My Life Watching Politics on Television

As I sit down tonight to watch the State of the Union Address, I was thinking of all of the past presidents I have watched on TV in my 42 years.

My very first presidential TV moment was in 1977.  I was in first grade at Homewood Heights Elementary School in Creve Coeur, Illinois.  My first grade teacher was Mrs. Kluge.  In January 1977, the first grade teachers gathered all of us into one of the little classrooms, rolled in a big TV, and had a group of 6 and 7 year olds watch the Inauguration of President Jimmy Carter.  It seem boring and torturous at the time, but I remember it.  I remember being excited that the president had a little girl, just like me.  So, at the age of 6, I remember my first moment with politics and TV.

I remember March 30, 1981.  As I left my 5th grade classroom at Willow Elementary School in Pekin, Illinois, the parent of one of my classmates sent the child back in to the school to tell Mr. Muren that the "president had been shot."  I spent that entire day glued to the TV at my babysitter's home watching the coverage.  I remember Alexander Haig (and yes, I actually remember this) saying, "I am in control here."  To get out of the 5th grade, I had to pass an Illinois State Constitution test and a US Constitution test.  I had the most amazing 5th grade teacher on the planet, and I knew that Alexander Haig was not one of the people we had discussed when we talked about presidential succession. 

I remember President Reagan addressing the nation on January 28, 1986 on the evening of the Space Shuttle disaster.  He seemed like a grandfather to me (and he was older than my own grandfather who, ironically, died on the day of the Reagan assassination attempt).  I somehow felt better when Reagan spoke.  I can see why people have fond memories of him.  Memories are funny, though.  The Teflon President still seems to have few bad things associated to him.  I won't badger him on this post, but perception and reality are quite different.

I was at a school in Texas during Reagan's funeral.  At my request, we paused the demonstration for about 45 minutes and watched the funeral live.  What can I say?  I'm an American first and a Democrat second.  He was the president during my growing up years, and there is a soft spot in my heart for "Uncle Ron."  I call all of the president's "Uncle."  Don't try and understand it.  It's a Wendy thing.

I have to tell you, I think I skipped both Nixon's and Ford's funerals.  Back to TV memories....

My Clinton memory is not the one you may be thinking of (the "I did not have sex with that woman" memory).  1988 was the first year I could vote.  The summer between my senior year in high school and my first year at Bradley University, I lived with my aunt and uncle in Arkansas.  I worked my last summer at the famous family Donut Shop.  I had a lot of time on my hands that summer, so I took it upon myself to watch the Democratic National Convention.  That was the first Clinton speech that I ever heard, and I remember it.  I actually remember thinking, "He might be president someday."

My dad told me this past summer that I had actually heard Clinton speak a few years before the DNC convention in 1988.  I spent most of my summers in Hot Springs, Arkansas with my dad, and one year on the 4th of July, he took us to see the fireworks that were....wait for it....at the Wal-Mart parking lot.  Clinton (according to Dad) spoke at that event.  I can't make this crap up....Clinton, Wal-Mart...parking lot.  I probably don't remember that because I was so traumatized by the falling firework debris that was LANDING ON SPECTATORS! 

I also remember watching TV the day Clinton left office.  I have to admit, I cried a bit.  Interpret that however you will.

You notice I skipped 41?  I have no powerful memories of George H.W. Bush.  I have more memories of Dana Carvey's portrayal of Bush than Bush himself.  I liked 41; I actually thought he was an OK President.  As I sit here thinking about why I have few memories of watching 41 on TV, it probably was because his tenure as president coincided with the four years that I was in college.  Quite simply, we didn't have a TV in our dorm room.  We had one in the TV lounge, but I didn't do too much TV watching in college.  Honestly, it probably has more to do with accessibility to a TV than anything else. 

George W. Bush.  Oh, he was not the orator.  In fact, watching Bush speak made me terribly uncomfortable.  My most memorable TV moment with Bush was during the State of the Union in 2003.  I was traveling that day, and I was in the Delta Connection Terminal at the Cincinnati Airport.  I stood close to one of those TVs mounted from the ceiling and listened to the SOU.  I will never forget hearing the famous "16 Words,":  "The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa."  I think I said (in my out loud voice), "What the F---?"  My gut told me that it wasn't true.  I knew that there was NO WAY that this info was making its public debut in the State of the Union.  I would like to say thank you to George Bush for putting a fire in me that propelled me all the way through the completion of my thesis.  I spent a year of my life writing about why the US invaded Iraq in 2003.  We now know that those 16 words were unsubstantiated and false, but back when I was writing my thesis, people still believed.

