with help from the Blog Posting Elf (check it out  http://4spiritualsecrets.com/   !)

So busy…. & he never leaves the house (except in an ambulance…)

Then there’s my Mama, who has taken care of health-challenged Papa since 1980 when disease began crippling his legs & continued moving all over until he became a bedfast quadriplegic 10 yrs ago (who needs help wiping his nose!) Mama has severe rheumatoid arthritis & lost the use of her arm & hand a few years ago – she zips around the house in her wheelchair (when she gets into high speed, we have to run to catch up!) – but she still helps Papa with her all her heart (& all that she can do with one hand, still LOTS!)

Married 56 years, they keep the Mush Police busy issuing tickets (whispering sweet-everythings to each other that the intercom broadcasts throughout the house; not hearing so well their ‘whispers’ are kinda loud! lots of ‘ooh Angel Face’ & ‘ooh Angel Pie’  : )  Then Papa gets separation anxiety if Mama goes out of the living room … BUSY Mush Police!

Did I mention Papa is in pain 24/7?  Back to Miss Porcupine Sunshine on Sunday (& yesterday & today… the RPN – Royal Pain in the Neck remains despite ice, heat & Being Flat) It’s hard to have pain-inflicted Cranks around Papa, as he gives thanks every day – all day – because, as he says, “my blessings outweigh my challenges.”  (of course, he says other things  like “I can’t, but He can’ and so much more – be sure to check out his blog!)

Mama & Papa celebrating their 50th (6 yrs ago!)

So, today instead of having The Cranks, I give THANKS to God for my Papa & Mama: the inspiring Gift of God in their lives, their faith-filledness, their ministry & their LOVE…

Grace, peace & Thankful RPNs

Virginia : )

p.s. Scenes from Part 2:

…instead of having The Cranks, giving thanks for 6 YEARS hanging out with the Savvy Saints in Williamsburg, Virginia (vs. the rest of the exciting globe…)  Did i mention that Willsb is a small town? That i am over 40? That even over 40 you are always still a kid – in my case ‘the baby girl’ of 5 siblings? That even after dodging bullets, stones, landmines & disease in international postings, my Mama still tells me to wear my jacket out when it’s cold? That i had a leadership position in a large (very large) NGO in Tanzania? That domestic stuff is not my ‘shtick’ – (except as THE COOK : ) 

Stay tuned… & check in tomorrow (or Thursday re: RPNs) for the exciting Part 2 conclusion: how to overcome Homebound Cranks with Thanks…

Posted in Life (in general), Sunday-ish Reflections | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Movies, Movies: Finding Inspiration along “THE WAY”

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Virginia

Last weekend my brother & I drove an hour to a Big City to see “The Way” – an absolutely BRILLIANT film starring Martin Sheen, directed by his son, Emilio Estevez.  Given competing interests (Art Museums to see & Good Eats to enjoy), Dwight was a bit dubious spending precious Big City time on a movie, but afterward he said it was the highlight of the day & we had a major argument: who will buy the DVD when it comes out since we BOTH want it for keeps to watch again & again (!)

This is a movie for everyone about TRANSFORMATION.  No matter what your walk in life, we all struggle with issues –  lapsed love, waistlines, careers, faith – lapsed LIVES. Beautifully written, excellent cast, with humor lightening heavy stuff along ‘the Way,’ this movie INSPIRES.  Did i mention it was filmed on location in France & Spain??

The storyline:  Tom Avery (Martin Sheen) is an eye doctor from California, but stuffily set in his ‘superior’ ways he doesn’t see eye-to-eye with his free-spirited son, Daniel (Emilio Estevez), especially when Daniel heads off to trek the 800KM Camino de Santiago – The Way of Saint James pilgrims have walked from France through the Spanish Pyrenees for over 1,000 years.

As Tom gives his son a hard time on the way to the airport about prudent ‘life choices,’ Daniel responds, “you don’t choose a life, Dad, you live one.”   Amen.

After Daniel dies in a freak accident on the first day of his trek, Tom must go to France to claim his remains.  When a priest asks, ‘can I pray for you?’  Tom bitterly says, “what for?”  A lapsed Catholic, he doesn’t ‘get’ why people do the Way.  But when French police Captain Henri (favorite actor Tchéky Kario from “The Patriot”)  explains the Camino de Santiago, Tom decides to walk it ‘together’ with Daniel’s cremated ashes – all 800 kilometers..  he’s an old guy (over 60!) out of shape (!) but he’s determined to do it on his own.

That’s the storyline, but the challenges REALLY begin as he meets other folks along The Way – Joost, an extremely extroverted Dutchman, (Yorick van Wageningen) who wants to lose weight; Sarah, a Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger) trying to quit smoking; and Jack, (James Nesbitt) a nutty Irish writer fighting writer’s block.

There are split-your-side funny scenes, gorgeous scenery (all filmed along the actual Camino de Santiago) and zap-your-heart seriously serious moments (when Sarah shares the real reason she’s there, be sure to have a tissue in hand.)  The script is outstanding.

There’s so much more to take away from this movie (scenes keep mind-flashing all week), but i don’t want to give them away.  If you are looking for an inspiring movie this weekend, DON’T MISS this one (even if you have to drive an hour to see it!)

Kudos to Emilio Estevez for the gift of this movie & to Martin Sheen (we are groupies, just finishing our 7th Season DVDs of West Wing) – what an Utterly Outstanding effort from you & the WHOLE crew..

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

THANK YOU!!!

for one of the best inspirational movies of the year…

http://theway-themovie.com/

 

grace, peace & REALLLY INSPIRING MOVIES

Virginia : )

Posted in MOVIES !! | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments