Monthly Archives: March 2014

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If you have never visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., you have not seen first-hand how prejudice,  discrimination and brainwashing can escalate into something horrific and evil.

Once you are inside, it is a somber mood, as the crowds make their way through the authentic film footage, artifacts, photographs and documents that mirror what life was like in pre-war Europe.  The Nazi party under Adolph Hitler moved  toward the “Final Solution” and life after the Holocaust. This is not for the faint-hearted. You can spend two to three hours in this self-guided exhibition.  No one speaks; it is recommended for visitors 11 years of age and older.

In the eastern European regions, millions of Poles -Jews and Catholics alike - were murdered by the Secret Service and police personnel in the field or in killing centers such as Auschwitz-Birkenau and Treblinka. They were considered  inferior "races."  It is estimated that Jewish fatalities during the Holocaust is usually given as between 5.1 and 6 million victims.

It is estimated that between 5 and 5.5 million Polish civilians, including 3 million Polish Jews, died or were killed under Nazi occupation. Poland lost one-fifth of its population: three million of the dead were Polish Christians, predominantly Catholic, and the rest were Polish Jews.

Many people were killed trying to hide or help people escape concentration camps and executions.  Why did it happen?  The Holocaust was the state-sponsored systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945.   Jews were the primary victims -- six million were murdered; Roma and Sinti (Gypsies), people with mental and physical disabilities, and Poles were also targeted for destruction or decimation for racial, ethnic, or national reasons. Millions more, including homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war, and political dissidents, also suffered grievous oppression and death under Nazi Germany.   Hitler wrote in a newspaper everyday demeaning this group of people - and turned others against them.

Does this boggle your mind as it does mine? All these people executed because of who they were and what they believed in? So how does peace start with You and  Me?

You can see above what happens when a people decide that they are going to annihilate people that don't think, live, believe or act like they do. They were people, with families, with normal lives going about the business of making a living and loving and caring for their families. And because of discrimination, profiling, intolerance, hatred and persecution, innocent people like you and me were executed.  It can happen with a government that tries to think, guide and change how you think or believe into how they want you to be for their end purposes.

I don't know the intricacies of what and how these seeds of discontent against others first materialized into what they did.  Perhaps because people who were different from those in charge behaved differently, believed differently, prayed differently and/or acted differently?  Or perhaps the end product was the emergence of a possible super race and any abnormalities or contrary thought processes had to be exterminated.

We can't ever let his happen again.   Is not our world leaning this way?

Is not today's world filled with people who are all very different; they behave differently, believe differently and act differently from how we do? Aren't our all our countries a matrix of different countries, languages, religions, customs, lifestyles, and even countenances different from one another?

It would be easy to point out the differences, make fun of the language or customs and decry their religion and lifestyles. It could be just as easy to accept and respect people for who they are and learn from their diversity of ideas and values.  Where did respect go?

We are all different from different worlds and walks of life, but there is one sameness we all have. We are all created by God and made in His likeness. There is no discrimination in His eyes;  He loves each and every one of us the same.  We are all equal - all races, all creeds, all people, men and women.

Some governments try to use their peoples' differences to divide them so it is easier to brainwash them into a pattern for their own greed and power.  It has happened before and will happen again unless we don't allow it.  Countries who vote their leaders in can make the difference - good or bad.

Peace can start with each person  by treating everyone as your equal. There are no classes, castes, or standards of living in God's eyes.   We should all strive to be fair to others, make peace and not combative statements, and treat others as you want to be treated.   And pray that we can and will move forward and not backwards.  It is said that schools want to take the Holocaust out of our history books.....we need this reminder of what happened so we won't let it happen again.

Marie Coppola  © Revised July 2020© 

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You finally landed that job you were praying you would get, and Monday is here and it's your first day. Here are some tips to help you 'settle in' those new digs with confidence and a positive attitude, along with some caution.

1) Try to arrive at work at least 10 or 15 minutes before the normal working hours. This not only gives you time to settle in, turn your computer on, or listen to voice mail messages. It also gives you a relaxed frame of mind for friendly good mornings instead of rushing in at the last minute or a few minutes late and get a reputation for 'always being late'. Employees who arrive before the workday begins are usually the ones who get good reviews and/or promotions. Likewise advice on leaving at the end of the day. Plan on staying 15 minutes or so after work if possible; never leave early - somone always loves to make an issue about that and the reputation will stick; the people who usually get ahead in a workplace arrive a little earlier and leave a little later.