That is all I have to say about Bush...because I'm trying to be kind (-ish).

Obama.  I have a few TV memories of Obama.  I remember when he teared up at the DNC when he talked about his grandmother who recently passed away.  I was alone in my hotel room in Portland, Oregon in 2008 when he was named the president-elect.  I cried and cried and cried as he gave his speech in Chicago.  I was so hopeful.  I watched the Obama Inauguration with ALL of my kids; they happened to have the day off of school.  The PEOPLE....so many people in Washington, D.C.  I will never, ever forget that.

I'm grateful for all of my presidents in one way or another.  I'm also grateful for the technology of television that brings my president right into my living room, my office, an airport TV, my first grade classroom....

Here's looking forward to 42 more year of presidential TV memories....

Age Matters

I had two experiences today (Friday, January 13th) that lead me to ponder if "age matters."  Matters in what?  For what?  ...you might ask... I think the examples will provide some insight into what I mean.

I was at the Las Vegas Mc Carran Airport tonight in the boarding area waiting for my flight.  A group of co-workers (identifiable by the logo-ed shirts) were standing in the vicinity of where I was sitting.  One young man...probably in his mid to late 20s...was making it known that he thinks nothing of Denver QB Tim Tebow.  Look.  I can't STAND the University of Florida...ever since Urban Meyer left my beloved Utah Utes to chase the almighty dollar and two national championships at Florida, I've been bitter.  I've made fun of Tebow in the past, but what Ute hasn't?  So, I'm not a lover of Tebow nor do I find a need to defend him.

This logo-shirt wearing man was going on and on and on about how Tebow wasn't an NFL quarterback...how he was overrated...how him having a winning season only perpetuated the inevitable how he was a left handed QB, blah-blah, blah-blah, blah-blah.  One of his older co-workers said, "What if he wins the division championship."

"It won't matter," quipped the youngster.

Persisting, the elder co-worker asked, "What if he wins the Super Bowl?  Will you still think he's not deserving of returning to Denver as QB?"

The younger man HAD to acquiesce.  He said, "If he wins the Super Bowl, I would have to consider changing my mind."

Several minutes later, that same young man (in a group of about 10 co-workers) made his opinion known about another issue.  I couldn't hear the topic, but I could tell by his tone that he stood alone in his opinion.  I could tell that his seasoned co-workers tolerated him.  No one was dumb enough to engage him...it was Friday...early evening...probably after they'd worked the convention floor all week.

As I thought about this young man, I thought about myself.  That used to be me.  Sometimes (much rarer these days) it still is...when I'm really, really passionate about something.  I started with my company when I was 27, and back in the day, I thought I knew it all.  I thought my opinions were so important that they had to be heard, defended and spoken again and again until I got what I wanted.  I feel so silly when I think back to those days.  So, I asked myself?  Is it age?  I think so.  I think age and maturity change those behaviors.  The logo-ed shirt wearing guy will either chill out as he ages or he will probably not be in that organization for too terribly long. 

I just kept thinking as I observed his behavior, "He's so young."

On a closed (invite only) FB group, people were having a threaded discussion about a personal topic.  Unfortunately, it was the WORST kind of topic...one that combined religion AND politics.  It's kind of a support group for liberal Latter Day Saints.  Several members of the group rallied to defend and support a person who made post to the group.  Basically, the poster extended a hand of fellowship at church to wish a woman "Merry Christmas," and she took umbrage with the greeting...left a note in his mailbox telling him she felt violated and wanted nothing to do with him or his family.

In the  middle of this thread, a 17 year old girl chimed in.  Part of the thread had gotten out of hand, and there had been some completely unnecessary comments by a few in the thread.  The girl, however, chose to say that the entire thread was stupid...and basically tried to dismiss the conversation by declaring it so.  That didn't go over really well with the people who had been contributing to the conversation...myself included.

