A Likely Story

Just the other day Jason mentioned to me that despite how crazy the world seems, when looking at history and statistics, we live in some of the safest times ever recorded. Which gets me thinking that other than the weather reports, I am about to give up on watching the news altogether. I have respect for the news media and what they do (Okay- to a point, anyway.) But I am afraid that the constant barrage of news has people living in fear. I’m just now down with that.

And lately, the news just makes me angry, but nothing like this week! It’s funny how I can complacently be-bop along when something jars me out of my state of apathy.  This week it was a news story here in OKC of a pharmacist, an older gentleman and war veteran who shot and killed a robbery suspect. Two teenage kids attempt to rob a local pharmacy – one is armed, one is not.  As they enter the store, the one waves a gun while the other struggles to put on a ski mask. The pharmacist aims at the unarmed kid, shooting him in the head, knocking him unconscious – but still alive. The other runs out, chased by the pharmacist. At this point, he acted in self defense, totally within the law. Then things take an awful turn.

The pharmacist reenters the store, walks past the suspect lying on the floor and unlocks a drawer nearby. He retrieves another gun and proceeds to shoot the suspect 5 times at close range in the abdomen, killing him. This was all on tape – showed over and over on the news. The pharmacist has been arrested and charged with first degree murder, and it seems that many Oklahomans are outraged . . . that the pharmacist is in jail at all.

When I saw this story I was shocked, saddened – the kid was only 16, the pharmacist a victim of a crime.  Just a mess. Then the news began to report the comments flowing into the station of how “wrong” it was that the pharmacist was being charged at all, that the kid “deserved what he got”, that the pharmacist was just defending himself – using his right to protect himself and his employees.  That just went all over me in a bad, bad way. In fact, a pollon kfor.com shows that a majority think what he was completely justified. 

My take: Yes, he had a right to defend himself and did so, the first time he shot him. But, how is anyone justified in taking someones life once you are no longer in imminent danger? 

I was not there, and I don’t know what was going on in this man’s head and heart. Wahtever his reason(s) were for what he did, I am troubled by people’s attitudes towards the ordeal, and the overwhelming and total lack of compassion for the family of the child who died. I’ve heard it said several times that this situation will “teach punks a lesson” or make “them think a second time.”  It should make us all think a second time . . . are we justified to punish someone however we see fit, to throw the judicial system out the window, to place such little value on human life?

While I hesitate to even mention that people’s attitudes towards the ordeal are tinged with racism, I think it’s true. He was a young black kid from a less than desirable neighborhood, and he tried to rob an older white man, a veteran. Would attitudes be different if the tables were turned?  I wonder.

When I haven’t blogged in awhile, I feel guilty – like I’ve been purposefully avoiding my blogging duty or something. Maybe I have been ducking out of blogging since my brain is so unreliable these days. And since my thoughts mainly seem to stray towards all things baby, it’s been difficult to piece together a coherent post that isn’t all about motherhood.

Not wanting to alienate any of my 5 or 6 readers – I’ll share some of my recent observations and thoughts. 

*A new Panera Bread just opened down the street from me.  After visiting the other day I came to two conclusions – 1) This could be very detrimental to my weight loss goals.  It is not a good idea to have cinnamon crunch bagels within a five mile radius of me. and 2) Panera seems to be a white people magnet.  No, a preppy white people magnet. What is it about bagels, organic apple juice and broccoli cheese soup that beckons the whitey population?  I need to see if Panera is on the list for Stuff White People Like.

*I use my semi-newborn child to try and get out of stuff.  Wow, did I really just admit that to the whole web world? Yep, caught myself doing it today at the tag agency. “Um, I just had a baby at the end of March – so that’s why I am a month late in renewing my tag . . . Oh, no penalties?  Thanks!”  So very wrong.  Don’t judge me!

*I’ll be 30 in 2 weeks, and I’m not freaking out about it. I feel like I’ve been in my 20s forever, so I look forward to my fourth decade on earth. I think my husband’s planning something, and I am SO tempted to snoop, but I love to be surprised so I’m keeping it cool. 

*I have a new friend at work (Learning Center).  She’s actually my new boss/co-worker, and she’s hilarious. It’s been awhile since I’ve hung out with someone who makes me laugh so hard I cry. So far we’ve discovered that we have a tendency to randomly quote movie lines and/or break out in song.  I think it’s the beginning of something wonderful.

*I went with Jason to a reunion for 91FM- KOKF. For those of you in Oklahoma who remember (or don’t) it was one of the first radio stations of its kind, an alternative Christian station.  It was the best.  They literally played everything.  The station itself played a significant role in Jason and I meeting and marrying.  It was neat to finally meet DJs that I listened to in college.  I miss you 91!

*Four friends are having babies in the next two months including my sister in law and best friend.  Three are girls, one is a surprise. What is with all the baby girls? Lyla will not be in short supply of playmates!

*Lyla had her 2 month checkup today.  Like Jonah, she is long, lean and strong as an ox!  When the doc flipped her on her tummy she started to try and scoot away!  I’m a little scared.  I have a feeling I will be chasing this child.  Good thing Jonah is a fast runner

*I think I am going to get Skype soon.  My best friend is about to move with her family to Africa as missionaries with the IMB.  This will be a great way to stay in touch – AND just in case Oprah ever calls, I’ll be ready to chat via Skype.

Okay, that’s all for now.  Ciao!

Seriously.  I think Jonah and Lyla have two different moms, and I feel a little guilty about it. I always laughed when my mom said that I was the Guinea pig, the oldest child, but now I see what she means. Having a second child is also like a second chance at parenting an infant.  While the first child did get what I like to call the “star treatment” – you know what I mean, all new clothes, an actual changing table, pacifiers that are washed off with soap & water when accidentally dropped on the ground – the second child seems to get the calmer, more confident parent.

So I’m having a bit, and only a bit, of mommy guilt lately.  It really struck me as I was perusing the parenting section of the non-fiction books at the local library today.  As I readily scooped up two more books by Dr. Sears (The Baby Sleep Book and The Attachment Parenting Book) along with a Better Baby Food book, I thought, “Ah, man.  All I read for Jonah were the What to Expect books.” 

I was just so freaked out with Jonah. I’d never had a baby before even though I’d been around plenty of them.  Having your own is not anything like taking care of other people’s kids.  With Jonah, I was always second guessing myself.  I was also five years younger and really unsure even of who I was as a person. With Lyla, it’s like she has a whole different mom.

This mom is definitely more chilled out, more patient and better read.  This mom doesn’t freak out when the baby cries, spits up or keeps her up all night. This mom enjoys being a mom more.

Then again, I can thank Jonah for helping to shape thismom.  While we are instrumental in shaping our kids,they shape us too.  For all Jason and I did wrong with Jonah, we did a lot right too.  Surely a sensitive, loving, smart kid couldn’t have happened by total accident, right?

So be enouraged moms – first time, second time . . . fifth time.  Moms are like good cheese or a good wine – we just keep getting better!