A better Christmas cake than last week! December 31, 2018
I’m getting better at decorating these holiday cakes, now. Instead of trying to frost half green and half red, I just decided to frost all red, and make a green Christmas tree, outlined with cinnamon drops.
It really looks much better than my previous one!
Happy holidays to all! May you enjoy happy and restful holidays, and a wonderful, healthy, and prosperous new year! Thank you for all of your readership and support during 2017.
Holiday Image (Retrieved from Happymerrychristmaswishesz.com, December 20, 2015)
‘Tis the season for happy holiday wishes! Those of you who are Christian, may you enjoy a merry Christmas. May you enjoy happy holidays regardless of what faith you may or may not practice.
My son with his Disney-themed gingerbread house (November 28, 2015, Snellville, Georgia)
One is never too old to enjoy some holiday fun of building and decorating gingerbread houses, which is what my son and I did today. WalMart now offers a large variety of gingerbread houses and cookies to decorate. Just in the past couple of years, the many choices of gingerbread houses have exploded onto the scene.
Showing off my Hello Kitty-themed gingerbread house (November 28, 2015, Snellville, Georgia)
This year, I bought Disney and Hello Kitty-themed gingerbread houses at WalMart, made by Brand Castle at BrandCastle.com in Bedford Heights, Ohio. They were a little more pricey than the usual style, but for $3 more each, it was worth it. The cookies not only came with frosting and candies, but also cardboard and plastic platforms. The cookies were extremely well-packaged, and none of them were broken upon opening the boxes.
Examples of Character-Themed Gingerbread Houses by Brand Castle
While we never create and/or decorate gingerbread houses that look nearly as nice as what the pictures on the boxes show, we always have fun. And, another great thing about building and decorating gingerbread houses is that they can also be eaten – yet an additional way to enjoy our work! Happy holidays!
Happy Thanksgiving! (Retrieved from http://www.vintag.es, November 27, 2014)
On Thanksgiving, what I am always most thankful for is my family. My family is always there for me in thick and thin. My family has weathered many storms and enjoyed sunny days together; I can count on my family for love, compassion, and support, and I provide the same to them. I don’t have a very large family, nor do I have much money, but I have a big heart, full of lots of love. My love is shared with and among my family, for whom I am most thankful on Thanksgiving and every day.
Other things for which I am thankful include food, faith, community, freedom, education, technology, career, and health. I am thankful for food, though it is not easy to get by from month to month with food prices continuing to rise. I appreciate my faith because, if it was not for that, I would not be where I am today, and things would likely be much worse. I am grateful for community, such as organizations that provide fellowship, to my family.
I am always thankful for freedom and I remember my grandmother’s stories about when she lived in Communist Poland, with people fearing for their lives when homes were raided in the middle of the night and people were never seen again. I am grateful for education, though the large debt required to pay for it is a hardship. I appreciate technology that makes life easier. And, I am thankful for career in many capacities, including that of being a mother, as well as for the potential of a stable gainful and enjoyable employment in a workplace with decent people, if that is ever attainable. I am thankful for my good health so I do not have to pay out-of-pocket to see the doctor as a result of being without health insurance.
So often, organizations such as colleges, churches, and charities have fundraising drives to help give to those in need. When I am asked to donate, I reply that I could benefit from some assistance, myself. As a poor single white mother, so often such places overlook people such as myself, as has occurred again this year. People in my shoes are reduced to begging for even a little bit in return. People may maintain the perspective that whites have privilege and that is definitely a stereotype that hurts poor white single mothers such as myself because the majority of any aid, as I observe, goes to people of other races.
I am also thankful for the holes in some of my shabby clothes and worn-out shoes, the place that I live even though it is not my own, the student loans that provide opportunity, my nearly decade-old vehicle that is still in great shape, and that sacrifices that I am able to make for the benefit of my family. I am thankful for the $15 haircut that I get every two months instead of going to a salon and spending loads of money, and the $3 bottle of fingernail polish that I can use for a manicure or pedicure instead of going someplace to have it done for me. I am grateful for the free lunch that I eat twice each week at my apprenticeship, and for the store closing sale at the local KMart where I can save a few dollars on Christmas gifts for my son. I am thankful for what little I have because more is always spent than saved.
These are additional reasons why I am thankful for my family, particularly at Thanksgiving. Every so often, there is that rare person who comes along who might be caring and/or supportive, but with my family, I know they will always be there, in good and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer. People should be more important than money and possessions, and indeed, my family is most important to me.
