Barney, Rugrats, Power Rangers, Yugioh, Hot Wheels, DVD's, Rubic's Cube, Rock Band, Running, The Dark Night and Audio Engineering

I was reminded today how important it is for parents to be interested in what their children are interested in while they are growing up. I have to be honest, it really wasn't that hard for me to care about what Frank and Mike cared about. I guess I am a little boy at heart and I sort of grew up while they did. As they are growing into young men, it is still s big part of our relationship to share an interest or activity.  I am amazed at how they have evolved over the years. It is also interesting how many phases to get to where they are. I am thankful they are no longer interested in Power Rangers and Barney.

I know people who forbid their children to explore their interests because they have no interest in it. If you want to raise a robotic, clone of yourself, go ahead, control all of your child's interests. If you want a child to find their passion and discover their talents, support their choices. It might mean having to sit through an elementary school band concert or listening to headache inducing drumming, but the payoff is a child who knows that you care about them. The good times Mike and I had at Cross Country meets, and watching action movies with our boys are the foundation of our relationships with them. I believe that the self confident men they have become is reflective of the open minded parenting they received as children.

It doesn't take long for a cute little Rugrat to grow up into The Dark Knight. Take an interest while you have a chance. Before you know it, huge life choices will be upon your little one. They need the confidence in their strengths and the awareness of their weaknesses to make good choices.

Frank solving the Rubic's Cube

Mike before a big race

Crutches

When I was a young girl, I got a broken leg as a result of a traffic accident. My very first post, Halloween 1979, details that experience. Recently, I have been thinking about how a broken leg is a metaphor for life.  Humanity symbolizes the broken bone; community is the doctor; exercise, food, music, nature, games and creativity are my crutches and spirituality is a physical therapist. Let me walk you through each metaphor. 

We are human! That fact says I am broken, imperfect...in need of improvement. Some fracture's causes are clear, like my leg. Others are caused over time, like stress fractures. Years of misuse, abuse and inattentiveness may cause a serious injury. The damage may be self inflicted or be caused by someone else's poor choices. The good news is there is hope. With the help of community, crutches and spirituality broken bones can heal and be made whole. 

Community consists of family, friends and acquaintances. Association is essential in diagnosing affliction. We require a radiologist to see through the skin of our persona to see what is in need of repair. If we are not diagnosed correctly, we can waste years walking around with a splint on our arm when we have a broken leg. If you want to know what areas of your life need polishing, listen to what other people say to you. If possible, find a person that is trustworthy and honest enough to lovingly show you that x-ray. 

All of us have crutches. Crutches are the things that assist while the healing is occurring. We may not be ready to stand on our own yet. Cautiously choose your crutches so that they fit you and support you. If possible, choose crutches that will provide support to others. Crutches can be abused. If we overuse them they prevent us from healing and may cause additional injury. Once in awhile throw the crutches aside. You may be surprised the mountains you can climb without them. 

Spirituality is the only way to gain wholeness from our shattered lives. It is the therapy required to be able to gain the confidence that our pain will someday be redeemed. When we look at our lives as being part of something greater, we can find meaning in our existence. Regardless of your belief system, hope in something bigger promotes recovery. "The only way that we can stand is on our knees with lifted hands." 

Compensation

What is art? Can it really be finitely defined? I am not talking about the Webster's version. I am talking about theoretically. I see a beautiful painting and it is clear that is art. I hear a piece of music or read a classic novel and no doubt in my mind, it's art. What about a baby's face or a dog's wagging tail? Would you classify that as art? I would...

Why all this talk about art? I have been working on some video projects over the past couple months and it is interesting to me the varying responses I have gotten upon their viewing. These projects were personal investments and the emotional reaction they provoked was the dividend I received. I spent time and money agonizing over every detail. I got frustrated when I encountered obstacles with technology. Fortunately, my boys were able to help me overcome those obstacles. Thanks Frank and Mike! 