2) Start the new job with a To Do List. This List itemizes tasks that may have been sent to you via email, voicemail or verbally. Jot it down so it is not forgotten and when you have a few minutes, prioritize the List by importance. If you don't get to it all that day, start the next day's List with the undone items so they can have first attention. Keep a file folder with the checked-off 'Done' items, date they were completed, with any information that may needed in the future for follow-up. Not only do 'To Do' Lists give you a reputation for getting things done, they also give you a feeling of accomplishment as you go over the list and view the things you did that day. On a hectic and busy day, those accomplishments will help neutralize the feeling that you 'got nothing done today'.

3) Go slow getting to know your new co-workers. In your 'being new' nervousness, you may reveal more about yourself than you really want to. You may be telling your life history to the office gossiper. If you are asked to lunch with the group, be neutral to everyone, polite and friendly. The work environment is revealed at lunchtime, and you will hear inside scoops of what is going on with work, projects and people. Don't make judgments or remarks. Wait until you get to know the people and the issues and even then, don't make judgments or remarks. And don't repeat what you hear at lunch or in the halls to your cubicle co-workers. Gossip spreads through offices faster than forest fires. And your name will be attached to it.

4) Go to lunch at your appointed lunch time and take the one-half hour or whatever the rule is. Some companies allot 45 minutes or one hour for lunch. Long-time employees may stretch their lunch times from the one-half hour lunch to a 45 minute or one hour lunch. That's their choice, but as a new employee, you don't want to get a reputation that you 'take long lunches'. It's a title that you may earn quickly and it will stick with you. Your supervisor will know about it sooner than you think. Co-workers usually stagger lunch times so that someone is always in the office, and you will get off on the wrong foot in your office if someone is waiting for you to come back from lunch and you're late and taking time away from their own lunch.

5) Start off your new job with a team attitude. There are different ways to help someone out even if it is picking up their mail or copy order at office services. Your helpfulness will reflect back from your co-workers who will do the same for you. This becomes invaluable on a really busy day when you need an extra set of hands; kindness goes a long way and people react positively to it. When someone turns their back on being a team player with the rest of the group, the group usually reacts in the same manner.

6) If your office surroundings are efficient-situated.....which usually means a phone, PC, desk, and chair in a cubicle with only enough room to turn around in. You will hear others' conversations on the phone and normal business interchanges during the day. Most office workers tune out these distractions, but it's hard to tune out loud or noisy social gatherings or constant social talking on the phones and/or laughing. A certain amount of sociability is expected in the office, but if you constantly stop at someone's station and gab or allow someone to come to yours and do the same, someone is going to complain about the 'noise'. And if you're new, you don't want to start off with that image. If someone lingers, you might just say, that you need to get something done and you'll 'see them later'. Don't socialize more than you have to at work. You're there to do a job, not listen to someone's problems or the great time they had at a party last night. Or to talk on the phone with personal calls or send zany emails. Companies monitor both calls and PCs, so be careful what you say and write.

7) Every office has a Don Juan Casanova or Flirty Feline who will try to engage you somehow. They can't help it - it's in their genes. Be friendly, but keep your distance. The more time you give them, the more time they will devote to hanging around you. Be busy, and they will finally move on to the next new person. Don't be flattered or taken in; you are one of many.

8)  Keep wearing to work the kind of clothes you wore on the interview. Now that you have the job, you don't want to slip out of your good shoes and  wear athletic shoes and sweats to the office. Most offices have dress codes or 'business attire' or 'business casual'  which is a suit or pants, shirt and tie for men and suits, dresses, or pants outfits for women. Leave the décolletage necklines home as well as stretch pants that reveal all. Jeans may be allowed on 'Casual Day' but don't wear them on any other day. The saying goes "Dress for the job you want to have" and that's pretty good advice. Good grooming and neat appearance go a long way in the office. You never know who is going to stop in the office that day or what meeting your boss may ask you to attend in his or her place.

9) Never discuss with your co-workers how much money you make or what your bonus was or the percentage of your merit raise. Salary levels are the same for most positions, but other factors may reflect different salaries for you and the person next to you who do the same kind of work. That person may have more advanced education or a degree that requires a specialty in their work or they may have been given a larger starting salary than you if they had more experience. Sometimes an employee is not given extra money for the same work you both do, but may have been given an extra week vacation as a negotiation factor in employing them for less pay than what they were getting. There are many variables in salaries and it's only going to cause stress if workers compare salaries. Having worked on compensation issues and raises myself, I could not believe hard workers getting a lower merit raise than someone who did not work as hard getting a higher one. My boss always told me to just kick the desk when I saw glitches like that - it was beyond our control. I did kick the desk a lot. Avoid this upset -- don't ask and don't tell.