Does age matter?  I think it does.  FB is tricky.  It's even trickier when you are part of a group of this type.  If I don't agree with a thread on this group, I typically stay out of it.  Alternately, I would use a different tactic to express my opinion.  Calling out a thread as "stupid" was not cool.  I actually think it showed her age and experience.  I say this because I have a 17 year old.  I could see her thinking (and writing) the EXACT same thing.  Was the thread stupid?  I think it was weird...but not stupid.

This caused a FIRESTORM on the thread...some invoking a the "she's young and doesn't know" card. Some who were really condescending about her age coupled with her comment.  Then there were others who jumped in to defend her.  Then the poor girl...trying to make it right...kept saying more things that made it worse. Does age matter?  Well, "older" doesn't mean that you have more experience or that your opinion is more important or that you should belittle a young person who inserts herself into a conversation.  However, I don't believe that if she had some experience...and yes, if she were a bit older that she would have jumped in as she did.

As Mariah (my 17 year old step daughter) gets closer to turning 18 years old and as she gets closer to graduation, I can see in her how ready, ready, ready she is to move on.  Been there myself.  I can't think of an 18 year old that I know who hasn't been there.  When we are 18, we are so ready to move on, but we are so limited by our life experience.  We think we know what we want and how to get it, but we don't.  We can't. Who in the hell knows what they want when they are 18?  I find it CRAZY that we ask 18 year olds to pick a major (in college).  How can any of us know what we want when we are that age?  We can't?  We act out of desperation and motivation to move on.

So, does age matter?  It can.  I suppose that experience probably matters more to me.  You tend to receive more life experience the older that you get.  It is a vicious circle.  I, for one, know that in my 42 years I continue to learn and grow....I think it's God's meanest reality that when you are older, wiser and have so much life experience that your body gives out on you and you are able to do less and less.  I suppose as I get older each year, I think about those kinds of things.  I look at my neighbors who are in their 80s and 90s...I can't IMAGINE the life experience and wisdom that they have.  Does age matter?  I think I have to conclude that in some ways, it does.

Love Thy Neighbor

I came down to my office tonight to do some work/some other stuff.  As usual, I popped in a DVD to serve as background noise.  Tonight I chose a few episodes of "Big Love," one of my favorite shows.  I grabbed a few diet cokes from the mini-fridge and sat at my desk.  I noticed a hand-written note from one of my neighbors.  It was short thank you note.  The note, the episode of Big Love...it was screaming out for a thoughtful blog post.  So, here it is...

My neighbors two doors down (to the south of us) are polygamists.  (Let the Utah jokes commence.)  I lived in Salt Lake City for 10 years and to the best of my knowledge never met a practicing polygamist.  I met a few whose parents *had* practiced but now they were *out of polygamy.*  But when we moved to Sandy, Utah (again, the bizarre irony that I live in the city depicted in "Big Love") almost 6 years ago, we were a bit surprised that we had polygamist neighbors.  Part of me was ecstatic that we had "diversity" in our neighborhood (and you should have seen how thrilled we were that we also have gay neighbors!)  I mean this in a non-sarcastic, non patronizing way.  Utah is known for its homogeneity, and to know that we were not in an all-LDS neighborhood was refreshingly surprising to me. 

I want to tell you about my neighbors and how I view them.  First of all, their last name is Bennett.  I don't want to keep referring to them as "my polygamist neighbors."  Second, our neighbors are not followers of Warren Jeffs. They don't wear prairie dresses and have braids.  They look like normal people. 

During our first week in our new home, we were baking something or other and were missing and ingredient.  I sent Dominique (8 years old at the time) around to our neighbors with a measuring cup to find the ingredient.  She knocked on the Bennett's door, and one of their daughters reluctantly opened it.  She is about Dom's age, and suspiciously asked, "What do you want?"  Dom replied, "Some flour?"  We had the impression that no one had ever knocked on their door and asked for flour.  They had some (because most normal people do...unless you've just moved and not stocked back up), and they gladly gave us some.  That was the beginning of our neighborly "relationship."  I use that term loosely because it's a distant relationship--not fraught with common neighborly niceties. 

When our kids were younger, their two daughters (approximate age of Dom and Elle) would kind of linger close to the house when we were outside.  We invited them to do yard work with us.  We invited them to run in the sprinkler with us.  We invited them to have food when we were cooking.  We were always inviting them.  They are shy, and they keep to themselves.  But, they don't have loud parties. The cops have never been over there.  And they have HAPPY kids! 

