Only Children unite! We are special! We are misunderstood! We are good in ways Ordinary Children can never achieve! If you are one of the unlucky Ordinary who had to share with brothers and/or sisters while growing up, we pity you, and please allow us some sharp elbow room as we take a moment to celebrate the goodness of Only Children. We understand only Only Children will understand most of this post.
A good friend of mine and I had an interesting discussion years ago that still rings within me today. We were talking about the best way to raise and educate children and my friend, a strong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told me he believes in the “indoctrination of children” into a religion.
My grandmother on my mother’s side, of blessed memory, passed away ten years ago this month. She continues to have a presence, however, through her influence and the love that radiated from her over her lifetime. No matter how much I may be in shock that we have lost her, nothing will bring her back.
by Nancy McDaniel
I don’t get out to the suburbs very much. Physically, and attitudinally, they are far removed from my current life. I really just go out when it’s time to visit my step-mom every now and then. But I was invited to a bridal shower, at a golf club “out there.” (Turnabout is fair play, I guess. I used to make fun of suburban friends who thought the city was just “too far to drive.” Have I become a reverse version of them now?)
by Ken Druce
“We love someone who will give us a special place in their hearts, minds, and souls”
(María L. Trigos-Gilbert, GO INSIDE magazine)
I just read this today and it inspired me to write the story of my grandfather I’ve been thinking about for months. Maria was talking about her beloved Uncle Ramos who had died recently and my story is about my time spent with Grampa on his farm in Missouri before he died. I was quite young when we first took the long trip from Wyoming to visit but there are little snippets I remember as vividly as if they happened only yesterday.
by María L. Trigos-Gilbert
It’s so difficult to write about the country where I was born while I’m currently living in the U.S.A. This is always hard because it feels as if I’m losing my rights as a Venezuelan citizen. Throughout my life, I have traveled quite a lot, and I have kept my Latin Spaniard spirit within me in spite of many things like the unforgiving results of time and distance. My second trip in the year 2000 to Venezuela was as hectic as it has been every year during the month of December, due to the holidays’ festivities. Yet this time it was different. My cousins and my siblings (including me) debated quite a bit about Mr. Hugo Chávez Frías—the Venezuelan President. There were two teams: one opposing Mr. H. Chávez Frías’ decisions and the other moderately supporting some of his ideas and approaches in the public sector. As you may guess, the debate got rather heated. I, of course, enjoyed it. It reminded me about my childhood when my parents, aunts, and uncles got into huge arguments about politics. You may be thinking that in the U.S.A. people don’t talk about politics because such a subject may be pointless. Well, that’s not the case in Latin America, and a lot less in Venezuela. People love to talk about politics. Venezuelans do get into heated conversations with great fluidity.
by María L. Trigos-Gilbert
It seems as if I’m “predestined” to live in an airplane (always traveling during the holidays). Last December I spent Christmas by myself in one of Florida’s airports. Of course, the idea was to travel to spend Christmas with my parents and siblings. Isn’t that ironic? That’s to say I got there after Christmas. Take note: Christmas in Venezuela is celebrated the 24th of December, instead of the 25th. Back to the point, my flights’ arrangements were very disturbed due to Venezuela’s flood in Vargas State (besides others states).
by María L. Trigos-Gilbert
I must confess that this month’s article has not been an easy task for me. The reasons are numerous: family, work, college, and the USA. Each has played a part in this month’s article because all of it is part of my life. You may say the same thing is going on your side, so here we are trying to put everything in place, and doing so on time and out of time. I know that I may sound a bit philosophical, though I do not have such intention. Since we have touched base, let me start with the subject in matter: The 3rd Party Generation.
by Peggy Kumke
Anyway, life is good. I love my new me. I have really been working on improving who I am so that I can look in the mirror and be proud of me and who I am becoming. I no longer fix dinners. I relax after work in my recliner.
by Peggy Kumke
Do you have a teenager? If you have children you sooner or later will understand what it is like to live with them. Teens are so different from most people. They live in a different world. I know this because I have teenagers.
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