It's important to me that you understand the hard work and dedication it takes to produce art. Regardless of the medium, the artist pours a lot of themselves into their creation. Please take that into consideration when looking at a picture, listening to a song or reading a blog. Maybe it isn't your taste or maybe you don't understand what the author is trying to express but please respect their effort. When you pour yourself into something and receive an apathetic response or worse yet, get ridiculed; it hurts. Remember, to the artist, the reaction is the compensation. Make it a good one ;)

Bomb the World

Last night I went to see the movie Les Miserables. The acting was fantastic and the cinematography was incredible. The plot of the movie depicts a man who is transformed from a violent criminal full of hate and bitterness to a beneficial member of society full of compassion and forgiveness. His transformation positively effects the lives of hundreds of other people.This occurs over many years but the process is begun when one man shows him grace. Imagine that, one man showing one other man grace one time can change the course of hundreds of lives. Now imagine if a whole nation was willing to show grace...

September 11, 2001 was a horrible day in the history of the United States. Check that, it was a horrible day in the history of mankind. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 were tragic and I grieved for the victims of those attacks and their families. The problem I have is how those attacks were used as an excuse to promote a war. Now don't get me wrong, I was angry, bitter, saddened and frightened by the events of that day. However, I don't see the value in responding to violence with more violence. When is mankind going to realize that violence brings one thing, more of the same?

You may think I am a radical  hippie who hates America and the military. WRONG! I thank God daily for choosing this country for me to be born and live. I believe the USA is the greatest country on Earth. My father was in the Army. My uncle was in the Navy during WWII and my "third son," Spencer (a neighbor who we have known since he was four years old) is currently in the Navy. I could not be more proud of him if he was my own son. His USN graduation picture hangs on my fridge. Both of my sons considered joining the military and Mike and I took them to the recruiting office to show them how we would support that decision if they chose to serve their country. Should one of them decide to join in the future, Mike and I would completely support their choice. 

I know how to shoot a gun. I shoot them regularly with my dad. I have encouraged my sons to learn how to shoot and educated them on gun safety and usage. Currently, I do not personally own a gun, but I don't own an ATV, a sports car or a fishing boat either. I am not against owning any of those in the future. My hope is I would use them in the manner for which they are intended for use. 

I realize the value of having a military force to defend and protect our country from invaders. I am not naive enough to think that the world is ready for my anti-violence stance. I am a realist but I am also an idealist. Therefore, ideally, I believe that peace is the answer. In the grand scheme of things, that is probably not possible in my lifetime.

So what can one person do to change the world? I can start by choosing to teach and exhibit peaceful behavior. I have tried hard to teach my sons that revenge is a waste of time. I talk about using non-violent responses to conflict with the students I transport. I have rarely gotten violent with my sons, my husband, my friends or my enemies. I am not perfect. I have dreamed and discussed with others ways to get revenge on those who have hurt me and the ones I love. I have done some horrible things to others and not once did it improve the situation. 

I know you might say, Sue, you have never been a victim of violence. How do you know you would react that way if someone attacked you or one of your kids? The truth is, I don't know what my reaction would be if that ever happened. My hope is that in time I would be able to forgive the offender and never choose to cause them harm. I have been a victim of crime and injustice. It's done...I really believe they will have to atone for their behavior. Here's the thing...I also believe that so will I. 

That is why ideally I would choose a non-violent reaction. That is why I teach it and do my best to live it. That is why I would like you to think about choosing to support peaceful solutions to your daily conflicts. That is why I would like you to reconsider supporting the death penalty. That is why I would like you to reconsider supporting teachers being allowed to carry guns. That is why I would like you to reconsider thinking a gun can protect you from violence. That is why I would like you to search inside yourself and think about how you would like to be judged for the wrongs that you have done. 

When we all start to change the way we react to violence, it will start to make a difference for the better of all mankind. One man showing another man undeserved grace impacted hundreds in the story of Les Miserables. One choice you make to not fight back can make an equally powerful impact. 

WE CAN BOMB THE WORLD TO PIECES BUT WE CAN'T BOMB IT INTO PEACE! 

POWER TO THE PEACEFUL <3

Bomb the World -Michael Franti

I Am Who I Am

It's interesting to me how figuring out your purpose changes your priorities. I realize that I have not come close to understanding all there is to know about Sue Rizzo, but I think I have moved a lot closer to the person I am meant to be than the one I was just a short time ago.