10) As a new employee, you will need to find out about the company your work for in a short amount of time. Read the annual report and study the organizational charts. Find out where people sit so you aren't wandering around the building, getting flustered and nervous. Find out what the pecking order is so you don't mistake a Chief Executive Officer for a co-worker. A new worker once turned unknowingly to a vice-president and complained that 'this place is a nuthouse'. It became a joke between them, but not all V-Ps have sense of humors like this one did. Tread lightly until you know the waters. Put your best foot forward, as they say, and you will be an asset to the company you work for - and be rewarded as such.

Remember - statistics show that it can take up to six months before you feel knowledgeable about what you are doing.   Good luck!

©Marie Coppola  March 2014

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 In

In these pandemic times, we are staying home more and being social less.  Although we are following guidelines to prevent illness, we can try to make ourselves as healthy as we can.  Vitamin C is good for us - it charges up our immune system.  I became aware at a young age of how important Vitamin C is to help prevent illness.  Some decades ago at Easter time, it wasn't uncommon  for parents to surprise the family with some fluffy, yellow baby chicks.   The Easter I  remember most vividly was when I was 12,  our dad  brought home  a dozen baby chicks.   We oohed & aahed  and played with them.  Our baby chicks survived the fondling and squeezing that younger kids excel in doing and they  more than doubled in size quickly.  Dad had to erect a chicken coop in our yard to hold 12 mature roosters.   They had ivory bodies and bright red combs.   We had a large wooded lot in the back and if anyone in our suburban development minded the cock-a-doodle doos early in the morning, no one complained.   At least, not to us.

I was given the task of making sure the coop was locked every night against predators such as weasels and/or foxes. Although I was conscientious about this, one night, my younger neighbor next door asked if he could play with the roosters and he would lock the coop for me. I said OK, but unfortunately, the young 9 year old forgot to do so. At dawn, the next morning, we found  most of the chickens did not survive the night invasion, except for one lying motionless in the driveway and the smallest one of the group who had run away, but came back that next morning.

I was devastated and guilt-ridden.  My mother, who grew up with chickens herself, said the most humane thing was to "pull" the injured chicken's neck and put him out of his misery.   I begged and pleaded as only a 12-year can do, and my mom, God bless her, said I could stay home from school and see what I could do for the fallen rooster.

The poor thing kinda flopped where he lay and had very little life in him. He could not stand, and couldn't or wouldn't open his eyes. Food was not even an option; he could not have eaten or even put his head up and try. I made a little bed with rags for him - and wrapped them around him as he could not be lifted;  I was afraid he would die from the move. Since he couldn't eat, I tried to find some bugs and other things like corn or bread that he liked, but he had no interest at all.

The only thing I could think of was oranges. We always had lots of oranges, and I squeezed some in a bowl. To 'feed' the rooster, I had to nudge his head up and put his beak into the orange juice. He had two choices: he could pick up his beak and gurgle it or he could drown in it. He gurgled. For the next few days, he was given orange juice in this manner. Again, my mom, let me stay home another day, but said I had to go back to school on Monday - that gave me 4 days in total to 'juice the rooster.'

Mornings I would get up before school, juice the rooster, dash home and juice again and then at night. Eventually, the rooster got stronger and was standing - although wobbly - which was cause for a family celebration. When he finally walked, he was given his regular food in addition to the orange juice - and even though he walked somewhat lopsided like a crab, he could walk. He never ran as fast as his brother, but he wobbled along nicely beside him. Always - on a slant, but almost catching up.  Eventually, the two brother roosters were able to inhabit the coop again and I never forgot to lock the coop again.

The greatest moment for me was one early weekday morning.  As usual, the healthy  brother rooster would wake us up for school about 6:30 am with his perky doddle doo.      A few minutes later, there was this very throaty, uneven, bizarre cock-a-doodle-doo which could not be made by any other animal except a once-wounded rooster.  In true Walton Family Style, you could hear everyone laughing from their bedrooms and clapping and shouting that I, did indeed,  fix the rooster.

My mother never had to remind us to drink our orange juice after this; we learned first-hand the benefits of Vitamin C.   Vitamin C is required for life. The nature of our modern diets leads to a serious lack of this essential nutrient. This situation may be a leading contributor to much of the sickness and chronic disease that the population of the earth suffers.  You can't overdose on Vitamin C since your body will tell you if you've had too much.

A study in the Journal of Epidemiology was reported to show that people who have high blood levels of vitamin C live 6 years longer than those who have lower blood levels. Ref: http://www.cforyourself.com/

I learned  at age 12 just how potent Vitamin C is.  It is life sustaining and a most necessary nutrient. An animal was nurtured back from imminent death, sustained until strength returned and made an almost full recovery.

