Well, I had a rather large monologue here for you all to bore on through. It was about the meaning of adoption and of it's impacts world wide. As I read through it, I remembered that this blog is called "The Gift". One of them I posted about was writing. So I deleted it all, thinking that I wouldn't allow myself to write this, since this wasn't some stupid prompt our dear state came up with. So here's what I really want to talk about.
My family may adopt. There's about a 7.5-2.5 chance we will, to adopting. So, once my parents cleared it with us, came the big questions: Age, gender, and background. As a pastor, my dad is limited in all three categories.
We can't get a child in the middle, that is a girl. If you want to know why, talk to your parents about that one, 'cause that's a different post. So a girl of about 9 or older is completely out. Boys on the other hand, are good of any age. Until you factor in that our house is old - if I'm not mistaken, our house was around before lead paint was a big deal. So we, of course have it. Everyone under nine? Out. That of course leaves us with either new paint, or an eight year old girl, or an eight or older year old boy. That was age or gender. This next one is the tricky bit.
Kids in the adoption programs generally are there for a reason. In fact, I do believe most of them aren't there as orphans, though I am free-styling this, so that may be off. So, some of the kids get lucky, and didn't have raving lunatics as their parents... Others do. Others have parents that if I ever met, I would probably put them in as much pain as possible. Not many would stop me, for the horrors they've committed. So, some of the kids are... Well not insane, but not all together either. So, you can have a kid who is perfectly sane, with a kid that was (...) bunking together. This is where background comes in.
Y'see, as a pastor's kid, more is expected of you than anyone else. You have to be on time (I make a point not to be), be the most well mannered (sometimes, I actually accomplish that one), and the most.... I don't know. Biblical? Someone asks you, "What is on page 394 in the King James Version?" and expect you to know it. (I flat out refuse to answer for those.)
So, a kid who is troubled may have difficulty being so close to others or actually being cared about, and so they could easily snap. A punch there, a HE WALKED ON THE GRASS there, and an oil spill there... Soon a church has had enough, and can give the pastor an ultimatum. "Get rid of him/her, or we get rid of you." And it's only natural that parents don't want their kids exposed to it. That's cool.
So that's why being the perfect age, gender, and having a good background are important for the PASTOR side of the father figure. Because past that, there's also your real family to deal with.
So in our family, there are three children. One has moved out, one will be moving out, and then there is me, who of course will be staying. So, at 25, 19, and 14, there is obviously an age difference. So, with no central age, they obviously have to start low.
As for reasons stated before hand, we have to get either an eight year old girl or an eight year old or older boy. Now, for me, that kind of rang a alarm. An eight year old girl would be twelve by the time I moved out, and that if I moved out right after high school. That's an obvious alarm bell -_-#. But other than that small little stair, or lack thereof, I'm actually pretty cool with another girl. I'd get that little sister - older brother time you don't see much anymore anyways, and... It'd be mine.
But for a boy. Hm, this may be a big one. Now, with a little brother, I could tease him. I could mess with him like you see on TV. I could destroy him in video games. But I could also teach him to wrestle. I could help him learn to play football, or to hop a fence (wait what?), or how to get the extra 1-up on that arcade Mario game ( I went from football to that?). However. Mom and dad may end up getting an older kid. One my age. And suddenly all of those older brother moments? Poof. What if the kid is more... Athletic? What if he could be the son that your dad had wanted? Imagine yourself, your dad's real son, outshone by someone your parents love, and that you think is just okay? That under your okay, you have a deep, festering hatred. Hatred for stealing your father. Hatred for stealing what should have been yours, but was stolen by that outcast... So, in case you are terminally malfunctioning, you can see I'd like either a little sister, or a little brother, at around eight of nine.
Well there you go mom. There is my honest thoughts on adoption. Just like you said.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Front or Back seat?