Looking back, I see how the choices I made set up the circumstances that taught me the lessons I needed to learn to fulfill my purpose. Should I go to college? Should I quit college and enter the work force?  Should I work in a factory or somewhere else? Should I have a long distance relationship? Should I have an abortion? Should I move to California? Should I become a bus driver? Should I work for the union? Should I quit working for the union? Should I start going to church? Should I lead a growth group? Should I play softball? Should I start a blog? Should I have more children? If just one of the answers to those questions changed from the choice I made, my entire life would be different. I would not be sitting here writing this post. I might not be sitting anywhere at all.

What does that have to do with discovering my purpose? Well, it occurs to me that this is where I am and that must be for a reason. Now that I have a better understanding of my purpose I am presented with more choices. Some decisions are easy and clear but others are very difficult. Fortunately, I have faith that regardless of which way I choose I will find my way back to that purpose. So I boldly step into my future with great anticipation, some fear but without any regrets. One way or another, each choice will result in something powerful.

All Apologies, Thank You and a Promise to Try!

Have you ever been bullied? Probably...have you ever bullied someone else? Truthfully, you probably have. Finally, have you ever been bullied by me? Odds are pretty good if you are reading this, that I have. For some reason, I find it funny to pick on other people. Sometimes it's hilarious, but mostly it's just mean. It's mean to find some insecurity or fault and exploit it. Guilty! If we are close, I have really hit you hard. My biggest target, Mike. The person I have sworn to share the rest of my life with and I am mean to him, why? I take it for granted that he will always be with me, that we can survive anything, that our love will carry us through and that he will always forgive me. I do that with each of you. I am truly sorry. I am sorry that I tried to make myself feel better by making you feel like crap. All apologies to those that have been hurt by my words. 

Usually, it's pretty fun to be around a witty person and I know that I don't have to beat myself up to the point of self destruction. I want to thank the people in my life that have opened my eyes to the times I have stepped over the line from funny to mean. My family, close friends, some innocent by standers and again, my husband deserve a big thank you for having the courage to be honest with me. I love you for your kindness, understanding and willingness to see past the pain my words cause you. Thank you for your mercy, grace and unconditional love. 

Okay, I am a smart ass. I always have been, and I always will be. Better than being a dumb ass, right?  My hope is that I will not be on the attack and check myself when I begin to go too far. I know I can be funny without being mean. Now, time to put it into action. I promise to try to be kinder, more considerate and not to allow my words to cause pain. 

All Apologies - Nirvana

Thank You - Alanis Morissette

Try - P!NK

Playing a Familiar Song

I sit wearing headphones, listening to Spotify and touch the appropriate keys on the keyboard forming words. Why? Usually, I sit down to write and I have a good idea what I will say. Today, I opened this up with no plan; no overwhelming feeling about one thing I need to get out of me. I am pretty sure there are multiple reasons for why I write including cleansing my soul, purging emotions, spreading the word on a topic that has touched me, and I know this might not make sense to some of you, but I feel God sends me topics. Check that. Several times, I have felt God using me as His instrument. 

I stole that "instrument" phrase from a conversation I had yesterday with my friend, Chris. We were discussing the outcome of a fundraiser for Wisconsin Independent Life College. Even though, Mike and I were not able to attend, I helped produce and edit a video that explained what WILC's purpose and mission  are. 

Now we are talking about a topic about which I can not say enough! Promoting, volunteering and taking part in realizing this vision has been a important part of my life recently. As big as it has been for me, there are many, many others that have come together to transform an idea into reality. Now that it has opened with a pilot program that includes 3 students, I dream about what WILC could be in the very near future. I hope that it will become a place where many of the students I come into contact with as a bus driver, will be able to go to progress much further toward independent living than they would have been able to before WILC.  I imagine Justin, Carlos, Maddox, Noora, Jack, Aggie and many others as young adults attending WILC. I think of all the possibilities WILC could open up for them. My hope for their future doesn't lie alone with WILC and it's continued success. On the contrary, even if WILC doesn't prosper as I hope it will, my hope and passion will continue on to find a better way to teach, train and integrate those affected with Autism and similar disorders. 

Anyway, I figured out what had to be said. Would you please take a look at the video I helped create and share it with others? Thank you in advance! 

WILC Video Link  

WILC  Staff and Students at the Ribbon Cutting