NO!

As I was walking on my treadmill this morning, a piece on television about a couple who participated in the just concluded winter Olympics caught my attention. I turned up the volume and became more incredulous as I listened.

In a nutshell, here is what I learned:  A 47 year old man and his 48 year old wife from Montana (that is a state in these United States of America) participated in the Winter Olympic Games under the flag of the island country of Dominica (he actually carried the flag in the opening ceremonies!).  He, Gary di Silvestri, and his wife, Angelica Morrone, acquired "economic citizenship" in Dominica by donating a minimum of $175,00 to the country.  And according to the president of the commonwealth of Dominica, no Olympic rules or principles were violated.  Additionally, this couple was slated to participate in a cross country skiing event during the Olympic games. Guess what? Neither finished the event due to medical reasons.

As I finished my workout, several words were running around inside my head, but the one that I actually looked up is "spoiled."  On line, Miriam Webster defines spoil:  to give (someone, such as a child) everything that he or she wants : to have a bad effect on (someone) by allowing too many things or by not correcting bad behavior   

 Can I get an amen here??? 

Now maybe these folks are hard working, God fearing people who meant no harm. I really don't know much about them. Since this is my blog, I'll take a bit of liberty, go out on a limb and just say it...I think they are spoiled. They probably have gotten what they've wanted most of their lives and nobody who really loves them has ever said NO...No, honey, we aren't throwing you a birthday party. Why? because you are only turning seven. We will celebrate your birthday with the family just like we've done every year since you were born. Grandma and grandpa will come, your cousins and aunts and uncles will all be here.  Maybe on your tenth birthday you can have a big party with lots of friends. That will give you something to look forward to. No, you can't have a new bike. Why? because your brother's bike has plenty of wear left in it, he's older, so we are looking for a new bike for him. Your time will come. No, we aren't buying you a cell phone. Why? because you are twelve years old and if you need to use a phone, you can use the one on the counter top in our kitchen. No, we aren't buying you your own car. Why? because we can't afford it. You can probably get a ride to the high school with one of the kids in the neighborhood. And when you absolutely need a car, you can take the family van. No, you can't stay out all night after Prom. Why? because you're a high school junior and I don't want you sleeping at Sally's house even if the boys are sleeping in the basement. No, you can't participate in the Olympics just because you have enough money to buy economic citizenship into a country in which you don't reside and putting up all that money didn't violate any Olympic rules or principles.Why? because you are spoiled rotten. Think about the athletes (real athletes) who actually live in the countries they represent (or have some ties, other than financial, to the countries they represent), have practiced for years, have sacrificed for years, have dreamed for years, have gotten sponsorships because they are really...athletes! Honor them by acknowledging that just doing something because you have the money to make it happen is bad behavior and undermines the integrity of the Olympic spirit.

I can say with pretty much certainty and it can probably be verified by our kids, that Mark and I didn't spoil our children. We used that little word early and often!  We aren't perfect parents by any stretch of the imagination, but we loved our kids enough to just say no!

Birthday Wishes

My mom is 86 years old today. 86 years is a long time. I am proud of her and so happy she is my mom.

I gave her a 'thank you' note, along with a pretty pink sweater, a pretty black and white scarf, and a 'task' lamp which will hopefully help her see better to read. Happy Birthday, Mom! You are the best. Here's the note I wrote for her:

For Mom with Love on your 86^th Birthday

Thank you for sending me to sell chili supper tickets for the seminarians and poppies for the American Legion—it taught me self-confidence and the need to get behind a worthy cause.

Thank you for being a stay-at-home mom—you taught me to value motherhood and grounded me for life.

Thank you for teaching the handicapped about God’s love—it demonstrated in a profound way that all are worthy and lovable.

Thank you for believing in my athletic ability and supporting me in those endeavors—it taught me about teamwork, hard work, and that bus trips to Oshkosh could be a lot of fun!

Thank you for loving Dad—you showed me, even before I needed to know, how to be a married woman.

Thank you for having six children in spite of what the doctor said—if not, I wouldn’t be here!

Thank you for your love of reading and learning—what a wonderful gift to give a child!

Thank you for listening to me the night I called from Eau Claire and said “I’m not going back to that hospital. I just can’t do it”—you told me I could, that it would get better…and it did!

Thank you for your ministry to the sick and dying, especially to grandma—it shaped me and helped me to be comfortable; to see the person, not the illness.

Thank you for tents over the clotheslines, garage shows, and that brand new banana seat bike—I had a charmed childhood and look back with many smiles.

Thank you for being the best grandma and great-grandma for our children—I believe they know how blessed they are and have a deeper understanding of family because of you.

Thank you for supporting my writing—you’ve been my best cheerleader over the years, and I can always count on you to applaud what I create J

Thank you for listening to people all these years—you have a keen sense about humanity which is a true gift.

Thank you for your faithfulness to our God—it is the best and greatest gift you’ve given me. He will never fail us and I know this because you have shown me.

Thank you for being my mom—you are the best and I wouldn’t trade you for anyone!

I love you, Mom. Happy Birthday!

Mary

 

      My beautiful mom, Althea, with my big brother Tom...looking good!