November thanksgiving 1: financial stability

Rebecca at Rebecca Writes has declared November "gratitude month" on her blog, and invited readers to follow suit.* I am going to take her up on it. (It is good for one's character, and might reduce blogging time a little, and give me time to work on my lengthy to-do list.)

With the advent of cooler weather, the furnace goes on, and the humidity in the house goes down. The dry air causes our son to have sinus problems, resulting in difficulty getting to sleep, and late nights all around. We had a humidifier put on the furnace of our old house, but our current house (since last February) doesn't have one. I just called a relative, who owns a heating and cooling business, to arrange for the installation of a humidifier on our furnace. I am thankful we are able to afford to have this done. I know that financial stability is not something to take for granted; we could lose it tomorrow. We have it today, and I am thankful.

*Her choice is intriguing. She lives in the Yukon, where Thanksgiving is in October. She is originally from the U.S., and just recently became a citizen of Canada. I'm wondering if she's homesick a little homesick for her old November holiday. We'll share. :-)

Homing, October 2005
(for Rosa Louise McCauley Parks
February 4, 1913- October 24, 2005)

Interview with Douglas Gresham

Check out Christianity Today's web site for an interview with Douglas Gresham, C.S. Lewis's stepson. Gresham has been working as a consultant on Disney's filming of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and has just finished another book on Lewis, Jack's Life.

CT: You've said, "Jack was the finest man and the best Christian I've ever known." Why do you feel that way?
Gresham: Jack was a man who was always available, and I think this is the crux of Christianity. We all tend to read complex Christian books analyzing the Scriptures, analyzing the various doctrines. And all that does is complicate the issues. God sent down all his rules and regulations; they were ignored. He sent the prophets; they were ignored. Jesus came down himself to tell us how to live real human lives, and he was ignored. Since then, scholars have written critical and analytical things about the Scriptures. But C. S. Lewis wrote in his books, This is how to do what Jesus taught. His message is, "Stop talking about it, stop studying it, just get out there and do Christianity." Jack did it.

ADDED: Don't miss part two: Narnia Comes to Life.

Tree in October, Holmes County, 2005

South side hitman 2: Joy in the Windy City!

Yahoo! Hope Shoeless Joe Jackson was watching. After 88 years of waiting, it tasted good.

Recent visitors by world map

Has site meter always had the world map feature, or is it new? If you use site meter, you can go into it, look under the recent visitors options, can click on "by world map," and see a photographic view of the continents, with little bullets locating your visitors. Most of mine are from the United States, but a few days ago, I had dots on Spain and the eastern side of central Africa. (I think some of these people must cruise through clicking that "next blog" feature in the upper right hand corner of Blogger.) Now I see two from Western Europe and one from Australia have been here; that might be Scotwise. It's a small world, after all.

South Side Hitmen

Kenneth Dickerman for the New York Times
A bronze lion flanking the entrance to the Art Institute in downtown Chicago now sports a White Sox cap.

The Chicago White Sox are two games away from their first World Series championship in 88 years.

Several weeks ago, when we were in south Chicago on a Sunday, my husband's aunt taught a children's Sunday School class. The lesson was part of a series on the Ten Commandments. That day's study focused on "You shall have no other gods before me." To get the idea across to the children, she told them that they should not worship the Chicago White Sox above God.

These children of Dutch immigrants* take their baseball seriously. It's more than a sport. It's about class and identity. From the New York Times:

The last time the Sox went to a World Series was 1959, and they have not won since 1917. Across town, the Cubs made it to the series in 1945, and they won it most recently almost a century ago, in 1908.

. . . .this rivalry, like most, is about more than baseball. It is about perceptions of class and race and heritage on the two sides of Madison Street, the line that splits the city into North and South.

"In truth, I'd say there's no difference between the people that root at either park," said Rob Levoy, a White Sox fan who has moved to the North Side. "But the perception is that the North Side owns the city and the South Side built it."

The hatred," he said, "is real."

And so, South Siders have gone right on moaning that elites crowd into the ivied Wrigley Field caring more about getting tan, talking on cellphones and planning their post-game, North Side bar-hopping than about baseball.

North Siders, meanwhile, gripe that the fans at U.S. Cellular Field (the White Sox park that many here still call Comiskey) are too rough, too wild and inhabit a dismally ugly stadium, whatever its name, in a neighborhood with little to do.

I wouldn't go so far as to use the word "hatred," but emotions run high. My father-in-law has been waiting for the Sox to play in the World Series since their last berth in 1959--my husband, all his life.

I hope the White Sox win, if only to give joy to the children of generations of tall, stoic, frugal, stubborn, work-proud, frequently blonde men hauling garbage --north and south-- day after smelly day, year after year, fueled by bland food, unbending faith, and a sharp and steady sense of humor.

