I can’t remember how many Thanksgiving dinners I have cooked in my lifetime, but it’s close to forty out of the forty-three years Frank and I have been married. I’ve got it down to a science. I cooked my first turkey less than two weeks after we were married. We had just moved from Pennsylvania to the army base in Lawton, Oklahoma, and were far away from any family. I roasted a twelve pound turkey, and learned that my new husband could gobble leftover turkey six days in a row and love every bite.
Frank spent three months learning how to call in artillery fire before leaving for Viet Nam. The next year I spent the holiday with my parents while Frank fought in the war. We have spent Thanksgiving together ever since.
We raised our five kids quite a distance from grandparents, aunts and uncles, and so we often celebrated without benefit of extended family. Now we have lots of grandkids, and I’m happy to say, we get to spend Thanksgiving with our own extended family. When I’m feeling stressed about shopping, cooking and the holiday rush that begins in November, I try to remember that it’s not about turkey. It’s about family.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Penn State Tragedy: A Week Like No Other
My husband, Frank, who is the Pennsylvania Police Commissioner, stepped out of his room at the Nittany Lion Inn on Friday morning when a surreal sight stopped him. At each doorway lay a complimentary copy of USA Today. As he walked down the hall, the headline, “Victim One,” repeated over and over like a silent cry.
Frank spent Thursday night in State College because rioting broke out on the campus the night before. By the next day, sentiment changed from anger over Joe Paterno’s firing, to compassion for the victims. A candlelight vigil demonstrated that.
To say that this week has been shocking, sad, and horrific would be an understatement. Our prayers go out to the victims, the students of Penn State, and those involved in the scandal.
No one was more surprised than Frank to see his remarks about the moral obligation to report child abuse race across the nation like a giant tsunami. Those words echoed the sentiments of a grieving public.
But in every tragedy, God provides the opportunity for healing. I believe people will be more willing to report abuse, and legislators will propose new laws. Penn State can be reborn as a better university with higher standards. Already, the Penn State community has shown that compassion for the victims rises higher than football.
But this story will not go away. “Victim One” will cry in the halls of justice until justice is done.
Frank spent Thursday night in State College because rioting broke out on the campus the night before. By the next day, sentiment changed from anger over Joe Paterno’s firing, to compassion for the victims. A candlelight vigil demonstrated that.
To say that this week has been shocking, sad, and horrific would be an understatement. Our prayers go out to the victims, the students of Penn State, and those involved in the scandal.
No one was more surprised than Frank to see his remarks about the moral obligation to report child abuse race across the nation like a giant tsunami. Those words echoed the sentiments of a grieving public.
But in every tragedy, God provides the opportunity for healing. I believe people will be more willing to report abuse, and legislators will propose new laws. Penn State can be reborn as a better university with higher standards. Already, the Penn State community has shown that compassion for the victims rises higher than football.
But this story will not go away. “Victim One” will cry in the halls of justice until justice is done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)