Craig and I haven't traveled this past year. It's been a rough one financially; with a job loss, a child's wedding, college tuition, etc. But I believe that traveling is good for the soul and so, despite limited funds, suggested we plan a trip to Colorado at the end of the month. My rationale was we survived the wedding hoopla and hadn't yet celebrated our 30th anniversary. We deserve this. We can watch our spending this month and do the trip budget style.
Although Kansas borders Colorado, we live on the other side of the state, making any trip to the mountains a minimum of 8 hours. Depending on where you plan to go, the drive can be upwards of 15 hours. Our plan was to visit my brother's horse ranch and then head to the closest mountain resort, which in this case is Estes Park. Estes is not one of my favorite Colorado towns but it's one of the closest and within an hour of the ranch. And, the Rockies are the Rockies, whether you're in Estes or Aspen. We thought we could pack a cooler with food and beverages, find a reasonably priced hotel and just enjoy the mountain air, sight see for wildlife, take a hike or two and then come on home.
We haven't road tripped in a long time. I was imagining books on tape, stops in funny little towns, eating at local diners and just enjoying some time away. The Rocky Mountains compete with any astounding scenery in the world. And, though Colorado is the home of my birth and I've visited many, many times, I've never been there in the fall. I was looking forward to this getaway.
Interesting how things can change when other options present themselves! A couple days ago, Craig decided to peruse an airline employee website for cheap cruise specials. And, boy, were they cheap. Cheaper than driving to our adjoining state with a cooler full of food. I was pretty surprised.
Now, I know, for many people cruising is the way to vacation. But I grew up in a family of travel snobs. Despite growing up in small town middle America, the maternal generations before me had spent much of their lives living overseas and had traveled the world. My mom's snobbery rubbed off on her children as well as my dad.
Growing up, we experienced many weekend getaways to unusual spots in the Midwest. Our summer childhoods were spent traveling to my Grandparent's in California. We didn't stop at the usual destinations on the way. We would find ourselves camping on Indian reservations and learning how the Navajo lived. Or, driving deep into New Mexico to eat in a hundreds year old restaurant, well off the beaten path. Before we flew the coop, they made sure we'd seen Europe. While many of my friend's parents took their offspring on cruises as ways to celebrate big anniversaries, my parents, took us through the southwest by train to one of their favorite American cities- Santa Fe, New Mexico. Anyone who's visited knows this city is definitely pretty culturally advanced.
You really couldn't have grown up in my mother's home without being a bit of a travel snob. Some of the places we never considered desirable vacation destinations were: Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Orlando and anywhere on a cruise ship. All popular vacation spots in their own right. People have fabulous vacations in these very spots. I, myself, celebrated a cousin's reunion in Vegas and took my kids on a vacation to Florida. And, while these spots are fine and can be quite entertaining, as a result of my upbringing, they just aren't among my top desired vacation destinations.
So, when Craig suggest we try this cruise thing, I was hesitant. I am not a sun person, I don't love Miami. I've been to Mexico several times. I just wasn't sure this was something I preferred over the Colorado road trip. But... it is something we've never done, so we booked it. Everyone I know loves cruising. Why wouldn't we?
This is truly a last minute trip. We leave in a couple weeks and like the Colorado trip, we will be doing this spending as little money as possible. This is, simply put, a last minute getaway. Craig has limited vacation time, so we will only go for 4 nights. We will be sleeping in an inside room (I'd much prefer a balcony room). But hey, if we like the overall experience and want to take advantage of the cheap fares, we can plan further ahead next time and go for the room upgrade.
Because it's a short trip, we only go to one port, Cozumel. I haven't been there but I've spent time in other Mexican resort towns and so have a good idea what to expect. I like Mexico a lot. I love the people and the culture. I like staying in Mexican resort towns, getting pampered, eating and drinking too much. So, I'm pretty sure I'll like Cozumel.
A couple nights ago my daughter Paige and her BF were over for dinner. We were discussing traveling and threw out the question. Where are the top five places in the world you would like to visit? These are my choices:
I must see India before I die. My mother and her mother both grew up there.
I would like to experience the Galapagos Islands. The older I get the more I love sea life and wildlife. Both of which are in abundance on these unusual islands.
I want to eat amazing food in Italy.
I want to stay in a white washed seaside inn in Greece.
And, I'd love to visit either New Zealand or Australia.
