Surreal week

I'm still trying to grapple with all of the people who have passed away over the last few weeks.

We've had friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

There have been numerous stars. I have not looked it up and am not looking it up right now but have always known to be true that when a 'star' passes away, it happens in 3's.

Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson...and it has continued all week long.....

Now, Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett were expected.

Michael Jackson definitely not expected. I'm still stunned and in a fog I think not totally grasping this occurrence.

I know people who totally went to pieces over MJ's death. I grew up with his music my entire life. I personally thought he was a musical genius and contributed to the history of pop music as we know it today. God gave Michael Jackson and his entire family numerous gifts, which they utilized.

No matter how you feel about this man and the 'tabloid stories' which followed him around, his talent should not be denied.

I do have a problem, maybe just a small problem, with tying the word 'tragic' or 'tragedy' to his passing.

Don't get me wrong, it's awful. Yet another negative scenario in this entertainer's life and legacy. However, we as a people overuse or misuse certain words. The first one that pops to mind is 'love.' I 'love my husband' or 'I love pizza' or 'I love my dog.'

When I think of 'tragedy' I think of 9/11. I think of a plane full of 157 people crashing into the ocean. I think of a small child getting kidnapped, missing for 6 years, and no sign of hope that she will ever be found.

Maybe it's my faith and relationship with God, but I believe everything happens for a reason and we are put on this earth by God with a mission and when that mission is complete, we go back up to our maker.

We may never know just 'what that mission may be' but have to believe.

As finite people, when someone dies, especially at a young age, we can't imagine why that happens.

We have to believe.

In the words of Michael, 'If you'd only believe.'

Could not believe my ears

I admit it, I am being judgemental.

I am also old enough to see how times were 40 years ago, 30 years ago, 20 years ago, 10 years ago and today.

When my youngest niece was graduating from grade school and entering high school, I saw a dramatic change in social etiquette, discipline, manners, and respect for others.

Unfortunately, the changes were not for the betterment of mankind and precipitated by insecure parents wanting to be their child's BFF rather than their Parent.

Don't get me wrong --not ALL parents were on board with this movement. There were still parents who acted responsibly, showed their children love & respect, were nurturing, encouraged high self esteem, as well as enacting discipline when necessary --and their kids came out AOK!

Those parents pampering their children, letting them do anything and run roughshod over them have produced selfish, self-absorbed monsters.


As I was listening to the radio the other day, I could NOT believe my ears.

The mother of a FOUR YEAR OLD requested the 'Barbie Girl' song for HER FOUR YEAR OLD SON. The mother went on to say that her 4-year-old son loves the 'Barbie Girl' song. Now, I'm thinking if this kid loves the 'Barbie Girl' song, it is because his mother, babysitter, friends' mothers, or some adult listens to it all the time.

Have you ever heard that song?

In my humble opinion a 4-year-old should not be listening to this song, which speaks of a rendezvous between Barbie and Ken. I'm sure there could be a myriad of interpretations. Possibly the initial meaning by the artist was innocent. But if you just listen to the words at face value, a 4-year-old should not be privy to this type of language.

Some of the lines include:

• you can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
• kiss me here, touch me there, hanky- panky
• you can touch, you can play, you can say I'm always yours Oooh Whoa
• come on Barbie, let's go party
• make me walk, make me talk, do whatever you please
• I can act like a star, I can beg on my knees
• come jump in, be my friend, let's do it again
• hit the town, fool around, let's go party
• Oh, I'm having so much fun...well Barbie we're just getting started...oh I love you Ken

Hearing that a mother let her 4-year-old listen to this makes it clear as to how some young boys, teen boys, and young men can become conditioned to be rapists, stalkers, perform sexual assaults, or worse!

I am still stunned--actually, no I'm not. I see parents out there who should NOT be parents.

And unfortunately, it's those parents who have created a generation of selfish, abusive, destructive, amoral, uncaring individuals who, hopefully will self-destruct before they bring the good ones down!