I remember one time saying to the kids, "We let them be as long as the kids are not in danger."  A few summers ago Elle and her friend came rushing down to my office on a warm summer day screeching about one of the little ones being in their van with the windows rolled up.  Thankfully, they know that it is bad for a child to be in a hot car with the windows up!  The friend was insistent that we call the police.  I said, "Go knock on the front door, and let her mom know that she's in the car.  If no one answers, open the door and let the child out."  Can you imagine the news headlines?  Ugh.  They told Mrs. Bennett, and all was well.  See, easy peasy.  No need to get all exercised and excited over nothing.

We've noticed small improvements.  They wave at us when we pass them on the street (seriously, this is a big deal).  They have joined in 4th of July festivities when we had a party in our culdesac.  They let us mow their lawn for them the year they didn't have a lawn mower.  They have begun to decorate more for the holidays, and I was so happy this year that the little ones went Trick-or-Treating.  They have accepted old furniture that we were going to donate anyway.

My intellectual curiosity wants to know all about what they believe, how they live their lives and ask them a million questions.  I know, however, that this would not be productive.  I don't profess to understand polygamy.  I mean, I understand it, but...you know what I mean.  It is not a belief system that is in my schema nor one which I ever would embrace.  That doesn't mean, however, that I can't love my neighbors...accept them for who they are...let them be...try to serve them in a way that is not offensive and makes them know that we care about them. 

Each year for Christmas, we try to do something for them.  This year I enlisted the help of another neighbor to do recon and find out what they might need/want.  We decided on simple gifts:  a nice fruit basket, some hats and gloves, a new basketball net for their hoop, a new basketball and some coupons to Red Box (Yes, they watch movies!)  Every year we receive a nice thank you note from Mrs. Bennett.  That was the note on my desk today.  One time, they even brought US a basket of peaches! 

There are so many misconceptions about polygamy.  This post is less about polygamy and more about loving whoever your neighbor is.  I do, however, want people to know that the polygamy I've witnessed in not like "Big Love."  It is also not like Colorado City or the XYZ Ranch in Texas--those followers of Warren Jeffs.  It's just not all like that.  My neighbors keep to themselves.  It is obvious to me that on Saturday nights they have a big family gathering.  Their kids go to school.  Their kids are well-behaved.  They are polite to us.  The thing that impresses me the most is that all of the Bennett kids have great big smiles....especially the littlest ones.  This is a very different image from those you may have seen on TV. 

So, hopefully, next time you see something about Warren Jeffs on TV, just know that all of those who practice plural marriage are not like that.  Some of them live quite lives in Sandy, Utah.  The words of Luke come to mind. 

Luke 10:27:  Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy ^aheart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

To that, I can only say, "Amen!"

I don't do resolutions well

I quit making New Year's Resolutions about 20 years ago when I found it was the quickest way to set myself up for failure.  2011 was hectic...too hectic.  I'm slowing down the pace for 2012 and trying to enjoy moments more.  Will I still be traveling a lot?  Hopefully!  When I travel that means I'm working, and when I'm working, that means I'm increasing my earning potential, and when I'm increasing my earning potential, I can work toward paying off debt and doing nice things for our home and family.  So, for me, traveling is a good thing!  Plus, I really like my job...so being gainfully employed is always a top priority. 

I'm going to take fewer classes...MUCH fewer.  If it takes me an extra year to finish my PhD, so be it.  I don't want to crawl down to my basement office every single weekend to read, research, write and study.  I want to go to Elle's softball games and Dominique's Lacrosse games.  I want to spend time with Layla (and not have to have her be brought down to my office just to say "hi.").  I want to figure out how to get the EFFING colony of moles out of my back yard so that we can plant grass and actually enjoy our .33 acres back there.  I want to go on more dates with my husband and spend more time just talking and hanging out.

I over did it last year (and part of that was out of my direct control).  This year, I may just say no to a few more requests of my time and delegate more in the organizations that I am part of. 

As my parents get older, Dean's parents get older, our kids get older....I figure I'm about 1/2 way to dead.  I've got a lot of life to live, and I don't want to be spinning so quickly that I miss the things that are important to me:  my family, my friends and my down time. 

Are those New Year resolutions?  Nah.  I can be successful at these objectives...even if I get off course, I can get right back on again. 

