#AllLivesMatter

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed certain hashtags floating around the Internet. At least here in America.

#blacklivesmatter

#policelivesmatter

#translivesmatter

It probably doesn't take a genius to figure out what these are all about. Two of them relate to each other, the last one stands alone... but both issues have been all over the news. Racism, the injustice in our police system, bullying, parents not supporting their children, suicide... I can barely watch TV anymore because it's everywhere and it's heartbreaking.

What truly blows my mind though is that we have to point out that certain people's lives matter.

What?

Really?

We have to point out that lives matter?

Call me naive, but this seriously boggles my mind. We have to remind people that other people's lives matter.

Do you want to know what I wish we would see trending?

#AllLivesMatter

Black. White. Police. Transgender. Gay. Straight. Asian. Polynesian. Hispanic.

The list goes on and on and I can't list them all. But I don't want to list them all. Do you know why?

BECAUSE THEY ALL MATTER.

Whether you agree with their lifestyle, religion, life choices, whatever - THEY ALL MATTER.

The reason we shouldn't hurt, bully, or kill other people is simple. It's because they're people too and it breaks my heart that we need to point out specific groups of people saying whose lives matter and then other groups put out their own and then it almost becomes a competition of whose death is more tragic and makes a bigger difference.

Guys... all death is tragic. It's the biggest tragedy of our world. Because even if someone "deserves" it (whatever that means), it's tragic because they didn't get to live longer so they could make a change in their lives and choices.

Also because they're people too.

We need to make changes in our society and political and economic and police system. I understand this. People are outraged and exhausted of how it's been and are taking a stand. I understand this and support it.

But while all of this is happening, we need to remember the other side are people too. On both sides there are guilty and innocent people and situations. I think about stories like Game of Thrones and one of the reasons why I love the series so much. It's because George RR Martin shows that people aren't one dimensional and everyone has their own side to the story. Characters you LOVE and you think are the "good guys" make big mistakes. Characters you HATE suddenly have a plot line or a moment where you actually like them and feel bad for them. The villain always thinks they are the hero of their own story, right?

It reminds me of the musical Into the Woods. (So appropriate since the movie is out and everyone is seeing!) There's this song "No One Is Alone" and it's so perfect. It's in the part of the story where everything has gone wrong and it looks like there's no hope and the characters have to make some choices where they aren't sure if there is a right or wrong way to go.

People make mistakes. Fathers, Mothers,

People make mistakes, holding to their own,

Thinking they're alone.

Honor their mistakes, fight for their mistakes, everybody makes

one another's terrible mistakes.

Witches can be right, giants can be good.

you decide what's right you decide what's good

Just remember: someone is on your side

Someone else is not, while we're seeing our side, maybe we forgot: they are not alone.

No one is alone.

Can we just remember this during this time of unrest and anger and tragedy?

#AllLivesMatter

*additinal note: I want to be sure you all know that I understand why pointing out specific lives matter, particularly on some of these issues. I support that! What bothers me is that now people are adding these other ones and almost making it a competition and people not seeing here are two sides to every situation. Each side has mistakes and each side has innocence too. I hope that came across.

All Dogs Go to Heaven

If you were hanging out on Twitter this past Friday, you probably noticed that I wasn't in the greatest of moods. Which led to me tweeting:

Thankfully, some friends did cheer me up. One friend even asked if pictures of animals that weren't cute would help

Surprisingly, these did in fact make me feel better.

If you are friends with me on Facebook, you probably figured out what was putting me in such a sad mood on Friday night. 

My mom had texted me as I was driving to Port Cape (doing lights and sound for their most recent play, A Christmas Cactus. You can still come see it this weekend Thursday-Saturday!) that our family dog Josie had a stroke Thursday night and Friday they had to put her down.

With having to do the play, I did what anyone would do. Be an actress and pretend everything is okay. It didn't hit me until later that night after I was able to talk to my mom and hear the whole story. 

I felt so silly for being sad. Josie was old. I mean... REALLY old. We'd had her since I was nine years old. (I'm 26 now for those of you keeping count.) I hadn't even lived with her in the same house for years, and I have Bandit at my apartment. And she's a dog, it's not like my sister or something. 