So, on this Thanksgiving, I invite you to think about family, values, and people in need. Think about and be thankful for people who are close to you. Think about people whom you see at work or in church every week who have little or nothing, and who are usually overlooked in their need. Take action on what you can do rather than what you cannot. Open your heart and mind to see what you do not want to see, and take action for what you otherwise would not have done. A little bit goes a long way, especially for folks who don’t have much.
Happy Thanksgiving! Remember what you are thankful for!
[Author’s Note: Within one day of posting this article, I was solicited by a man on LinkedIn, out-of-state, to contact him by whatever means necessary. People really need to get their heads out of the gutter, and be open to simply being helpful to those in need without being offensive and/or wanting something (inappropriate) in return. Solicitation is so offensive, degrading, and dehumanizing to me; is nothing that I have ever done; and it is incredible to me that so many men (I’ve experienced this many times on LinkedIn) do it. It is unfortunate and tragic for humanity that there are those who attempt (and succeed) in taking advantage of people in need in a sexual manner.]
Stop Bullying (Retrieved from http://www.ftajax.com/bullying/ on December 27, 2013)
Last week, I attended a particular all-boy holiday gathering with my son and his dad. We are brand new to the group, and began meeting the boys and their families who are in the group (but for one family whom we already knew) that evening. My former spouse and I sat at a large round table with our son, and many other boys came and filled up our table. Our son sat among the boys, including next to his new friend whom he made through school. My Ex and I were the only adults at the table with the boys who were aged 10-12 years old.
During the meal of this gathering, one boy approached another boy and began bullying him. I knew that both boys were brothers and passed judgment on them that they probably behave in such ways in private, much as I often see older brothers do with younger brothers. My son, who was sitting next to the younger boy who was being bullied by his older and bigger brother, told him to “stop bullying.” The boy who was being bullied completed the catch phrase – “speak up” – that has been seen on an anti-bullying TV commercial. The older boy told my son to “shut up” as he messed with his younger brother, the older boy physically pushing his younger brother on his head. My son stood up to the older boy, and he backed down and walked away from them.
During this interaction, I told my son from across the table not to get involved. First, we were new to the group and did not really know the nuances of the interactions between the boys. Secondly, I was concerned for my son’s safety, and did not desire for him to be hurt in some way by the older, bigger boy. My son, however, knows what it is like to be bullied, and he does not like it. He knows that I generally stand up to bullying, and I can see that my efforts have had a positive effect on him.
I later kissed and hugged my son for his involvement in stopping the bullying that occurred. I told my son that I was very proud of him. I also explained my reasons to him for not wanting him to get involved, however he saw that bullying is bullying, no matter who it is directed toward. He did not want to see it happening, and he took a stand against and stopped it. While he was uncomfortable about the situation, he was also proud of himself – and rightly so – that he could help someone and make a positive difference for him. The situation also boosted his confidence level. He was able to help the underdog, as he has all too often been in many situations, especially in school as well as within this boys’ organization on a broader scope.
In the past, I have also stood up against bullying – not within this individual boys’ organization in which we are new – but within other groups associated with this national boys’ organization. The organization is supposed to promote goodness, kindness, and Christianity among the boys. And, when a mom such as myself does not see that happening – and when my son also does not observe it occurring – we have stood up, made our voices heard, and taken steps to attempt to stop the bullying – not only among the boys, but also among adults, as well. Sometimes, we have been successful, but most times, we have not.
Even so, the experience that my son had in standing up to and stopping bullying is a small victory. Not only is it a victory for the boy who was being bullied by his older brother, it is a victory for my son, too. He can place himself in the shoes of another person who is being bullied because he has all too often been bullied by so many. The amount of bullying that he has experienced is incredible.
Now, at 10, my son is at an age where he feels confident enough to actually stand up to bullying. When I did not want to stand up to bullying, he did. That is also a victory for me, as well – my own son stood up to and stopped bullying. I have taught him something, standing up for the right thing; and for that, I am very proud of him and know that I have made a positive difference in his life. 🙂
Note: This article has also been published, separately, in my anti-bullying group in LinkedIn, “People Against Retaliation and Bullying” on December 27, 2013.
Pointsettia, December 2013
I would like to wish everyone the joy and blessings of the holiday season, and a happy and healthy new year. Merry Christmas to those who observe the Christian celebration of Jesus’ birth. Happy holidays to those who observe other religious celebrations.