(Hard to stop at five. If I hadn't limited myself I would add Africa and SouthEast Asia to this list.)
Makes me think about all the places I want to visit (or visit again) in the United States:
I must return to Maine, one of my favorite states in this great country of ours. Maybe a trip up the northern seaboard on our way to Maine. I haven't spent much time in the northeast.
I want to visit Savannah, GA., go on a ghost tour and visit plantations from a time past.
I would like to see San Francisco, then rent a car and tour wine country.
I want to go back to Yellowstone National Park. I remember a trip there as a child and the delight I had over seeing the bears and the springs and Old Faithful.
I'd like to go to northern Michigan or Minnesota and spend time in a cabin on a clear lake, reading, walking and cooking freshly caught fish.
I want to take Craig to New York City and show him all the sappy sites and see a Broadway show.
In the meantime, I'm going cruising from Miami to a Mexican resort town.
How cliche... (At least we don't have to do the diet thing, traditional for any kind of upcoming ocean trip- no time!)
VSL
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Health Care Reform- A Moral Duty
I want to tell a story about a little girl who had the misfortune of being born into a family who lacked the parenting skills necessary to raise her well. Despite poverty, neglect and the lack of a loving, supportive family, this child was the first in her family to graduate high school and attend college.
I believe one of the reasons she was able to succeed was because she was enrolled in her local Big Brothers Big Sisters program and was selected by not one, but two loving, adult mentors. Her first Big Sister moved far away when K. was around 10 and she was then matched to a family, a family that continues to this day to provide love, support and encouragement. This family is my sister's and K. has become a part of our extended family. She has attended holiday celebrations, family events and mourned with us over the loss of my nephew, whom she considered a brother.
When K. was in elementary school she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Her little body had already been badly battered by this terrible disease. Due to a lack of insurance and proper medical care, K.'s pediatrician believes she has lost 15-20 years of her life. A loss that was not necessary had she had proper medical treatment. The details of this atrocity are many and I will spare you them but understand it is due to a health care system that is broken and unjust.
Wednesday night I sat with my husband to hear what our President had to say about Health Care reform in America. I support President Obama's Health Care plan. It makes sense to me. It seems rational. To tell the truth, I'm not sure it goes far enough. However, I do understand the need for compromise. At this point any steps forward would be better than the situation our country is in today.
I was appalled at the behavior by some of the conservatives in attendance. I believe that wherever your opinions lie, it is fundamentally important to respect the office of President of the United States. But, even more important at this time and place in our American history is Health Care reform. I don't think anyone denies it is imperative we fix this broken system. Not only for children like K. but for the millions of working Americans who have been savaged by our current health care system.
There is an undercurrent of hatred in America that is truly frightening me. A contingent of Americans determined to undermine our current administration whenever possible. There is no question our Health Care system is broken. No question that reform is imperative. No question Americans hurt and die every day due to insufficient health coverage. The issues lie with how this can be accomplished. President Obama is really taking a very middle road. He is not proposing National Health Care as some of the extreme left would prefer, nor is he giving into the pressures of the huge insurance conglomerates and the extreme right. I agree with Senator Kennedy that this is a moral issue, an issue of character and one we can no longer put off.
The United States of America is the only wealthy nation on earth who allows such hardship for millions of people. One in three Americans goes without insurance at some point in their life. Craig and I have been very fortunate that he has always worked for large corporations who provided insurance coverage options. Our children grew up having no idea that this was such a privilege. We lived in a kind of bubble of unawareness, passing through the years with prescription cards, free well child visits, minimal co-pays and the ability to undergo any health related tests deemed important by our primary physician.
It wasn't until our children graduated from college and their insurance was cut off that we became aware of how many in America live. And it scared us. It was imperative that they find jobs with benefits. For our eldest, Paige, this hit home when a month after graduation, she came down with a serious virus and had to go to the doctor. Several hundred dollars later she learned how important insurance coverage is and the hard fact that in America, unless you are rich, you can't afford medical care without it. Craig and I obtained catastrophic coverage for both girls during this interim and were fortunate that they both landed jobs with insurance benefits shortly after graduation.
After three semesters of college, our youngest decided college wasn't for him at this time. We explained to him the importance of insurance coverage, that if he drops out of school, he gets dropped from our insurance plan. We explained that if he requires a hospital stay it could prove to be devastating financially. Guess what? Young, healthy men don't really want to use their hard earned small incomes on something that isn't tangible.
