http://vmenard.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Vonda M. en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 12:16:50 GMT 2010-01-03T12:16:50Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977435528 On a path to realizing her dream, a tragic event will lead a devastated Sierra to a people familiar with living through tragedy, a people who'll give her newfound strength, purpose and dreams. . . . Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:40:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977435528 Vonda M. 2008-08-31T23:40:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977347993 The month of April is a blur. There is only one mark on my big wall calendar, April 25 the day my thesis was due. The closer that day got, the less I slept. I stared at the calendar hoping my icy . . . Sun, 18 May 2008 14:15:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977347993 Vonda M. 2008-05-18T14:15:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977339981 Two more children died today Their father took their lives away Then killed himself so he can't pay   Children aren't supposed to die We shouldn't be left wondering why . . . Tue, 06 May 2008 18:28:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977339981 Vonda M. 2008-05-06T18:28:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977339323 A school and market in Northern Darfur was bombed today. There were thirteen deaths, half of them children. As the violence in Darfur continues, so does the debate. Is the situation in Darfur genocide? . . . Mon, 05 May 2008 21:51:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977339323 Vonda M. 2008-05-05T21:51:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977339241 At 17, hearing you're pregnant must have been frightening. Given the opportunity to have an abortion, you decided to keep your child. Your parents forced you into a loveless marriage with a man . . . Mon, 05 May 2008 19:35:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977339241 Vonda M. 2008-05-05T19:35:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977209974 Yesterday was my birthday and I thought about all the people who aren't able to celebrate a birthday. Some people aren't financially able and some like the people of Darfur are just trying to . . . Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:15:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977209974 Vonda M. 2007-12-21T20:15:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977209128 The holidays are here, and Christmas is days away. While the people of Darfur won't keep peace for Christmas, the New Year may start of better for them then the past 4 ½ years have been. The . . . Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:33:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977209128 Vonda M. 2007-12-20T20:33:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977207355 There is a fun way easy way to help the America's Second Harvest Food Bank.  Visit www.pepsisnowglobe.com and create  a snow globe and for each snow globe Pepsi will donate money to the . . . Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:51:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977207355 Vonda M. 2007-12-18T22:51:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977207156 7-year-old girl who protected her mother from gunshots is in critical condition, blind in one eye. An ex-boyfriend shot Alexis Goggins mother. The girl pleaded with the man "Don't hurt my mother! . . . Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:32:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977207156 Vonda M. 2007-12-18T18:32:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977207071 Usually when Steven Spielberg speaks people listen, he hopes that rings true when he talks to China about their role in the Defer conflict. There has been accusations that China has provided arms to the . . . Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:45:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977207071 Vonda M. 2007-12-18T16:45:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977206268 "The abductees – many of them children – were held as sex slaves for a month before they managed to escape. Several became pregnant. With no access to health care, pregnancy made some . . . Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:59:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977206268 Vonda M. 2007-12-17T19:59:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977201864 While most children are getting excited for the holidays and presents, the children of Darfur are hoping for safety and the return to a normal life. "In September, there were 40 cases of sexually . . . Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:21:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977201864 Vonda M. 2007-12-12T20:21:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977195477 Your Poem   I sat in the chair my body finally at ease Very tired my legs had become weak were my knees Her lovely brown eyes sparkled bright hard to see at first Hungry I was . . . Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:52:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977195477 Vonda M. 2007-12-06T00:52:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977195472 Today I observed the fast for Darfur. I only fasted during the morning, because I have to take medication. Having not eaten for only a few hours, it became painfully clear what people who have no food . . . Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:47:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977195472 Vonda M. 2007-12-06T00:47:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977193606 This is Darfur National Action Week. The situation in Darfur has not improved; people are still not able to go home. Darfur refugees are still living in crowded camps depending on aid workers for food. . . . Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:32:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977193606 Vonda M. 2007-12-04T01:32:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977192472 When I was younger I saw a Bette Midler interview, and she was explaining her battle with depression.   I watched with envy as she described how she lied in bed unable to move.   Something . . . Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:04:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977192472 Vonda M. 2007-12-02T20:04:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977192460 I want to be able to fly, not just because it’s cool because that’s the only way I’ll be able to see everything I want to see.   I’ve been many places, but the more places . . . Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:50:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977192460 Vonda M. 2007-12-02T19:50:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977192001 This goes out to all the young girls in the world growing up without a father, don't let that keep you from having a wonderful life, a life you deserve.    Dear Dad I want you . . . Sun, 02 Dec 2007 02:28:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977192001 Vonda M. 2007-12-02T02:28:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977191582 I don’t know why people have to lie I don’t know why people have to die I don’t know why people make me cry I don’t know why   I am normal Everyone is normal . . . Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:35:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977191582 Vonda M. 2007-12-01T15:35:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977190166 Sick of this and sick of that Sick of writing that my life is out of wack Sick of not living Sick of always giving Sick of not taking Sick of not claiming Sick of my ife not being mine . . . Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:05:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977190166 Vonda M. 2007-11-29T23:05:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977189979 It was a peaceful fall day, the sun was shinning and the air was crisp. Not a cold air, just cool the kind of air that woke you up and made you feel refreshed. I began my walk down to the bus stop taking . . . Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:18:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977189979 Vonda M. 2007-11-29T19:18:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977189969 I feel this great weight of nothingness it swirls around me and then settles like a giant weight on my chest and while I can breath it’s hard and labored and if I just let the weight press down . . . Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:10:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977189969 Vonda M. 2007-11-29T19:10:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977188987 George Clooney and Don Cheadle will receive the Peace Summit Award in December. The award was given based on the work the two actors have done on behalf of Darfur. Both actors can be seen in the film . . . Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:05:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977188987 Vonda M. 2007-11-28T18:05:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977188031 As the start of the Olympics in Beijing get closer, the protest of its host gets louder. Eighteen large corporate sponsors were graded on their relationship with China. The results were disappointing. . . . Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:30:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977188031 Vonda M. 2007-11-27T18:30:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977186986 China has sent peacekeepers to Darfur, but they are not welcomed according to the rebels. This situation has turned into a quandary. The rebels don’t want China to supply the peacekeepers because . . . Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:29:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977186986 Vonda M. 2007-11-26T17:29:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977185846 Sometimes when my four year old son is sleeping I touch the palm of his hand to make his fingers close and grasp my finger.   It’s a reflex action I forget what they call it anyway… . . . Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:45:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977185846 Vonda M. 2007-11-25T04:45:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977183771 I’m Thankful for Living in the USA I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving.  I'm thankful for:   My two healthy boys. Having a job and the means to put a roof . . . Thu, 22 Nov 2007 01:18:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977183771 Vonda M. 2007-11-22T01:18:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977179300 Letter from Don Cheadle about Darfur Now This is a letter from Don Cheadle regarding his newes film Darfur Now.  If you are in anyway interested in this suject matter, please see this moving film.  . . . Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:13:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977179300 Vonda M. 2007-11-16T22:13:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977177180 Tonight on PBS Frontline will feature a story on Darfur. The program is titled “On Our Watch.” and features Mia Farrow. Mia has visited Darfur on several occasions and tells about what she . . . Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:28:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977177180 Vonda M. 2007-11-14T19:28:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977176220 I watched the HBO special last night hosted by James Gandolfini Alive Day Memories from Iraq. This is an incredible documentary about the injured soldiers coming home from Iraq. The soldiers featured . . . Tue, 13 Nov 2007 19:59:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977176220 Vonda M. 2007-11-13T19:59:11Z