*Many of whom made their living hauling the city's garbage.

Unreached people group

If you have time, check out Christianity Today's Fear Not the Disabled.

In the debate over human embryonic stem cells, Christians are right to defend the humanity and dignity of the embryo. But our well-reasoned words are unlikely to convince people who fear disease and incapacitation if we do not also demonstrate real pro-life compassion for a whole class already here—people with disabilities.
* * * * * *
Whether the law mandates it or not, we should make every reasonable effort, especially as we build new facilities, to remove the physical barriers that keep the disabled from our houses of worship. This means providing curb cuts, ramps, adequate handicapped parking spaces, and doors and aisles wide enough for a wheelchair.* If we don't, they won't come. The disabled and the family members who care for them constitute one of the great unreached groups of our time.**
Just as important as physical accommodation is an attitude that welcomes the physically and mentally challenged with open arms. A church that welcomes the disabled is great, but a bolder step forward is for churches to be inclusive. When people with disabilities are recognized as participants, not as "the needy," we all benefit. Paul reminded the Corinthians that "the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable." The disabled need the church—almost as much as the church needs the disabled.

Many of us over here in the "parallel universe" know this. As a friend who has pushed disability ministry in the church uphill for years says, "The public schools are doing a better job of including people with disabilities than the churches are." Sleepers, awake.

How many times have you seen a person with a significant handicap performing a meaningful task/function in a church?

Relevant link: Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities

*Don't forget those with poor vision and the hearing-impaired.
**Don't forget the doctors, nurses, therapists, aides, social workers, and educators who watch.

Disability Hierarchy

Last week, a discussion arose on the nation e-list (for parents of children with Down syndrome) expressing irritation over the use of words such as "high functioning" and "low functioning" being used to describe/compare children. I am also uncomfortable with the language, but understand professionals use it as a shorthand in some contexts, to save time. However, it undoubtedly causes lowered expectations in many cases. And it is discriminatory. I've never heard a nondisabled person being described as low-functioning. The language has a de-humanizing element. People should be specific about what a person can and cannot do, if they are in a situation where knowing another person's acquired skills is relevant to their job.

For further reading, Tara Marie referred parents to The Disability Hierarchy article in the lastest issue of Disability Is Natural. I don't remember seeing this website before. It links to a number of insightful and thought-provoking articles, including:
Halloween and the Mask of Disability
Disability Awareness vs. Similarity Awareness
When Is a Disability Not a Disability
Community Leadership for Inclusion
The Magic (and Lessons) of Movies
When Less Is More
Why Do We Have Parallel Worlds?
* * * * * * *
Walking the walk: Kim at Upward Call has posted Loving the Hard Ones, on relating to an adult with autism, who is greatly impaired in his ability to form healthy relationships. Kim draws a picture of the practical working out of welcoming people with certain types of disabilities into the church. I applaud her for staying in the game.

Between two worlds

Today The Abortion Debate No One Wants to Have (Prenatal testing is making your right to abort a disabled child more like "your duty" to abort a disabled child)* was mailed out on the national Down syndrome e-list. The mother who shared it used the heading, "Finally, someone is speaking my heart." I responded, "Mine, too." Patricia E. Bauer, the author, writes:

What I don't understand is how we as a society can tacitly write off a whole group of people as having no value. I'd like to think that it's time to put that particular piece of baggage on the table and talk about it, but I'm not optimistic. People want what they want: a perfect baby, a perfect life. To which I say: Good luck. Or maybe, dream on.

And here's one more piece of un-discussable baggage: This question is a small but nonetheless significant part of what's driving the abortion discussion in this country. I have to think that there are many pro-choicers who, while paying obeisance to the rights of people with disabilities, want at the same time to preserve their right to ensure that no one with disabilities will be born into their own families. The abortion debate is not just about a woman's right to choose whether to have a baby; it's also about a woman's right to choose which baby she wants to have.

* * * * * * *
Last week, Mel of Actual Unretouched Photo linked to a Harvard Gazette article about a study by Brian Skotko, a med school student. Skotko, who has a sister with Down syndrome researched the manner in which physicians tell parents their baby has Down syndrome, and made recommendations for improvement.

Doctors continue to find it very challenging to deliver a diagnosis like Down syndrome to an otherwise happy expectant mom," says Skotko, who has a 24-year-old sister with Down syndrome and co-authored the award-winning book "Common Threads: Celebrating Life With Down Syndrome" (Band of Angels Press). "But the results of this study are conclusive: Delivering a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome does not have to be a gloomy affair. In fact, mothers in this study have now written the prescription on how best to explain the diagnosis in a loving manner."

* * * * * * *
Yesterday, Dan from Cerulean Sanctum referred me to a Wall Street Journal article about a young woman with Down syndrome planning her wedding:

But then, Ms. Bergeron said something that quieted the room. Despite her many successes and a level of integration that once seemed impossible to imagine for someone with her disability, Ms. Bergeron said she still didn't have many close friends. Often, she added, "I felt lonely."