Especially, I would like to recognize and thank my parents and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. John Neumann Church in Lilburn, Georgia for all of your help and support to my son and I during the past year. Thank you so much!
May God bless us all.
Me with Carol and Bill Greiner at UB Graduation, Amherst, New York, May 1993
When I think of Carol and Bill Greiner, I have fond memories of my interactions with them while I was an undergraduate student at the University at Buffalo (UB). Studying psychology, political science, and music performance at UB for three and one-half years provided me with many opportunities for interactions with the Greiners. It enriched my life to have them there, to be excellent role models, to experience their interest in and compassion for students. As I walk down my nostalgic memory lane, I can accept and be happy with the interactions that I had with the Greiners at many university events, though I will always feel a sense of “unfinished business” due to the things that I was unable to bring myself to say to them.
For that, I wish I had been more mature, more open, more able to trust that I would receive a response from them that I desired. Of all of the wonderful events and experiences that I had as a student at UB, there was one situation that occurred about which I was unable to speak with them – being the victim of a crime on campus. I still wish I could have had more time to speak with them, and be able to open up to Carol about it, in particular, but at the time, it was too recent, too painful, too embarrassing and humiliating. It took me years to fully address and come to terms with what had occurred, and to receive the support that I needed. And, it was years later when I was able to disclose to Carol, anonymously, about my experience, which was helpful, but still not the same as speaking about it in person.
Something in me needed Carol to know what I experienced; I had hoped the Greiners might be able to implement programs or policies that would have better-protected students such as myself who had experienced what I did. Never having shared about what it was provided no potential for change, improvement, or support for other UB students who had the same experience. Perhaps, one day, I will not feel that sense of regret and loss about being unable to speak with the Greiners about the traumatic and life-changing crime that I experienced in my last semester as an undergraduate student at UB.
I first met Bill Greiner when he was the University Provost and I was a freshman, just taking flight as a student at UB. He was at an event that welcomed students who were new to UB; my parents were there too, and my mom encouraged me to speak with him, and I did. At first, I was intimidated about speaking with him, though when I did, he made me feel comfortable and welcome; he made me feel understood, appreciated, and respected. The highlight of the event, in fact, was personally speaking with Bill. I still remember the confidence he instilled in me in only a few minutes of conversation that I would do well and be successful at UB; I appreciated that.
Within two years, Bill was appointed President of UB. That semester, I saw and spoke with him again at Homecoming. At that time, the Homecoming parade was organized at the Main Street Campus in Buffalo, and the floats were driven to the Amherst Campus. I was a representative of the UB Irish Club for Homecoming that year, in 1991; and was pleased to see and speak with Bill there. His presence reflected his interest in and concern for students; that was evident and obvious, and again, was something for which I was appreciative. As time progressed, I determined that these qualities were infused in his character and personality. He did not just go to some rare event on occasion; he was actively involved in attending and participating in UB events, many of them, jointly, with Carol.
That year and the next, I saw both Bill and Carol at the Homecoming football games; and I saw and/or spoke with Bill on at least three other occasions on the Amherst Campus during my last semester. On one occasion, I saw him while he was being interviewed in the Plaza by a TV reporter; on a second, I overcame my nervousness and visited Bill at his office, taking many gladioli from my family garden; and on the third, I spoke with him as we happened to be leaving Capen Hall at the same time one evening. ‘Team Greiner’ was always there, doing more than their part to make UB even more of a success.
The Greiner Family on Bill’s Inauguration Day as UB President; Susan with Husband, Daniel with Wife, Bill and Carol, Kevin with Wife, Terry with Partner; Sept. 1992
In my last semester at a senior at UB, Bill was inaugurated as President, and I saw alot more of the Greiners. In fact, I saw them at so many events that I looked forward to seeing and speaking with them, and I actually expected them to be at the events that I attended. It seemed that everywhere I went, ‘Team Greiner’ was there, too. The supportive actions of Bill and Carol toward UB, and the students, faculty, and staff were warmly-welcomed and appreciated by so many.
In September 1992, Bill’s Inauguration Week as President of UB provided opportunities not only to speak with Bill and Carol, but also to experience the happiness and joy of those events with them. There was a Roman Catholic Mass performed at St. Joseph’s Church, right next to the UB Main Street Campus in Buffalo to essentially “kick off” Inauguration Week. I made every effort to attend because it had been the night before that I had experienced crime victimization at UB; I was already traumatized from it, but did not realize or deal with it.