Eventually, Craig and I decided we couldn't risk his being uninsured and we are currently paying his premiums. With my job loss, a wedding under the belt and bills to pay, it's a stretch for us but we just can not allow him to go uninsured. Like most parents, I WOULD DO ANYTHING TO SAVE MY CHILD'S LIFE. If my child was uninsured and needing expensive medical care and denied it, I'd be that parent out selling raffle tickets and conducting bake sales to provide quality health care for my loved one. I'd be that parent begging everyone I know for help. A bizarre scenario in a country as wealthy as our own.
It goes without saying that many of our nation's poor slip through the cracks. Medicaid fills some of their needs but typically we see them in emergency rooms. We all pay for the costs of these visits. An affordable public option would cut costs for all of us. I come from a family that believes in helping those less fortunate. Insuring the poor of our nation is a moral obligation.
What I am selfishly more concerned with is my world of middle America. It's the hardship stories of working Americans that scares me most. People who've worked all their lives and through no fault of their own are stricken with a prolonged illness that reaches an annual cap, leaving them bankrupt and financially devastated. I'm talking about those working Americans who lose their job or choose to change jobs and suddenly find themselves denied insurance due to a pre-existing condition. My 24-year-old working niece is unable to obtain insurance due to a pre-existing condition. Her parents have tried all avenues to get her covered. One serious car accident or diagnosis and all they've worked for could be lost.
The current American Health Care system spends 1.5 times more per person than any other country, but we are no healthier. This is a fact. Scare tactics that are being spread around our nation are a result of bi-partisan politics. They are the result of insurance companies pressures on their elected officials. They are the result of hatred for a new and different President. They are the result of ignorance and denial and immorality. They are so ridiculous, they don't bear repeating or defending. Any intelligent human being on this earth should recognize subversion when they see it.
Now here is the truth about the bill President Obama proposes:
-If you have insurance coverage, you will not have to change your coverage or your doctor.
-Insurance companies will not be allowed to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.
-Insurance companies will not be able to deny coverage with annual or lifetime "caps".
-This bill will limit out of pocket expenses. (No one should go broke because you get sick.)
-Insurance companies will be required to cover wellness tests like: mammograms and colonoscopies.
Congress needs to set aside their differences and join together to create a bill that will effectively change our Health Care System. President Obama's goals are simple: provide security and stability for those who have insurance (no sudden bogus dropping you from your plan), provide insurance for those who don't have it (perhaps a public option) and a slow growth of insurance costs (which are skyrocketing).
My limited understanding of the Republicans obtuseness, their outrage, their unwillingness to move forward and compromise is that they want to see clearer guidelines for medical mal-practice included in the bill and they are concerned the proposal will cost too much. So compromise. Figure it out. It's been done before. Look at our history: folks balked at medicare and social security, yet I don't know a single senior American who isn't grateful for those government programs now. Programs for which I hope are still in existence when I reach 65.
Much of the change won't occur for four years but if this bill is passed, it will immediately provide coverage to those who don't have it. Think of the people you know, the friends, acquaintances and loved ones who are suffering due to lack of insurance. Call your congressman and your senator and plead with them to find a way to make this change happen. Past administrations have tried. I pray that this administration will finally accomplish it.
Let your voice be heard. (Loud and Clear)
Do it today.
VSL
I believe one of the reasons she was able to succeed was because she was enrolled in her local Big Brothers Big Sisters program and was selected by not one, but two loving, adult mentors. Her first Big Sister moved far away when K. was around 10 and she was then matched to a family, a family that continues to this day to provide love, support and encouragement. This family is my sister's and K. has become a part of our extended family. She has attended holiday celebrations, family events and mourned with us over the loss of my nephew, whom she considered a brother.
When K. was in elementary school she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Her little body had already been badly battered by this terrible disease. Due to a lack of insurance and proper medical care, K.'s pediatrician believes she has lost 15-20 years of her life. A loss that was not necessary had she had proper medical treatment. The details of this atrocity are many and I will spare you them but understand it is due to a health care system that is broken and unjust.
Wednesday night I sat with my husband to hear what our President had to say about Health Care reform in America. I support President Obama's Health Care plan. It makes sense to me. It seems rational. To tell the truth, I'm not sure it goes far enough. However, I do understand the need for compromise. At this point any steps forward would be better than the situation our country is in today.
