July 4th 2012

 Happy Independence Day!  Hope you celebrate in some little way today.  I haven't seen enough of this incredible country in my lifetime.  Have you?  I do think I liven the greatest place in the world.  Everyone who leaves here tells me so.   One of the TO DOs on my personal bucket list is to see the National Parks in this country.  This year: Yosemite and Sequoia National.  

Despite the heat and dry weather there are Fireworks displays all around us tonight.  I hope people don't pass out in the parade at noon.  Fireman and I ended up at out local pool again last night and it was heavenly.  

A 4year old child drowned at that very pool a few weeks ago. Very tragic, needless to say.  I feel sorry for each of the young lifeguards at the pool.  Of course I feel for the family.  I wanted to hug all the guards last night and reassure them.  Having been in the business of trying to save lives for 30 years now, I know too well that sometimes it simply cannot be done.   Our pool announcements include a warning that any child under the age of 9 must be within arms reach of an adult at all times...
it is a shared responsibility.

 My children were certainly not within arms reach at all times.  I consider myself a very protective mother.   Wow, this post got very heavy didn't it.  Sorry.  Life is so very fragile......

On  a completely different note, here is Al modeling my Cardi Shrug.    I am in awe of the responsibility she has taken on as a nurse.  She has seen more death in the last 2years than most people see in their lifetime.   She has always been one to crave joy and good times.   Maybe this balances the part of her that has to bear witness to tragedy that so often ends up in the emergency room.  As she embarks on her new role in an Er in a Children's Hospital she will need our prayers to sustain her.   Death is one thing after a well lived life, it is entirely another when it takes a child.   Good luck my little brave one....they are lucky to have you.