Life in the Rearview

Whoever said that life isn't a bed of roses, lied. Life is exactly like a bed of roses: full of the beautiful fragrance and vibrant vitality of life, interwoven with the bittersweet memories of remembrance, and thorns along the way to remind us that we're "not all that" and it's not all about us. 

It's funny, (though 'funny' isn't the best word to use, I'm not sure how else to describe it), how God can take a horrendous, destructive act of nature, and even in the midst of suffering, pain, and the "OMG! What do I do now?" feelings and turn it into a blessing in disguise. Seriously. 

The tornadoes that ravaged my fair state for 24 hours on April 27th spawned more than death and destruction. In the aftermath, I've seen a community knit closer together; the spirit of charity and love rekindled; perfect strangers reaching out to help; pastors and youth ministers rolling up their sleeves and doing hard labor alongside the roughest beer-drinking rednecks you'll ever see (this IS Alabama!). I've seen churches being the hands and feet of Jesus, sheltering the now homeless, the orphaned, and providing for the broken and downhearted, ministering to their souls and restoring their spirit.

Following the poisoning of the oak trees at Toomer's Corner in Auburn by Harvey Updyke, an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, you'd think you'd never see the day when an Auburn fan would reach out to a *insert aghast stage whisper here* Bammer! Yet following the reports of the near annihilation of Tuscaloosa, and whadaya get? The Toomer's  For Tuscaloosa Facebook page mobilizing Auburn fans nationwide to help. And help we have! Miracles in shoe leather, a strong back, and a willingness to help. More than just willingness; it's more like a gut-wrenching need that you can't control. I know. I've felt it. 

The morning following, I was consumed by the feeling that I had to "do something!" I didn't know what.....just SOMETHING to help in any way I could! As a result, I've experienced a lot of "firsts," but I shall leave that for another day, as this post has taken on a life of it's own and is headed in a different direction than it's original intent....a result, not surprising, I suppose, considering the rambling way my mind diverges in the blink of an eye from one random thought to another.  But I digress. 

Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs. Some people believe faith is a crutch for "weak, uneducated dumbasses" (new blog about this is in the works too!). Yet,  as a person of faith, I wonder how people "without faith" get thru tragedies of Biblical proportion such as this and retain their sanity? I use the term "without faith" loosely, because, in reality, everybody has faith; the only difference is the Object of our faith.

There were 47 tornadoes in Alabama on April 27, 2011, including 5 EF-3, 9 EF-4 and 1 EF-5.   To put it in perspective, if you add up the  lengths of all the tornadoes we had in Alabama on April 27th, we had 1165 MILES of damage....roughly the driving distance from Montgomery, Alabama to Toronto, Canada. (0_o)

I've seen, with my own eyes, the destruction from Sand Mountain, Shoal Creek, Ohatchee, and Eclectic. I recognized names on the list of those who had died, all the way from Pisgah, Bryant, and Flat Rock in northeast Alabama to Eclectic in south-central Alabama.  I can't speak for everyone, nor all communities, but this tragedy has made my community, my state, more of a family. The walls and barriers of race, religion, and even college football affiliation, have been breached as we have come together to recover from this disaster.

I broke down in tears at the Elementary school when I saw the black ribbons on the doors for the little girl who had been killed the night of the storm.  At the Middle School I sobbed during the Awards Ceremony as the husband of a science teacher sang "I Will Praise You In The Storm".   I cried with a friend of long years who had lost so much materially, but the Lord preserved her treasure in earthen vessels and her faith has kept her strong for her family. I saw this same tiny woman brave the hoards of FEMA and refuse government assistance, vehemently and loudly, to about 20 people, vocally proclaiming her faith as she continues to trust God for provision and direction.

I cried in thankfulness that my Mama was kept safe while the three houses next to hers were demolished. I have cried until I have no tears left....just dry wracking sobs shaking my body. I had a hard time, trying to wrap my mind around it all. Mentally trying to process and compartmentalize it  just seemed an overwhelming task. Unfathomable.

Now that I'm looking at the events of 27 April in the rearview,  I've come away with a stronger faith in God and an even deeper realization that God is good, all the time. While in the midst of terrible tragedy, He still blesses us above and beyond what we deserve. He reaches out to us through the words and actions of His people and He puts us in the lives of others who come alongside us in times of tragedy who may not know Him personally, to initiate a game of Divine Tag.  I WILL praise Him in the storms life hurls my way! To do less would be that of the most reprehensible ingratitude.. 

