A lifetime's not too long...

Cue "Another one bites the dust". Just kidding. Sort of.

We saw another House member married this weekend. And while there was a good mix of surrealism, joy, and "aww" moments that typically accompany weddings, the overwhelming sentiment this weekend (for me anyway; if you have a different sentiment, write your own blog!) was gratitude that friends can truly be friends for life.

The kind of friends that can pick up right where you left off--whether that was four months ago or 5 years ago. The kind of friends that let you pack up their leftovers in your to-go box, that jump on the bed with you to cuddle, that hug for the full 7 seconds it takes to release endorphins, that have so much infectious energy that even I ended up dancing for most of the night and loving it (we're talking crazy, CRAZY amounts of dancing here, people). The kind of friends who know all your quirks--and don't care if you know theirs--and love you anyways. All the time. No matter what.


I don't know when we'll all be together again, but it will be equally epic. And while I wish we could be physically closer, I know that truly, we're not far apart at all.

I am the 1%

I'm sorry for all of those people I may tick off, but I gotta say something.

The latest in a string of political fads, this whole Occupy Wall Street business sounds so kumbaya and modern, but if you get right down to it, it's basically socialism. They're arguing for freedom "to do what you will without the impositions of others." But in their minds, it's really freedom from consequences. The consequences of poor planning, inaction, fiscal irresponsibility, and selfishness. And then someone else gets to foot the bill.

Now, before you go all ballistic on me, I'm not saying that it isn't completely unfair that some people who have devoted their entire lives to a company have found themselves out of a job. And I'm not saying it's not unjust that a college student who worked hard for a degree is unable to find even an entry level job. And I'm certainly not saying that our government isn't broken and that health care is cheap or effective. Believe me, I am NOT saying that.

However, it is so in line with our American entitlement to blame some nebulous "1%" of rich, Wall Street bankers and corrupt government leaders--and then to lump any of us who are blessed enough to be financially secure in with them--for all of the problems the country is facing. Especially when it's the same government leaders they elected. I'm biting my tongue not to say "I told you so."

Wake up, people. This is where all the big-government hand-outs have gotten you: the most expensive healthcare system in the world, a never-ending list of inefficient government committees and practices that have us spiraling in debt, legislation controlled by lobbyists (because the legislators let them), and apparently 99% of you who are sitting around whining about it.

A little perspective from a friend of mine volunteering at a hospital in Malawi (and she would fall into that 1%, by the way):

Yesterday on Wall Street: Well-fed, well-dressed protestors drank Starbucks’ coffee, held up clever signs, and chanted “We are the 99%!”

Yesterday at St. Gabriel’s Hospital: A one-week-old twin died of starvation; her twin had already died shortly after being born. A mother and her baby died in child birth because it took the mother 3 days to get to the hospital and her uterus and bladder ruptured before she arrived. A 2-year-old boy died of cerebral malaria.

I ask the Wall Street protestors: “Who are the 99%?”

Opa

I'm wishing I could be at home today, reminiscing with my family, looking back at albums full of pictures, telling stories and shedding tears, and remembering a great, great man.

James Richard Zapapas, Sr. died early this morning, peacefully.

I remember the pride in his voice when he talked about The Candy Kitchen and Purdue, how he would tear up talking about how blessed he was to have his family, how he was never without his stack of "gas money", how he would get that smile on his face when he said, "Girls, I think we may just have to get a messy sundae" and how his fingers automatically rearranged his gin rummy hand. I will always remember his generosity and how important family was to him--perhaps his two biggest legacies.


And I will always, always be proud to be a Zapapas.