Small things bring joy when big things are unspeakable

by Cheryl, posted on February 1st, 2012 in Just me, Parenting

There were two news stories today that were both horrible, each in its own way. You can read about the decision by the Susan G Komen For the Cure foundation that will likely directly result in women dying, here and here. Or the unspeakable crimes against children perpetrated by a man who taught for 30 years at a school in Los Angeles, here.

And so, after dinner, during which I wore David out on my absolute disgust with Susan G Komen for the Cure, how I will never give them another dime, how last time I checked abortion was legal in America and whether or not you agree with it, putting womens health at risk because of someone’s religious agenda was appalling, and besides that’s only a fraction of what Planned Parenthood does, I was glad to have a funny little toddler to lighten the mood.

(By the way? Bless my husband’s heart. He listened. He agreed. I decided to keep him.)

Anyway. There is nothing more hysterical, when you are not quite three, then being naked. NAKED!

And our little daredevil celebrated the moment by doing some extreme tricycling. NAKED!

He’s going to be great fun at parties when he’s in college.

Tags: child molester teacher, mark berndt, planned parenthood, small things bring joy, susan g komen

Comments

39 Responses to “Small things bring joy when big things are unspeakable”

Megan Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 2:11 am

Yes. We recieved some bad news today and there was my son, asking for rides and waving at every stranger to brighten out day.
He loves naked time too.
Megan recently posted..First trip to the dentist

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Aw…how sweet! Sorry about your news, tho..

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jessica Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 2:50 am

I will now not sleep tonight reading those articles. I’m so angry I am speechless.

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:22 pm
It’s insane, isn’t it?

Altho I somehow don’t believe you were speechless..

xoxo

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Tiffany Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 9:53 am

All three of those stories have left me speechless. I am glad you are sharing b/c I had no idea about the Komen agenda. I had, unfortunately, heard about that teacher. Dang it. But, you’re right, there’s nothing like a naked 3-year-old. My oldest son was naked until he was 6. All the time.
Tiffany recently posted..Comment on Songs To Love by Jenna

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Evonne Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 10:48 am

That was probably the best bike ride he has ever had!

People see one side of Planned Parenthood and seem to ignore what else they do. This Komen news really ticks me off. I have other problems relating to Planned Parenthood and another organization as well. People just need to open their eyes more.
Evonne recently posted..I am a hollow reed

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:23 pm
I went to PP when I had no insurance and was making $17k a year. They serve a portion of the population who might not otherwise receive health care, but that’s not what anti-choice wants to hear.

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Arnebya Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 10:59 am

Oh, I was incensed when I read their decision. It’s such a, “Seriously? No, seriously. Are you serious?” moment that I can’t even frigging get out anything besides seriously. Ugh.

But! That butt was probably a happy one on that bike. Nothing like a good, unexpected streak. On a bike.
Arnebya recently posted..I Want To Have Sex With My Shoes

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Exactly. It’ll be interesting to see what happens from here.

And yes – bike streaking!

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Jen Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 12:27 pm

This is my favorite part about having kids. They always know just when to make you laugh.

It’s their special power.
Jen recently posted..Math is Hard

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:24 pm
It really is. You’re right.

Otherwise, we’d have to sell them, right?

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RVohs Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 2:07 pm

Am I the only one that sees the hypocrisy in your comment on the two stories, one decrying the violence perpetrated against children, while the other makes light of it? While you rail against the man’s violence, you ignore the violence against the unborn. Komen may lose your dime, but they’ve gained mine.

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:15 pm
I’m sure you’re not alone. Planned Parenthood is not an “abortion clinic,” despite what many in the anti-choice movement would like to believe. They provide health care to many women who might otherwise not have access to it – like the 700,000 women who received breast cancer screenings last year. To deny access to these services is unconscionable. Why aren’t you as upset over women’s health as you are about an “unborn child,” as you call it, who may or may not be viable?

Cutting off funding for these life-saving services by Susan G Komen – who, incidentally, spent over $1 million suing charities over it “cure” brand – is the ultimate hypocrisy.

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RVohs Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Pretty simple explanation as to why… a woman’s health may be life-threatening, but abortion is life-ending. And, don’t even start with the ‘when life begins’ argument. Medically or theologically, you’re not qualified. As a mother, however, you are. Look at your own children and tell me you didn’t KNOW them before they were born. Is there a mother amongst you that can deny that fact!

Komen has an incredible funding base built upon good branding. They have every right to protect their brand. And Komen has done more to raise the awareness of breast cancer than any other single initiative, public or private. How would you feel if someone stole your mommypants ‘brand’ and used it for their blog?

And you’re wrong. Planned Parenthood is an abortion clinic, among other things. According to its own report released in February of 2011, Planned Parenthood performed over 27% of all abortions performed nationally for Year 2009. Facts can be inconvenient, sometimes.

Just think, if Planned Parenthood stopped performing abortions, they could have my dime and the Komen dime(s)…

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Breast cancer can absolutely be fatal. In fact, it’s the second leading cause of death due to cancer for women in the country. One key to curing it? EARLY DETECTION.

