"I Look to You"

I don't usually watch the Oprah show, but I wanted to see Whitney Houston's two part interview. I missed the first day because I don't have one of those fancy TIVO things, and my husband couldn't get the old fashioned VCR, in the bedroom, set properly. I was a little disappointed in the morning when I saw that it hadn't recorded. I guess at some point I will have to break down and get TIVO. Hopefully, eventually I will see part one through the generosity of someone who will let me see their TIVOed recording at some point.

I did watch part two today and I was very impressed. First of all, she is a living testimony of the song "We fall down, but we get up." I was touched by her return to the faith of her childhood. I am convinced that once the "seed of faith" is planted, it re-blooms in the right season, no matter how low we may have fallen.
I understand the prayers of her mother and those around her. Sometimes, when we are so far in the valley, we don't have the sense to pray for ourselves. I know someone who told me that he was unable to pray for a year when he was in a very negative situation.

I loved that her mother and those close to her never gave up on her--that is what mothers do--we must always be there, no matter what. That's what we all should do, even in one's darkest moments. Be careful when you say that you have "given up" on someone.

Her fall was hard and long--she was another victim of "love" which appeared to be love, but really wasn't. How can someone love you and spit on you?--yikes!

I will lift her up because I was impressed by her victory over whatever it was that was dragging her so far down. It really isn't how far down we were, but how we got up again. She seemed honest when she said that she takes each day at a time, still has a drink, and sometimes thinks about what she used to do. I also liked that she said she is done--she will not use her situation to make money or talk about it again. I give kudos to Clive Davis, who has known her forever because he believed in her gift. Everyone needs someone who believes in him/her.

Please, know WHO you look to.

Oh, South Carolina

I cannot say that I am surprised by the outburst by the South Carolina Representative, Joe Wilson. I have always called South Carolina a beautiful state with a very ugly history. It appears that that history is still alive. The interesting thing about his comment is that it serves as a constant reminder that things have not changed as much as we think. We must still remember the past, and realize as my Mississippi friend said, "Things won't change until some of the old racists die off." I don't know if he fits the category of "old," but nevertheless, he did us a favor by reminding us that the past still lives and thrives in the hearts of some.

I would not have tolerated that kind of outburst in a classroom, not to mention in the halls of Congress. How disgraceful! How disrespectful! How idiotic! How moronic! How real! How "slave-like!" How SOUTH CAROLINA!

I was so impressed at the South Carolina ball during the inauguration week. It made me think that there was really a change as I saw South Carolina folks, old and young, dancing, talking, and having a good time together. I still hold to the idea that change in that bastion of hatred state is still possible. I will not give up hope.

My mother always said, a fool will usually let you know who he is and then you can move on. He has let us know--shame on him--now we will move on!

I still love my South Carolina son-in -law though. He knows the state through and through. I also know my Hilton Head friend who enjoyed her house on the beach for over 30 years before, as she calls it, she was "land lynched" by South Carolina--even though her $1000 investment paid off handsomely monetarily, but not so handsomely in terms of peace of mind.

Oh South Carolina, Oh, horrible past, Oh, hope for the future.

Shame, Shame on you Joe Wilson. Keep of the good work of reminding us that we can't be complacent and think that everything is alright. There is still much work to be done.
I am posting as a comment, an email from a friend in Israel who also had some insight on this issue.

Re-Knee

Another day, another knee. The rehab is going well for Tony and this time we were just a little smarter and tried to prepare beforehand based upon our experience with the first replacement.

The refrigerator and microwave upstairs has minimized running up and down the stairs (although I could probably use the exercise)and we cooked a lot of food and froze it so that food is not an issues.

Friends are still wonderful, even though I told them that the second time around did not mean that they had to be as nice as they were the first time. Fortunately, they ignored me! Oh, life; Oh, aging; Oh, re-kneeing!