9/11 Never Forget

Rest in peace 

Marcello Matricciano

Jose Angel Martinez

Ambassador Christopher J. Stephens

Sean Smith

Tyrone Woods

Glen Doherty

 

 

Prayers and Blankets not Politicizing Needed in Oklahoma

May 20th, Moore, Oklahoma:

Note the last few seconds of this video where the narrator notes that a school/daycare has been leveled. The video is chilling to watch and the death toll most likely will rise in the coming days.

New York Times reports:

Amy Elliott, the spokeswoman for the Oklahoma City medical examiner, said at least 51 people had died, and officials said that toll was likely to climb. Local hospitals reported at least 145 people injured, 70 of them children.

A spokeswoman for the mayor’s office in Moore said emergency workers were struggling to assess the damage.

“Please send us your prayers,” she said.

In the land that reality forgot and showing all the humanity of a modern day Eva Braun, Liz Winston, producer and co-creator of the Daily Show, uses this tragedy to score political points on the backs of the victims:

This tornado is in Oklahoma so clearly it has been ordered to only target conservatives.

— Lizz Winstead (@lizzwinstead) May 20, 2013

 

H/T: Warner Todd Huston

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrific tornado. For those not interested in politicizing this tragedy, your help and support is greatly needed in Oklahoma. Please click on this LINK for information on ways in which you can help the victims of this disaster.

A Marathon Miracle

Many have seen this shocking video and wondered if the runner in the orange jersey was able to get help after he fell from the shockwave caused by the explosion.

The runner is Bill Iffrig, 78, from Lake Stevens and only feet away from completing his third Boston Marathon when the bomb exploded, knocking him to the ground. He was helped up by a BAA official and walked the few short feet to the finish line completing the marathon with only a gash on his knee. Of all the stories of the heroic actions that are pouring out; this one really shows the stuff runners are made of and why the bomber(s) have already lost.

Why does this story stand out among all the others?

Consider the following facts:

– This 78 year old man qualified and completed THREE Boston Marathons.
– He survived a bomb blast that happened feet away from him.
– After being knocked down from the blast, with help from a BAA official, he crossed the finish line.
– Not only did he finish this marathon, his finish time placed him 2nd in his age group.

Let these facts simmer in your mind while reading what Bill Iffrig had to say about his finish:

“I ended up second in my division,” he said. “After you’ve run 26 miles you’re not going to stop there.” His timing chip marked his finish at 4 hours, 3 minutes, 47 seconds.”

And that is the stuff runners are made of – we are stronger than any adversity that comes our way and are always moving forward.

The terrorist cowards who detonated the bombs yesterday thought they could break us with fear. Clearly they knew nothing about the heart and soul of the running community; yesterday’s violent act will only make us stronger. Game over, cowards, you lost.

The Woman – Margaret Thatcher – Rest In Peace

Britain’s first female Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher, passed today at the age of 87. She lead her party to three election wins and served twelve years as Prime Minister before handing the reigns over to her successor.

She was fierce.

A principled and intelligent Lady, Margaret Thatcher became Britain’s first female Prime Minister. Her extraordinary leadership skill set, not whom she married, made her the best person for this position. As Prime Minister, she spearheaded necessary and fair changes to spearhead a revival of Britain, while breaking political glass ceilings for women worldwide.

Her keen intelligence rocked the macho status quo in Parliament; she rose to the occasion, but always remained a Lady.

This woman was no #Julia. She was the real deal – a strong, intelligent, capable, heroic woman – a role model for empowered feminists like myself.

I never had the fortune to meet Margaret Thatcher. My good blogging buddy, Mike Miller, created an extraordinary post remembering Margaret Thatcher entitled Iron Lady for the Ages. He shares his memories of time when adults occupied positions of power.

Rest in peace, Margaret Thatcher. You will be missed.

Thank You!

Thanks to all who sent kind wishes after the passing of Tiny. The days have flown by so quickly and I want to make sure I acknowledge your kindness.

It is as I always suspected –  I have the best blog followers in the world.

HUGS!!!

Farewell My Sweet Tiny

Though she be but little, she is fierce!

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the sudden passing of my little Pomeranian named Tiny. Her journey here on earth ended around 10 this morning, in her bed with those she loved near. He passing was quick and painless – one moment she was standing, the next, she shook free from the surly bond of life and went running into eternity.

In a few days, Tiny would have reached her 15th birthday. A great age for a little dog. In August, Xrays revealed an enlarged heart and liver along with a twist in her esophagus.  It was soon after that her health started to decline rapidly and changes in her baseline personality became more apparent. She was my constant shadow over the years. However, last night she stopped following me simply sitting motionless in the living room staring at nothing in particular; she did not react when I called her name or touched her.  I knew then her time was short yet was not prepared for how little time was left.

Farewell Chris Kyle

 

Source: Uploaded by user via Sandra on Pinterest

 

 

My thoughts and prayers are with  Taya Kyle and their children.

Heartbroken…

My thoughts are with the families and the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

I’m at a point where I can’t find words to adequately express this bone deep evil act of violence.  All I can offer is a quote from an article written by Matt Chambers were he asks where is God when 20 children die.

Yet, here we are…asking…begging for answers, and somehow still know that the answers we’re begging for probably won’t ever come. Besides, even if someone was able to provide an explanation of some sort, would it really help? I’m convinced explanations don’t magically end grief, or bring back people we love who have been taken away far earlier than we ever would have imagined.

 At this point, I’ve no glib answer just an awful knot in my stomach tonight.

Rest In Peace Ambassador Stevens

Rest in Peace – Ambassador J Christoper Stevens.

A senseless death perpetrated by a people steeped in ignorance and fueled by irrational fear.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family today.

Madison Rising: The Star Spangled Banner:

Remembering 9/11

Time is too slow for those who wait,
too swift for those who fear,
too long for those who grieve,
too short for those who rejoice,
but for those who love, time is eternity.
~ H. Van DykeMore

Rest in peace Marcello Matricciano, Jose Angel Martinez.