So there you are, driving down the road. You've been driving for about seven hours straight, you're stiff, you're tired, and you're hungry. But everyone else in the car has had McDonalds, has been sleeping, and has been stretching. They're even asking you, "How much longer?" You're okay with it - it's your family! So, shouldn't they be as tolerant when you say... Make a wrong turn? What happens then? Then everything is messed up! Your wife and kids are squawking like a bedazzled chicken, your GPS is cussing you out, and you're eyes won't shut. Man your life sucks.
That's the path of being a leader. Of taking charge of what needs to be done, of doing it, and of completing the goal. Even if it means self sacrifice, true leaders will take one for their team. They'll take all of the hate, they'll lead the way into the salt mine, and they won't go on vacation when there's an oil spill. Bottom line; they get what needs to be done, done.
Man, your life stinks. You've been stuck sitting in the back seat for about seven hours. You're McDonalds is starting to smell, your sister stole your iPod, and your cell phone is dead. You keep asking who's driving how much longer, but all you get is an angry grunt in response. Then the driver has the nerve, the arrogance, the ineptitude to make a wrong turn! What is wrong with them? They're wasting your time! You're shouting, "Turn off your Global Positioning System, it won't shut up!" Your sister is shouting, with the air of someone waking up to cannon fire, "Are wedere yet?" And your mother is scolding that failure of a driver! Seriously, what is wrong with him, doing what needs to be done, then doing it wrong... The nerve of some people.
There's your life as a follower. You scold those in charge for doing what needs to be done, simply to give you something to do. You watch things be done, and you take no part in it. It's like someone who didn't vote (not couldn't, didn't) complaining about the Obama administration. So, as a follower, you're doing what you're told, and then complaining when it doesn't turn out to your specific needs.
So which do you choose? Do you want to be laughed at in the face of failure, or do want to stretch out in the backseat? Answer in the comments, and be truthful. Only about two people follow this anyways.
That's the path of being a leader. Of taking charge of what needs to be done, of doing it, and of completing the goal. Even if it means self sacrifice, true leaders will take one for their team. They'll take all of the hate, they'll lead the way into the salt mine, and they won't go on vacation when there's an oil spill. Bottom line; they get what needs to be done, done.
Man, your life stinks. You've been stuck sitting in the back seat for about seven hours. You're McDonalds is starting to smell, your sister stole your iPod, and your cell phone is dead. You keep asking who's driving how much longer, but all you get is an angry grunt in response. Then the driver has the nerve, the arrogance, the ineptitude to make a wrong turn! What is wrong with them? They're wasting your time! You're shouting, "Turn off your Global Positioning System, it won't shut up!" Your sister is shouting, with the air of someone waking up to cannon fire, "Are wedere yet?" And your mother is scolding that failure of a driver! Seriously, what is wrong with him, doing what needs to be done, then doing it wrong... The nerve of some people.
There's your life as a follower. You scold those in charge for doing what needs to be done, simply to give you something to do. You watch things be done, and you take no part in it. It's like someone who didn't vote (not couldn't, didn't) complaining about the Obama administration. So, as a follower, you're doing what you're told, and then complaining when it doesn't turn out to your specific needs.
So which do you choose? Do you want to be laughed at in the face of failure, or do want to stretch out in the backseat? Answer in the comments, and be truthful. Only about two people follow this anyways.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Who's Asking?
Well, I guess I should answer my... person. My name is Luke Leigh, and I'm a fourteen year old, mostly academic, occasionally athletic, sometimes apathetic, part time pathetic... Ok mess with that. I'm fairly intelligent, I play some sports when I feel like it, and I get ticked off like everyone does. I've never been one to tell you what I'm up to, but never the one to hurt someone. I suppose both of those particular attributes come from my upbringing: I am, and probably will be for a long time, a pastor's son who strongly believes everything happens for a purpose, but somethings happen on accident. Confusing prospect, I suppose.
