Regardless of how one feels about the war in Iraq, we think it’s important to support our troops. The men and women who put their lives on the line for us every day deserve our unwavering admiration, unending prayers and our support.

We have found an organization that we would like to make you aware of. It’s called Soldier’s Angels and it gives several ways you can support our troops. They range from just writing them occasionally, to sending care packages to donating money to buy things like voice-activated laptop computers for soldiers who have been disabled.

You’ll find several “operations” listed on the site. The organization has found several needs and creates specific project to address them. Look around to see if there are any that really speak to you. Here are a couple of links to get you started.

• Adopt a Soldier FAQs
• Blankets of Hope (great project for kids)
• List of current “operations” you can help with

Another thing we can all do is pray for peace for our country and protection for our soldiers and that they’re all home as soon as possible.

We’ve been huge fans of India.Arie since her first album came out and we heard the song Video. India is not only a talented musician, she’s got a great spirit. Her lyrics are inspirational, spiritual and positive. As the parents of two little girls, we are glad to have a positive black female role model that we can listen to her music with our daughters.
Recently, we picked up India’s new CD Testimony Volume 1, Life & Relationship. While her other two albums are excellent, this is the best one to date. Tonight, my favorite song from the album “I Am Not My Hair (click to read the lyrics)” is going to be featured on a Lifetime Movie called “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy”. It airs at 9pm (sorry for the late notice). The song featured in the movie is a version done with Pink (not the one on the album). Check out the album version video here. For more on the Lifetime movie, click here.

We can’t recommend India’s album highly enough. All of the songs are positive, uplifting and moving. Wings of Forgiveness is another standout song. But, given our profession and the impact that a black woman’s hair can have on her self-esteem, I Am Not My Hair has a special place in our hearts. We’re sure you’ll love it, too.