Happy New Year, everyone!

On being single...

Lest you think this post is about me being suddenly single, it is not.  I'm happily married.  I know this is an odd post for New Year's Day, but it is on my mind.  This post is about the paradox of being a Latter-Day Saint, single woman. 

I joined the LDS Church when I was 20 years old, and the one thing that "hooked me" was the concept of eternal families and the idea that I could be married in the temple for time and all eternity.  No other religion has that.  Check.  Go ahead.  You won't find that anywhere else.  Of course, that was not the only draw for me, but it was definitely one of the things that tipped the scale for the Mormons.  (I know I'm not supposed to used that moniker, but most people still relate to it, so I use it anyway.) 

I have to tell you that being an LDS convert is an interesting cultural experience (to say the VERY least).  I felt like I was not a "full" member because I had not served a mission.  I knew I would serve a mission from the very beginning of my membership in the Church.  I had decided that if I knew this was "true," I needed to share it with others.  Going on a mission was always in my plan.  It was quite surprising to my mother, but...that is a different story for a different time.

I went on a mission, and I came home in glory (literally).  I was treated like a hero.  Part of the reason is because I served in war-torn former-Yugoslavia.  I did TV interviews, radio shows, I spoke at local high schools.  I spoke in my ward, in my stake conference, I traveled with the high councilman.  Seriously, I was really treated like a war hero.  Still, I felt like I wasn't fully a member because I wasn't married.  Honestly. 

If you are not LDS, it is impossible to understand this.  The LDS Church is all about families.  Marriage precedes family (at least it *should* according to LDS Doctrine).  I would sit in church week after week and hear lessons about being a good wife (they don't do that any more) and a good homemaker (they don't have those lessons any more, either) and hear talks about eternal families.  Week, after week, after week, after week.  If you're not in the married with children club, you start to feel like a second class citizen VERY quickly.  There were times I would come home from church feeling completely heart-broken instead of edified.  I so desperately wanted to be married.  I thought I would then be a "full" member (my term, not anyone else's term). 

So, I moved to Utah where the chances of finding a suitable LDS mate were greatly increased.  I also came here because 1) I enrolled at the University of Utah in the secondary education certification program; 2) I had a job; 3) I had a place to live.  I made a calculated decision to move here, and I have NEVER, EVER looked back with regret.  I really like living in Utah...for a whole host of reasons. 

I met some of my choicest and dearest friends in my first singles ward in Utah (you know who you are!) I was 25, and I felt that I was practically an old maid.  I found, however, friendship in strong LDS women who were my age...who were educated...who were funny...who were confident!  I love you guys!!! I still felt pressure to get on with my life and get married (as if being married was the only important qualifier that would help me "get on with my life"). 

When I turned 30, I was still unmarried, and that was the cut off age for being in the young adult "single ward."  So, I decided that it was time for me to co-mingle with those in a family ward.  I LOVED my downtown wards!  I love downtown SLC.  I didn't feel nearly the outcast in SLC as I did when I lived in Illinois or in Farmington (the worst 6 months of my life...no offense to the Bensons...it wasn't you...)  I came into my own in the family ward, and I decided that I would not let my marital status define me.  When I was 30, I enrolled in my Master's program.  I would not sit around waiting to get married.  I was going to live my life for me.  I already had my great job that I have now; I was lucky to snag that when I was only 27.  When I turned 30, I bought my first ever brand new car:  a Ford Focus that still runs.  In May 2003, I bought my first ever home:  a three bedroom, two bath condo in the heart of SLC. 

In June 2003, I met Dean (online).  In August 2003, I was married. 

Here's the dirty little secret.  Marriage doesn't solve any problems.  If anything, it only creates a whole bunch of new ones.  By problems, I don't mean that all is bad.  I mean that two people joining their lives is complex.  Add to that 4 additional children...an ex-wife....and you have a lot of complexities....and that's just the beginning!  I wanted for SO LONG to be married and to be accepted as a "real" Latter-Day Saint (again, these are my words...my mindset).  I found out that all of the married people are really just putting on a pretty good front and keeping up the show for the sake of the doctrine and message of happy families. 

