Tell Me More Tuesday

     Dear Jessica,

You are so much more than my sister, you are my best friend. Growing up I never thought we would ever be as close as we are but I am so blessed. You are always there for me when I need someone to listen to or to tell me that it will be ok. You have usually gone through what I am going through so you know what to say to get me through it. I am so proud of you and everything you are. I watch the person you have become over the years and I am so proud to call you my sister. You are compassionate, dedicated, loving, encouraging, and a beautiful woman inside and out.  

I am so excited to be a part of your wedding next weekend. I know life has not always been kind to you and it is truly a blessing to watch you marry a man who will stand by you for the rest of your life. We are at such an exciting point in our lives and I cannot wait to see all the wonderful things God has in store for us. I love you so much!

                                                                     Love Always, 

                                                                              Lo

Today will be a day of venting!!

As the election came to a close I was excited for numerous reasons, but two in particular. 1. To find out who our next president would be, and 2. So people would stop this political bashing. After the election I got on facebook and noticed that the bashing had progressed to an even higher level of hatred. Don't get me wrong I understand that this was an extremely intense and an extremely divided election, and I know how much it can hurt to lose. But when that sadness and hurt turns to racism and just down right nasty comments that arent even remotely true I have some issues. I have seen comments about people "hangin on to their guns", making references to seeing more weaves!! What is this! I guess some people feel he doesnt have the experience, well maybe if we gave him the chance to prove himself you would see that he is more qualified than any president we have had in a very long time. I assume that by qualified people mean he does not have a war hero record, well I hate to break it to you but neither did George Bush. And neither did the "lovely" Sarah Palin! Even if you do not believe that Obama has enough experience then look at his Vice President, an extremely respectable man with an impecable record! I admire John McCain and everything he has done for our country, so this is not about bashing him. This is about standing behind the new president of the U.S. and giving him a chance to either prove you wrong and prove you right. Lets stop the bashing and the racism and enjoy being a part of history. Rejoice for all the men and women who never thought they would live to see this day, who suffered through slavery, segregation, and the assasination of Martin Luther King. Rejoice for all the children who know have a successful role model to look up to, and say I can do that. Rejoice in all the good things that are about to happen to our country. This man is an advocate for community, something I believe a lot of people have forgotten. In this era of technology it is so important to have a sense of community and to make sure your community is doing the job they are supposed to be. I have never been more excited to be an American and to be a social worker.

Tuesday Tell Me More

Dear Brooke,

Most of my friends and family do not know you, but you are a five year old who has inspired my life more than anyone else. You have luekemia and although it was almost in remission it has relapsed and now you are waiting for a transplant and fighting for you life. You have a spirit that most people will never have. Your love for life and the special people in your life inspires me everyday. You love to play with dolls, bake in your easy bake oven, and you are always bringing special gifts from the heart for everyone to enjoy. You are such a strong fighter and in my eyes an angel from God. I know that everything will be ok and God will take care of you. I pray every night that a transplant becomes available to you. I love you more than you will ever know.

                                                     Love Always,

                                                         Lauren

I hope that people remember how precious life truly is. Remember Brooke's story as you go through your day. Be kind to everyone because you never know what hardships they are carrying.

Tell Me More Tuesday

Dear Ryan,
Since the day I met you, you have been changing the person I am for the better. You are my best friend and are always there for me, through the good and the bad. Although we have acknowledged that our relationship has not been perfect, we also realize that the rough patches have made us the couple we are and will prepare us to get through anything together. Your dedication and hard work to everything you do inspires me every day. Your thirst for knowledge is incredible, you are always wanting to learn how to do things yourself, something I am not very good at. You are much more sensitive than most people realize and that sensitivity is one of the things that I fell in love with six years ago. I dont care what you think, I laugh at you because you are funny, not because I want to make you think your jokes are funny. I love your sense of humor more than anything, hearing you laugh is like music to my ears. In about a year we will finally be getting married and I am so excited to finally call you my husband! I know that what lies ahead is only excitement, deeper love, and a step into a new life, together. I love you so much! Love always and forever, Lauren

Deja Vu

During the upcoming election there is a proposition, known as amendment 2, that is causing some controversy. It states that marriage must be between a man and a women. Some people don't understand what there is to think about. I ask you, who are we to tell people who they can and can't love, and then discriminate against them. This is not any different that what happened centuries ago when the government and churches discriminated against African Americans. Its like we target those who are different, by color, gender, or sexuality. So I ask you when you go to vote in a few weeks who is this amendment really going to hurt. Not you! Its going to hurt those who can't marry the ones they love and then in turn can't adopt children, can't get their partners benefits, and at some times can't even be in the hospital room with their partner because they are legally not family!

Wordless Wednesday

Tell Me More Tuesday

Dear Mom,
I am so proud to call you my mother. I have never met anyone with as much strength as you have. No matter how hard things get you always stick with it. I have learned so much from what you do and from what you have taught me. I am a much more independent women because of you. I am learning to love myself inside and out because of you. I am determined because you have always taught me that I can do anything I want. I truly believe that with out you I would not be the woman I am today. I would not love or care the way I do. I would not have the values I do and be able to stand behind them the way I do. I love you more than you will ever know and I am so blessed to have such a beautiful relationship with you that continues to grow to new levels every day. I love you!
Love Always,
Lauren