The Wall.

Earlier today I had words and thoughts exploding out of my head. I couldn't wait to sit down and write. And now here I am just after 8:30pm at night finally sitting down with a cup of peppermint tea and a box of kleenex for both my super runny nose and the tears that don't seem to stop falling.

The Wall. Today President Trump announced that funding for the Mexico-U.S. border wall will begin. And funding for sanctuary cities will be stopped. The latter is already being challenged as unconstitutional. I posted two articles by Dr. Reece Jones, my good friend, to my FB page and also added the link the the HBO documentary, The Fence.

I see my students. I see those who are here without papers. It is not because they are bad people or because they want to break the law. These beautiful young humans are here because they were running for their lives. I have so much to say, but lack the ability to be coherent anymore today.

The inherent racism that this wall represents is horrifying. How do others not see this? Where is the demand for a wall between U.S. and Canada? This is not for safety. This is not even economic. It is simply a fear tactic and a xenophobic measure that denies our plurality and ignores the value of multiculturalism. I am appalled and so very sad.

The Office

I spent majority of my day in our office. I do kind of love it in here...but I don't love the stack of paperwork that we had let go...for months. I pretty much nailed it today though and even managed to dust some book shelves. I used to buy every single book I read; shunning the library. Then I'd hold onto the books like they helped define me. Well, they kind of do in a way, but then when we moved to England, I was forced to let go. I just couldn't justify keeping boxes and boxes of books. So our stacks are much lighter now and I'm doing a better job of checking books out from the library or borrowing from friends. I'm even getting better about gifting books I do buy to others when they are worth sharing (and most are).

For Christmas, I gave my mom, sister, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law the book, Waking Up White, by Debbie Irving. If you are a white Christian woman who has grown up in the U.S., I highly recommend this book. I think it's great for guys too; I just knew it would be perfect for the women I shared it with. I'm hoping to keep passing it on...but I've already given away my copy to a friend.

I'm going to check out from the office now. I've got an empty Spotted Cow beer in front of me and a pile of laundry waiting for me in my bedroom. Tomorrow beckons. 

Marcus

I woke up today unable to move my neck. I couldn't sleep for a good portion of the night either, so I called the local Massage Envy as I'm a member and got the first available appointment: 10:00am. I was in such pain and I was even worried that the massage would do more harm than good since I didn't know the cause. Granted, I have slept in four different beds in the past week and driven hours and hours with shouting kids in the backseat, so...there's that.
Marcus was a miracle worker. The lactic acid pockets were expelled and I walked out a new woman. Still sore, but not with the pain and immobility as before.
But even more profound than Marcus's great massage work is his story. He served two tours in the armed services and in the latter, his team came upon an IED. It did some major damage and Marcus has been through 25+ surgeries and was "drugged up" by the recommendation of VA. Marcus said he finally realized he had a choice in his life and stopped taking all forms of medications. He found peace in massage therapy as he is able to help others in a one-on-one setting with the calm of dim lights and quiet music to surround him. He says he has an uphill battle, but becoming a massage therapist was life-saving. I couldn't get over the contrasts in his life and how open he was with me about them.
These are the moments for which I am thankful. I am thankful for Marcus. For his service to the U.S.. For his understanding of self. And for the care he offered me mere moments after meeting me.

Welcome 2017

Originally I posted my New Year's resolution here...but I'm editing this post a few months later b/c my resolution to write a blog, no matter how short, every day failed within a week's time. Boo!

Nevertheless, please enjoy our 2016 Schutz Family Holiday Video.