The truth?  Marriage is hard.  On any given day...that married couple who presents a pretty good front at church is going through something that you nor I could ever understand...nor do we want to.  Sure, there are some wonderful times in marriage and family can be blissful.  But, life is life.  Sometimes it's really, really hard.  There is pain and sorrow coupled with the joys and celebrations.  They don't tell you that in the LDS marketing literature.  Any why would they? 

Why am I writing about all of this?  Today...on New Year's Day???

I just got off of the phone with an old friend.  I was filling out some Happy New Year cards, and her name popped up on my list.  I decided to pick up the phone and give her a call.  My last call with her was shortly before Thanksgiving.  I invited her to have Thanksgiving with us, but she politely declined saying that she was spending T-Day with her new boyfriend.  Well, okay then!  I was really happy for her!

Our conversation tonight quickly lead to her dating life.  She and the boyfriend had broken up.  My friend is quickly approaching 40, and she really wants to be married.  She's LDS since birth, and this whole marriage thing has been part of her indoctrination for her entire life.  It's such a tortured life to be an unmarried LDS woman who really WANTS to be married.  Trust me.  I know.  I was there.  To be perfectly honest, there are days that I LONG for the single days....where I had so much less responsibility...could take naps on my couch....in peace and quiet.....there is much that I long for.  On the other hand, I wouldn't trade my life for anything.

I feel for my friend.  I've been where she's been. As much as I try and tell her that "it's not all that," it still is.  LDS single women can get to the point where they resent men, resent God, resent the the Church for its restrictions. 

I don't have any wonderful advice.  I will say this.  I love my husband, and I'm grateful that he loves me.  He may be the only man on the planet who would put up with some of my crap.  I have learned so much being married to him, and I am sure that I will continue to learn even more.  No marriage is perfect.  I think marriage takes a lot of commitment and a lot of work.  I believe that if two people want it to work and are willing to do whatever it takes, that it can work. 

It is tough to be LDS and single, but I would say that it is a different set of challenges to be LDS and married.  For all of my friends (single, widowed, divorced, married), I hope that you are able to love who you are, find peace in your lives and know what it means to be happy. 

Been a bit busy...

This year has been so, so, so, so, so busy!  I've neglected my blogging.  I've neglected my digital scrapbooking.  I've neglected my family.  I've neglected my home.  So, what have I been doing? 

Well....as part of the requirements for the University of Utah Graduate School, I had to take two consecutive semesters of full time coursework.  So, in Spring and Fall, I was full time in the PhD program.  It was three classes a semester...which doesn't sound like a lot, but at the PhD level, it is a ton of work.  I learned a lot, and I survived.  I'm done with that now, and I look forward to getting back to a bit more of a "normal" schedule for this year. 

I'm taking one course in the spring, and trust me, that will seem like a cake walk after this past semester.  For those who want to know "how much longer I have," that is a difficult question to answer.  It's not like being an undergrad where you have 124 hours to complete and a relatively regimented curriculum.  In a PhD program, you must complete your coursework (5 more classes to go for those who are counting).  You then must study for, take and pass your comprehensive exams.  I will study for several months.  After that, I have to write a dissertation proposal and finish my research and writing for my dissertation.  That is the great unknown...depending on the research topic.  So, I'm shooting for 2015 or 2016.  I know that seems like forever, but it's not. 

I have a wonderful job that is always throwing me new challenges and opportunities.  I have three teens still at home.  I have a lovely grandbaby.  I have a lot to keep me busy in addition to the PhD work. 

Did I mention that I am on three volunteer boards (like I don't have enough to do!)  I was honored to be asked to sit on the Alumni Board of Directors for my alma mater, Bradley University.  This requires regular travel back to Illinois for board meetings.  The board is a wonderful group of people who really care about the university, and it's a great honor to be a part of it!  I also work with my local PTA...one of my favorite, favorite jobs in the whole world.  I'm also on our Council level PTA (one level up from local).  This is more administrative than anything else, and all in all, it doesn't take too much time.  My season heats up with PTA next month because I'm the Legislative VP and our legislature meets for 10 crazy weeks starting in January.  I'm amazed at how accessible our state legislators are.  I'm sure there is more to come on that front.

My husband and kids have tolerated me this past year.  Let's just say that sometimes I don't manage stress well.  I researched and wrote SO MUCH this year.  I haven't added them up yet, but I know that I cranked out well over a hundred pages (probably closer to 150 pages) of original work.  That is a lot. 

