Wounds that time cannot heal

My brother is in the Army, he has been since July of 2001. He rather likes his life. Today he posted a picture on Facebook of a memory bracelet he has from May 2, 2004, the day most of his unit was killed in Iraq, including his Captain. I know he posted in response to the Captain's wife sharing her last photo of her husband with their children. Heartbreaking. My brother is like that, he thinks of others. He thinks of all the guys who have died around him every day of his life, they walk with him, invisible to sight of others. As a medic, there have been hundreds.

My dad also has his own band that walks with him, He, too, served in the military. It has been 40 years since he said farewell to the Marines, but, he never really left. As he ages, his memories get stronger, and worse. 40 years of repression gets harder to maintain as his body gets older and his mind less occupied by work and raising kids. Every night he has nightmares, and often wakes up with bloody scratches on his arms, from where he was "shooing mosquitoes".

They are the walking wounded. Their minds, bodies and souls bare wounds that time cannot heal. If my brother's life is like my dad's, the memories will only get worse. I pray it is not so, that J-gets the help that was not there for my dad, but, they are strong proud men, it is hard to admit help is needed.

All of this makes me think about the article that is going around about court martials for those who share their faith, including chaplains. When our soldiers are grieving, they need God. When they are tired, they need God. When they are scared, they need God. When they are homesick, they need God. Sometimes, though, like the rest of us, it is hard to see God among the muck of life. Sometimes, He has to be brought to us by others.Now, that could be grounds for the worst punishment that the military can offer. I wish my brother and my dad were more religious, I know in their hearts they have faith, but life has beaten it out of them at times, but I am sure, there have been men who were there to share it when they really needed it.

Putting it in perspective

This is why I love being Catholic. I do not necessarily agree with him winning, but, the wisdom that comes from the Holy Father makes me at the very least think.

Can't make heads or tails of the Health Care Plan?

Neither can I, but Sean over at the Blue Boar took the time to break down a few things. It is very worth reading. It is good there are people to read through it and explain it to my dumb sea cucumber self.

Cock-eyed Optimist?

I never pegged myself as an optimist, matter of fact, my oldest and dearest friends would probably laugh out loud to hear me say it, but I am. Sure I think that the world is going to hell in a hand basket, I mean, seriously, look around! But I'm pretty sure there is a hole somewhere in that mass produced basket that is a way out, there is always hope.

Hope is a funny thing, it is one of those virtues that you have to pray for, to ask God for, and cannot "earn". I cannot give a great lesson one hope, Salvi et Spes puts into words my hearts deepest beliefs, and my dumb sea cucumber self can only put into feeble mutterings how important hope is. Hope has become my driving force. As bad as it seems, as bad as the government, or schools or economy are, I still believe that it has a purpose, we cannot give up, or simply whine about how bad it is. Hope puts faith into action.

I dunno what else to say, it has been a crummy day that makes me miss a lot of old friends, and really wish I could hide in a beer slushy (don't ask), but for some stupid reason, I still see the goodness, I still believe in hope. All the crap has a purpose.

Wait, I don't rember voting for him...

This week China has decided it's one child policy is an utter failure, at the same time one of the far too many Czars of the US government is being called out for this. I'm pretty sure this guy would consider a newborn whale an actual whale, and a do whatever it takes to protect it. It is sad that far too many do not see human babies in the same light.

Funniest Bumper Sticker I've seen in a while

Actually, my husband saw it in a gas station lot...

"I'll keep my freedom, guns and money, you can keep the change"

The Last Acceptable Prejudice?

Today I was listening to NPR's The Talk of the Nation. I usually enjoy this show, but today, ugh, they were talking about people's objections to Sonia Sotomayor. Great, I thought, I really want to hear this, I think more needs to be said about her. After a few minutes of intelligent discussion, they took calls. The first caller that they allowed on the air, as I'm sure these things are screened, gave her reason for not wanting Sotomayor, she's Catholic. The caller, a older woman went on to complain about how there are already 5 Catholics, and how 6 would make a majority. The commentator reminder her that Sotomayor is not known for her orthodoxy. The caller reminded him that she was raised in a Catholic home and schooled by the Church, and couldn't be trusted. She kept going, Catholic believe in having too many kids, and are causing population problems, Nice, huh.

There are plenty of reasons to have concerns about Sotomayor, but her faith as a reason should not be one of them. So what she is Catholic! If anyone said she cannot be trusted because she is a woman, Hispanic, went to Yale, etc. it would be completely unacceptable, as it should be. However, being a baptized Catholic makes one open to bigotry. Why is it okay?

My Grandfather was raised Southern Baptist, his family disowned him when he married my Irish Catholic grandmother and converted. His family was taught to not trust Catholics, they kept guns in their churches waiting for a signal from the pope to take over the U.S. They sent their kids to Special schools to get them ready for this. Okay, this may have been slightly less bad in the 1940's, but now, we are far beyond this, right?

I guess that not much has changed in nearly 2000 years.

My Sides are splitting!

Another case of you might cry if you do not laugh! 

H/t: too many to mention!

How to Handle an Economic Crisis

If you don't laugh, you'll end up crying!

H/T: to my friend Julie

I love my sister!

My sister is a character. She is a military wife and mother of 3 all 1 year apart. She lives with my mom to help her, my mom is disabled, and Kate needs the help, too, her hubby is overseas freezing his butt off in Afghanistan. She wears a size 2, which disgusts me, and is just a good person. She, however, fell away from the faith before she got to know it, thanks to my parents, who left when she was little. She has no negative feelings towards God or the church, but like I said, was to young to know, and has not found her way back yet. That's Kate.

Today we were talking about my mother, and if she would speak to us tonight, or be glued to the TV watching election coverage, when I asked Kate if she voted, she did, then she told me who she voted for, freely. McCain. Why? I'll quote her, " I couldn't vote for a baby killer". I love my sister. 

Teachings that never change

Part of what makes me love being Catholic is the 2000+ years of history, tradition and teaching. That fact that in 2000 years many of the teachings have never changed is very comforting.

With all the "Catholic" Politicians voicing their opinions on church teaching this week, I thought this picture from 1700 depicting an event from 390 is appropriate. More on the Refusal of St. Ambrose to allow Theodosius into the church and his repentance can be found at New Advent. It is a very interesting moment in Church History, a moment that should not be forgotten, especially by modern "Catholic" politicians.
I promise not to rant about politics too much this year, but it is sad history is being made by a man who chooses death for so many of his own people.

Politics

You will not find me talking about politics much. I believe in voting in the best way to follow Church teaching across the board. I also realize that that can be done in several ways, depending on who you are, formation, etc.. So usually my friends and I can get into rather heated discussions about politics, therefore, I avoid the subject.

It is important to know if those we are voting for mean what they say. It is easy to say, "I'm for/against XYZ" and but never do anything about it. It is easy for them to "change" their beliefs, based on what people want to hear. I heard about a website, www.issues2000.org, that you can look up candidates, or current office holder and how they vote, or what they have said on "issues". I love this site, it is not based on party, or one issue, but is easy to use and very concise.

It is worth looking into what all of the candidates support, and how their view may have changed as the election draws nearer. Thank you to Sheila Liaugminas, fellow Illinois-ian for responding so quickly to my email asking for this website.