Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Penn State thoughts


Oh boy.  

It's been a roller coaster week for anyone who knows and loves Penn State.  I am honestly surprised at how hard this whole thing has hit me- especially since I never really wanted to go to Penn State, and swore up and down I would never be one of those crazies that bleeds blue and white.  

I was in tears when I was talking to Randy last night on the phone.  I am just so mad.  Sad. Angry.  Devastated.  Betrayed.  Disgusted.  Confused.  Hurt.  Overwhelmed.  Embarrassed.  

I think what disgusts me the most is that children were hurt.  These boys were deeply betrayed by someone they trusted.  Someone that they idolized.  And that person used his position of power and trust to molest these children.

  Somehow that is being lost in the debate and finger pointing.

I've heard a lot of people say that if you don't have children, you can't possibly understand why this is such a disturbing situation.  Well, I don't have any children, and I am positive that I am just as bothered about this situation as any parent is.  I worked with kids for 4 years.  I know how much those children look up to the adults in their lives.  I've seen what an impact a simple hug or a kind word can have on a child.  I know how much children trust.  


It horrifies me.  It's as simple as that.  It makes me so angry.  It makes me so mad that so many adults knowingly chose to do so little.  How?! How could adults in such positions of power turn a blind eye to abuse?  I know that the second I had witnessed abuse, or the moment a child came to me in confidence to say that they were being mistreated, I would have been running to the authorities.  That's all there is to it.  Regardless of whether or not my job was at stake or at risk.  It is my responsibility as a human to be an advocate for those that don't have a voice- or can't have a voice- regardless of the "chain of command"


There has been a lot of talk about the head coach- and at this point he has announced that he is going to "retire" at the end of this season.  He says that he wishes he had done more when he initially was told about the situation.  Some people defend him- saying that legally, he did what he was supposed to.  He told his superiors.  But morally, he did NOT do enough.  Nobody that had any knowledge of these events did enough.  More children were hurt and preyed on while these adults were legally doing the bare minimum, if anything at all.  It breaks my heart.  That's all there is to it.

I am a Penn State alum.  I know that ultimately, those that harmed these children will be prosecuted, and those that took no action will be dismissed from the university.  I know that we as a Penn State family will move on from this, and make some good come of these terrible injustices.  I hope that we can redeem the university that we are so proud to be a part of- and I hope those that have been hurt and betrayed by this terrible man, and let down by so many others  can now begin to heal and move forward.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

November

November is Military Family Month.


photo by Christina Canterbury
(The Marine Corps Birthday is also coming up- which means one thing- the Birthday Ball!! But more on that later!)


You can view the Presidential Proclamation here.

I think that it's important that our sacrifice is recognized in as many different ways and by as many different people as possible.  Mostly because most members of the military family do not want the recognition.  We quietly do what we do- just like our servicemember does.  Not because it's easy, not because it's fun, not for all the "perks" (perks?? what perks??)- but because we know that somehow we are serving some sort of greater good. 

Randy's latest response to any sort of discussion or "argument" we have is "But I defended your freedom!"  I usually reply back with "And I supported your butt while you defended my freedom!"  We laugh-but what he says is true.  He has spent the last 8 years of his life as a United States Marine- and he defends my freedom (whether I choose to admit that or not) every single day. 

I am so privileged to know so many people who consider it to be an honor to defend the freedom of all Americans.  Not only that, I am so privileged to be a part of the families- who support those military members while they are defending our freedom.

The members of my military family are some of the toughest, strongest, and bravest people I know.  They know how to savor every minute, take advantage of every opportunity, and enjoy every duty station.  They know how to make the best out of nothing and make lifelong friends in 10 minutes.  They know that it is always "see you later", and never "goodbye", because chances are you will see them again.  They will drop off the face of the earth for a year or more, but show up when you least expect it- and most need to hear from them.  We are there for each other through missed holidays with our families, births, deaths, and all the stuff in between, both good and bad.  They will always answer the phone- no matter what time it is, and know exactly what to say, whatever the situation.    

I have learned so many lessons, and met so many people.  I have lived in 3 different states and supported my husband and our friends through 2 different wars.  The last seven years certainly have not been easy, but I know that I have been made a stronger and better person because of my military family.