It took a Village...

It's a new régime in South Jacksonville. 
 

Resignations and a retirement have cleaned the slate of local officials with names appearing within an investigation conducted by the Illinois State Police.
 

We have a new acting-Village President, Steve Waltrip, along with the remaining five trustees.
 

I've attended several of the meetings these past months.
 

I've sat.
 

I've listened.
 

I've been shocked by some of what I've heard.  I've been appalled by others.

But, as I see it, this is a new beginning.  A fresh start.
 

The list of items the Village President and trustees face is immense. I would imagine there are numerous housecleaning issues to attend to even before the actual governmental work begins. This is what we would all expect to go through when starting a new position.
 

Any time you have a complete changing of the guard, there has to be an element of starting from scratch.  Even assuming the now-exited officials left everything in perfect working order and ready to go, and I think it's safe to say that probably isn't the case, there would still be a learning curve.
 

Those of us in the community, who have watched this play out, are still where we were when it all began.
 

In the audience.
 

Watching and critiquing.  And, yes, criticizing.
 

The remaining officials, however, are in the midst of the massive fall-out from the actions of their former peers.
 

As we approach Thursday nights' regularly-scheduled Village Board meeting, let's keep in mind that the mountain of work before the Board is weighing heavily on their minds. 

I will, gladly, give them a chance to breathe.
 

I have become used to, and admittedly sometimes immune to, the speakers who have repeatedly asked for the now resigned/retired officials to step-down due to alleged wrong-doing. The ethics commissions findings have elevated that to the next level and it is in the proper hands now. We can get on with the business of the Village while another entity sorts that out. The tenacity of residents paid off. Finally. Bravo!
 

That's exactly what we wanted, right?
 

So, I would expect Thursday's meeting to be a normal Village Board meeting with no uproars.  No challenges.
 

It took a Village to accomplish what has been done so far.
 

We need to let the Board do their job now.  It may not be as quickly as we'd like in some instances, but they deserve some leeway here.
 

It's been truly incredible to see the outpouring of support from Village residents wanting to do the right thing. Goals have been accomplished.

Now, let's give our new President and the Board a chance to show what they want for our Village. A chance to prove themselves to us without attacking them for issues which were, in many cases, beyond their control.
 

Input is worthwhile.
 

Input is essential.
 

Input has its place.
 

There is something to be said for knowing when to step back and knowing when to give some space.
 

It took a Village.
 

We now have a voice.
 

Voices can sometimes be silent until there's a need to be heard.
 

It is what it is.
 

p

 

Proud day to be American...Incredible day to be a parent...

It's a proud day to be an American.

It's an incredible day to be a parent.

I woke up this morning to the news the U.S. Supreme Court has found a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, striking down bans in 14 states and handing a historic victory to the gay rights movement that would have been unthinkable just 10 years ago. The 5-4 majority ruled that preventing same-sex people from marrying violated their constitutional right to due process under the 14th Amendment and that the states were unable to put forth a compelling reason to withhold that right from people.

As an American, I am appalled we even had to talk about this issue. No one should ever be denied ANYTHING that everyone else is entitled to have. Period. This is America. 

Reading posts and comments regarding religion, in terms of this issue, I think of how I am given a right to choose the religion I practice. I don't practice all religions. I got to choose my faith. 

Because I have that right as an American.
 

Those who hide behind religion as a way to judge others' lives baffle me. 

I'm not an expert on religion by any means, but I do feel it's a peaceful existence which promotes love and acceptance and never accepts exclusion or prejudice. 

I choose marriage between a man and a woman. I had that right. I fell in love with a man and we got married. I can't imagine how we would have felt if someone had told us 'we weren't allowed to be in love and to marry.'

Today is an incredible day to be a parent.

While I have lived my life as one of acceptance and open-mindedness, my interest in seeing all Americans with the same rights has definitely become heightened within the past year. 

One of our sons shared with us that he is bisexual. Since telling all of us, he is the happiest I have ever seen him. He can be who is he...just like we can be...each and every day. That is his right just as it is ours. No difference. 