L8R Dayz,

Starr

Throw Momma From The Train

While waiting for Jacob to finish his All-star baseball practice today, I chose to chillax with a sweet tea at Mickey D's. I began reading an article in the local paper about people lining up for the 60 courtroom seats in the Casey Anthony trial. Puhleeze!!!

Somebody tell me what's wrong with THIS picture??? I mean, here are people who are coming out as early as 1 a.m. to get a place in line!!! I just don't see how making this tragedy a spectacle is beneficial to society AT ALL! A court spokeswoman actually said that they had considered lottery tickets! For real!!  (0_o) What's this world coming to?

First, this is a horrible incident. The life of a precious little girl was snuffed out by her no-account Mama. Yes, she's claiming it was an accidental drowning in the bath tub, but really....who believes that?  I don't. 

Secondly, there are grandparents and other family members to consider. Imagine with me, if you can, the horror they must feel KNOWING that their own child is capable of this kind of atrocious act. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I just cannot fathom, for the life of me, how a mother could be so selfish and self-absorbed, that she could, or would, take the life of her own child. As frustrating as motherhood and parenting can sometimes be, there are innumerable blessings that far outweigh the trials of parenthood.  I just don't know how one arrives at that decision.

Thirdly, I'm just gonna say it. Speak my mind loud and clear, as to why it is so seemingly easy for people such as Casey Anthony to kill her own child. Thank you, Rowe v. Wade! Is it surprising that more crimes against children have occurred since it's passage in 1973? If the life of a child is not valued while in the womb, is it any wonder that it's worthless after birth? Everyone is A-Ok with killing the most innocent victims. No one wants to take responsibility for their actions. Abortion is the ONLY "viable" choice for the pro-abortion crowd. The words "viable" and "abortion" should never be used in the same sentence. It is an oxymoron. Viable means "life" and abortion means "death." Abortion is cruel and inhumane on every visceral level.

In this case, I think it's time to Throw Momma From the Train!!! Casey Anthony deserves the death penalty, and nothing less. As for the would-be spectators, they should be ashamed of themselves for making this tragedy a public spectacle and courtroom circus!

Ah, well....that's my rant for the day. 

L8R Dayz, 

Starr

Jazz Fest 2011

Jazz Fest at The Amp is gonna be awesome!  Not only is the weather perfect......the breeze from the lake is balmy and scented with all of the decadent Southern aromas of magnolia, mimosa, gardenia, and honeysuckle.....the music is gonna be fine! Some of the featured blues/jazz musicians are: Randall Bramlett Band, Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers (from Austrailia), and JJ Grey and Mofro. The only band I've heard before is the Randall Bramlett Band. He was here a couple of years ago, when Joe Bonamassa was the headliner. 

I'm writing this while waiting for Jaala to get a funnel cake....and it's taking forever!  I'm also barefooted....yup, shoeless Starr, because the strap on my new white sandals (that I just bought this morning) broke within less than 5 minutes of being here. After all that harping by Jaala about me not wearing shoes that matched....and when I finally found a pair of white ones that I actually liked.....well, nuff said. 

The funniest thing, is that my Mama called me soon after Randall Bramlett came on to play. I kept telling her to hold on, I couldn't hear...and she hung up on me anyway. In a few seconds she called back. By that time I had walked far enough away from the music, so I could hear her. She asked me what "all that racket" was and then she  said she called to tell me that the Jazz Fest was this weekend and that I should go.  She had seen it advertised in a paper. When I told her that I was here and  it was why I couldn't hear her earlier, she laughed. :) So did I. 

Jaala Rose didn't think she'd see anyone she knew, but as soon as we got parked, she leaned over to whisper that the girl who'd just gotten out of another car was the most annoying girl at school. Then when we got in the shuttle to take us up to the Amp, the girl sat in the seat in front of us. I asked Jaala if that was the girl she had told me about, and she looked at me, and with pursed lips, shushed me...like she was the parent shushing a child who talks out loud about the fat lady at the grocery store or the kid picking his nose at Mickey D's! (0_o)

I've seen several people that I know, met some new people, and am thoroughly enjoying the blues music.  Jazz Fest has been an event, much like En Fuego, that I've come to enjoy and look forward to each year. I missed Jazz Fest last year because I was with my Mom, taking her to the doctor.  I've seen Joe Bonamassa, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and the Zac Brown Band here at Jazz Fest.

Jaala Rose just now came out of the funnel cake line, so we're off to hear some sweet, summer blues music!

Later summer days,

Starr