Additionally, at St. Joseph’s Church following the mass, I was also able to meet and speak with certain other members of the Greiner Family, including his sons and their wives and/or significant partners. It was wonderful to have the feeling that the qualities of both care and compassion so evident in Carol and Bill had also been transferred to their admirable offspring. In speaking with their adult children, one immediately knew that they did a fine job at parenting.
Me with Greiners at UB Christmas Concert, Amherst, New York, December 1992
As Bill’s Inauguration Week progressed, I attended what I recall as being a symphonic concert on campus to celebrate his achievement; it was beautiful. And, I also attended Bill’s Inauguration as the 13th President of UB, an event for which I remember arriving very early because I wanted my choice selection of seat, as well as to scope out the best locations to take pictures to add tangibility to my fond memories. Again, I had opportunities to see and speak with members of the Greiner Family.
Following the actual Inauguration was a reception that was held in the new Student Union building, one of many major projects that Bill influenced and completed at UB. By this time, I really felt a connection with the Greiner’s and their family. I had seen and interacted with them at several events, and believed that I could trust being more openly, emotionally vulnerable with them. I had particularly wanted to share about the crime that I had experienced only a few days prior to the Inauguration. I tried to do so at the reception, separately, with Carol, and with Terry, one of the Greiners’ sons, but I could not bring myself to do it. I had psyched myself up for it, but talked myself out of doing it, and have always regretted it; it was just too painful and traumatic.
As someone who was active in numerous UB clubs and groups, including ethnic/language-related groups and student government, I received invitations to attend the Student Association’s Christmas parties for two consecutive years, in 1991 and 1992. On both of those occasions, I saw Bill and Carol, but spoke with them only at the second such event. By then, three more months had passed, and I had mentally-buried and not dealt with the crime that I had experienced. It was also at this event that I asked Bill if he would write a recommendation for me. He asked me to see that he received my resume, said that he would write a recommendation for me, and he did. I still have and cherish it.
Prior to finishing the last of my classes as an undergraduate student at UB in December 1992, I again saw and spoke with Carol and Bill at a Christmas Concert, held in the Ellicott Complex, my group of dormitory buildings on the Amherst Campus. Following the Christmas Concert, Carol was very warm toward me, much as always, and spoke with me about alot in a short time. She made me feel important, valued, and accepted; she showed to me much warmth, understanding, and compassion, like one would receive from a good mother, and much as I do with my own son.
I felt such a connection with Carol during our conversation, and remember wishing that it could last forever. I needed the warmth and compassion of someone; and I privately thanked God for her, and for her to have treated me as kindly and lovingly as she did. Interestingly, Bill was somewhat of a sour puss that evening and I could tell that he did not want to talk, though I did not allow that to dampen my happy holiday spirits. I remember wondering how anyone could seem so grouchy after such a wonderful and festive holiday concert. It was a different side of him that I had not yet experienced and had not expected, but accepted on that occasion.
The last time that I interacted with the Greiner’s was when I returned to UB for my graduation in May 1993. I had completed my coursework for my two baccalaureate degrees in December, moved to and was working in Manhattan, and came back to participate in the graduation ceremonies. I’m glad that I did, and I have many wonderful memories of celebrating my accomplishment with many of my student colleagues as well as my family. Seeing the Greiners again at this event showed me how much I had grown in a few months of having finished my studies, though it also left me with a longing and nostalgia for maintaining a connection with them. It was difficult and painful to let go.
The final time that I saw the Greiners was at SUNY Day in Albany in 1999. SUNY Day is a day that is arranged for student delegates of State University of New York system to go Albany, New York – the state capitol – to meet and speak with state government representatives, receive tours of their offices, and hear lectures. At the time, I was taking undergraduate courses at Buffalo State College to complete my social studies teacher certification, and I was a student government representative to the event.
It was at SUNY Day that I met former Assembly Member Sam Hoyt from Buffalo; he invited me to intern in his Buffalo office, and I later did, having an outstanding experience. It was also on this occasion that I only saw Bill and Carol from a distance in a conference room as I was already seating in the back with my group when they entered with several UB student athletes. It was good to see them again, if only from a distance, and to know that ‘Team Greiner’ was still hard at work for UB.
I lost touch with the Greiners many years ago. They were people with whom I had hoped to maintain a connection, and to share about the traumatic crime that I had experienced. There was one occasion more than four years after I was victimized that I got the courage to go to the Greiners’ home. At the time, I worked just down the street from them at Key Bank.