© Marie Coppola Revised August 2020

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The job outlook for dental assistants is excellent and employment in this field is expected to grow.

One of the reasons is dental patients are demanding flexible hours, so evening and weekend appointments mean more assistants will be needed. Also population growth and increasing dental health for older people will drive the need for dental workers.

This in-demand job with 36 percent more openings predicted is growing much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that it will be the third fastest growing occupation for which a college degree isn't required.

A career of helping people improve their dental health is rewarding and and brings work satisfaction. Dental assistants can find many opportunities to help patients in the care for their teeth and also assist in office administrative paperwork and help with dental equipment.

Requirements are : An Associate's degree in dental assisting / Dental assistant certificate

Responsibilities For Dental Assistant:Assists with oral surgery and other procedures under the direct supervision of a dentist. Prepares and arranges needed tools and instruments for scheduled procedures. Hands necessary tools and equipment to the dentist and provides assistance during treatment. May record findings, change barriers, or sterilize equipment. Requires an associate's degree from an accredited program and 0-2 years of experience. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required.Typically reports to a dentist.   Ref: http://www.alliedhealthworld.com/south-carolina-dental-assistant-school.html

General Salary Range: $23,307, 33,535; 32,380 36,050

To find the salary market data in your area, copy this link to your browser and insert your zip code:

http://swz.salary.com//salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?hdSearchByOption=0&hdLocationOption=1&hdKeyword=Dental%20Assistant&hdJobCategory=CS02&hdZipCode=&hdStateMetro=31&hdJobCode=HC07000284&hdJobTitle=Dental%20Assistant&hdCurrentTab=&hdNarrowDesc=Non-Profit%20and%20Social%20Services

 

Marie Coppola March 2014

 

 

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''Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive''?

The statistics on the numbers of persons engaging in infidelity or cheating on their mate are not always conclusive because people simply do not tell the truth on surveys or when polled. Conservatively, 60 percent of men and 40 percent of women will have an extramarital affair - and the number of marriages affected is much higher - about 80 percent.

We all know or hear of someone who is not being faithful to their marriage vows and there are similar accounts and stories told that paint a picture when someone steps out of the marriage ring. And the picture is not a rosy one.

There are many variables why people look to others for their emotional or sexual happiness. Some of them are looking for particular traits that their mate lacks, some may be bored or unhappy with their partner's looks, habits or attitudes, and others may like the variety and excitement in living on the edge and risking that they 'may be caught'.

Affairs can happen in any neighborhood, company, workplace, schools, churches, between friends, with in-laws; anyplace where two people can meet and form an alliance. Almost 30 percent start on the internet in chat rooms or online conversations. Some men and women are more vulnerable than others; some are more needy than others, and some put their self interests above others.

In any affair, the commitment to the other person in the marriage is violated and dishonored. Temptations and/or attention from the opposite sex can happen in any of the circumstances above, but a committed, honest and strong marriage will override them. Besides the religious inference and family members involved, the dynamics and spirit of a relationship between husband and wife is seriously changed because of an affair, even if the marital union was strong and unified.

The down-side aspects of cheating far outweigh the excitement of forbidden love and heightened emotional feelings. Persons who have affairs say things like this:

"I've never felt like this in my whole life.

He's/she's my soul mate.

We have so many interests the same; we enjoy every minute we are together.

I would do anything for him/her.

If it wasn't for the kids, we would be together.

My husband and/or wife is a great mother and wife, or a great father and husband, but this attraction is stronger than him/her.

We talk about everything; I've never been so open with a person.

I can hardly wait till I see him/her again; we call each other or email all the time.

It's like an obsession that I can't stop."

You only live once, why fight it.

The sex is unbelievable".

Persons who feel like this are caught up in the first excitement and feelings of attractions, which are emotional and physical and think about the other person constantly. The "couple" make plans for vacations or weekends or any time that they can be together. This euphoria peaks because it is novel and new and they are love-smitten like teen-agers. There is no responsibility for taking care of a house, caring for kids or pets, or paying bills together, or sharing bathrooms or helping the other through a bad cold at 3:00 am in the morning. The relationship is purely fun, sensual, light-hearted, flirty and non-committed. They are having fun, dressing up for a 'date', share great conversations and have no money, in-law or religious problems.

Starting the affair is the first step in deception. Deception creates lies and untruths; once it begins, it can and usually escalates. One of the 'couple' may start to feels stressed and/or hemmed in. Every time the phone rings or the chance when they are together of meeting someone who knows them is around every corner or in every restaurant. There are restrictions all around and one of them usually gets more frustrated than the other. If one is married and one is not, it is even more stressful; the single one will urge and push for them to be 'together' and to leave the married mate.

