I Hope I Nudged Your world

February 27, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments

This is In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Last Words.” (Cow Pasture Chronicles isn’t going anywhere) 🙂

I don’t know quite how to say this, but this is my last post. I toyed with the idea of just disappearing, knowing you would stop visiting, eventually. I imagined my fellow fence jumpers climbing back over the fence in search of greener pastures, and becoming a distant memory or even forgotten.

But, something stopped me. First of all, I have always believed words matter. The words we say, write, and share have great potential to touch those around us. They can mend fences, relationships, encourage, delight and sometimes hurt. But, how sad the world would be without words.

Secondly, I pray the words I’ve shared will be a legacy, of sorts, for those I leave behind. Perhaps, my grandchildren, or their children’s children will get to know me and be inspired. Maybe not, but a woman can hope.

It is with great sadness to know my journey is over, but what a journey it has been. I pray that somewhere along the way, I touched you, inspired you, or gave you a moment’s respite. I know being a part of this community of writers changed my world. So,thank you.

44 Countries in 2014

January 1, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

A San Francisco cable car a still operating cable pulled system (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thanks to you, this blog was viewed about 930 times in 2014. San Francisco cable cars hold 60 people. If it were a cable car, it would take about 16 trips to carry that many people. 44 countries were among my visitors! Thanks readers!

Here are the top five posts with the most visits: I hope you will continue to visit and join all the other Cow Pasture fence jumpers. Here’s to an even bigger and better 2015!

Give me a Prism

To Daughter’s Everywhere: Mother’s Words of Wisdom

Let Me Buy You a Cup of Coffee

Christmas Glimmer

Dream Reader: Dear Coop

Enough, Already!

October 11, 2014October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

DAILY PROMPT
Ready, Set, Done
10 minutes. You and your keyboard (or smartphone. Or tablet. Or pen and paper). No pauses, no edits, no looking back: it’s free-write time!

I’ve had enough. Our society, the country is off it’s rocker. Case in point, an article published by The National Review, October the 8th, regarding the “Gender sensitivity training of teachers in the Lincoln Public School system.

Training materials came from Gender Spectrum, an organization with the goal of, “Providing education, training and support to help create a gender sensitive and inclusive environment for children of all ages.”

Nebraska took it to the extreme, these training materials encouraged teachers to:

“Don’t use phrases such as ‘boys and girls,’ ‘you guys,’ ‘ladies and gentlemen,’ and similarly gendered expressions to get kids’ attention,”
“Create classroom names and then ask all of the ‘purple penguins’ to meet on the rug,” it advises.
Teachers are encouraged to hang signs on their classroom doors insisting that “all genders” are welcome while discontinuing the time-tested practice of lining boys and girls up separately before leaving class.
“Always ask yourself … ‘Will this configuration create a gendered space?'” the document says.”
Educators should prominently display photographs of gender-benders in the classroom, the new policy insists, and give students at least four choices when it is imperative that gender be determined (girl, boy, both, or neither).

Are you kidding me? As if our kids approaching puberty aren’t confused enough. According to the Intersex Society of North America (ISNA), between 0.1% and 0.2% of live births are ambiguous enough to become the subject of specialist medical attention. Did you catch that, 0.1% of the population!

Are we simply going to sit back and allow a minority of 0.1% erase the identity of our children and future generations? Because that’s what will happen. Erase male and female roles from our society? We might as well make eunuchs of everyone and have all future children fertilized in test tubes. Ridiculous!

In the guise of political correctness and inclusiveness, we as a society, afraid to speak for fear of being labeled, are allowing the tail to wag the dog. Shame on you Nebraska and shame on all of us who have remained silent up to now.

Enough already. If there is a child or adult with issues, by all means provide assistance. But, leave the rest the hell alone. Our society is screwed up enough.

Dream Reader (Part 3): Sweet Cooper

October 5, 2014October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

Daily Post

Blogging 101 Challenge : publish a post for your dream reader, and include a new-to-you element in it (Post 3 of 3 in this series).

I pushed away the doctor’s recommendations. “It isn’t time,” I said. I couldn’t bring myself to accept the truth of what my eyes were seeing. I did everything. Then you said, “No more.” You refused your medications, and soon there was no denying the truth.

I held on because I couldn’t let go.

Six months after our last conversation with the doctor, I made the call. You were always most at rest in my arms even on the worse days and I wanted to be there holding you. I wanted you to feel loved as you finally found the peace your body sought.

I had no idea what it would be like. It was not peaceful. The sedation confused and frightened you. Things happened as if in slow motion. I was in a hell of my own making. Unable to stop the suffocating avalanche bearing down on us, all I could do was hold you. Try to calm and comfort you as best I could, and let you know you were loved and not alone.

I hope you remember my arms around you, the stroke of my hand against your face, the loving touch of your dad, and my voice as I sang softly to you. I pray those are the last things you remember from that day. I pray the memories of me, your dad, and our family are with you now and that your days are filled with joy. I hope the sounds of the laughter remind you of us.

Above all other gifts, you sweet, sweet Cooper were the most precious I ever received.

I always tried doing what was best for you. I realize on that day, I failed and I will forever regret my actions. It should have been on your terms, when you decided. Curled up together on the sofa, I could’ve held you, sung softly, and you would’ve known peace, love and gentle parting.

I will never make that mistake again. Your precious sister, who misses you terribly, is well, happy, and safe.

Things will be different for Piper. When the time comes, she will tell me. I will wrap my arms around her in love, and remember you, I promise.

Saying I’m sorry isn’t enough, but you deserved at least that much. We loved you more than these few words can say, and I want you to know Cooper, you were, a delight to have in our lives. We will never forget the way you hated to have your picture taken, loved boating and fishing, or the excitement you brought to Christmas.

For twelve years you gave us unconditional love and more joy than I’ve ever known. I am forever grateful and humbled to have had the privilege to be your human mom.

I will love you always,

Mom