tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post116586737793404298..comments2023-09-19T07:18:43.566-07:00Comments on mental tesserae: closets and windowsJulie Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13737557893649934725noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1166652546525196182006-12-20T15:09:00.000-07:002006-12-20T15:09:00.000-07:00You can be unfunny any time you want - because you...You can be unfunny any time you want - because you're intelligent and interesting and that more than compensates.<BR/><BR/>I love your posts so much, by the way. I'm having trouble balancing between my two identities lately though (Plain Old Kim and Internet Kim...yes, I need to come up with more exciting titles), and I haven't been doing much blog reading and commenting lately.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes I think that we need these little bits of heartache. It seems to be an essential part of the human condition. Maybe we need our hearts to heart to fully realize that they're there.Kimberly Vanderhorsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01653757517652257445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165943959315544982006-12-12T10:19:00.000-07:002006-12-12T10:19:00.000-07:00tessaI appreciate your comment. I'm not sure what...tessa<BR/>I appreciate your comment. I'm not sure what you're studying, but I hope that your career path gives you opportunities to help solve the problem. I have a very little sphere of influence but I want to make a difference in the world. Call me an idealist but I think if we were given the incredible blessing of a happy childhood (as I was) then we have a responsibility to pass it on.fJulie Q.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13737557893649934725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165943648710028002006-12-12T10:14:00.000-07:002006-12-12T10:14:00.000-07:00Jane,Great comment. I actually live in an amazin...Jane,<BR/>Great comment. I actually live in an amazing neighborhood where people really look out for each other. There's a row of 7 families, all with children about the same ages and the kids just go in and out of each other's houses at all hours. The parents are all good friends and love each other's children as their own. It's a real demonstration of the "it takes a village to raise a child" principle.Julie Q.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13737557893649934725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165937810288872822006-12-12T08:36:00.000-07:002006-12-12T08:36:00.000-07:00Stephanie,You're welcome. I'm sorry to share distu...Stephanie,<BR/>You're welcome. I'm sorry to share disturbing news, but hoping it might increase my resolve to be a better mother and neighbor and friend. <BR/><BR/>Michelle,<BR/>I understand what you mean. Even if you suspect abuse (there's a family I know...) it's not easy to intervene. I'm trying to decide the best way to help without making things worse.<BR/><BR/>Moobs,<BR/>So this painting is familiar to you! I had never seen it before I encountered it a few year ago. Now I'm realizing that it's quite popular in Europe and especially Catholic circles. It's probably even considered cliche by some, but I think it's beautiful.Julie Q.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13737557893649934725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165934435885954472006-12-12T07:40:00.000-07:002006-12-12T07:40:00.000-07:00These cases are always so very tragic. I have fou...These cases are always so very tragic. I have found that the further I get in my schooling, the less surprised I am at what humans can do to each other. Some people fail to ever develop empathy; no one knows for sure why this is. It can stem from abusive childhoods, but sociopathic personalities can just as easily come from relatively normal families. Because of what I will be doing when I graduate, I must harden myself some to these atrocities of humanity. But I have decided that the day that they don't bother me anymore is the day that I retire and find a new career path. I am glad that Shelby is in a better place with a Father who loves her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165932218947446312006-12-12T07:03:00.000-07:002006-12-12T07:03:00.000-07:00I am going to take another point of view just for ...I am going to take another point of view just for a brief little moment. Think about how worthless and subhuman you would have to feel to commit these acts? Even most animals do not torture their children. Her parents behavior counteracts all instinct that we have. I am pretty sure that they grew up in a house of horrors themselves. <BR/><BR/>I think that a lot of support systems have been lost in our society. For example, stay at home moms. When I was a kid, every mom on the block was at home and they all looked out for every kid on the block. My mom's friend used to bathe her neighbors kid who was neglected and dirty. She fed this child too. We all could be disciplined by any mother on the block. Today, many houses are dark until after 6:00. Children only have scheduled playdates with pre-aproved friends. If you tried to bathe an neighbors kid you might be accused of child abuse yourself. <BR/><BR/>I will have to work after I have children, I am not blaming working moms for this problem, but I think as a society we undervalue the enormous role that stay at home moms had/have in our neighborhoods.<BR/><BR/>I think it's much easier for the abuser to hide today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165929829106674322006-12-12T06:23:00.000-07:002006-12-12T06:23:00.000-07:00THis post resonated for me on a number of levels. ...THis post resonated for me on a number of levels. The painting you have chosen hung above my cot when I was a baby. I still have it in a big box of childhood ephemera.<BR/><BR/>My wife is a child care lawyer whose everyday work is child abuse cases. I do not know where she finds the strength. I have learned to avoid opening any set of papers she brings home for fear of what I will encounter. The plain fact is that very serious abuse of children is commonplace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165904920915254642006-12-11T23:28:00.000-07:002006-12-11T23:28:00.000-07:00Those kinds of stories hurt so much I feel sick. ...Those kinds of stories hurt so much I feel sick. I don't know if it's a lack of character on my part but the only way I can deal with it is to not think about it because it's just too painful. I want to help and prevent these things, but the feelings of impotence--not being able to do a thing for children like Shelby because they're hidden--makes it even worse. There doesn't seem to be much I can do to prevent or help when these things often happen behind closed doors.Scribbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03178711182424809035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165900412487067872006-12-11T22:13:00.000-07:002006-12-11T22:13:00.000-07:00RaJI agree. My sister is in her last year of Law S...RaJ<BR/>I agree. My sister is in her last year of Law School and has worked in the juvenile courts. She's seen more of this side of society than I think I'd ever care to know about.<BR/><BR/>Ordinary Mom<BR/>Check out <A HREF="http://www.traditionalcatholicart.com/Images/ferruzzi_maddonnini3.jpg" REL="nofollow">this link</A> to see a color versionJulie Q.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13737557893649934725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165881473321154462006-12-11T16:57:00.000-07:002006-12-11T16:57:00.000-07:00I agree with RaJ, I find it hard to stay objective...I agree with RaJ, I find it hard to stay objective too. Thank you for this post. It touched me deeply.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165880956080596142006-12-11T16:49:00.000-07:002006-12-11T16:49:00.000-07:00My heart aches for Shelby. What a sad and terribl...My heart aches for Shelby. What a sad and terrible story. I have never understood how anyone could harm a precious little child, let alone their own offspring. I am just grateful that she is in a better place right now. I hope that all these people who abuse children pay a hefty price when we pass on to the next life.<BR/><BR/>P.S. That is a beautiful picture of Mary and Jesus. Very precious. I would be curious to see the color version.<BR/><BR/>And one more thing, your list last week definitley had a childlike/Christlike connection.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687963.post-1165873161295490472006-12-11T14:39:00.000-07:002006-12-11T14:39:00.000-07:00I have a really hard time holding onto anything re...I have a really hard time holding onto anything resembling "objectivity" when thinking about things like this. As for <I>understanding</I>... there's pretty much no way.<BR/><BR/>Given our System, some attorney(s) will have to prosecute this case, others will defend, while a judge presides. I can't imagine having any of those jobs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com