I AM NOT MY BOOBS!

It was that time again. It was put off as long as possible. Sigh, the "girls" needed some support. I would ALMOST rather have a root canal than to shop for bras. Oprah endorses her favorite as do many other celebrities. I have not found the ideal bra yet. I often wonder if these devices were originally designed by men to "keep us in place". Bras, for most of us, are a necessary evil! They keep the girls supported and they keep us modest. There are so many issues involved when shopping for the dreaded bras. Fit, comfort...straps that stay put, a back that doesn't ride up, no pinching or stabbing anywhere. I remember thinking that I would never have anything to fit into a real bra. A training bra sufficed until I was about 17 years old. A late bloomer...but when they bloomed...the rest is herstory. I wanted to feel pretty and at the time the options for larger breasts were pretty much limited to the Playtex, Cross Your Heart bras. During my twenties I often wanted to wear a shirt with an arrow pointing to my face. I wanted my male employers to acknowledge that I had a brain. At times I wanted to shout "I am not my Boobs!" Approaching 50, I just look at them and sigh! Gravity is not kind. My husband on the other hand is a happy man. (sorry kids, that's all I'll say) Coming to terms with who I am...I have changed the way I dress. I have given up the t-shirts to the neck with jean jumpers or anything that approaches my neck too closely. While trying to draw attention away from my chest, my clothes made everything appear larger. My look is mostly v-necks and lots of black but with a softer look! I like it.

I have been thinking about breasts due in part to several friends that have suffered the effects of breast cancer. These brave women have undergone surgery, chemotherapy and all the emotional effects of this disease. One of my friends related that every time she told someone she had breast cancer people would automatically look at her chest. Our breasts should not define who we are as women.

Recently I made the acquaintance of a wonderful woman that decided to have her silicone implants removed. She emphatically stated that she did not wish to have "these things" anymore. Who decides what is enough? This lovely lady decided to be true to herself and no one else. Bravo for You, J!

In honor of breast cancer awareness some time ago I e-mailed my friends an article written by a nurse describing how to "Phluff the Girls". Monthly breast exams are critical, yet how many actually take the time to do so? "Phluffing the Girls" has numerous other benefits for breast health according to the article. Look it over at http://www.cherylchapman.com/pdf/phluff.pdf

Big or Small, Perky or Not...our breasts are just our breasts and not a measure of who we are as individuals. The sum of all your parts makes up YOU! You are unique and beautiful, a creation of the most high God!

Did It Occur To You - You Are A Sexual Predator?

Sexual predators have no distinctive features. They can be found in all socioeconomic, gender, age, religious and ethnic groups. Sadly, many would not even consider themselves as sexual predators. My message to each person within shouting range of my voice is this: IT IS NEVER OKAY FOR SOMEONE TO TOUCH YOU, SPEAK TO YOU OR EXHIBIT BEHAVIOR THAT IS SEXUAL IN NATURE WITHOUT YOUR FULL PERMISSION, NEVER, EVER AND IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT IF THEY DO!!!

Hey you guys at the pool, did you think pulling down the bathing suit bottom of a twelve year old girl was/is acceptable?

Or did you think exposing yourself to two young girls is/was acceptable?

Did you think your actions would have one twelve year old girl looking at EVERY Hispanic male she saw for many years with fear and suspicion?

Did you think it was okay to fondle the breast of teenage girls attempting to get their driver's license? Do you have daughters? Would you want a "trusted" state employee fondling your daughter?

Did you think it was okay to make lewd and lascivious comments and gestures to a young female employee?

Or you, telling your employee to be quiet and "look good"?

As a minister do you find it okay to use your position to fondle or otherwise have a relationship with girls or boys in your parish?

What about you guys that date rape someone? I think no means no.

Is it okay for a woman to take advantage of a young man?

Have you touched your son or daughter in an inappropriate way, why is this okay?

Sadly, there are hundreds upon hundreds of situations like the above and worse. We ask ourselves, why didn't anyone say anything? I am reminded of the accusations of Anita Hill against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. She accuses him of sexual harassment prior to his confirmation as Supreme Court Justice. Ms. Hill was accused of not being credible in her statements and Clarence Thomas becomes a Supreme Court Justice. Did he sexually harass her? Maybe. He is in a position of power and why should anyone believe her. Currently, in his biography, the two have not resolved this issue. I use this as an example because it frequently did happen this way. It still happens. Did sexual harassment occur between Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas, I don't know. What I do know is that sexual harassment and sexual predators do exist and are often not recognized as such. Another example, why didn't the above teenage girls expose the state employee who took liberties with them? The answer is simple, who would believe them? Some of the victims of sexual liberties believe that it is THEIR fault. They did something to attract undesired attention. Many sexual predators are being brought out and tried; but there are still so many tormenting the young, the old, female, and male. Again, I say...IT IS NEVER OKAY...SPEAK UP...SOMEONE WILL LISTEN!!!

To the sexual predators: I pray that someday justice will be meted out and you will be held accountable for your reprehensible behavior. May the Lord forgive you because I find it very difficult to do so.

Not all of the above situations happened to me, some did occur and some happened to people I know personally.