It is unrealistic and a play world where the real life is actually home in their separate houses. The ultimate goal of a committed couple is to be together forever.  And an 'affair together' is usually a broken string of stolen or hurried moments.

Eventually, one of the 'couple' starts to feel dissatisfaction. Maybe one is married and the other is not, or both may be married. One wants to be with the other more and starts to feel melancholy and depressed on birthdays and holidays. He or she is frustrated in not being with the 'loved one' on these special days and wants to be together more and more. The other one may want to be together, too, but this dissatisfaction is usually more one-sided. The other may not be ready to commit to leaving the house and didn't plan on making commitments. There may be children to consider. And responsibilities. And relationships. And family and friends.

All kinds of scenarios can happen. They can get caught and it will come out in the open and everyone gets hurt, especially if the mate did not suspect. Even if the relationship of the married couple was a good one, trust and respect have been destroyed and can take a long time in being restored, if ever. Emotions change the euphoria of the 'couple' and it can get nasty and ugly. Accusations and hurt feelings can cause emotional see-saws and the erring couple may find out things about their new-found loved one that they did not know existed. Reality sets in. If there are children, they might be brought into the turmoil and everyone gets hurt.

Soon you hear remarks like this from the cheating couple:

"She got so manipulative; she was going to call my wife and tell her.

He follows us when we go out on family outings and it makes me nervous.

I can't concentrate at work; my boss asked me if something was wrong in my personal life.

The office knows because he calls me constantly, especially since I told him it was over.

I've lost weight and can't concentrate; I'm so confused.

All we talk about now is how we would live if we left our partners and started over.

My wife and I don't talk much and when we do, we fight.

The kids aren't doing well in school, my son started to smoke.

I feel like I'm married to two people and I don't get along with either one of them.

I guess the 'grass isn't greener' on the other side.

You know what you have - you don't know what you're going to get".

Still thinking about it? Here are some statistics to think about:

About 10 percent of affairs are a one-time and one-day event;

About 10 percent last more than one day, but less than a month;

Approximately half of affairs last more than a month but less than a year;

The rest last longer than a year, but few last more than four or more years.

Very few end in marriage - in the office, only 3 percent of the men married their lovers.   Ref:  {Catalogs.com)

Adultery betrays the marriage covenant of faithfulness. One of the Ten Commandments is : "Thou shalt not commit adultery" And yet, by the statistics above, many people do. And some get married twice or three times. And some commit adultery over and over and say that once you take the first plunge, it gets easier the next time.

If you get tempted and in this fast-changing world, many of us do, watch the movie Fatal Attraction with Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. You might save yourself entanglements, bitterness and life-changing events in your life that you really didn't mean to have happen.

© Marie Coppola  March 2014

 

 

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It is difficult to remember when he took over and tried to possess me.

I paid him little attention when I first met him; he had a rather menacing look about his eyes. They were green in color – maybe attractive on someone else, but illuminating and piercing on him. He had an air about him that was disconcerting. At once furtive, and just as quickly attentive with an intense stare.

I met him at my friend Carly’s house. Carly, bless her, has all good intentions, but sometimes, bad judgment. I know she was trying to lift my spirits, which were down a lot lately. Like the song, ‘breaking up is hard to do’, it’s true - that it was. But it’s been four weeks already, so I was hoping I was over the worst of it. Tired of kind of dragging around, I really had no desire to go out and meet new people or even talk a lot. So I hesitated when Carly suggested staying by her for the weekend, she was planning on having some friends in I had never met and we could go tag and garage sale hunting, etc. She is very bubbly and very insistent. I don’t know why I agreed to stay with her, but I guess that was a good sign I was feeling better.

He was at the house when I arrived at Carly’s. His swarthy, somewhat weathered look added to his ominous nature, yet even in my funk, I had to admit he was quite attractive. He was as aloof as I was intimidated, so after introductions – his name was Tom – we kind of migrated into our own part of the room. Which was fine with me. I wasn’t feeling very friendly or interested.

When some of Carly’s friends started to come by one by one, the room became a little crowded. I noticed that Tom had slipped out of the room into the kitchen. Maybe he’s having heart trouble, too, I mused. Looking back, I did not notice him anymore that night until much later.

Carly’s friends were upbeat, and although I tried to mingle and make an effort, my heart really wasn’t into it. After a couple of hours and a couple of glasses of wine, I feigned a headache and said I needed to get some sleep. They all protested, of course; they were kind people, but I suspect they were getting a little tired of me, too.

