Dec 3rd TIL

I would like to dedicate this one to the jizobosatusu and Love for reminding me of them. Different religions look at stillborn children differently and most just ignore the situation all together. The subject of a child's death is hard for people to talk about so a lot (even religions) opt to not. I have always commended the Buddhist faith for their look on the topic w/ complete shrines that validate the loss and need for an outlet for the families.

The statue of the child is a jizobosatusu. They are protectors of the souls of stillborn children and the Buddhist equivalent of an angel. Mothers who have lost an unborn child usually dedicate an image of the deity and decorate it with baby clothes and toys. There are complete shrines for just this reason.

Think about how your are feeling right now. A lot of people's natural instinct is to think...why would you dress up a statue like your child. That is weird. No, it is part of the grief process. It is the same process as placing flowers or a favorite figurine at a Grave Site (which they don't have in Japan). There isn't a special place to go to remember you child other than your head. This gives a place and a location to see that you are not alone.

Dec 2nd TIL

Going strong on Day 2...

I love the vercitility of coffee. If I am not in the mood to be fancy, good ol' milk and coffee works for me. If I have extra time a scoop of cocoa mix, a dollop of caramel, or a splash of store bought creamer is yummy too...but it always tastes good. Sitting at home today (sick...fun), I've woken up from my morning nap and am not going to go enjoy a cup of joe. How do you like your coffee?

Dec TIL...

Dec 1st...Comfort food. Everyone has comfort food. Some people don't like to admit what it is...it could be a sweet like chocolate or pie, it could be a salty like chips or beef jerky. Mine, well it is oriental...Fried Rice to be exact. My mom swears it is because I spent the first three years of my life eating food prepared by my mamasan in Japan. I am starting this December with a rocking cold and decided to kick it off with a huge wok full of pork fried rice. I LOVED it. The kids thought otherwise and ate leftover ziti like the good little 1/8 Italians they are. Do you have a comfort food? any reason why?

Documenting the goings-on of a Modern Family.

Dad: D.J.
Mom: Katie
Daughter: Lucy
Son: Tommy

Who is watching the Salch family?