The Past Makes Me Smile ...

Some said I was spoiled growing up and in my younger years that thought bothered me.  But, now, I realize they were right and how lucky I am today that they were right!  You see, there are two definitions of spoiled.  One can be spoiled with material things and one can be spoiled with love.  I was the luckiest child in the world to have been spoiled with love in my family.  Oh, don't get me wrong, we had everything we needed.  A mother that worked diligently to keep our home clean, well fed and happy, along with a dad that worked two jobs, unselfishly, for as long as I can remember, so we would have the necessities we needed to grow in life.  We were a large family.  As the youngest member of that family, I was also given extra attention, as do most youngest siblings in a family.  How lucky was that!  Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled!!  It was great!  I look back now and am so greatful for the family I had when I was young.  Of course now the family has grown so much and remains as wonderful, but my memories stay with the young years and all of those family members that taught me so much in life.

There is something to say about loyalty in family.  Taking care of our parents and the elders in the family has become less "fashionable" in today's world.  Adults have busy lives and don't want to be bothered by an aging parent.  There is so much involved emotionally and physically.  Well, too bad!  This is what family is about.  We don't put our parents away in facilities other than our homes so our lives are not disrupted!  Of course, we all know there are exceptions, but, there are also selfish adults that prefer not to worry about their own parents.  NOT IN MY FAMILY!  It doesn't work that way, no way.  We take care of our own and if it means our lives are inconvenienced....oh well.  It is the least we can do for our parents and the elders of the family.  After all, our parents put up with our crap for years as we grew up!  And Lord only knows really how bad it was.  They, at the very least, deserve our attention, so they can be at peace and enjoy their last years with family.  Maybe if we show by example our own children will grow up with a tenderness in their heart for us as parents. 

There is something to be said about the respect that children can learn from watching our interactions with our own parents.  

With that being said, I am grateful that my family put up with me and my young years and as the years have passed and I have gotten older I realize more now than ever how I have been surrounded my entire life with a family that has loved me unconditionally and with great intensity.  My own parents, upstanding members of the community and church have spent their entire lives devoted to their family.  They have made us laugh, love and learn throughout the years.  They have been a wonderful example to me of what family is all about and what parents are all about.  In turn, my children are the light in my life.  They are what gave me peace in life.  It doesn't matter how old they get, those are my children and they will always be my babies.

So, you ask what the purpose of this blog is?  There is one purpose of all of this rambling I have done here.  It is to help everyone remember that our children are our children and as parents the influences we make on them in life carry on with them through their lives.  It doesn't matter how old they get because we get older too.  They remain in our hearts, young.  As did Deputy James (Jimmy) McGrane with his parents.  You see, the public only looks at him as a law enforcement officer, not the child he was to his parents, Jim and Rita and brother to his sister Ida.  People don't see him as someones brother, or someones little boy, they only see his uniform.  The public is so wrapped up in making sure we take care of the rights of criminals in this country, we have forgotten to take care of what is good and what is right.  

I have received several e-mails and only a couple of public responses on my blog, from those of you out there who defend the ACLU and it's actions.  Everyone knows how I feel about the ACLU and it's lack of defense to those who really need it.  I have made it no secret.  Because of my personal beliefs of right and wrong, I lost faith in the ACLU many years ago.  Unless you are a minority, forget asking for you rights to be defended in this country.  If that makes you angry, oh well.  As I told Gary Mitchells "side-kick ", if he was so against the death penalty, why did he wait for Jimmy's death before trying to abolish it.  It has been a law in New Mexico for many many years.  Oh, lets see.......could it be serving his purpose?  I'm tired of the ACLU supporters writing me without anything other than...."poor Gary....he is taking so much criticism". Hey Gary, we don't feel sorry for you.....you know why you took this case and you may have fooled your family and maybe a few members of this community, but you don't fool me. 

I am saddened that the McGrane Family didn't have the backing of the ACLU.  But, they have the backing of their family.  A family that knows the difference between whats right and whats wrong.  A family that stands up with class and honor.  A family that deserves the respect they have received from so many in the community. 

I will never defend the ACLU's actions because of Gary Mitchell, (President of the ACLU NM Chapter)defense attorney.  Sometimes in life we have to make a choice of right and wrong.  Sometimes we stand up for whats right no matter how much publicity we have to give up.  Sometimes we just have to do what is right and forget our personal gain.  Unfortunately, the ACLU has lost the original purpose of it's existance.  Sad.

For those of that would like to read her comments, you can find them on my past blog called ACLU.  

Love to my family!  

"Fred"  you touched my life and entered my heart years ago....and there you will remain!  Love ya!

Jim and Rita....you know Jimmy is smiling at his mom and dad and how successful they have become as public speakers!!!