But it still broke my heart. Especially after Mom told me how Dad cried when they put her in the car to take her to the vet one last time. 

It also made me want to watch All Dogs Go To Heaven.

When I go up to Chicago for Thanksgiving (in 9 days!!!!!!) she won't be there. Yeah, lately when I've visited my parents she didn't always see me and she would freak out whenever someone petted her because she had no idea what was going on, but she was the sweetest dog. Josie was the perfect dog for my family.

As a kid, since I was small and breakable, we didn't want a big/hyper/crazy dog that would jump on me and cause me to break my bones more than necessary. Josie was small (not as small as Bandit, but I don't think she grew to be over 10lbs) and calm as could be. Yes, she had her crazy dog and puppy moments as all dogs do, but generally she was very peaceful. The most wonderful little white fluffball.

What made me smile though, was how supportive people were. The French exchange student who lived with us for a year in high school told us how sorry she was that Josie was gone, and even she was sad about it. A couple of childhood friends shared with  me how sad they were to see Josie go because they knew her too. I texted another friend right away, the girl I've known my entire life, and she immediately texted my mom to see how she was doing. Although she understood, she lost her childhood dog not that long ago as well. Even the youth who met my dog during our mission trip this summer were shocked when I told them at youth group last night.

I feel a little silly - because Josie was a dog. But I don't feel as silly anymore. People who don't have pets may not get it, and that's okay. Fellow animal lovers though - they totally understand and have been so supportive! I mean, there's a reason we all cry during Marley and Me, and every other sad animal movie. Our pets are so special!

I'm sorry for the depressing post, but I do want to end on a happy note.

I kind of took a break from having people contribute to my blog - but that stops today! I'm combining two of my themes. Share with me your pet and family stories! Since pets are part of our families, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I feel like it's a good time to hear about your pets and your families.

Share funny stories, pictures, traditions, your first pet, your current pet, - ANYTHING AND ANYONE about your family! The good, the bad, sad, ugly, hilarious - you name it I want to know. 

You can share in the comments and I'll post them up on the blog, or you can email them to me: lovewokemeupthismorning@gmail.com

Can't wait to hear your stories!

We miss you Josie! 1995-2012

Bad Guys Still Win

So... I want to continue discussion about Kony and Invisible Children. The last few days I've been learning a lot more about both and I would love to hear everyone's opinions.

It shouldn't come as a shock to you all that I make decisions and take action based on what my heart/emotions tell me. I feel something or my heart starts getting tugged at - I do something in reaction. That's just how I'm wired. It's my greatest strength, but it can also be my greatest weakness because I don't always know all of the information.

Thankfully, I know people who use their heads more than I do. ;)

A friend of mine shared this article about Invisible Children with me in response to the KONY 2012 campaign. I haven't decided if I agree with what they are saying or not, but it raises some good points. I would love for you to share your thoughts!

I Solemnly Swear I Am Up To No Good

Day 31: What Affect has Harry Potter had on Your Life, and how Much Does it Mean to You?

I can't believe at this time tomorrow I'm going to be preparing to see the final midnight premiere of a Harry Potter movie. I'm really excited to see how they do it - but I'm also dreading it. It's all going to be over. On Saturday I'm leaving on a youth trip with 16 teenagers - and they said that while we're there they want to see Harry Potter with me.

I think it's because they all just want to see me cry and geek out the entire movie. :P

I didn't want to read Harry Potter at first. I remember hearing about it and how awesome it was - but I thought Harry Potter was the dumbest idea ever.

The Best Gift

Some of you may or may not have known - but yesterday was....

MY BIRTHDAY!!!


You know what would be the best gift?


Helping out Felicity and her family. Check it out.

It's a Crime I Tell You - A CRIME!

Day 20: Out of all of the Characters That Died, If You Could Bring One Back, Who Would it Be?

There are so many characters that I wish didn't die. The end of pretty much every book starting with Goblet of Fire is heartbreaking. It's as if JK Rowling put on a blind fold, then started randomly pointing at characters and when she was done that was who was going to die. So it's a hard choice.

Master of Death

Day 10: Horcruxes or Hallows?

I would totally choose the Deathly Hallows over Horcruxes. 


For those of you who may not know what the heck Horcruxes and Hallows are... here is what http://harrypotter.wikia.com says: