Handmaidens - Pen in Hand

February 16, 2001

Pen in Hand	Topics
We welcome your letters and comments!	Cover Page Christian Comedy Education Essays, etc. Health Home Letters Marriage Stewardship Parenting Poetry/Art Sites to See Work Extra

Dear Blabby

Dear Blabby;
I just discovered from a reliable source that our pastor smoked pot when he was in high school. How can I best let the church board know about this without getting my name involved. I doubt they would take action based on an anonymous letter.
Believer in Buffalo

Dear Believer;
Whoa!! Before you do anything ask yourself this: Which is worse, past drug use or present gossip? The issue is not whether he used pot in the past, but is he using it NOW? I suspect the answer is no. Be sure there isn't a 2X4 in your own eye before busying your body trying to remove a splinter from someone else's eye.
Blabby

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Dear Blabby;
I have a two-year old son who has gone from being a sweet lovable toddler to a defiant little fellow whose favorite word is "NO!" What could we have done to cause such a change? Do you think we should take him to a Christian counselor?
A Bewildered Parent

Dear Bewildered;
Welcome to the "terrible two's," honey. Don't you have any friends with kids over two who can tell you this is common and expected? No counselor is needed, but unless you adopt a loving but firm (not rigid) and consistent parenting style, you all may need therapy in about 12 years. When appropriate, try giving your little tyrant choices: "Do you want to wear the red shirt or the yellow one?" but be sure that both he and you remember who is the parent and who is the child.
Blabby

Our Readers Write...

I'd like to ask everyone to PLEASE read the story about this poem at this address:
http://home.talkcity.com/EaselSt/equienne/poetry2a.html

This poem is seen worldwide, both in print and online, as well as having been presented by motivational speakers in many commercial programs. Often a few words are changed to try to make plagiarism acceptable. The above copy is not correct.

The author is not anonymous, and its plagiarism needs to be stopped. This poem has been widely used by Louise Driggers, Alice E. Chase, Janelle Saunders, Amway, Ann Landers, and Chicken Soup Books for their own profits. Everyone wants recognition for something they did not create.

After decades of searching my family and friends for any original copy I'd sent them, my mother ran across a tattered copy she'd kept in an old jewelry box for years. I'd sent it to her just after I wrote it. It's dated, and the paper and ink will be chemically tested to verify its age.

I'm now in the process of securing an attorney specializing in IP law, and will be pursuing all those who have defiled the poem by attempting to recreate it for their own credit, as well as those who have used it for profit.

Loving something is not the same as giving birth to it. I am beside myself that anyone who values this work would be so insensitive and selfish that they would steal it and claim it for their own credit. How can anyone feel and understand the love of this poem, yet steal its credit for themselves?

Perhaps the heart goes only just so far?
Sincerely and honestly,
Debra Barone

Dear Debra;
I receive thousands of submissions for Handmaidens (which has moved to http://handmaidens.org ) and I always credit the author to the best of my available knowledge. Sometimes, however, I have no info on the author, however am always ready to provide proper credit or remove a piece at an author's request.

I am publishing your letter to me in this Handmaidens issue in hopes of rectifying any errors on my part. Please know, I make no money on Handmaidens... I foot all expenses from my own pocket... Also know that I NEVER claim another's work as my own!

I pray you will find resolution for your frustration and satisfaction that your work may have changed many lives even if you haven't received the credit and monetary rewards you deserved.

If you will let me know the URL of the page it appears on (I have over 3,000 pages, so am not sure...) I will add your name as author or remove the poem... your choice.

Many blessings and best regards,
iona

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Dear Iona,
Just visited your site... Wow! May God continue to provide the inspiration, time and resources for this work.
Barbara W.

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Dear Sister Iona

Where can I get a copy of the handmaidens picture?
Colleen

Check out info here.

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Dear Webmaster,
I am shocked, but it looks you have stolen the name, graphics, style, etc. from ionanet.com/women. This is a very poor witness for Christ!

Thanks! I appreciate your zeal, but I am Iona from ionanet and this is the new home of ionanet.com/women... same site, new location.

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Dear Iona,
I am trying to build a web site and wonder if you will host it for me?
Sally Barnes

I can't host it on Handmaidens, but you can visit Host4Christ for hosting and design options.

Graphics, Design & Hosting by Web4Christ Ministries