Ladies and Gentlemen ... In this corner, wearing a swim suit and Hawaiian shirt ...
There's a line to a popular song right now that I am fascinated with. It simply says:
"... t h a t y o u ' v e b e e n a p t l y d a m n e d ..."
Maybe, because of some of the things I've been dealing with in recent months, I'm just seeking something profound. But tell me, does "a p t l y d a m n e d" not totally and completely sum up the life we all live? Is idiocy and retardedness not the norm in our society? When Anna Nicole Smith, Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton occupy the first twenty minutes of the evening news - followed by five minutes about the real world - shouldn't we all just call it a day and hop into a stinking south-bound hand-basket with a very long rope attached?
When more time is spent working with a small and meaningless group of people who want to rip a solid, established, and rewarding homeschool group apart than is spent with those who are trying to serve the families that belong to it and are committed to making it work, doesn't it make you want to slam someone's head into the wall scream at the top of your lungs?
I know there's a bigger reason we're all here - and I won't give up. But, when I get done answering emails and voice-mail messages and dealing with my day-job, consulting work, kids and our homeschool group, I start to think it's a losing battle. People make up their own mind about whatever they choose to believe. Others just make things up. Many choose to make up their mind without ever bothering to look at the facts, and some - sadly - don't understand the facts when they're looking at them. Many are simply idiots challenged.
I thank God daily for the logical, reasonable, intelligent, caring and motivated friends and family members I have. They are doing things that make a difference. They are seeing to it that their family, their churches, their homeschool group, their community and their circle of friends not only make it through tough times, but come out stronger on the other side. They are worth the fight. They dance at Momma Mia, they book concerts and speakers to raise money for local charities, they are with their kids at Disney World and camping at Indian Boundary, they are having Chocolate Parties and growing grapes and teaching Enrichment Classes. They are not scheduling skating parties at closed skating rinks and trying to deceive good people.
Unfortunately, we're all "a p t l y d a m n e d." Nothing any of us - myself included - ever do will earn us anything above that designation. But, at the end of the day, we're promised that those who refuse to quit fighting will be rewarded. And someone else, graciously, decided to pay the price for all of us morons.
Right now, I feel the need to stick my feet in the surf, kick back with Wife2Me and Kids2Me and enjoy the sun, a warm breeze, lighthouses, fresh seafood, hot sand and the sound of the ocean for at least a week - maybe more. I know when I get back, and I'm in touch with my inner-Jimmy Buffett, I'll be ready for the next round ... so bring it on bubby.
Just practicing my First Amendment Rights (which, in this case, actually DO apply) ... later.
bring me back a "Hamburger" from "Paradise"? The beach sounds so good. We are hoping to make atleast one foray to the ocean ourselves this summer. Holden Beach or Oak Island (both NC beaches).
I did get a recent afternoon of sand in my toes while visiting my mom in my hometown of Virginia Beach. It's not the same as waking up hearing the surf and knowing that is all you've got to do today. :)
I hope you enjoy yourself and come home a happy daddy.
I'm just so glad that throwing Chocolate Parties is on the list of things people do that make a difference!
You know I share your frustration to the max, although I'm only about 1/100th as articulate as you are in describing those feelings!
Dip your pinky toe in the water for me while you're at the beach and remember the magic words ("mojito, please"). When the family2three returns, perhaps we'll kick off the little rotating, regular "social" I described at the Chocolate Therapy session. I feel a Jimmy Buffet themed party coming on...
from the land of beach and pool, that YES YES YES you will feel so recuperated after a week relaxing that you will completely forget everything else! Except your friends!
Anything in this life that truly matters, takes work and perseverence. I commend you guys for your hard work and dedication, and love for this group of people!
If we could just all help each other get to heaven, instead of hell, then we would all be much better off...but then I guess we would already be in heaven!
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
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