7-Color North Jeffco Westsider 7
November 29, 2013
Giving thanks for even the rough stuff There is a doctrine in my Faith that is embodied in the lyrics of a song: Blessed be Your Name, when the world’s all as it should be, When the sun’s shining down on me, Blessed be Your Name. Blessed be Your Name, On the road marked with suffering, When there’s pain in the offering, Blessed be Your Name. The is idea is that Thankfulness is not something that should be reserved for times and places when life is good, but that Gratitude is a quality that shows even better when times are tough. I tend to think that Gratefulness, therefore, is not an expression of character and an acknowledgment of events, but, rather, a shaper of character and an influencer of events. So this Thanksgiving, I’m choosing to give thanks for some of the things from my past that are, well, not exactly my best moments. This year, I am thankful for the stupid events at a retreat in high school that ended up in me being suspended for five days. Yeah, really. But it’s okay, because, up until that point, I’d been skating through school without a lot of ambition; that embarrassment was the kick in the behind that I needed to get on track, and I do look back on that as one of the seminal moments of my life. I am also thankful for a few of the really dumb things I did in college which, blessedly, did not end up in the hospital or the police station, though they easily could have. Let’s just say there were few times that I “leaped before looking.” Going through those taught me the difference between calculated risks and just being dumb, and that’s a pretty important lesson to learn. I am thankful, also, for the women in my life, and, oddly, for some of the bad, mean, stupid, shameful things I said and did when I was younger. Though thinking back on those still causes me pangs of embarrassment, it’s that little pain that
informs me better ways to deal with the women in my life today. And, sure, I’m still frequently listed in the Annals of Stupid Husbands, but we’ve been married for almost 19 years now, so I think something must be working. And, for the record, ladies, if the statute of limitations hasn’t run out yet, I am sorry. I am thankful for weird turns in my career. Believe me, I am not, right now, where I always pictured I would be. But those weird turns have opened up a lot of other opportunities to me, and have allowed me to explore other interests, one of which you are sharing with me right now. It has to be said that, in each of these instances, I did not escape greater trouble by my own wit or talent. In some cases, better people than me kept things in check; in others, blind luck played a role. But, in most cases, I am here today because somebody else took into account the nature of my screw-ups, and showed me a little Grace and Mercy. Without that, the police station, or worse, was a very real possibility. So, this Thanksgiving, remember to Give Thanks for some of the things in your life that, shall we say, leave you a little rough around the edges and don’t make you very proud. Those rough edges are exactly tools that you need to sculpt you into who you are. Michael Alcorn is a music teacher and fitness instructor who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. He graduated from Alameda High School and the University of Colorado-Boulder.
digging into career choices Alan Cram with the Colorado Mining Association visits with Century Middle School eighth graders, Tyler Williams and Gunner Ensminger. The Colorado Mining Association was one of the most popular booths at the Career Expo hosted by the Adams County Commissioners on Nov. 19 at the Denver Mart. About 5,700 students participated in the 10th annual event. Photo by Pam Wagner
letter to the editor Let’s be civil
Disagreements are commonplace, and there is certainly a wide gap between what Democrats and Republicans think about gun control. However attempting to recall Sen. Evie Hudak for nothing more than disagreeing with certain groups about gun control is inappropriate and a mockery of the democratic process on which this country was founded. Sen. Hudak won her seat because the majority of the voters agreed with her position on gun control and other issues. Those who disagree with her certainly have the right to write to her and explain their positions and to not vote for her in the next election. But a senator not doing what you want is not cause for a recall. If anything, the idea that we should start recalling anyone who says something certain groups don’t like is turning government into anarchy. I was outraged by the fear mongering and misrepresentation of the issues that I experienced by a woman outside the Standley Lake Library in Jefferson County the other day. She was trying to gather signatures for a petition to recall Sen. Hudak, and while that is her right in this democracy we live in, she was abusive and harassing people. As people walked
toward the library she would say, “Do you want to sign a petition to protect our Second Amendment rights?” like as if Senator Hudak was trying to repeal them, thereby totally misrepresenting the issue to the voters. If someone disagreed, she immediately became verbally assaultive. I support Sen. Hudak, and I support strict gun control and strict enforcement. If anything, in countries that have those things crime rates have plummeted. But this is about far more than gun control. It’s about control of the legislature, and it’s about how we practice democracy. The GOP is just using gun control as a way to manipulate voters who are opposed to it to recall the senator so they can gain control of the legislature, something they couldn’t do in a fair election because the majority voted against them. If they get control, they won’t just be fighting gun control. They’ll use their power to bring more fracking and other environmental dangers to the state and fight funding of crucial programs our elderly, our children and the poor are dependent upon. But most importantly, they will turn democracy into a farce. Robin Ferruggia Lyons
It’s that time again By the time you read this, Thanksgiving Day will be about over. And now it’s time to talk cookies and candy and decorating inside and out. I have to admit that my holiday decorating is falling prey to lack of energy due to a life span of 81 years. There will still be red spotlights and the manger scene. Indoor red candelabras will be placed in each window. Last year we decided to not put up the Christmas tree or the village under the tree or a bow on anything that doesn’t move. Again this year we’re not going “all out,” instead putting up a huge wreath where the tree would normally go flanked by a life-sized Santa and a small lighted five foot tree donated by granddaughter Jessica.
Don’t trash the fruit cake Let’s face it! I love, absolutely love, fruit cake. And it makes me sad to hear all the jokes about this lovely dessert. I’m already eating the delicious one I got at Costco a few weeks ago. This fruitcake is to die for. It’s chock full of nuts, candied fruit and other goodies in it. The cost is $16.99 and
worth every cent of it. I try to limit my intake to one generous slice every day. I’m sure I’ll eat two of the festive cakes by the end of the year.
The busy time
It’s just so darn busy at this time so I know reading my column takes a low priority. So, happy holidays! Stay well, stay involved and stay tuned. Vi June is past Democratic state representative for House District 35. She is a former mayor of Westminster and a former newspaper publisher. A Westminster resident for more than four decades, she and her husband, Bob, have five grown children and eight grandchildren.
Private Party
Contact: Viola Ortega 303-566-4089 obituaries@ourcoloradonews.com
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