Archives
7:18:00 PM CDT
Getting interviewed
I've noticed that J-landers are interviewing each other in several journals and my friend, Becky, of Mumma4evr's life or lack thereof has joined in. I stepped up to be interviewed. I "met" Becky on a message board and loved her sense of humor, her heart and her honesty. She and her husband have fostered children and have adopted four, and we would all be lucky to have someone like her for a mother. She also lives in a church manse that's over 100 years old. So, here we go. It was a good opportunity to do some thinking.
1. You just returned from taking a spontanious road trip with your daughter. What do you feel was the most beneficial thing about the road trip?
We have both been stuck in a rut for a long time and came back from this trip with a wonderful sense of freedom and hope. Both the girlchild and I have to cope with depression, and a good part of depression is feeling that things will never change and that you're powerless to change them. We took some power back with this trip. We made something change! Honestly, it took us a bit to think about what might be really fun and getting back to realizing we could have fun was incredible. It boosted my sense of competence. Notorious for my lack of direction, I got us where we wanted to go, even with some wrong turns. It's funny that the only things we really planned to do were the ones that didn't work out from locations being closed, and not getting hung up on having to do something was great.
2. If money, family or time were not a concern, what would you like to do to make a difference in the world?
Well, I really would like to write something just wonderful that makes people feel and think and want to make positive changes in themselves. There's nothing wrong with dreaming big. I'd also like to establish a foundation that funds research on orphan diseases; the illnesses which don't affect enough people to make the research of their cause and treatment economically viable for the pharmaceutical companies to explore, leaving millions of people with diseases about which little is known, treatment options are few, and for which there's almost no hope of recovery. And while we're at it, I'd like to set up another foundation to help women in the advancement of their dreams and careers. This would provide scholarships and grants for education to those who needed it, basic training on how to get a job to those who needed that, grants for childcare for those just entering or re-entering the workplace, entrepreneurial help for women who want to start and build their own business, legal resources for women who find themselves in need of that. Part of this would be a volunteer organization of mentors. A job is an income which is independence, but it's also a source of pride, accomplishment, self-esteem and even identity. Yet so many women need a helping hand just to get well into the game and keep it going. I don't have facts and figures to back this up. I have experience in helping people get jobs and the multiple challenges involved.
3.What is your most important piece of advice that you will give your daughter, when it is time for her to raise her children?
Love your children for who they are and let them teach you as you teach them.
4. If you were able to pick anyone , dead or alive, to lead our country, who would it be and why?
Oh, now this is a tough one. As much as I admire Thomas Jefferson's mind, I ruled him out --poor economic responsibility, and the press would have a field day over his personal life. For the latter reason, I also ruled out Benjamin Franklin, though we could really use someone with his diplomatic skills. I thought of James Polk, the only president who kept every single campaign promise. We could definitely use a taste of that. When I think of the multiple crises facing our nation, I want someone with experience in dealing with more than one life or death issue at a time. FDR came to mind, and that's who I'd choose. Yes, he altered the face of democracy. Some would say that he destroyed it, but in his years as president, a sound economy was built up from ashes and dust, a war was won, arts were funded, people went to work, and the path for prosperity for future generations was set. For good or bad, that's who I'd choose.
5. think of the worst mistake you ever made. I really don't want to know what the mistake was. BUT if you could go back and fix it would you?
No, I really wouldn't. I wouldn't be the person I am today without the mistakes I've made, even the really big ones, and I genuinely like who I am. I believe that things do happen for some reason, and I know that I've learned and grown from my mistakes.
Written by sistercdr Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
-
I would love to undo my biggest mistake, because it ended up hurting others. You journal has helped me many times. I appreciate your being here.
Go FDR!!and Eleanor, too!!
Kathy
http://journals.aol.com/gypsytrader49/ksuergiu/ -
This was interesting. I suspect you have a lot more impact on other people's lives than you realize. I wish you were closer. It is not an easy thing to stop one's career for two years then try to pick it up again. There's a lapse in work time and it can be a red flag to an employer that you have some issues. This causes me great stress as I try to reenter the job force.
-
I too, would not undo my biggest mistake because I would not have the family I have now!
Becky -
FDR and Eleanor have always been my heros. They say that FDR couldn't get away with the stuff that he had hid from the Nation during his terms. PBS and The History Channel will both be airing something about him soon. As far as mistakes are concerned, I've made so many of them, God help me if I could chose one to correct. As always, I enjoy your work.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/JMoranCoyle/MyWay/
4/14/05 9:44 AM
V