This time, I had resolved that I would tell them about it, and had hoped and prayed that they would welcome me, but they were not at home. They had the power and influence to make change at UB to help other students who were survivors of traumatic crimes that occurred on campus, as well as to help see that such crimes were prevented and students were educated about them. I never got the chance to share my ideas with them.
Around that time, and due to being unable to speak with the Greiners about my concerns, I decided to take my concerns to their son, Terry, at his office in Buffalo. I am an individual who likes to get things accomplished, and to do so personally, and therefore, my aim was to personally-share information with him about what I experienced and request that there could be some way that improvements related to it could be made for other students at UB who had the same or similar experiences. It took so much courage and initiative for me to go to Terry’s office, but he turned me away, did not speak with me, and did not accept me into his office. I was devastated, and felt re-victimized all over again.
I do, however, fondly remember the many events and interactions that I shared with Carol and Bill; and I prefer to remember those. At the time of my writing of this article, it will have been nearly four years since Bill’s death. When I read the news about his passing in the UB alumni magazine, it was unexpected and saddening. To Carol, I mailed a sympathy card, expressing my condolences. I am sure that such a great man is missed by those who knew him, especially his family, who took priority in his life, much as family should.
So, I would like to think – at this time of the holidays – that Bill is looking down over us and helping us to spread holiday cheer to each other. I would like to think and remember that he would have been right in the mix of all that, and would not have missed it for anything. Thanks, ‘Team Greiner,’ for all you have done for me, and for all of your unfathomable support to UB. You are UB’s unsurpassed champions! 🙂
References:
“Bill Greiner.” Wikipedia, 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Greiner
DellaContrada, J. (2009). William R. Greiner Dies. Buffalo, NY: UB – University at Buffalo: News Releases.
State University of New York at Buffalo Graduation, May 1993. Buffalo, NY.
Special Note:
This article was also published by both the UB Alumni Association on LinkedIn (December 2013). Mountain View, CA: LinkedIn; and by the State University of New York at Buffalo business group on LinkedIn (December 2013). Mountain View, CA: LinkedIn.
Being Thankful for my Son, and all Children, Thanksgiving, November 28, 2013
Another Thanksgiving has arrived, and again, I am most thankful for my family, especially for my son and all children. Children are our future. I believe that children are a blessing and a most precious gift from God. Children give us joys and sorrows. They depend upon us, grow with us, and become independent from us. We are the role models for our children. We have been given a most important duty of raising our children to the best of our ability.
I believe that all children should have what they need in life – the most important of these being good and decent parents who love and care for them properly and as parents should. Money is not the most important. Looks are not the most important. What is most important is what is inside – the genuine goodness and beauty that can be instilled into a child by nurturing, caring, and compassionate role models.
I believe that life’s biggest responsibility – if one has children – is to be the best possible parent. So, on this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my son, for being a mom, and for my parents in being role models for me and for my son, their grandson. I pray that all children will have the loving and caring role models and guides in their lives whom they need. I am thankful.
For all those who celebrate this important, family-oriented holiday, may you enjoy a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
Easter Chick with Easter Eggs, Easter 2013
Spring has sprung, and Easter is again upon us! There is much to be thankful for in celebrating another Easter – Christ’s ultimate sacrifice in giving his life for us, dying a horrible death beyond words and resurrecting his spirit for us. Jesus is the God who continually forgives our sins and is our ultimate savior, unable to be replaced by anyone or anything. And, though there are many things in our world by which we may attempt to replace our Creator, what it all comes down to in the end is that God is the ‘be all and the end all,’ the first and the last, the alpha and the omega.
So, while many of us are spending additional time at church during this Easter season, reflecting, praying, and meditating on Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection, we must always remember that we are all His children. With that in mind, those of us who have children of our own must be mindful of not only teaching them about our religious values, but also participating in fun Easter events, such as getting pictures with the Easter Bunny, going to Easter Egg Hunts, or enjoying other fun Easter or Spring activities, including something as simple as walking in the park and viewing the flower blossoms on the trees.
Easter Egg Hunt at St. Oliver’s, Snellville, Georgia, March 30, 2013
I hope that everyone enjoys a beautiful, wonderful, rejuvenating, and refreshing spring. And, regardless of the religion that you may or may not practice, hopefully, you will take time to reflect upon and be thankful for all that has been bestowed upon you in your life. For me, as a Roman Catholic Christian, celebrating Lent with the culmination of Easter in spring is a wonderful time of reflection and renewal. I hope there are events and celebrations in your lives in which you experience the same! Happy Easter!