Ms. Bergeron's dilemma is especially poignant because people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities increasingly find themselves succeeding in mainstream society. They go to public schools, taking classes, joining sports teams and singing in the choir with classmates. They work at jobs in the community. But still, like Ms. Bergeron, they often find themselves caught between two worlds.

Many people with disabilities, and sometimes their families, do feel they live between two worlds. Sometimes they feel invisible in our culture. I am glad when attention is paid.

From WSJ: A Brother's Survey Touches a Nerve In Abortion Fight (also covers the Skotko study)
A Young Woman With Disabilities Plans Her Wedding
(I think the National Down Syndrome Society is paying to make these available online. Generally, Wall Street Journal articles are available only to subscribers.)

*Justin Taylor, who blogs at Between Two Worlds, also links to additional, related articles. (HT: Adrian Warnock)

Forgiveness

Joan Medlin, mother of a son with a dual diagnosis (Down syndrome and autism), recently posted An Effective Complement: Advocacy & Forgiveness,* on the Disability Solutions web site. She writes:

Over the years, I’ve had to advocate staunchly for my son . . . . In those early years I was devastated after every meeting. I felt exhausted—like one of the “Dementors” from Harry Potter had sucked all but a last breath from me. In just a short time, “advocacy” became synonymous with anger and frustration.

She validates the feelings of parents:

I agree that more often than not parents have a lot to be frustrated and angry about. Constantly maneuvering to find someone who sees your child as a great kid (rather than being told all the things he can’t do) is not easy. Living under the microscope of special education without feeling judged at some point is impossible. The evaluation” is not limited to academics, school situations, or your child’s strengths. Folks tend to want to know just what it is we’re doing at home to teach our children.

I’ve been doing some reading on forgiveness over the past year. I am increasingly convinced it is the missing link in advocacy efforts.

She describes what forgiveness is, and what it is not, then goes on to say:

I believe forgiveness strengthens my ability to advocate effectively. By letting go of resentment and anger, people are more willing to talk and problem-solve. They are less likely to worry the discussion will become a battle with an angry parent. Remember, forgiving someone does not mean they are not accountable for their actions. No one loses their rights by forgiving an injustice.

This is a timely article. Like Joan, I have experienced frustration in dealing with educators, medical professionals, and social service providers. Joan is bringing a gift to this "field of discourse" by introducing the issue of forgiveness. We need the healing and empowerment it can bring, for both ourselves and our children.

Joan, who is also editor of Disability Solutions, is a nutritionist and author of The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook: A Guide to Promoting Healthy Lifestyles.

*This article was posted October 12, and will eventually disappear from this web site and be linked by date at the bottom of it.

Rearview mirror

Several years ago I got a tape of Philip Yancey's presentation at a Calvin College Festival of Faith and Writing. He made several statements about the limitations of writing, one of which was that it reduces. We experienced great hospitality on our recent trip to Chicago, and I will not reduce it to a blog post. However, I will share a few things I learned.

Aurelio's has the best pizza in Chicago, and the best Aurelio's is the original one, in the suburb of Homewood. The first few bites of thin crust pepperoni had me thinking, "This is as good as chocolate!"

You can bake bacon evenly in the oven, on a jelly roll pan, at 375 degrees, until it's done.

Stores are closed in observance of the Sabbath, in South Holland, a Chicago suburb.

Sand Ridge Nature Center, a 235-acre nature preserve in South Holland, is part of 21,000+ acres set aside by the Cook County Commissioners in the early part of the 20th century. They foresaw the future growth of the city and the need for natural preservation. Chicago magazine designated Sand Ridge "Best Family Outing" in 2003. Its butterfly garden contained plants which are also native to our area. It fights some of the same non-native aggressors we do: garlic mustard, Japanese honeysuckle, purple loosestrife.

You may eat shrimp on the sidewalk at the Navy Pier Bubba Gump Shrimp Company one hot summer day. Six years later, you may return in autumn; it's cooler. You get the "best table in the house," with windows on two sides, and a couple signs hanging over your son's head.*

Speaking of whom, he made it clear during the trip that he appreciates a king-size bed and McDonald's hot apple pies. Either of which is preferable to pizza, chocolate, or shrimp.

*And the very cool waiter at the next table will stop to tell you he has an 18-year-old brother with Down syndrome, who is ornery, like your son.

Past Watchful Dragons

C.S. Lewis fans will converge on Belmont University in Nashville, TN, November 3-5, 2005:

Inspired by the forthcoming film . . . of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, this conference celebrates C.S. Lewis's contribution to literature, theology, apologetics, scholarship, popular culture, myth, and imagination. 'Past Watchful Dragons' will also consider the work of the constellation of writers associated with Lewis such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, and Dorothy Sayers.