I won’t get into a discussion over when life begins, but I can tell you, as a woman AND a mother, that I will fight for a woman’s right to choose – and not let it be determined by you or anyone else. I hope my daughter is never in that situation – and that’s why I’m thankful for places such as Planned Parenthood that provide contraception options.

My brand doesn’t earn millions of dollars that I could use to save lives. It isn’t a non-profit that pays me over $450,000 a year to run it. Has Susan G Komen done a lot of good? Yes. Could it do better? Yes.

If we are all pro life, then why would Susan G Komen say the life of a lower-income woman is not worthy of their support?

Wendy Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:36 pm
@RVohs The last time I checked breast cancer REMAINS incurable so, in my book, this makes it life-threatening. Until you’ve had to face the decision of having an abortion or been told that you have been diagnosed with a deadly disease, I think you or anyone else for that matter, should choose your words very carefully.

RVohs Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 1:52 am
Early detection doesn’t require abortions, last I heard, so let Planned Parenthood excel at detection, but not abortion.

We are not all pro life – your worldview is perfectly clear on that fact – neither does Komen’s withdrawal indicate the unworthiness of lower-income families to receive medical care. What it does say is that Komen values life, above all else. That sounds like pro life to me.

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Cheryl Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:45 pm
I wish “pro-lifers” would be as concerned with life after the womb as they are about life inside the womb.

You have no idea what my personal feelings on abortion are. But I would never presume to put MY personal feelings on someone else’s body.

Also, I assume the military is absolutely not pro-life. I hope you are protesting them as well.

Megan Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:50 pm
I am glad to hear the reports of donations going toward Planned parenthood so they can keep offering what they have always offered.
Over 90 percent of Planned Parenthood’s offerings is primary preventative care, which Komen had endangered by pulling funds. And that care helps prevent unwanted pregnancies.
If the pro-life people really are so, they will do what others have done and support people’s lives NOW before painful decisions need to be made.
Even though I am pro-choice, that does not mean I could ever choose to have an abortion.
I hope Komen learns they have only hurt themselves.
Megan recently posted..How’s my plan going?

Aliza Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:32 pm
@RVohs – Yes, it seems you’re the only one. On this board, anyway. I don’t see ANYWHERE in this post where Cheryl “makes light” of abortions, or the dire circumstances under which a woman might seek one. An extremely unfair and inaccurate accurate accusation. Consistent with Komen’s attack on Planned Parenthood.
Aliza recently posted..Et tu, Komen?

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RVohs Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 9:15 pm
@Aliza – You are right. Cheryl doesn’t ‘make light’ of it. She totally ignores the life issue by calling it ‘anti-choice’. The life of the unborn is not about choice – it’s about life. I value life, yours as well as Cheryl’s and every woman’s life. Every man’s life. All life.

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Theresa Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:01 am
Thank god we live in a country we’re we have a choice. Being Pro-Choice does not mean pro-abortion, but your view of “pro-life” does mean Anti-Choice. If you don’t like abortion, your answer should be simple. Don’t have one.

P.S. Abortion is only 3% of what PP does.

Maegan (@ByndTheBandaids) Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:09 am
You almost had me @RVohs – I was riding your wave of logic until you got to the part about Komen’s withdrawal of funds being because they “value life, above all else.”

This is where I disagree. Because if they did, they would leave their allocations where they stand and not kowtow to political pressure under “allegations”. Innocent until proven guilty, anyone?

*I* feel that if Komen truly valued “life, above all else”, it would not matter as long as a woman could have a simple test that could serve as early detection against a fatal disease. Period. Bottom line.

They folded like a house of cards under pressure. Where is their backbone? I guess it’s in the bank.
Maegan (@ByndTheBandaids) recently posted..Discovering Dystonia | Upcoming Concert Fundraiser

Maegan (@ByndTheBandaids) Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:37 am
Oh, and please go read this:

http://www.wendywillblog.com/2012/02/01/dr-susan-love-response-to-komen-planned-parenthood-fallout/
Cindy Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 2:27 pm

I was so incredibly pissed off when I saw the Komen news last night that I went a texting rampage to a few of my friends, 2 of the 4 who have had cancer (not breast). I had to vent. Komen is so political! Find a fucking cure and stop with pushing your stupid “moral” agenda. Like others have said, PP does so much more than abortions (which, yes, is legal) and they are being so unfairly penalized. I might have had kids while I was at IU if it wasn’t for my affordable PAPS, pills and condoms (yeah yeah, no judging!) from PP. I have 3 daughters. I hope to god they have a PP to turn to if they need it. GAAAAH!
Thanks for allowing this vent.
Cindy recently posted..Future social worker anyone?

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Yes. Find a cure. Perfectly said.

I remember my first visit to PP and am glad they were there when I needed them. And yes, I hope they’re still there if my daughter ever needs them!

