Homeless in America Hits Any Age Group

It is always nice to get away from home for a day and just have a little fun with friends. Today was just that day. With all the snow we have had and being cooped up in the house for days at a time, the sun was bright, almost blinding so it was a perfect day for a road trip and lunch.

After the great day I came home to a little television. I had heard earlier in the week a report about the staggering numbers of teen homeless in our country. There are roughly 2 million homeless teens in America today. That's a number that for me no real parent can fathom.

The segment told the story of four teens, ranging in age from 13-18. Another sad statistic is the large amount in the state of Oregon. I always had the thought that Oregon was the carefree, hippie state. Lots of people move there either to retire, or raise children because of the peace and tranquility.

Each story of these teens in itself was extremely heartbreaking. One young man who was 17 was sent on a one-way trip to see a relative. Later his mother confessed there was no relative--she just couldn't handle him. There stories differed greatly but after living in a tree for a short time in San Francisco Golden Gate Park, he managed to get his life back on track, graduate and briefly re-connect with some of his family.

Another young lady was tossed out by her mother after most of her life living in cars and shelters. Again her mother told a different version of the truth and the girl was eventually emancipated by the State of Oregon. She later received over $16,000 in scholarship and is attending the college of her dreams.

The other staggering figure on this is alot of these young people are those who feel uncomfortable in their own skin due to transgender. Another high occurrence is drug and alcohol use.

Each of these stories brought a different aspect of how this homeless teen epidemic is a truly sad situation.

Although I have never been homeless and am a parent myself, I am unable to understand these parents. It is possible that the whole story is really not told, as in any situation but we as a society can only hope these kids can turn things around and be productive citizens because they are the future.

Everyone has a story some like fairy tales and others like horror stories. They can stop the cycle and get off, or chose to continue peddling down a road to nowhere. The chose is their's some are on the right road and others are lost. I thank God everyday my two children are doing well.

The other thought on this is I complain about being cooped up in my home during bad weather, next time I will be thinking about those kids or anyone who doesn't have a home at all.

The Snow--Better Memories

We have seen our fair share of snow this year. Maybe not as much as years past but I find as I am getting older my tolerance to the non-recreational snow is getting less and less.

Growing up in California, living on the coast the only time you saw snow was when you were driving north and could see the snow on the top of the local mountains. You went to the snow, it didn't come to you. Bundling up gloves, hats, extra socks, boots, jackets, scarves I have obviously spent more on seasonal clothes in the past 14 years than I care to admit.

I actually still have hanging in my closest my first pair of suspender ski pants I bought for my first ever ski trip. I am not even sure why I have kept them all this time, I haven't been skiing in 13 years.

My first experience skiing was at 21. David and I had been dating six months when he invited me to go skiing with a few of his friends. I thought that at least with my figure skating ability I might be able to get by a little. Boy, was I surprised. I spent more time down than up but after one full day of clearing the ski run for others I finally got the hang of it. Mammoth Mountain was one of the premier lodges in Northern California and a great place to learn.

Later on trips to Lake Tahoe, Big Bear helped to get my skating legs into skiing legs. On a trip to Alaska and Vancouver BC I had big hopes of getting to ski, but with the severe fog in both places we were unable to get the chance.

Our last ski trip was to the local ski area, Big Bear the Winter of 1996. It was bittersweet because by then snowboarding was in full swing and skiing had become more difficult to maneuver because of the snowboarders as they both "shared" the mountain.

One thing I know is true, its alot better to have fun in the snow then it is to be stuck in or shoveling it..

Playing Catch Up or Slowing Down A Big Part of Life

I catch myself already saying to my nine month old granddaughter "slow down". At some point in the not so distant future I will probably tell her to "come on lets go, hurry up". Somehow we are never satisfied with the speed in which we travel in life or how others do sometimes either.

When I was skating I was usually in time with the music. (Sometimes I would skate to fast and be ahead). Sometimes I would scramble to catch up if I had a fall. The coach would always tell you "if you fall get up, go on and finish the program, No matter what.. One such time when I was competing at a national competition with my group we literally had a trainwreck, one of the ladies fell, and cut her nose. But she got up and continued on to finish. The picture taken after she proudly showed her battle scar and with all that we managed to "Survive the Trainwreck" as it was proudly known for years after.

I still haven't caught up and it's only nine days into 2011. Now really should be the time in my life where I should be able to slow down a little. But like "retirement" its not a word in my vocabulary.

The old saying "Stop and smell the roses--or coffee" whatever the case maybe I am going to try my best but I won't make any promises. Who am I kidding, until the day I die I will probably be rushing on to the next event, or task but I will never be accused of never doing enough..