Happy Memorial Day!!

    As you fire up the grill or get ready for a family outing this Memorial Day weekend, take a moment to remember the real reason we celebrate this occasion. It's true that in most of the country (Florida and warm states are the exceptions) we've come to equate Memorial Day with the start of "swimming pool" season in anticipation of Summer. But Memorial Day used to be called "Decoration Day" and was created to honor the men and women who died in service to our country.

    While decorating soldiers graves with flowers is an ancient custom, our memorial day was born out of our Civil War and while many states claim to have been the first to honor their heroes, the call for Memorial Day to be commemorated annually and nationwide came on May 5, 1868 from General John Logan commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of The Republic, a veterans' organization for Union Civil War veterans. Logan declared: “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country..." the date is said to have been chosen because it did not the commemorate any particular battle.

    Memorial Day moved from May 30th to the last Monday in May with Congressional passage of the National Holiday Act of 1971.

    Happy Memorial Day!

Pursuit of Happiness!

    As Bruce Jenner continues to reveal more of the transgender journey that will allow an outward expression of the inner woman: "For all intents and purposes, I am a woman" (Bruce Jenner April. 2015) -- it's important to remember that regardless of Bruce's gender, Bruce is a fantastic parent and a shining example for anyone and everyone who wants to pursue their personal happiness-- happiness which often means being a parent.

     Bruce has 10 children in all, having a blended family that includes six kids from three marriages as well as being a parent to his four step-children that former wife Kris had with Robert Kardashian.  All of the children support Bruce's decision and confirm what a loving and caring parent Bruce has always been and will continue to be.

      It is my hope that Bruce, now perhaps the most famous face of the transgender community, will serve as a symbol to all parents to build a loving, supportive family just as Bruce has done. He is an inspiration to all parents and a role model to everyone pursuing their inner happiness. Pursue YOUR happiness.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.
http://www.newsweek.com/coming-out-trans-29-best-quotes-bruce-jenners-diane-sawyer-interview-325300

Happy Mother's Day!

   

Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland

    With the second anniversary of the heroic escape by three women held captive in Cleveland--the recent publishing of a memoir by two of the women, and Mother's Day just days away-- I felt it fitting to celebrate their stunning story of bravery against all odds.

    You know the names: Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight. You know their story: kidnapped, held captive, emotionally battered and sexually tortured by Ariel Castro for a decade, until they escaped along with Berry's daughter on May 6th, 2013. But beyond what these women suffered, a real mark of their amazing strength and spirit is how they were able to raise Amanda Berry's daughter Jocelyn, (fathered by Castro) now eight years old, and give her as much of a normal life as possible, despite what they endured. It's true that Jocelyn's birth gave Berry strength, and the women formed a bond, a family of their own to protect Jocelyn. But the courage they showed in the face of such adversity is beyond remarkable.

    It is my hope that this story will serve as a reminder to mothers and fathers everywhere about the importance of parenthood -- so that so-called normal families who will never face the traumas Amanda, Gina, Michelle and little Jocelyn faced-- will be sure to love and protect their kids at all cost.

The Memoir of Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus is entitled:
 Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland

Michelle Knight's Memoir is entitled:
Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed: A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings

Mother's Day: Just Days Away...

    Mothers come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Some are biological some adoptive-- but all are incredibly special-- and while societies have been honoring mothers for centuries, the roots of today's American "Mother's Day" date back to the 1800's with celebratory days known as "Mother's Friendship Day" and "Mother's Peace Day". "Mother's Day" as we know it didn't become an official U.S. Holiday until 1914.

    Celebrated the second Sunday in May-- this year May 10th -- Mother's Day pays homage to mothers for their love and sacrifice, as well as the contributions they make not only to their families but to society as a whole. Traditionally we celebrate by giving Mother's Day cards and flowers, and taking mom for a wonderful meal that she doesn't have to cook herself.  You still have plenty of time to plan something amazing for your mom, but regardless of how you celebrate be sure you let the lady you call "Mother" know just how much she's loved--  and that goes for grandma too!

 

Sound The Alarm!

    Stay safe this Spring and Summer with functional smoke alarms strategically placed throughout your home. Operational detectors should be on each and every level of your home and especially located both right outside and in all the bedrooms. Be sure to change the batteries once a year. It's also especially smart to interconnect your alarms so that when one sounds they all sound. This can give you a head start to safety if the fire is still a distance away from where you are in the house. Be sure you and your family have an escape plan and practice it. New smoke detectors also come combined with carbon monoxide detection. If you don't have a combined smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector, make sure you also install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.

For more information, check out these sites:
http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/fire-and-safety-equipment/smoke-alarms
http://www.fgcu.edu/EHS/Files/What_you_should_know_about_SMOKE_ALARMS.pdf
http://publicsafety.tufts.edu/firesafety/fire-alarm-evacuation-tips/
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Carbon-Monoxide-Information-Center/Carbon-Monoxide-Questions-and-Answers-/

Why Family Vacations Are Important!

   Whether you take a fantastic trip or stay at home and plan nearby outings everyday-- scheduling time for a family vacation or staycation is important.
    Vacations create quality time when you put away work and concentrate on the people you love. You relax, and because you get the chance to explore new places and see and do new things you may have never done before, you're also learning without all the stress and pressure that often accompanies more formal educational situations.
    More than that, vacation time lets your children know they are loved and supported. Breaking away from a normal routine can foster a sense of adventure and the togetherness creates bonds that daily rituals can often block. 
    But perhaps the best part of family vacations are the lasting memories you can keep and share your whole life long.

For some staycation ideas right here in the Orlando area and Central Florida go to: http://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/central-florida-staycations/Content?oid=2242876
http://educationpossible.com/family-staycation-central-florida-without-theme-parks/

For other vacation ideas try these websites:
http://travel.usnews.com/Rankings/Best_Family_Vacations_in_the_USA/
http://www.parenting.com/gallery/51-mini-family-vacations
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Inspiration-g1-c0-World.html