the Attentive mother

I like to think of myself as being attentive. Constant checking, constant hollering, making sure I know where my child is and that shes safe, being attentive. I try at least, especially when it comes to my child. [the Story] Just another day that started off slow. These days are quite usual for me. Sure enough I was awake and moving. Breakfast was served, counters were wiped, floor was swept, laundry was dreaded. But what I am about to say is a very disturbing event... The little misses likes to play outside,( yes i realize its friggin hot but I make sure shes hydrated) just about every day. Recently some exterior renovations have been in motion: trees cut and trimmed, grass mowed, sprinkler system dung, watering, etc. The MIL is paying to get these projects done so as to enjoy our summer in a pleasant front/back yard. And included in most backyards is a gate which in most cases is meant to "contain". Such as the dog, for we know that she is quite the adventurer, we all enjoy a little mischievous producing adrenaline. As I was going about my doings the yardman Tom(friend of MIL) arrived this morning. I heard him going about his duties and went to check on the little misses outside. She was quite content but non-the-less would be better off inside. I brought her in, gave her drink and off she went to play and I continued on. Well it just so happens the MIL is home sick today, ill with some kind of virus. She lays downstairs upon the couch sleeping, chatting on the phone, and all that applies to the words "out of it". Poor thing. At this point is where the domino's begin to fall. At Hand: Me in the kitchen, MIL downstairs, Tom to-and-fro, the dog basking under the shade of the tree, M -who knows where?. Its amazing how everything can happen so quickly.

(((In Theory)))

Tom grabs the last bit of cut branches to haul out through the gate and into the driveways Green can for disposal. The gate(for whatever reason)remained open, just a few inches. Tom arranged himself to the opposite side of the house and continued on. Little M being downstairs whined at the glass door to go "ouu sigh". Sweet and giving grandma opened the door out to play and then reverted back to the couch upon to rest her aching body. Little M loves to play and wander about the backyard and meanwhile noticed the dog. Dog, eager for thrill and adventure ceases the opportunity to escape past the gates and into the world of Wonder. Little M, being such a child, engulfed with curiosity, care, abundance of love, and who enjoys outside walks-decides to follow. Out the gate they went, first the dog then M. Im upstairs putting things away, throwing that away, putting a book on a shelf, and noticed a little too much peace and quite in the house. The dog can taste the freedom of the air entering into her lungs as she races down the sidewalk. The little child ever so curious steps out onto the driveway of the house, digesting her surroundings, seeks to find the black and white fuzzy creature she knows as Dog. Tom is too busy and loud to notice a child on the other end of the house whos about to embark in an unknown adventure. MIL is too busy drifting into sleep. And Im too alert with the words in my head "Where's M?". I checked her bedroom, sometimes i find her quietly playing in her closet full of toys. No shes not there. Meanwhile the little Misses sees the next door neighbor's gravel front yard and begins to play with rocks. Tom still busy organizing with dirt and trimmings. MIL is suddenly awoken by my hollering for the child. I check my room, sometimes I'll catch her perched in front of the tv watching cartoons, nope not there either. I walk out calling for her again thinking see's probably just playing downstairs when I met Nancy atop the stairs.

"Have you seen M?" said I.

"Yes, she came downstairs and I let her outside" she replied.

" oh okay, i just wanted to make sure. But I usually don't let her out when I know Tom is here cause he can leave the gate open, sometimes." I responded "Oh then in that case, I'll go check the gate, see if its closed." said Nancy.

I headed upstairs in no hurry thinking nothing of the sort, just that M would be outside just playing. Nancy is checking on her. As I open the fridge to grab something to eat I hear loud banging on the sliding door and her calling "Ashley!" . OH i must have locked the top glass door and she wants in, i thought. As I hop over to let her in urgently she tells me "Ashley, the gate is open!"

Acknowledged, I quickly let her in and booked it-down the stairs to the front, flew open the door, startling Tom and bursted outside hollering "M !!!" My eyes quickly looking, searching for her, i jogged towards the corner of the house, halted, called out, and glanced over. There down upon the far end of the driveway, behind the car, is my little girl...standing with only a shirt and diaper on holding a rock, looking at me. Relief washed over me as I ran to her, threw her on me and held her close cradling her little head to my neck. Heart racing, SO thankful, I held her tight. This had all occurred in minutes and even so is just enough time for something to go wrong.

Thankfully I listen to my heart and mind, attentive as a mother should be, and was blessed with a tender mercy. Most would Thank God, throw this over there shoulder, and go on like nothing ever happened. But not me, I noticed and analyze every bit. Understand the seriousness and just add another blessing to my endless list. I am just soooooooooooooooo thankful that of all the horrible things that COULD HAVE happen, Didn't. No child of mine was lost today, kidnapped today,or died today.

All is well and I owe my Life to Him Forever.

Good VS EviL..yes, I have an opinion

My lovely sister sent me this email...i've recieved it before but i want to make a statement...however before this occurs please read the following....

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary. My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians.. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too... But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?' In light of recent events... Terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why theyDon't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.' Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing yet? Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on Your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they Will think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... No one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in. My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein

Now back as to what I wish to say... I just love how he puts things...I just want to jump up and say "Heck yeah you're right, Right on Ben, You tell 'em!" I can't help but get steamed up when I read this because the truth of it and it hurts. I just get angry and then become sad. Because thats the world as we know it...whats worse is we don't know all of it...I'm sure it is far beyond worse of what our brain has capacity to think. And whats even more disturbing is our poor children we bring into this world have the worst to come. I hate it when I hear ppl say "well Im not having children just to bring them into this awful world" What good does that do???Nothing! Your not any better than the person who inputs evil into this world. I understand because I have a child now. We can't help but want to stick them in a bubble where its safe where they can learn and grow and be shielded from this disgust. All we can do to help fight back it is to rear our children in light and truth so that they can conquer the world to come and fight alongside God. And THAT there gives me hope, THAT there give me Purpose.

God is with us, he loves us and will always be there for us and that is a promise I have to remind myself. Good always conquers evil, its just our matter of Will.