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A Few Words From Michelle...

It seems that I was about 12 when I read my first advice column. It was Ann Landers. Through the years I have read her and her sister, Dear Abby in the newspapers, and eventually on line. Ann Landers died a few years ago, and Dear Abby retired, leaving her daughter to write the Dear Abby column. I have watched with great interest as the new Dear Abby both assumed her mother's winning style, but also, added the perspective of a younger generation. In fact, I have been quite impressed with her advice, and her evolution.

Today's letter gave me a big chuckle, and some thoughts about how much the letters themselves have evolved from generation to generation. The letter was from a 13 year old girl who was inquiring about her first kiss. She had heard that a girl is supposed to "spell out the alphabet with her tongue". Naturally, I found this to be very, very amusing.  I actually did try it myself (alone), and found that it can be done, but it does take a while, so I would definitely have to breathe at some point!

Now I am 53 years old, and frankly, have been around the block a few times myself, but I can honestly say that I have never spelled out anything while kissing someone. Which brings to mind the question, 'if you say, kiss an Israeli, do you have to spell the alphabet in Hebrew? And how would you make all those dots?'

And on a more serious note, this is what 13 year old girls are being told about their first kiss. If you are the parent of a 13 year old or younger, this is what they hear and read. Don't let that be the only way kids hear about kissing. Initiate conversations with them. It is a very confusing time.

Inspirational Reading

This comes from The Peaceful Mariner, and was contributed by Jim Albertini. Jim is a peace activist, who reminds us in a timely way, about this piece by Julia Ward Howe...

Original Mother’s Day proclamation of 1870.

“Arise then...women of this day!  Arise, all women who have hearts!  Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!  Say firmly: "We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.  Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.  We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice." Blood does not wipe out dishonor…  As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.

Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead. Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace...”