Guns and Roses

It's been forever since I've written a blog. I've been busy working, being a mom, and trying to survive in this world. It's truly a beautiful world. My country is a beautiful country. Have you ever visited a state park? They are nice. The oceans here? They are beautiful, and plentiful. Our mountains capture some of the most breathtaking photos you'll ever see. I love this place. I sit in my backyard in my home in a sleepy little Illinois town and give thanks for everything around me. The beautiful lilac bush, the gorgeous crepe myrtle blooming by the pool. My Kmart patio set that has entertained so many loved ones and delicious meals were served on. I am lucky. Blessed. Grateful. So why do I feel like shit? Why does my gut ache and my heart sink into my chest? Why do I have to feel so much? Why can't I turn off the word and live in a little bubble? So many others do it just fine. Why do I feel I have to single handedly change the world? When bad things happen, I want to fix them. Big or small. I do like helping people. Maybe that's my curse. It takes its toll on you. Saving animals, fighting for children who don't have a voice, making sure people are held accountable for their actions. Justice. I always wanted to be a lawyer because I can argue with a flag pole and I always have to fight for truth and fairness and accountability. That  ship has definitely sailed.... so I get myself involved in things that I feel can make a difference. I put my money where my mouth is. I put ACTION into my prayers, not just a post on social media. Prayers do not pay medical bills or change laws folks. Action does.

The latest "largest mass shooting in US History" has really hit me in the gut, and I can't really explain why. The last "largest mass shooting in US history " was pretty tough, too. The one before that was awful as well. I mean do we see a pattern here?? Each one gets larger and more horrendous. I'm not going to go into politics or start a debate on gun control. Do you know why? It will not matter. It does not matter anymore. School children were slaughtered in Sandy Hook , and nothing changed. We are already bought and paid for.  Let me just say this, I am a gun owner. I enjoy shooting, I have hunted, I have Target practiced and I respect firearms.  Please tell me what we need with guns that can slaughter hundreds  of people in one round?? Bird hunting??? Nope, a shotgun will work just fine... and yes, I have done it. It's a fun sport. Why do we need these guns??? The answer doesn't matter anymore. Left and right can't agree, common sense has "flew the coop".

I've been called a libtard, a snowflake, a dumbocrat... and my new favorite KampKillery. The funny thing is, I've never really considered my self so liberal. I'm a flag waving, veteran loving, apple pie baking American. I cry everytime the National Anthem is played. I eat deer meat and buffalo burgers. I love my farmer. So why does having some common sense when it comes to humanity make me a "libtard" . I have conservative friends, who see things the way I do. So are we conservative liberals? Hybrids? Are we the new black?  The common sense party??? I don't know the answer..... but I do know one thing.... there is a new way to survive......

My family and I attend music festivals and concerts all of the time. I was at one the night of the Vegas attack. A few years ago we started implementing a "plan". I started grooming my children to look around them and pay attention to people. To look for exits and places to hide should a shooting, bomb, etc.  happen while we were attending things like this. We would have a plan to meet up if we got separated  at a common place, etc... it's the new normal. It's part of parenting now. You have to teach your children that there are evil people out there and they don't care about gun laws and background checks. They may not be mentally ill, but they are certainly evil. I've decided to stop focusing so much energy in making the world a safer place, and focusing more energy on preparing my children for the day they will face situations like these. You know why? Because life is still worth living. We will still run marathons, we will still attend festivals, football games, baseball games, and we will still fly on airplanes. I will not let evil fear me into locking my family up in the house. That's not how we live. We teach our kids kindness. We teach them to stand up for their beliefs, but to not be ugly in doing so. And now, we teach our kids how to survive mass shootings. Schools. Concerts. Shopping Malls. Parades. Wal Mart. Doctors offices. There is no safe place.  We still go out and live.


Storms will keep storming, evil will keep shooting, fires will keep burning. It's the new normal. All we can really do is OUR PART. Helping with recovery efforts, sending MONEY along with your thoughts and prayers, help re build our forests and plant a tree. Listen to me very carefully: IT IS ON US!  Because the government will never please every citizen of this country. The left hates the right and the right hates the left and the good people suffer. (Like  my family with the new "tax cut")Welcome to America, land of the free , home of the brave.
Because you have to be brave to live here.....