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John Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 2:30 pm

You’re writing the end there like it’s not normal to ride a tricycle nude.

That might explain some of the weird looks I got when I test-rode a road-trike.

The Susan G Komen decision, I believe, is going to go down as one of the very worst decisions ever made by a non-profit. However, as I heard on twitter “it’s not like poor people could afford anything pink, anyway.” I truly hope that most posts like this will convince people to send their research dollars elsewhere, or, even better, to get the powers that be with SGK to reverse their decision.
John recently posted..Where I hope for some new Instagram filters

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John Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 2:38 pm
I cannot believe I typed “you’re” instead of “your” at the beginning . . . I started the comment to say “You’re implying that we’re not supposed to ride tricycles nude?” and, um, yeah, that’s a gaffe of the highest order.
John recently posted..Where I hope for some new Instagram filters

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Wait. You’re is correct. “You are writing the end there…”

Everything okay out there in the PA?

And we can only hope they feel enough pressure to reverse the decision, or explain exactly how they’re going to pick up the slack for the 700,000 women who had breast screenings via PP last year..

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Kathy Radigan Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 3:04 pm

I have been besieged with sick children the last few days and missed this yesterday, though I did see a few things about the Kormen foundation on twitter, I did not know the whole story. I am appalled and will not give another penny myself. I agree with you completely and am so saddened that once again women are caught in the crossfire of a political debate. I can not even read the other article. But, you are right, when the world seems so bleak there is nothing like our children to bring a smile to our face! I swear that both my boys are going to live in a nudist colony one day!!! Thank you for the smile!
Kathy Radigan recently posted..Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:29 pm
It’s a boy thing, right? I don’t remember my daughter getting such a kick out of being naked.

It is amazing to me how much politics and religion plays into the basic right of women to have access to health care.

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Jennifer Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 4:17 pm

I am appalled. And so sad about both of these events. How? Why? I just can’t wrap my mind around any of it.

Thank goodness we have the sweetness of our little ones to lift us up in the face of horrible news.
Jennifer recently posted..The Marble and Other Unsafe “Lovies”

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Cheryl Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Xander’s naked joy ride was just what I needed last night. Truly.

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Kir Says:
February 1st, 2012 at 5:57 pm

I love that picture because it really reveals the innocence of childhood, that “play” we lose as we grow older.

I am appalled and angry about both stories myself, but like you that picture helped.
Kir recently posted..RemembeRED: For Lisa & For Noelle

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Kim at Let Me Start By Saying Says:
February 2nd, 2012 at 7:10 am

My son loved riding bikes naked in the house when he was 3,too. It helped lighten me up when I got to thinking about The Awful Stuff. We all need this kind of cute on days like yesterday, right?
And YAY for having a husband who’ll be there for your (well-deserved) rants. Both stories…ugh. Just…I cannot even say.
Kim at Let Me Start By Saying recently posted..8 Non-Chocolate Gifts I Want for Valentine’s Day

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joann Says:
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:29 pm

of course I’m glad about the PP thing, but when would that surprise you? I don’t mind the idea of helping women who need help (who would mind that?) but I think PP needs a revamp. They are being investigated because their services for prenatal care and other medical care has declined while abortion procedures have increased, among other things. The Komen Foundation is not allowed to fund organizations under investigations. It’s pretty cut and dry.
The good news for you and all PP supporters is that PP has raised a ton of money since the announcement.
In my ideal world, PP would disappear and be replaced by an organization that helps women (with or without abortion, lets ignore that for now since even Margaret Sanger was against them) without the stain of negative eugenics. PP was started with the idea that poor people, minorities, and the “feeble minded” shouldn’t reproduce. That offends me.
If a woman wants to have an abortion she is entitled to it according to our countries laws, but I get annoyed when she goes to an institution that was founded under such racist and classist philosophy. I just don’t trust PP as far as I can throw them. Good riddance.
joann recently posted..Nonsense

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Cheryl Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Hi love! Thanks for weighing in. Even though I don’t agree with you.

PP is under an investigation started by an anti-abortion senator under pressure from anti-abortion groups. SGK’s new rule? Coincides with the hiring of Karen Handel. So it’d be nice to say it’s cut-and-dried, but it’s far from it. It’s full of political machinations and pushing a certain agenda.

This is an excellent article, including one of the top women at SGK resigning when the decision was made in December.

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/02/top-susan-g-komen-official-resigned-over-planned-parenthood-cave-in/252405/#.TyrXnH8Bfnx.twitter

Also, Margaret Sanger believed in voluntary, not race-based services. She did absolutely also advocate some of the other things for which Planned Parenthood has addressed.

I just can’t say “good riddance” to the 700,000 women who might now not have access to breast cancer screenings.

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joann Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:54 pm
voluntary race AND class based services. well, let’s agree to disagree. We can find common ground on the adorableness of little boys on bikes.
joann recently posted..Nonsense

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Wendy Says:
February 2nd, 2012 at 3:57 pm

So freaking cute (both David, and naked X!).

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