When I decided to take a few weeks’ break in January, I didn’t expect to be gone this long. But a lot of things have happened that kept me away. One of those things was my youngest daughter getting her learner’s permit. In Maryland, you can get that at 15 years and nine months old. You keep that for nine …
It Doesn’t Matter Who Wins
In a little over two weeks, election day will be upon us. Many of us dread it. Some are still unsure of our vote. We have an awful choice next month. One one side we have an arrogant pig of a man who may or may not protect my rights as a Christian while disrespecting me as a woman, and …
Buy Her Bag, Not Her Body
I wanted to share some photos from the Do A Little Good shopping day last weekend. There were so many wonderful products, all supporting survivors of trafficking, enabling families to escape debt bondage and poverty, and creating sustainable businesses so women and families aren’t dependent on charity. There were myriad purses and satchels, gorgeous jewelry, cute children’s clothing, and scarves …
One in Six – We Can Change That Number
Our family often goes to lunch after church on Sunday, but this week we will staying after service and buying slices of pizza for $2 each. We’ll probably eat standing up and chatting with others around us, and all there will be to drink will be water. Sound appetizing? The reason is every three months or so the children host a …
Father Knows Best
Yesterday was the Fourth of July, so like everyone else I was thinking of our freedom, our country, our privileges. As you know, my three adopted kids came from Kazakhstan. Buggy had to apply for her citizenship after we brought her home in April 1999. It was a formality—they had to grant it, but we still had to fill out …
The Funniest Names I Ever Heard
About a year ago, in the car, Emma mentioned that she had mispronounced a classmate’s name that morning and the girl had become quite angry. I responded that I was surprised she was not more forgiving. “After all, in this area there are so many unusual names. It’s not like everyone is named Bill or Sally.” Suddenly, from the back …
Just Who Do You Belong To?
Living in a multicultural family leads to some funny moments. While John and I were both gone this weekend—a rare occurrence—Emma had to drive down and play chauffeur. Early Saturday morning, she took MC an hour away to a softball doubleheader. A few hours later, she and her boyfriend, who is first-generation Vietnamese, dropped JT off at a TKD demo, went back …
Circle of Friends?
My daughter started college this week. Last week was orientation. One day they gathered the 435 freshmen, arranged them in a circle, and drilled into them that this was their new “community.” A “diversity expert” asked them quite personal questions and they were to step inside the circle if the questions were true for them. Questions like, “Were you abused …
What Happened to Kindness?
When a city of powerful people loses power, and is basically powerless to do anything about it, it’s not pretty. If a natural mega-disaster ever hits the greater Washington DC area, it will not be the event itself that destroys the city. It will be the lack of kindness, compassion and basic care for one another that does it. The …
Highway to Heaven
It took me a little longer to pick up my mom and get to church last Sunday. Between her house and the church is a Cambodian Buddhist Temple, one of the largest outside Cambodia, I’m told. Last Sunday marked Cambodian New Year, and literally hundreds of cars were parked in the temple complex, the lot next to it, and up …