Stand Out

 

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you 

something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

1803-1882

 

Blog XXI

Vera Lenore

 

December 2024

 

Out of the ether, and the immortal love between a man and a woman, we came into being. A combination of our parents, yet wholly authentic and exceptional in every way. Naked, crying and totally confused, a newborn emerges from the warmth and comfort of the womb into the glaring reality of this cumbersome environment. Not too long ago, that was you and me…the true definition of endless possibilities. 

 

In a perfect world the child is dearly loved, nurtured and kept safe from some of the more harsh and cruel realities of life, but unfortunately this is not always the case. If you were born into a caring, loving family, count yourself blessed. As it is, even the most caring of parents can be somewhat flawed. Children do not come with an instruction book and mistakes can be made by well-meaning adults. This is just human nature and mostly innocuous missteps. 

 

One of the most revered professionals in the child care industry is a man named Dr. Benjamin Spock. His book, “Baby and Child Care”, is one of the best selling books of the 20th century. Millions of new parents around the world snatched up the manual looking to raise astute, well-adjusted children. He was a trusted source for parenting across the globe and his approach to child-rearing was highly regarded. As the first pediatrician to study psychoanalysis, in order to understand children’s needs and family dynamics, his reputation as a go-to authority was unmatched. He had two sons, Michael and John. After 48 years, Dr. Spock and his wife divorced. Michael went on to be a museum director and John, who studied architecture, later owned a construction company. Sadly, Michael’s 22 year old son committed suicide by jumping off the roof of the Boston’s Children’s Museum on December 25, 1983. There really is no telling what drives a person to the point of self-destruction. It simply proves that even the most trusted sources are not immune to the complexities of the human condition. 

 

It seems society has so belittled the value of human life to the point where we are each just seen as a cog in a gigantic wheel of circumstance. Where an unborn child is perceived as nothing more than an inconvenience to be disposed of and forgotten. This is at the crux of all that ails humanity…the lack of respect for the individual, valuable soul. The rhetoric of “my body my choice” rings hollow when you realize that there is a sanctified, individual life being annihilated. When coerced into taking an experimental injection for “public safety”, where are the calls for autonomy? By the way…both abortion and injections are grotesquely lucrative and deeply insidious. The irony is not lost when you witness the people, who have already been born, crying out for the right to kill the unborn.

 

These are not political points of view and certainly not in line with the progressive mindset. These are traditional, fundamental values and morals that have long been the cornerstone of civilization which, along with family and faith, have been overtly desecrated and mocked.

Having worked in the educational system I found that many, if not most, of the children come from broken homes. This trend is startling and a damning commentary on the decrepit state of the venerable family. It is said that if you want to show love to your children, then show love to your spouse.

 

As is mostly the case, to one degree or another, I was born into a dysfunctional family. There have been many struggles and strife I would have gladly omitted. With a continually absent father during my upbringing, I intrinsically assumed the position of the absent parent, desperately trying to make everything alright and failing miserably on many occasions. Although there were some seriously dark times, I learned that each of us, no matter the circumstances, are all ingrained with the divine spark of the infinite, and guided by a transcendent force too immense for our limited resources to comprehend. To shift the harsh lessons of life into something magnificent is our purpose and duty. Rising above our circumstances and turning it into a net gain is not only practical, it is necessary. Perhaps those arduous lessons made me a better mother to my children.

 

At this joyful time of year the family comes into focus, most especially the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. We will soon be gathered together to celebrate the seminal occurrence of His birth which transformed our world and the universe. Nothing has been the same since that first Christmas and our gifts to one another are symbols of the immense favor bestowed on humanity. As we contemplate the sanctified, infant Jesus and the vast promise His birth brought to our lives, let us also remember that within each of us is the ability to bring light and love to a fractured world. It is a time for healing and the sweet remembrance of our salvation, but most important of all is the acknowledgment of how one life can make all the difference and yes…you can too!

 

A Very Merry Christmas and Healthy, Happy New Year to one and all!

 

Until Next Time…Be Well My Friends