Carly showed me to my room on the second floor – nestled in the back of the house. At least I was away from all the laughter and good times downstairs. My room was really delightful. It had a queen bed (surprise!) and a small TV on the dresser. There was a small bathroom adjoining it. Carly loved Victorian, and she did it up quite nicely with lots of lace, flowers and frills. No man fitting in here, I thought somberly. Isn’t that fitting?

But I wasn’t going to be alone for long.

I sat on the bed for a while, listening to the fun times downstairs and became melancholy. It seemed like a long time since I felt like that. The best thing to do would be to go to sleep; forget TV or reading. I changed out of my clothes and put on my pj’s. After brushing my teeth in the tiny bathroom, which also had ruffles and frills, I shut the light and slipped into bed. After my evening prayer, I turned off the bedside lamp. My mind was turning over events of the past few days. So into my reverie, that it was a few moments before I realized that there was an almost imperceptible movement in the room.

Now I was at full attention. I had shut the door and knew that it had not been opened since I did that. Nervously, I flipped the light back on. Nothing there, I must really be uptight or something. Or too much wine. I leaned back and shut off the light and my eyes. Then I heard and felt a rustle on the further side of the bed. My throat tightened up and my heart started throbbing. Who was there? The sound was so close to me that I couldn’t bring myself to turn and flip the light back on. I was afraid to turn my back on that noise. Afraid that would make me more vulnerable. If I screamed, would Carly and her friends hear me above the music and laughter?

I felt and heard the movement settle on the other side of the bed. My palms were sweating. Someone was there sitting on the bed. I could hear breathing. I was holding my own breath, as if by doing so, I would be not seen, not heard.

And then, even in the dark, I saw the eyes. Those green eyes were staring and bearing down on my face. They came closer and I could feel breath on my face.

Warmth and weight leaned into my body.

When Tom started to purr loudly, I picked him up and deposited him outside my door.

© Marie Coppola Revised March 2014

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With Christmas coming upon us,  an Associated Press poll reveals that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe in Angels, 77 percent of adults to be exact.   The Washington Times states that most Americans do believe in guardian angels who keep them safe in a dangerous world.  A new study says it's this belief that keeps them from taking risks.

The most memorable angel in the movies is the Christmas classic, 'It's a Wonderful Life where Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey in the fictional town of Bedford Falls shortly after World War II - a man whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve gains the attention of his guardian angel, Clarence, who is sent to help him in his hour of need.  'And whenever an angel gets his wings, a bell rings.'  A great movie.

I've always believed that we all had guardian angels; angels who protect us from that close call while driving; or making us aware of things that could be harmful to us or simply keeping us from doing wrong.   What does the Bible say? 

The Bible mentions angels frequently.  Angels are mentioned at least 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament.   Only two angels--Michael and Gabriel--are mentioned by name in Scripture. These two names are masculine in gender.

According to the Bible, however, angels are spiritual (not physical)  beings. Although they can take on human form or appearance (as they do at times in Scripture), they do not have physical bodies like humans and so are neither "male" nor "female" in gender. Angels are essentially “ministering spirits".  Jesus declared that “a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have”.

The English word "angel" comes from the Greek 'angelos', which means 'messenger'. The Bible tells us an angel is a pure spirit created by God and although the word "angel" in the Bible, meaning a messenger, nearly always applies to heavenly beings, it can occasionally apply to human messengers.

In the Old Testament, there is mention of belief in angels: the name is applied to certain spiritual beings or intelligences of heavenly residence that were employed by God as the ministers of His will. These ministers or messengers carried out His requests, and special commissions, regarding men and ordinary matters. There is no special teaching in the Old Testament; but the doctrine is expressly laid down in Maccabees. However, in the New Testament the doctrine is precisely stated. Angels are everywhere -- the intermediaries between God and man; and Jesus set a seal upon the Old Testament teaching: "See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven". Matthew 18:10.

It also tell us in the doctrine : 'even little children have guardian angels, and these same angels are within the vision of God and they have a mission to fulfill on earth.' There are a whole range of spirits whom God has created, with special categories such as cherubim, seraphim, and the archangel. We are familiar with archangels Gabriel and Michael.

Although the Scriptures give us no indication of the precise time of the creation of angels; their existence is assumed at the earliest times. While the Scriptures themselves give no definite figures, we are told that the number of angels is very great (Daniel, Matthew & Hebrews.) There are many places in the New Testament that allude to ministering of angels: Gabriel announcing the good news of Jesus to Mary; the angel in the Garden of Gethsemane ministering to Jesus; and the angel who delivered Peter from prison. They are sometimes in the form of men and their purpose is very meaningful.

