Yesterday was an awesome day. We put on our Train the Trainer workshop for about 15 volunteer & paid staff of the Fresno (Calif) Air National Guard. Quite often we only get about 6 hours, including lunch, to put on a 6-7 hour workshop and are pressed to get everything in that we feel is important to prepare the participants to use the curriculum, not only to train other trainers, but to teach kids, teens and parents. We were given 8 hours to present, so with breaks and lunch we were able to get through the program without giving up any content.
I am so very impressed with the people that are connected to the "Guard". They are intuitive, dedicated and sharp. This was only the first of several trainings we will be putting on over the next couple of months up and down California and it was a great start.
There were meaninful questions and thought provoking ideas brought out that will help as I continue to hone and fine tune the curriculum with additional material to make it even better. Another thing I love about the Guard is that they recognize the incredible value of using teenagers to cross-age and peer train. I always love to meet and work with teens that have the drive to do something beside just listen to their ipods and text back and forth to friends. I met two such young ladies that just impressed the heck out of me and I don't impress that easily.
It was tiring, because we were on stage for a longer period of time than usual, but at the same time it was invigorating and kept the adrenalin pumping all day.
Sitting in church today the speakers were talking about having a thankful heart and how important it is to have that kind of attitude not just during these holidays, but all the time. It made me revisit the things I'm thankful for. The list is so great it would take a book to put it all in, but I have to say that while I sometimes get upset with the parts of our government that need major fixing, I am ever so thankful to live in a land that is free. Free to speak our minds, free to rise up, free to make mistakes and free to practice whatever form of religion we individually believe in. I am also grateful for those men and women who fight tirelessly to keep our country from the falling prey to changes in our constitution that would bring tyranny, socialistim and other such changes to our bear in our country.
I think most people accept that there is a "higher power", whether they call it God, Allah, Buddah, Mohammed, or something else. As for those who don't believe, they have the freedom to practice that unbelief as well. As for me, I thank my God every day for having been given the gifts I have; For not being afraid to speak out for those who can't speak for themselves. For, even as an "old dog" (as in old dogs can learn new tricks), being able to learn how to use a computer, use the internet, create websites, and now stumble my way through Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and blogging with literally no training. I am forever grateful having felt the call to create S.A.F..E. Network and begin this past decade's journey into child sex abuse prevention. I am also grateful for the numberless organizations and individuals who speak out for, and work on behalf of, those children who are being abducted, assaulted, abused and exploited in all the hideous ways that man can conjure up. People who are fighting to find them, free them, and bring them back home to those who love and care about them.
I am so very grateful for a father and mother who were my biggest fans no matter what I attempted, and each time something failed, was encouraged to keep trying. My husband and children have been my cheering section, although there were times when the kids weren't too sure about mom's mission, they supported me anyway.
My greatest thanks have to go out though, to God and my husband. God for all the reasons I mentioned above, even more, for having given me the most tremendous gift that I could have ever asked for. A man who wanted a companion, partner, lover and best friend who could walk beside him hand in hand facing all challenges as equal partners. That is what he has been for the past 26 years, and continues to be even now. The challenges we have faced together could have and often do tear couples apart. All they did was bring us closer together. I love and adore him for having the faith in me to walk this incredible journey with me and never once complain.
As I reflect on the season. I understand that there are many different ideas on the "reason for the season". As a Christian I also appreciate and respect the many other idealogies that other faiths and peoples have and am glad that they can find other things to celebrate that are just as important to them as Christmas is to me. One common thread that I believe weaves its way through all of our various celebrations is that we all believe in celebrating life, the gift of family and the power that mankind has to change things for the better.
We are in a time when there is much strife in the world. Wars are raging; Soldiers are dying or coming home injured; the actions of some governments , including our own here in the U.S. are being questioned by their people; yet, we still keep moving forward with faith and courage and the knowledge that tomorrow is an open clean slate who's experiences have yet to be written.
It is my holiday wish and prayer that those of us fighting in the war against our children will never falter, never give up, never feel that it is hopeless. Because for every child that comes home, for every child that is set free from any sort of bondage, every child that no longer has to fear the footsteps coming down the hall, we have met the day's foe and beat them back ..... one child at a time.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and if I don't get a chance to write again before the big day, my prayer is that your holiday will be filled with warmth, family and joy.
