Conservative or Liberal and Pregnant at 14....

I've had the great opportunity of coordinating Project H.O.P.E (Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Education)through the Center for Service Learning at Mesa Community College. Project H.O.P.E is a grant project awarded to MCC to educate college students about healthy relationships, sex, family planning and most crucial about 'staying in school' completing your college education. Being raised in the LDS Church I thought I had a deep and meaningful understanding of service. It's not uncommon to give a hand when someone is in need. Most of my service has revolved around helping others move, clean, watching kids, dogs, picking up mail, delivering a meal, telephone calls to check in with those who are sick, new mom's or new to the neighborhood. I have also felt the call to civic duty... However today brought a whole new perspective of the importance of community service.

This morning our Project H.O.P.E team; Heather, Liz, Tiffany, Sheila and myself were invited to present at Compadre High School in Tempe. Compadre is a non traditional high school serving high school students at risk. Prior to our presentation we had the opportunity to tour the on site daycare facilities. We were talking to a parenting class of young mothers 14-17 years old. I spent most of my time in the newborn nursery holding a gorgeous little lady named Larissa. Larissa was easy to pick out of the crowd, she was fussy and crying. As I bent down to pick her up, I could feel her little rock hard tummy while she struggled to pull her legs up. She had a tummy ache, her premature birth and low birth weight are contributors to her delicate digestive system. At 6 weeks she has a full head of black hair, beautiful brown eyes, sparkly little pink earrings and a tiny features.

I couldn't help but think of my own little grand daughter and how precious she is. I thought back on a long conversation my daughter Cori and I had about placing Henli in daycare as Cori would have to return to work. I remember Cori's anxiety about leaving Henli and in trying to decide on the right daycare provider. As Miss Larissa's cry grew louder, my thoughts turned to her and her 15 year old mother. I felt absolutely sick.... I asked myself... how in the world does a 14 year old girl find herself pregnant and not know it? And better yet how did her parents not know? She literally went 7 months with NO prenatal care. She didn't think having unprotected sex could equal having a baby. She and the baby daddy didn't stay together.

Well dear friends... the question I ask you is... Have we failed our children? Each of us has a story to tell about the 'talk' or lack of the 'talk' we experienced as youth. Did your parents talk to you about sex? Well if your parents couldn't talk to you about sex, I would bet you struggled to talk to your own kids. How can you teach your kids about sex, when the very topic was off limits to you? This is a huge problem in our culture.... Kids having babies... and grandparents raising them...

The next question I hear all the time is.... Don't they teach Sex Ed in schools?????? Well if you live in Arizona the answer is NO.... in Arizona our children are taught abstinence if anything at all..... Yet statistically Arizona holds the title of 3rd highest teen birth rate in the nation... Impressive???

Where is the disconnect? Parents feel it is their sacred right to discuss such matters as pro-creation and family values at home... Yet this is not happening in most homes.... Educators feel a great sense of frustration as they are teaching our sexually active and in many cases pregnant students that abstinence is the only sure way to ovoid an unplanned pregnancy or worse an uninvited sexually transmitted disease...

The real need is for us as parents, educators and legislator's to find a middle ground and start working together. Parents could use some coaching on how and when to start the dialog about sex... educators need to have the resources available to teach medically accurate information and the latitude to open up dialog with their students... Legislator's when will you take a hard look at the numbers? Teen pregnancy and skyrocketing birth rates have to be paid for... as a tax payer I expect more from you! I am living in an age of instantaneous communication..Internet, texting, GPS... yet when it comes to education our children about sex,contraception and family values we are living in the STONE AGE....

It's time to take a proactive stand in teaching our children, early about healthy relationships, encouraging good self esteem, sexual relationships, contraception, family planning and getting a good education. If our children are truly our greatest natural resource... and the future leaders of tomorrow.... then we need to get our act together as adults to ensure the success of our children today!

There is no conservative or liberal stand on protecting our children.... just proactive or reactive....

It's time to talk....

The art of 'Thanksgiving'

Thursday, November 25, 2010... Thanksgiving...

This morning as the house was still, I am listening to Christmas music, sipping on a delicious cup of Earl Gray tea... with a hint of cream. One of my favorite things... enjoying a few solitary minutes reflecting on my many blessings, prior to engaging in the hectic game of life. A week ago I cooked a turkey for our department luncheon... as I left campus to run home, carve the turkey and return... I remember feeling so grateful for my warm sweater and heated seats as a very chilly north wind blew right through me. While waiting at a busy intersection listening to Christmas music I couldn't help notice a man standing in the center of the street, trying to get across before the turning signal turned green.. he was holding a tattered bag, his clothing was dirty and filled with holes. There was no question the arrival of cold weather had caught him off guard... yet I couldn't help but think... He probably doesn't have a winter coat, sweater, gloves... or a family at home waiting for him to return. I knew life was hard for this man.

I felt a pit in the middle of my stomach... My thoughts turned to how hard life can be for all of us at times. What happens in the lives of so many that they are out on the streets? Hard times, illness, homelessness, poverty, divorce, addictions, no family, few friends, loneliness, depression, unemployment and death.. As I drove home I decided to rekindle my relationship with my gratitude journal throughout this holiday season. In light of the problems around me... I turned my focus to the blessings of life. I was overwhelmed as I started taking an inventory.....

The list is long and treasured... My children.. Griffin, Jackie, Cori, Brett, Kylie and Ethan, I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a mother and for the special relationships I cherish with each of my kids... My sweet little grand daughter Henli. Henli called me last week to share her new find... She has found her voice and is laughing out loud... Oh my what a feeling it is to hear her laugh... She is such a blessing to each of us. We are all crazy about the divine Miss 'H'. Great friends... Oh my ... have I been blessed with amazing friends that support me, inspire and encourage me every day... good health, the overwhelming feeling of peace and accomplishment in my life, the incredible opportunity to return to school and expand my knowledge, every day is like pulling a new treasure out of the treasure chest..Being afforded the opportunity to coordinate Project HOPE for Mesa Community College. I am grateful for the gift of understanding, wisdom and hard work. I am grateful for the a heart that feels compassion for others. I have been blessed with an amazing sense of humor. I am grateful for my positive outlook on life and determination to accomplish my goals and live my dreams.

I am in awe of the daily intervention of the divine in my life. The magical way my questions and prayers are answered... The incredible people who walk into my life at exactly the right time.. The extraordinary opportunities I have to give back and serve those around me.

We've all heard the old adage...."Is your glass half empty.... or half full"? How do you live your life on a daily basis... Is your life a journey of wonder and thanksgiving.... or a hardship filled with unhappiness? There is an art to living in a state of constant thanksgiving....

My wish for each of you this "Thanksgiving Day 2010" is to cultivate the art of 'thanksgiving' in your daily lives...it all starts with an inventory... Get a head start as the holiday season is upon us. Take the time to feed and nourish your spirit through the art of 'Thanksgiving'

Live with Intensity and Purpose...

Happy Thanksgiving...

Carla