Angels in the Bible never appear as cute, chubby infants! They are always full-grown adults. When people in the Bible saw an angel, their typical response was to fall on their faces in fear and awe. Some Bible passages picture angels with wings. Other verses talk about angels flying, and we assume that the wings would be useful for that flight. But others say that angels may be able to move around without having to depend on wings, somewhat like clouds do. Most references to angels in Scripture say nothing about angels having wings and yet, Daniel and John both refer to angels as 'flying' by.

Our Lord often spoke of angels; in the New Testament - and because of this, churches teach  that everyone has a guardian angel based on references to them throughout the Bible. "That every individual soul has a guardian angel has never been defined, and is, consequently, not an article of faith; but it is the "mind of the Church",  as St. Jerome expressed it -- "how great the dignity of the soul since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it." (Comm. in Matt., xviii, lib. II). "No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, for to His Angels God has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways. Upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone." "For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways."

Some of the activities done by angels are:  Worship and praise which is the main activity portrayed in heaven. Revealing by serving as messengers to communicate God's will to men. They helped reveal the law to Moses and were carriers of much of the material in Daniel and Revelations. Instructing - Angels gave instructions to Joseph about the birth of Jesus, and to travel to Egypt; to the women at the tomb, to Phillip and to Cornelius. Providing - God has used angels to provide physical needs such as food for Hagar, Elijah and Christ after His temptation. Protecting - Keeping God's people out of physical danger, as in the cases of Daniel and the lions and in the fiery furnace.  Getting God's people out of danger once they're in it. Angels released the apostles from prison.  And don't forget - we all have one protecting us - that's lots of angels. Strengthening and encouraging - Angels strengthened Jesus after his temptation and encouraged the apostles to keep preaching after releasing them from prison and gave Paul information about his shipwreck. Answering prayers - God often uses angels as His means of answering the prayers of His people. Caring for believers at the moment of death - In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, we read that angels carried the spirit of Lazarus to “Abraham's bosom” when he died.

So -- "Do you believe YOU have a Guardian Angel?"   I know I do.  I can be very klutzy and my angel has prevented a lot of mishaps in my life!  I used to say 'Wow, that was lucky' and now I say thanks to my angel and to God.  For those of you who do believe there is a spirit out there watching over you and protecting you from most things, I found this little prayer.... A Prayer to the Guardian Angels  "My good Angel, You come from heaven; God has sent you to take care of me. Oh, shelter me under your wings. Lighten my path, and direct my steps. Do not leave me, stay quite near me and defend me against the spirit of evil. But above all come to my help in the last struggle of my life.  Amen".

Can you hear their bells ring? 

Marie Coppola Revised December  2017

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S(he) can be a D.O. (osteopathic physician) or an M.D. (allopathic physician). Hospitalists may engage in clinical care, teaching, research or leadership in the field of general hospital medicine. They are an emerging role in today's American health care system.

Hospitalists are onsite physicans and work around the clock caring for inpatients - their specialty. Demographics on hospitalists are: Young male and female U.S. medical school graduates (87 %) and are about 40 years of age. They are predominantly male (73%) and 82% of them are trained in internal medicine - as a D.O. (osteopathic physician) or an M.D. (allopathic physician).

Since 1996, the number of hospitalists has increased from about 500 to about 15,000, and the number was expected and has increased to about 30,000 in 2010, according to the Society of Hospital Medicine. These physicians provide high-quality medical care from admission to discharge. They can interpret all lab work, specialist exams, and diagnostic tests and test results. They answer questions and ease patients' concerns and provide the primary physician with detailed reports of their patients' hospital stays, and recommend follow-up care. Because of their care, a patient's hospital stay may be shortened, patients receive a greater consistency of attentive care and have more 'personal' contact. Here is a Salary.Com Wizard page for hospitalist salaries. Just enter your zip code.

http://swz.salary.com/SALARYWIZARD/layoutscripts/swzl_selectjob.aspx?txtKeyword=hospitalist&txtZipCode

Marie Coppola Revised March 2014

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 Guest Writer:    Sharon L. Cece

Did you hear the one about the recent college graduate who’s suing her Alma mater, Monroe College in New York, for $72,000 (the full cost of her tuition)? No, she wasn’t injured on campus or a victim of gross negligence. The graduate is suing because, in her words, the college’s "Office of Career Advancement did not help me with a full-time job placement. I am also suing them because of the stress I have been going through."

Yes, you read that correctly. So now, according to this young lady, a college is not only responsible for providing you with an education, it’s also responsible for getting you a job in addition to maintaining your stress at an acceptable level.