I was appalled at the behavior by some of the conservatives in attendance. I believe that wherever your opinions lie, it is fundamentally important to respect the office of President of the United States. But, even more important at this time and place in our American history is Health Care reform. I don't think anyone denies it is imperative we fix this broken system. Not only for children like K. but for the millions of working Americans who have been savaged by our current health care system.
There is an undercurrent of hatred in America that is truly frightening me. A contingent of Americans determined to undermine our current administration whenever possible. There is no question our Health Care system is broken. No question that reform is imperative. No question Americans hurt and die every day due to insufficient health coverage. The issues lie with how this can be accomplished. President Obama is really taking a very middle road. He is not proposing National Health Care as some of the extreme left would prefer, nor is he giving into the pressures of the huge insurance conglomerates and the extreme right. I agree with Senator Kennedy that this is a moral issue, an issue of character and one we can no longer put off.
The United States of America is the only wealthy nation on earth who allows such hardship for millions of people. One in three Americans goes without insurance at some point in their life. Craig and I have been very fortunate that he has always worked for large corporations who provided insurance coverage options. Our children grew up having no idea that this was such a privilege. We lived in a kind of bubble of unawareness, passing through the years with prescription cards, free well child visits, minimal co-pays and the ability to undergo any health related tests deemed important by our primary physician.
It wasn't until our children graduated from college and their insurance was cut off that we became aware of how many in America live. And it scared us. It was imperative that they find jobs with benefits. For our eldest, Paige, this hit home when a month after graduation, she came down with a serious virus and had to go to the doctor. Several hundred dollars later she learned how important insurance coverage is and the hard fact that in America, unless you are rich, you can't afford medical care without it. Craig and I obtained catastrophic coverage for both girls during this interim and were fortunate that they both landed jobs with insurance benefits shortly after graduation.
After three semesters of college, our youngest decided college wasn't for him at this time. We explained to him the importance of insurance coverage, that if he drops out of school, he gets dropped from our insurance plan. We explained that if he requires a hospital stay it could prove to be devastating financially. Guess what? Young, healthy men don't really want to use their hard earned small incomes on something that isn't tangible.
Eventually, Craig and I decided we couldn't risk his being uninsured and we are currently paying his premiums. With my job loss, a wedding under the belt and bills to pay, it's a stretch for us but we just can not allow him to go uninsured. Like most parents, I WOULD DO ANYTHING TO SAVE MY CHILD'S LIFE. If my child was uninsured and needing expensive medical care and denied it, I'd be that parent out selling raffle tickets and conducting bake sales to provide quality health care for my loved one. I'd be that parent begging everyone I know for help. A bizarre scenario in a country as wealthy as our own.
It goes without saying that many of our nation's poor slip through the cracks. Medicaid fills some of their needs but typically we see them in emergency rooms. We all pay for the costs of these visits. An affordable public option would cut costs for all of us. I come from a family that believes in helping those less fortunate. Insuring the poor of our nation is a moral obligation.
What I am selfishly more concerned with is my world of middle America. It's the hardship stories of working Americans that scares me most. People who've worked all their lives and through no fault of their own are stricken with a prolonged illness that reaches an annual cap, leaving them bankrupt and financially devastated. I'm talking about those working Americans who lose their job or choose to change jobs and suddenly find themselves denied insurance due to a pre-existing condition. My 24-year-old working niece is unable to obtain insurance due to a pre-existing condition. Her parents have tried all avenues to get her covered. One serious car accident or diagnosis and all they've worked for could be lost.
The current American Health Care system spends 1.5 times more per person than any other country, but we are no healthier. This is a fact. Scare tactics that are being spread around our nation are a result of bi-partisan politics. They are the result of insurance companies pressures on their elected officials. They are the result of hatred for a new and different President. They are the result of ignorance and denial and immorality. They are so ridiculous, they don't bear repeating or defending. Any intelligent human being on this earth should recognize subversion when they see it.
Now here is the truth about the bill President Obama proposes:
-If you have insurance coverage, you will not have to change your coverage or your doctor.
-Insurance companies will not be allowed to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.
-Insurance companies will not be able to deny coverage with annual or lifetime "caps".
-This bill will limit out of pocket expenses. (No one should go broke because you get sick.)
