Water can be deadly..

But more importantly, may Terri rest in peace finally. And may the other residents at that hospice, briefly freely now that there wouldn't be crowds outside fighting for someone else's life. I am so thankful we have hospice programs that care and understand that end of life care is not abandonment or neglect but is just that "care". I also want to say to those 48 or so people who were trying to get in and save Terri's life by bringing her water--ah, get a life. If by some awful error of security you did manage to get inside to give that water, please know since she can't swallow--you would have killed her. So mind your own business in places you don't understand what is happening. And I urge everyone--make out a Living Will--so no matter where you fall on the side of this type of ethical dilemma--your wishes will be known and followed.

How do they do that?

Okay...I have given up and am asking for help in formatting these blogs. I have found other blogs that I enjoy and want to list them down the side, like other sites do--but I haven't a clue how to do that. I enrolled in Blogrolling, or whatever it is called but that didn't do what I thought it might. I am feeling old right now. The young ones are running circles around me with this Blog thing! Yikes...I am getting old. (sigh).

More of the same...

1. First off some more good news. This past weekend, we were trilled to spend time catching up with folks in CT. Tow of them were pregnant women. The one was starting to have contractions and I knew it wouldn't be long before the little boy would decide to start the next phase of life. And so today we heard--little Athan (Ethan with an A) entered into this world on Sunday afternoon in the afternoon. He is healthy and well and nothing else matters!! 2. Second...bad news...I am still distressed by the state of our nation that is involving itself with the Terri S. situation. I truly pray for our nation, courts, and hospitals that wisdom and compassion surround and fill us wholly in this time. Let the woman die with dignity, please. Enough is enough. Life is more than limbic brain spasms. Medicine is a wonderful gift of wisdom and skill. Its can also be torturous and misguided. Political circles have enough they have to attend to without getting involved in something like this. And where is the justice in singling out this one woman. If we (they) are so concerned about life and death issues than focus on the bigger picture and really make changes. This is not the answer or the manner in which to make public policy. A fellow chaplain stated that he finds it very odd that G.W. Bush who is rallying for this one woman and her "right" to life; is the same man who has the record of number of inmates executed while he was in the governor's office. The two differences in behavior are something to take note of. His involvement is not due to his concern with this woman's situation. And therefore he needs to excuse himself and keep on with his vacation plans. Thank you very much. And on other sad news....more sorrow in this world with the shootings at the high school in Red Lake, Minn. Too much suffering for a community of people already fighting injustice every day. My heart is touched by their sorrow, which is greater than this shooting incident which has brought them to our attention. Let us not forget all the pain they have endured as Native Americans.

Happy News and Distressing News

My Happy News is about our weekend trip--we had such a good trip to the northeast. Seeing friends and family and enjoying northern food was wonderful. Our friends wedding reception was also great fun and it was good to see Diana's old co-workers. Lots of pregnant ladies to chat about their journey with too!! Distressing News...the news of the day I find very distressing. What makes our president think he needs to be involved in the situation in Florida. It is bad enough to have his brother Jeb sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. Here's the news quote..."Bush had cut short a Texas vacation and flown back to Washington to be available for an immediate signing. "Today, I signed into law a bill that will allow federal courts to hear a claim by or on behalf of Terri Schiavo for violation of her rights relating to the withholding or withdrawal of food, fluids, or medical treatment necessary to sustain her life," Bush said in a written statement. " What happened to ethics consultations happening inside the hospital and not in our congressional settings. I rather trust doctors and other medical professionals to understand ethical situations than our elected officials. Please, involving them is a recipe for destruction and abuse.

Great news and point of frustration too.

Well, as some of you already know. I was accepted into the S.I.T. (supervisory in training) program. Although I finally cleared this hurdle, what is brings me are just more of the same type of hurdles for the next 3-5 years. But the process has begun which is great! As the staff here figure and plan, I will know how my work load will change and the overall plan of things. But for now they are busy with other immediate things and won't start planning until next week sometime. My frustration comes from the director on my site that has yet to acknowledge my acceptance. I am trying hard to not take it personally and remember the reading I have been doing in the Four Agreements and that agreement #2 is don't take anything personally. Well said Don Miguel Ruiz!! Now I just need to practice it more. I will be in CT this coming weekend and am trying to line up visits with as many friends and family as possible. So I may be contacting you shortly to make plans--forgive the last minute, please. I gave my father time to respond to me before asking others about their availability. That is always a mistake, but I felt as though it was the right thing to do. He is busy and unable to see me and hopes the next time I pass through we can meet. I must tell you I have not seen or spoken with him directly on the phone since July 11, 2004--my wedding day. We have left messages but never reach each other. I am very disappointed and saddened by this. My boss can be fatherly in more than one way. And I don't appreciate being treated as though I didn't matter or that I am invisible either. Shame on you Geoff and Gene, my boss. I am better than that. :) I look forward to being back in CT and seeing people and having good pizza again!!

Today is just another day at the office...

Okay, today is important and my meeting is still on . The meeting is the last step at my local center in the interviewing for Supervisory in Training. I won't know whether I am excepted until the 23rd of March. So the process lingers more and more. And so to help me relax and not get defensive I am trying to treat today and the meeting as nothing special and be grounded. I am more there than full of anxiety so it is working a little bit and I will just keep focusing until my meeting is over. :) Tell ya all more later.