Here’s another. A woman is suing a dolphin for $50,000 (no need to rub your eyes, that's not a typo) at the Brookfield Zoo because she slipped on water that the dolphins splashed nearby. She claims the zoo “recklessly and willfully trained and encouraged the dolphins to throw water at the spectators in the stands making the floor wet and slippery,” “failed to provide warnings of the slippery floor” and “failed to provide mats … when the staff knew the floor would get wet and slippery,” among other negligent acts. Other negligent acts. Hmm, did the dolphin commit dolphin rage and body slam her UFC-style against the glass partition? Egregiously bounce a rubber ball on her head causing thousands of dollars of injury? Eat her last, best tuna fish sandwich?? (dolphin-free of course.) Didn't this woman perhaps intuit that standing near a dolphin pen might, uh, get her wet?

In fact, we should consider a “common-sense litigation” law. Lawsuits should only be filed when they passed some sort of common-sense test. The test would be performed at the cost of the claimant (never the taxpayers), and would include a panel of “experts” that might include—not judges, lawyers or politicians--but farmers, grandparents, a firefighter, maybe even an intelligent, thoughtful child. Just regular everyday common-sense folk. Certainly these individuals could effectively decide whether a particular lawsuit would be worthy of consideration. Fees from lawsuits thrown out would go straight to the taxpayers in the form of tax rebates or to pay off the national debt (and, based on the number of frivolous lawsuits filed annually, the national debt could conceivably be paid off within a year or two).

There is such a thing called personal responsibility. Regrettably, these litigators, as well as thousands of others filing such opprobrious lawsuits every day, have a iniquitous view of entitlement. They believe that they are completely free and clear of personal responsibility, yet everyone else owes them. Working hard, accepting blame or even sharing blame are non-issues; it’s everyone else’s fault. They see lawsuits as their way of bucking the system, regardless of who they hurt or how much taxpayer money they spend (not to mention clogging the court system). It’s not just a shame, it’s an outrage.

Okay, I’ll give you one more. Two sweet teenage girls from Durango, Colorado, decided to bake cookies for the neighbors. The cookie plates consisted of half a dozen chocolate-chip and sugar cookies accompanied by “big hearts cut out of red or pink construction paper with the message: Have a great night. Love, The T and L Club," code for Taylor and Lindsey. A 49-year-old woman became so upset over the knock on her door that she called the police, and she ended up visiting the emergency room for “suffering a severe anxiety attack she thought might be a heart attack” from the door knock (the girls knocked on the doors so that the recipients would get the cookies and not neighborhood animals). Subsequently, the woman sued the poor teens and a judge awarded $930 to recoup her medical bills. She received nothing for pain and suffering. "The victory wasn't sweet," the woman said. "I'm not gloating about it. I just hope the girls learned a lesson."

Yes, girls, learn your lesson. Don’t bake cookies and perform thoughtful acts, heaven forbid. You might get sued for it.

You know, then again, maybe these folks are on to something. Why, just yesterday I was I driving past my neighbor’s house and noticed his lawn was much greener than mine. Never mind that he spent the past few weeks working on it while I was . . . well . . . not . The point is that his beautiful lawn makes mine look much worse than if he wasn’t living next to me, rudely taking the time to care for his lawn. Say now, I bet I could sue him for “Defamation of Lawn Character” or “Instigating Weed Dissension and Turf Wars Among Neighborly Ranks”.

Or, maybe I’ll file a lawsuit against Angelina Jolie for "Failure to Share Lip Property and Dimension", since her lips are prettier and fuller than mine and it’s just not fair. After all, I deserve to have lips like Angelina Jolie; she can afford the payout and somebody needs to pay for her having better lips than I do!

Then again, I might sue Mother Nature for "Reckless and Inconsiderate Weather Assignment and Distribution", since it rained yesterday while I had planned to attend a parade and thus, could not attend, and how dare it rain on my parade.

As crazy as this sounds, it’s not half as crazy as some of these lawsuits. All kidding aside, let's implement a new statute: for every frivolous lawsuit that gets thrown out, the claimant has to do 800 hours of community service as well as contribute $1,000 dollars to every teenager that does a good deed, such as bake cookies for their neighbors. Now, finally, something that makes sense.

Updates: Denver radio station KOA raised more than $1,900 from listeners to pay the court fine levied against the two girls who handed out cookies. The remainder of the money will go to a charity dedicated to victims of the Columbine High School shootings. (TheDenverChannel.com).

There is no update on the dolphin’s status, although some reports surfaced claiming it has offered a job to the Monroe College graduate as a full-time Sardine Feeder. The alumna turned down the job, claiming, “Something just smells fishy to me”. Oh, how we agree.

Sharon Cece © December 2009