-Insurance companies will be required to cover wellness tests like: mammograms and colonoscopies.
Congress needs to set aside their differences and join together to create a bill that will effectively change our Health Care System. President Obama's goals are simple: provide security and stability for those who have insurance (no sudden bogus dropping you from your plan), provide insurance for those who don't have it (perhaps a public option) and a slow growth of insurance costs (which are skyrocketing).
My limited understanding of the Republicans obtuseness, their outrage, their unwillingness to move forward and compromise is that they want to see clearer guidelines for medical mal-practice included in the bill and they are concerned the proposal will cost too much. So compromise. Figure it out. It's been done before. Look at our history: folks balked at medicare and social security, yet I don't know a single senior American who isn't grateful for those government programs now. Programs for which I hope are still in existence when I reach 65.
Much of the change won't occur for four years but if this bill is passed, it will immediately provide coverage to those who don't have it. Think of the people you know, the friends, acquaintances and loved ones who are suffering due to lack of insurance. Call your congressman and your senator and plead with them to find a way to make this change happen. Past administrations have tried. I pray that this administration will finally accomplish it.
Let your voice be heard. (Loud and Clear)
Do it today.
VSL
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
After Thoughts On A Perfect Wedding
A friend once told me that her daughter's wedding day was the happiest day of her life. I thought that was a sweet sentiment but I'd seen the harried parents of the bride and been involved in the frenzy of activities surrounding a wedding and secretly thought the day might just be a bit overwhelming and probably pretty exhausting for the mother of the bride. It's not that I wasn't excited and it's not that I didn't think there would be some pretty special moments but I really was not prepared for the love fest that occurred.
You see, my daughter's wedding was pretty damn perfect. The universe conspired to create perfect weather, an orange full moon, country air, a wonderful mix of wedding guests and a bride and groom in love and enjoying every single moment.
Yes, it was hectic. Looking back I find myself wishing I had spent more time with those who had traveled far. I wish I could have been everywhere at once and been a part of every special moment that occurred. But even though it did pass in a blur, I was absolutely euphoric. My friend was right. My daughter's wedding day was definitely one of the best of my life and I can now anticipate the same for my other children.
This aftermath is strange though, I am feeling a bit unsettled, even a bit upset that it is all over. You would think I would be exhausted after five days of wedding festivities but I wish I could turn back the clock, do it all again, only in slow motion.
Some Highlights:
-Tucking my grown daughters into bed the night before, feeling gleeful and anticipatory.
-Waking the morning of the wedding with the excitement one feels as a child at Christmas.
-Craig singing "Going To The Chapel" as Ali left the house.
-Gathering at my sister's house while the bridesmaids had their hair done.
-High fiving with Craig as we drove to the church, feeling some disbelief that the day was actually here and the moment had arrived.
-The arrival of friends and loved ones at the church. Some I hadn't seen in years.
-My joyous walk down the aisle on the arm of my son.
-Ali and her father making it down the aisle without Craig breaking down. Ali beaming the entire way.
-My father officiating the ceremony in the same church Craig and I were married in 30 years ago.
-My eldest daughter singing The Lord's Prayer as the setting sun broke through the stain glass as though God was blessing this happy occasion.
-Giving my new son-in-law his first "Vicky Kiss" at the end of the ceremony. (I'm told I kiss hard when I am feeling especially affectionate!)
-Watching Ali and Paul arrive at the reception site via horse and buggy.
-The full orange moon shining on the reception.
-Dancing, Dancing, Dancing- young and old alike.
-Hugs and laughter and a beaming bride and groom.
We were truly blessed. Blessed with no real glitches, blessed with friends and family in attendance but most of all blessed with a new son-in-law who is truly stellar. It's strange to add a new member to the family. I knew I really liked him but it didn't really, really hit me until the wedding day. As I looked at Paul, I realized I just love him. I love him because he is such a great guy, I love him because he loves my daughter, I love him because he will be a forever part of our future, I love him because he will be the father of my grandchildren. It may seem odd to acknowledge that feeling because surely it's a normal reaction but I don't always think it's a given and I was thrilled to feel that in a deep and abiding way.
All in all it was a perfect wedding. And while I am sure most mothers of the bride feel the same, I'm just saying... this really was amazingly, intoxicatingly, blessedly perfect.
Sigh...
VSL
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)