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How Many Observed?

How many observed which one of your friends cheered the executive action taken by Obama this week? The day after, out of my 592 friends on Facebook, there were 27 posts regarding it. Twenty were negative, suggesting that the US was now part of Mexico, that unemployment and crime would go up or that Obama was Muslim (yes, still with this nonsense). Seven posts were in favor. Two were die hard liberals and then there were the five friends who posted...no comments, just a post. All Irish immigrants. All who have moved here and gained citizenship in the past two or three years. What does it say when those born and who spent more than half their lives in another country, show more patriotism and pride than most of us born here? Regardless of your views, you have to start questioning one who claims to be pro-America, who is against the principals the country was founded on. My Irish friends seem to understand.

That friend, whose skin is so thin, that any comment regarding their appearance, sends them either scurrying into their rabbit hole or releases a rant about how people need to respect their bodies, their choices and their life. Who notices when this friend has post after post remarking on someone's appearance, their beliefs or their musical preferences? Their choice of clothes, religion or haircuts? Their team affiliation, their food likes and dislikes or their mode of transportation. The hypocrisy is so deep with this person, I'd love two minutes to out them for it. I won't out of respect to those around them, who would then have to make a choice.

Those same people who posted about Buffalo and their "concern," were the first to say "what will happen to me if it snows four to six inches? Why are people so into minor tragedy? People died in Buffalo, but you might have to leave a half hour early to get to Aunt Edna's house. The world might just stop. Or you do what so many of us do. You sit down with your family and have a quiet Thanksgiving and you get together with the rest at your convenience and theirs. Isn't that what being thankful is about?

The multitude of stories of this business or individual doing right by others? While media centers on the atrocities and the lack of humanity, if you look carefully, you'll see the guy at the supermarket buying seven or eight of the smaller turkeys. Ever ask this guy or girl why so many? It's usually a quick story. The church, temple, center, hospital or other giving group. It's usually to guarantee that someone else gets what we all take for granted. I seek those stories, because I know that night I will probably tear up, thinking about those who can't sit down and be thankful for something as simple as a meal with someone they love.

Did anyone notice how calm the rain was tonight. Well at least where I was. I learned a new word today, pluviophile. Someone who finds joy and peace of mind on rainy days. I adore the rain and I pray for it nearly every day. It's when I feel the most alive and when I want to go out. Is it me being contrary or is it because I know I have those parts of the world that everyone avoids to myself. Have you ever went swimming in the rain. It's one of the most wonderful things ever, but most run for shelter, leaving the lake, pool or ocean, because why? They don't want to get wet?

How many observed someone else's happiness this weekend and were content with knowing that's all that matters? How many read a note or e-mail from someone else about their happiness and it made their day? How many struggled to walk, to stand and chat, without wincing in pain, but then forgot all about it, because of one sentence that made them laugh? Everyone will ask you what you are thankful for and honestly, if they're truly my friend, I'll ask them what they are and when their done, I'll say "I'm thankful for those things."

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