In addition to my academic, volunteer and work stuff...we had a new grandbaby born.  We took a major family vacation to Arkansas and Tennessee (WAY FUN!), Dean and I went to Jamaica for my dear friend's wedding, Dean and the kids went on a road trip to New Mexico. Dean's grandpa passed away.  Dean's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been battling that.  Dean was released from the bishopric.

Yes, we have been busy.  But through it all, we are so very, very blessed.  We know the origin of all our blessings is our God!  We are so thankful for our temporal and spiritual blessings!  We're looking forward to a blessed new year!

What Thanksgiving is All About

I don't want this post be sound self-aggrandizing because that is not my intent.  I had an idea, I sold some people on the idea, and a whole bunch of people executed on the idea.  So, although I had the idea....I don't take credit for the success of this project.

After I went to the Utah PTA Convention this year, I talked to my friend, Stephanie, who is the President about how we should start a student association.  In the middle and high schools, PTA can be a PTSA.  She agreed, and we went to work.  I'm not going to lie...this project has taken more thought and time than I imagined that it would.  But because Stephanie is so passionate about it, it's been very successful. 

Each month we've had an after school  meeting for our students, and we have about 40 kids attend each time.

For the month of November, I thought we should do a service project.  We talked about different options.  We thought we could get a bus and take kids to work at the Utah Food Bank.  We looked into group service opportunities through United Way.  Then I suggest that we have a food drive....but not just any food drive.  At Mount Jordan Middle School in Sandy, Utah, we have almost 50% of our students on reduced or free lunch.  This measure is significant because it is related to parents' income.  We have some families in need, and we didn't have to look too far to find who had the greatest need.

So, here was what we did.  We worked with administrators to identify 10 families in our school who were in need.  Our Vice Principal, Matt Watts, was a ROCK STAR!  He placed countless calls and relentlessly tracked people down.  We wanted people to 1) agree to accept the donation; and 2) agree to pick it up at the school at a designated time.  We didn't want the PTA moms to know anything about the families in need.  We'd considered delivering the food in person, but working through the administrators provided privacy and confidentiality for the families.   Matt was calling people all the way up until the day of, and I know that he stayed at the school until 6:00 PM on Tuesday when the last packet was picked up.

On Monday, November 14th, we had an assembly, and we "kicked off" our food drive.  The homeroom classes had a competition (which made it more fun).  In 5 short days of donating, we had enough food to feed 11 families (our final count).  We got private donations for pies, turkeys, potatoes and rolls.

On Tuesday (the last day of school before the break), we got our PTSA kids to stay AFTER school.  We sorted food, decorated boxes, filled the boxes and put a craft project (made by the kids) and nice plastic silverware (with a homemade napkin holder) in the boxes.  We also made sure that each family had a roasting pan, some Stove Top and gravy. 

I was blown away by the support.  The PTA moms showed up in full force to sort food and manage certain groups of kids.  Countless students and teachers donated food.  Based on personal calls from Stephanie, we had 11 turkeys donated.  And the best thing....the kids really love doing this kind of thing.  In fact, when we asked them the kind of things that they wanted to do, they mentioned that they WANTED to do a service project....WANTED.  These are 7th, 8th and 9th graders.  Can I tell you how happy that makes me! 

In my political behavior class, we've read literature on political socialization, political participation and involvement.  You know, I firmly believe that kids WANT to help.  They just have to be given an opportunity to do so.  I talked with Dominique a few times about how this food was staying in our Mount Jordan family....for those who really needed it.  She got the significance of that.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with a donation to the Utah Food Bank.  However, I think when the kids know that their efforts are benefiting people they know (even though they don't know who), it means more to them.

In all of the things that I've done and been a part of, I'm really proud of this Student Association that we've started in our PTSA.  We are inclusive...no requirement to get in (except annual dues, and we have scholarships for those who can't afford the $4.00).  We respect the kids and their ideas.  When we ask them how they want THEIR organization to be, and we are amazed at the great ideas they have!  We should all give our kids more credit!  Who knows how these experiences might influence a kid at a later time in life.  I firmly believe that we have to model the behavior for them or they won't know how to participate in meaningful ways.  Sure, they get this in their families and churches, but they spend MOST of their waking hours during the week at their school.  It is here where they can make a difference and where, I believe, they want to make a difference.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!!!