unfathomable

LOVE one another

Today we are taking the DAY to honor our Creator.

 We're remembering those who matter most to us with a blessing and the sharing of a meal.

We are acknowledging the true origin and remember the pain, loss and agony of our ancestors.

Those who suffered at the hands of others and those afflicted with unknown foreign diseases.

We're not celebrating the Thanksgiving of pilgrims and "indians".

We are simply remembering and NOT forgetting.

We are acknowledging the love for rich human diversity and humanity.

LIVE LOVE and LEARN

We have concern for those without love, family, homes and food.

Our hearts are with children who are alone or scared.

We pray for those in difficult situations to have the courage and strength to escape domestic violence.

We are thinking of those with little to none...........worldwide.

We prepare this meal for you.

We are thinking of you.

Sweetheart hand washing dishes / Fifi is cleaning and cutting the veggies

melody of veggies for our stuffing

Bam's award winning salad ready for tossing

Cookie mixing the dough for the rolls while Sweetheart supervises

 fresh apples for the scrumptious apple pie 

The house smells AMAZING.

If only there was scratch and sniff blogs.

HAPPY DAY OF HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE

This is for Grandpa-Great.........

Earlier this month Sweetheart's class has been building ofrendas for their Day of the Dead project.

This project has been finished and was on display at the Hispanic Cultural Center for public art viewing.

Sweetheart made one of the alters on display, commemorating her Great Grandfather, Richard Persinger.

--Click here for a quick reference to my previous blog about the Dia de los Muertos tradition--

She made a traditional Mexican (alter) ofrenda in memory of her Grandpa-Great. 

On Dia de los Muertos it is believed that spirits are welcomed back into the realm of the living world for one night a year to enjoy memories, food and fun.

The ofrendas was filled with all of the items she believed her Grandpa-Great would have like when he visits.

--Fine Red Wine (actually sparkling grape juice)--

-- New York style Pizza--

 (He once told Sweetheart that it was years since he had pizza and he'd love a slice)

--Real chocolate pudding with a side of whole milk--

--Fingertip glass--

--Wall Street Journal--

--Wagon--

--Pictures of family and friends--

-- A string of clear non blinking Christmas lights--

And many origami cranes and marigolds for delight

She misses her Grandpa-Great very much. 

She says she can imagine sitting and listening to all his great stories and adventures he had in his lifetime.

This was a nice opportunity for reflection for all my children and I.

Read more and see more about our Grandpa-Great 

Here

"We miss you and we LOVE you Grandpa-Great"

♥♥♥♥♥

9-11

RESERVED AS A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

This is how they stood at one time........... beautiful and bold

(http://www.ussartf.org/world_trade_center_disaster.htm)

Due to an act of terrorism our whole way of life has changed for everyone. 

Including those, like my two littlest one, who were both born post 9-11.

Plus my other two babies were just tiny toddlers.

They all have to live a life never knowing what safe meant. 

How we remembered.......

Instead they grow up having to endure check points, pat downs, and open bag checks as a way of life. 

Because that's how its always been for them.

They don't remember how it used to be.

Terrorism, Terrorist, 9-11 are words they grow up hearing.

My heart and my soul hurt to have to explain to all FOUR of my children what happened and to teach them what it means and to try to possible explain why they did it.

As the years progress they have questions.........

But it must be heard and it must be retold and it must never be forgotten.......

the act

the lives

the heros

the strength

the rebuilding

the American history 

(http://www.911memorial.org/)

Ariel view of the September 11 National Memorial in the financial district in lower Manhattan

Over 2,997 people lost their lives but thousands more are left with the first hand trauma and loss.

We need immediate international policies that prevent, protect and respond to acts of terrorism. 

We must all work to find diplomacy.
 A priority to peace-making and human rights should be absolute.

This is how we teach

This is how we learn

This is how we grow

This is the future

This is what my children know............