Articles written by Misty A. Farris

Where Knowledge Rules

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About me - Misty A. Farris

I'm a single mom, a sister, a great friend and an avid reader. I'm also a lawyer, although most of my job now is writing about current events related to our practice, environmental issues and the like.

I'm having a great time at Helium.com thinking and writing

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Relationships & Family > Gay & Lesbian Issues Marriage should be a sacred institution between only a woman and a man: 43 of 316
Marriage, whatever its status in the church, is also a legal relationship with practical and financial consequences. It should not be restricted to couples of the opposite sex any more than it should be restricted to couples of the same race. Preventing gay marriage does not prevent the creation of gay families: it merely le... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Adopting a child of another race: 2 of 10
I am a Caucasian mutt, and my daughters are both Chinese. I have curly hair and blue eyes. They have gleaming black hair and eyes so dark their pupils disappear. People generally assume that my daughters are adopted. I don't mind too much because we have always been very open about how our family was formed, and my daughters... More..
Style & Beauty > Hair Color & Coloring Should you go gray naturally or dye your hair as you age?: 15 of 73
First, let me confess, I have dyed my hair. In fact, I've done so for a few years. But it began to feel like a weakness, almost a betrayal of my principles that was too uncomfortable to assuage with the pleasure of golden highlights. In my early to mid thirties, my hair began to gray in earnest. There were no striking streak... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Childhood Development Keeping your children active without burning them out: 3 of 7
Children, like adults, have different needs and tolerance for scheduled activity. Find activities that match you child's strengths and satisfy their needs, but don't assume that the same activities will be good choices forever. I have a very active 5-year-old daughter. She likes to run and bounce and be busy. I have never ha... More..
Relationships & Family > Grief & Loss Life support: Should the wishes of the family take precedence over the patient's right to relieve his own suffering?: 49 of 112
I believe it is the right, and even the responsibility, of the patient in advance about the use of life support and direct what choices will be made through the use of a living will. The issue never arises unless or until the patient's mind is so damaged that it can no longer give the body instructions to maintain basic func... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenthood Are parents always parents or should they learn to let go as their children age?: 23 of 49
There's no real conflict here: parents are always parents, but one of the responsibilities of a parent is to learn to let go as children age. We must let go of our fear, our control, and ultimately of our expectations. And the process starts so quickly. A child must struggle from his first years to outgrow his reliance on hi... More..
Hobbies & Games > Kids Games & Toys Best educational toy companies: 2 of 4
There are many educational toys and many ways to learn. Although I started with a predisposition against electronic toys, my experience with Leap Frog products has won me over. In preparation for a round-trip plane ride to China with two three-year-olds, we bought Leapsters with their assorted game cartridges. Leapsters are ... More..
Travel > North & South America Travel experiences: Glen Rose, Texas: 2 of 3
Glen Rose, Texas has a lot to offer a family looking for a day or weekend escape from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Any time of the year, there are adventures to be had. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center provides an easy and engaging way to see endangered animals in an open setting. Driving slowly through grasslands into hill country... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture If a church has a very small congregation, should it disband?: 33 of 46
Some people thrive in mega-churchs. They want the social opportunities and facility resources of a large church. My dad joined the largest church in Houston after he divorced because it had the largest pool of single Christians-and so had many dating opportunities. And it worked for him. He joined a scuba diving group; he ma... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Are you obligated to be moral?: 23 of 32
For many people, the idea of morality is deeply connected to religious conviction. But I believe that religious faith is a private matter and the moral imperatives that it provides are also private. Living in society entails a separate, public obligation to be moral that is completely independent of religious faith. The heal... More..