Now, if you're one to read blogs and such, then I would suppose you've heard of my parent's blogs, "A Fish Called Grace", and "Pattyville". Both of my parent's are fantastic writers, and try to update regularly.
Now, if you are a very odd individual, you are wondering, "Hmm. What ever is the this joker doing, talking about other people than himself?" So, for now you are thinking it, my family is a very big part of my life.
Dad: My father is, of course, a pastor. He preaches, and wonderfully, I might add, at Beaverdam Baptist Church, in Cassatt, South Carolina. That many commas should be illegal. Anyways, he is, like many say, a lot like me, in the way that we are both just good natured people. Ah well, go to his blog, you'll learn more there :P.
Mom: Mom wants to be a teacher or a librarian, but because of the current economic crisis, has not found work the eighteen months we've lived here in Cassatt... Yeah... Her blog is "Pattyville", go to the link above and check her out!
Stevie: Stevie is my middle sister. Sometimes she feels as if she is the outcast, but of course that isn't true. My family embraces anyone, because everyone is a child of God. :3 Everyone says we look alike. Neither of us see it.
Shea: Shea is my eldest sister, and also my half sister. I try not to talk about the half part, partly because she's my full sister in my eye, and also because thinking about her father puts me in a bad mood. She is, at the moment, not on speaking terms with my parents. That'll change soon; God has a way of bringing a family back together.
So, as I'm sure you may be wondering, what do I mean be, The Gift? Or well, you may not be, but since you're reading... Well, for a long time now, people have told me I have it. "You have to gift, son!" So, are the referring to me when I act in class, when a teacher needs a part to be played? Or are they referring to me being able to pick up an instrument and play it decently in two weeks. Maybe even writing, though I get that one less often. Once or twice, it's come from a comedy skit I've written and preformed for my friends. But what is it, exactly? Is it an ability? A superpower? A glitch in the matrix? That's my life question. If I can figure that out, I'll be able to die happy.
That living would be preferable.
Luke =]
Now, if you're one to read blogs and such, then I would suppose you've heard of my parent's blogs, "A Fish Called Grace", and "Pattyville". Both of my parent's are fantastic writers, and try to update regularly.
Now, if you are a very odd individual, you are wondering, "Hmm. What ever is the this joker doing, talking about other people than himself?" So, for now you are thinking it, my family is a very big part of my life.
Dad: My father is, of course, a pastor. He preaches, and wonderfully, I might add, at Beaverdam Baptist Church, in Cassatt, South Carolina. That many commas should be illegal. Anyways, he is, like many say, a lot like me, in the way that we are both just good natured people. Ah well, go to his blog, you'll learn more there :P.
Mom: Mom wants to be a teacher or a librarian, but because of the current economic crisis, has not found work the eighteen months we've lived here in Cassatt... Yeah... Her blog is "Pattyville", go to the link above and check her out!
Stevie: Stevie is my middle sister. Sometimes she feels as if she is the outcast, but of course that isn't true. My family embraces anyone, because everyone is a child of God. :3 Everyone says we look alike. Neither of us see it.
Shea: Shea is my eldest sister, and also my half sister. I try not to talk about the half part, partly because she's my full sister in my eye, and also because thinking about her father puts me in a bad mood. She is, at the moment, not on speaking terms with my parents. That'll change soon; God has a way of bringing a family back together.
So, as I'm sure you may be wondering, what do I mean be, The Gift? Or well, you may not be, but since you're reading... Well, for a long time now, people have told me I have it. "You have to gift, son!" So, are the referring to me when I act in class, when a teacher needs a part to be played? Or are they referring to me being able to pick up an instrument and play it decently in two weeks. Maybe even writing, though I get that one less often. Once or twice, it's come from a comedy skit I've written and preformed for my friends. But what is it, exactly? Is it an ability? A superpower? A glitch in the matrix? That's my life question. If I can figure that out, I'll be able to die happy.
That living would be preferable.
Luke =]
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