Speakers include:
Doug Gresham, C.S. Lewis's stepson and film consultant for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Christopher Mitchell, Director of the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College
David Payne of Rising Image Productions, which specializes in dramatizations of the works of Lewis
Music:
The Glass Hammer, a literary progressive rock band which specializes in music based on the writings of Lewis.
The Nashville Symphony, performing Howard Shore's The Lord of the Rings Symphony.

In Time of Sorrow

May you see God’s light on the path ahead
When the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear,
Even in your hour of sorrow,
The gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness
Not turn your heart to stone,
And may you always remember
You do not walk alone.

This is an old Celtic blessing, shared by Being Barbara on her blog. She is requesting prayer for her pastors and their families.

Autumn in Ohio

I once had an English instructor who told the class she found October the most beautiful season of the year in Ohio. Until then, I had always taken our autumns for granted, and liked earth's wakening in spring best. Now, I take neither for granted, and find both beautiful.

This picture was taken in late October, 2002, in the Japanese Garden area of Dawes Arboretum, near Newark, Ohio.

Homesick, September 1982 - June 1984

“Twilight is stealing over the Sea,
Shadows are falling dark on the lea;
Borne on the night winds, voices of yore,
Come from the far-off shore.

Chorus:
Far away beyond the starlit skies,
Where the love-light never, never dies,
Gleameth a mansion filled with delight,
Sweet happy home so bright!

Voices of loved ones! Songs of the past!
Still linger round me, while life shall last
Sadly I wander, lonely I roam,
Seeking that far-off home.

Come in the Twilight, come, come to me!
Bringing some message, over the sea;
Cheering my pathway, while here I roam,
Seeking that far-off home.
--Aldine S. Kieffer

I heard this sung several times in western Ontario, by the five daughters of the director of the mission I served under. I was three days from home, as a car travels, and still seven hours south of my final destination. The rules of the mission had left me in a hairstyle to which I was unaccustomed and the inability to wear a large part of my wardrobe.

Wildflower: goldenrod

Bringing in the sheaves

Elise at Simply Recipes is hosting a round-up of custard recipes this weekend. I wish had had these several years ago, when our son's chewing skills regressed for three years, as a result of enlarged tonsils.* Custard may sound like an indulgence , but people who cook for those with chewing problems-- the very young, people with oral motor issues, and some elderly people-- may find the recipes particularly useful.

If people with Down syndrome ruled the world:

Check out this article by Dennis McGuire, of the Adult Down Syndrome Center of Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, Illinois. McGuire posits a world ruled by people with Down syndrome:

The purpose of this article is to give back some of what we have learned to the families and people with Down syndrome who have come to the Adult Down Syndrome Center and who have been so giving and open with us. If people understand more of the special talents people with Down syndrome have, they may be more able to help them use and develop these talents to improve their lives. We also wanted to reassure families of younger children with Down syndrome who are concerned about their child’s future that there is much to be optimistic about.

If you have, or have ever had, someone with Down syndrome in your life, you will enjoy this article! And smile. :-) (HT: Chewy Mom, via Between the Rinse and Spin Cycle.)

Saints

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15

Yesterday on NPR's Fresh Air, Terry Gross interviewed singer/actor Vernel Bagneris who has just sold his apartment, and has been planning to move home to New Orleans. Half his belongings are already there. He had a difficult time speaking, toward the end. His sister is enroute to be with him in New York. His brother-in-law and nephew stayed home to ride out the hurricane, and have not been heard from.

Bagneris wrote the text for Rejoice When You Die, a book of photographs of New Orleans funeral processions.*

Terry asked him for a good example of New Orleans' music to close the program with. He, with tears in his voice, recommended "When the Saints Go Marching In," because "a lot of saints went marching home this week."

WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

Oh when the saints go marching in,
Oh when the saints go marching in,
Oh Lord I want to be in that number,
Oh when the saints go marching in.

Oh when the sun refuses to shine,
Oh when the sun refuses to shine,
Oh Lord I want to be in that number,
When the sun refuses to shine.

Oh when the dead, in Christ shall rise,
Oh when the dead, in Christ shall rise,
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the dead, in Christ shall rise.

I have to say, amid the all the coverage of Hurricane Katrina this week, I had not thought of the deaths in this way: saints marching in.** When food and help finally arrived at the Superdome, I read reports of cries of "Thank you, Jesus," and praising God. Many of these survivors are fellow Christians.

*New Orleans created its own spin on the old tradition of military brass band funerals; traditional New Orleans funerals with music feature sad music (mostly dirges and hymns) on the way to the cemetery and happy music (hot jazz) on the way back. -- from Wikipedia

**I had forgotten the New Orleans' football team are the Saints.