Who are They?

Being a new mom to my almost 6 month old first child, I can easily say this is a new experience for me. Now I think I have purchased just about every parenting book, pamphlet or snippet out there for us new nervous parents. We also have the well meaning relatives that are ready, willing and able to lend their advice or experience to us at the drop of a hat. The biggest person we hear from though is They. Who is they you ask. They is that all knowing creature that all knowledge comes from. For example: They say you should put the baby to sleep on her back. They say that you should breastfeed exclusively for 1 year. They say that she should be rolling over now. Who are They and why do They know so much. I've found myself saying "Well that's what They say" more in the past 5 months than I've ever said it before (that I've noticed). Why? Is it a reasonable answer to give someone when they ask you a question. That's what They say.
I want to know how you get a degree to be a They, is it a four year or two year college degree? Had I known there was so much money and knowledge to be made in being a They, I would have looked into it years ago. Then someone would be quoting me!

Family - Can't pick 'em

Family, you love them always, you like them rarely. Why is it that the people we are bonded to by blood can drive us more crazy than anyone else in life. If we share the same blood, shouldn’t we have the same interests or aggravations?
If you have ever tried to plan an event for your family you know that the thought of similar family interests is not something that is ever going to happen.
Lessons learned when you think you can be the one to change the dynamic. Lessons learned when you put your whole heart and soul into something only to have it crumble at your feet.
Only you can truly appreciate the time and effort you put into planning a spectacular event. Only you know the true potential of what you had planned.
Were you surprised by the turn of events? No – Were you surprised by the way it was presented? No – Were you surprised that some thought they spoke for most? No
Are you proud of what you accomplished in planning – Absolutely
It’s a shame they will never know what they could have experienced.
Your loss.

Thank You

In our daily lives we have plenty of opportunities to say Thank You.
Do we though?
Do we take the time to thank that other person. I would love to say that I say Thank You every single time it is warranted. But I won't, because I'm sure I don't. Sometimes you do things without thinking and then try to remember if you did or not.
Today, as an example, my sister and I were shopping. We were waiting for the typical "take up the whole aisle" couple to move aside so we could pick up what we needed. When I saw an opening I jumped into the section and started grabbing what I needed before they started again. My sister yelled to me to grab something, she called it by name, one that I had never heard before. I'm looking frantically up and down the shelf looking for this mystery item. The girl next to me (who had to sneak in too) pointed it out to me.
I said Thanks, or did I.
Later it came back to replay in my mind (why do we do that anyway) but did I say thanks. I have no idea.
So thank you - Thank you to the girl who pointed out the food box to me. Thank you to the person who let me cut in the traffic line. Thank you to the person that complimented me on my gorgeous daughter. Thank you everyone for everything. There, I think that might cover it. I'll replay it now and see.

Fallen Heroes

April 4, 2009 started as a calm sunny Saturday in one of Pittsburgh's most hidden suburbs. Stanton Heights was a place that no one knew of, unless you lived there. Not so after the morning of 4-4-09, Stanton Heights’ quiet hidden existence was shattered by one single action by one single coward. I lived in Stanton Heights for 3 years back in 1998 to 2001. Whenever people used to ask where I lived and I said Stanton Heights, they would say where? I’d have to explain it was above Morningside which was above Lawrenceville, most times they understood but some remained confused. Now when you say Stanton Heights, you get a look of sadness and a quiet Ohh. This neighborhood is a gem within the city, quiet tree lined streets, neighbors who look out for one another. A city official on each block, firemen, policemen, housing workers or public works, they all call Stanton Heights home. When I moved into the neighborhood, I went unwillingly since I’d heard horror stories about living in the “city”, that feeling changed very quickly. I lived on a dead-end, tree lined street, with quiet neighbors and a back deck that looked over both the city below and the street that would become infamous. I used to walk my dog on those very streets every morning and evening, looking at all the homes, saying Hi to all my neighbors and enjoying my neighborhood. I’d been long moved out of the neighborhood on the morning of April 4th, a morning that rocked our city to the core. On that morning, a mother and son had an argument in their home, city police officers were called to help, that son waited to ambush those very officers sworn to protect him. Richard Poplowski shot and killed Officer Paul Sciullo II, Officer Stephen Mayhle, and Officer Eric Kelly. He also shot and wounded Officer Timothy McManaway in the hand, Office McManaway was trying to assist Officer Kelly who was wounded but alive when he arrived on scene. These 3 officers were called to do their job and they did so by losing their lives. The tragedy that unfolded that day is one that I will not soon forget. What also strikes me though is the way the city has come together to not only honor those fallen officers but to support their families in this great time of need. Even now, more than a month after the tragedy, you will see the black and gold fighting 5th t-shirts worn on people both young and old.
Houses in the Stanton Heights, Bloomfield and I’m sure Indiana show support for the fallen officers. Front windows covered with American Flags, pictures, and personal thank you notes for their service to our city. I am constantly awed by this show of support from people who probably have never met one another.
In the days following the tragedy American flags appear on what seemed to be each and every porch. Black and purple ribbons adorn the light post, parking meters and any other light post. Bike runs, shirt sales and more are all contributing to our fallen officers fund for the families of these brave men. American flags line the street where this all occurred in Stanton Heights, every yard but the home where the tragedy unfolded.
I have never met any of the officers but I thank each one of them for their sacrifice to protect us. I thank their families for giving their sons, brothers, uncles, nephews, husbands, fathers to our city for the ultimate sacrifice. Officer McManaway, who must live with those first images every day for the rest of his life, is also in my thoughts and prayers. I hope he is able to understand he did everything he could that day to save his fallen brothers.