As a parent, my perspective on this issue is one that is now based on the pure and incredible love a mom feels for her children. 

Perhaps those who see 'equal rights for all' as something they have a right to 'limit' if they don't agree with the way a person lives their life or whom they choose to love...should be a parent. 

As a parent, I would like to think the most important thing is that our children are happy. 

 

My son's happiness is his right. 

Whether or not he chooses to marry should be up to him. Just as it is up to our other three children. It should be their right as Americans. 

Today's ruling means all four of my children have the same and equal rights as citizens of the United States. It's truly an historic day. 

I am tearful and emotional as I write this. 

It's a proud day to be an American. 

It's an incredible day to be a parent. 

It is what it is. 

p

Soccer Mom Proud

Soccer moms get a bad wrap. 

When you hear that description of a group of mothers, you may cringe while picturing a group of women, along a soccer field sideline, probably yelling and screaming.  Loudly.  You may imagine them wearing team spirit-wear (sometimes bedazzled or custom made) and maybe even sporting their son's number or name.  There's no doubt they are there for their son and to support his team.  Admittedly, soccer moms can be a bit much.  I understand the stereotype, I really do. 

But, there's so much more to being a soccer mom...

I remember being excited to become a part of this 'group' when our son, Brody, started playing in high school.  But long before he played at the IHSA level, all four of our kids played youth soccer.  They all began at age 5 and we spent countless nights at practices and just as many weekends at games.  It's a time I would gladly go through again.  It was wonderful.  So many memories and lifelong friendships began in those years not only for our kids but for us, as well.

All the kids 'traveled' with soccer teams as they grew up.  Again, lots of weekends at tournaments.  These weekends became our vacations because of the cost of traveling, hotels and food costs multiplied by four kids.  But it was money well spent.  It afforded them so many opportunities in not only the sport but in the development of their young psyches, as well.  I am a firm believer in the power of sports for kids growth and maturity. 

As our older two boys entered high school, they played football and left soccer behind.  Brody was definitely a soccer player.  And I have to say that his group of boys was a special one.  While we enjoyed watching all of our kids, Brody's group was one that stays close to my heart.

Known as the "Spitfire" while they were young, this group of boys became so bonded and connected that they will always be friends...no matter what happens in the future.  They were able to be silly little boys together who have grown into amazing young men.  What a true gift.

Through our sons, our group of soccer moms became so much more than those faces on the sideline.  We, too, were able to be silly together on our countless weekends away.  Planning where we would eat, and drink, made the trips enjoyable for all the adults.  Oh, the stories we have about those weekends!

When the boys got to high school, we became even closer because of the parent group, concession stand, and other parts of being a soccer mom.  We saw each other as much as our family.  We started to become family.

I remember feeling an incredible sense of loss when the boys lost their last game of the season in Chatham.  It couldn't be over.  But it was.  As much as I hurt for Brody and the boys, I didn't realize at that time how much I would miss what I had gained through these years...I would miss these crazy, committed women.

Fast forward three years. 

Last night, I went to dinner with this group.  I've seen many of them over the years, but usually in smaller groups and not specifically our soccer moms, as a whole. 

Wow.

I had no idea how much I needed to see them. 

Time went right back to the comfortable feeling of spending time with those you have a history with...those who know your children...those who have children you know...those who share your memories, your laughter, your tears.   

Our son's have all gone on to follow their own paths and are busy growing up.  They will all be the young men we knew they would.  They share a bond with the Spitfire that will never end.  And while we also share the heartache of the loss of one of our 'sons' at the young age of 19, Leo Alfano will always be the heart and soul of our group.  He's now the guardian angel of our boys and watches over us all, I have no doubt.  Forever Spitfire. 

After last night, I realized I will always share a bond with these women.  We've shared the sidelines together...and now, I can see us sharing many years to come together, as well. 

Thank God for them in my life.

Thank God for soccer moms. 

I am soccer mom PROUD. 

It is what it is. 

p