Every year, more than 330,000 American children are born prematurely. As you probably know, we have two in our family. When Abby and Grace were born eight weeks early, they each weighed a little more than 4 pounds and spent four weeks in the neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU) at the hospital. A trying time, to be sure, but they came through with flying colors.

They’re almost two now, but I find that I’m still worrying just as much now as I did during those first few weeks at the hospital. I worry about their health and development and how their premie status might affect the rest of their lives. It seems odd sometimes, since they seem just as healthy as any other toddlers. But research shows I have cause to worry, and new reasons for hope.

A new study out today in the journal Pediatrics shows that children born prematurely can benefit greatly from intensive early education. If these kids get extra attention in the first three years of life, they show higher math and reading scores and fewer behavorial problems than similar children who didn’t get the educational boost.

[Listen to the story]

On a related note, the March of Dimes is working to prevent premature births. You can support their efforts by joining WalkAmerica. Last year, walkers raised more than $250,000 toward the cause. Round up everyone you know and sign them up. The event kicks off in a few weeks.

[Visit the March of Dimes website]

A recent study conducted by the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum revealed some decidedly discouraging news: far more people can name all the members of the Simpson family than can name the five rights provided by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. How large was the disparity? Huge: 22% of Americans could name all five Simpson family members while only one in 1,000 could name all five First Amendment freedoms.

Ok, I agree that’s pretty pathetic, but I can see not being able to name all five. There is that one niggling one about the right to petition… But the survey highlighted some other disturbing notions:

• 17% thought the right to drive a car was protected
• While 28% could name two freedoms granted, 52% could name at least two Simpsons characters
• More people (24%) could name the three American Idol judges than three of the five rights (7%)
• Twenty percent thought you had the inalienable right to own a pet
• Almost 40% said the right against self-incrimination was included. (Apparently, these people aren’t familiar with the term “plead the Fifth.”)

[Visit the Freedom Museum]
[Download the survey results]
[Download the survey report]

This guy’s one of the reasons that people bug me. Bode Miller, one of the top prospects for medals at the Winter Olympics, was a complete flame-out. But “Hey,” he says, “I got to party and socialize at an Olympic level.” Geesh… and Nike is paying this guy how much to promote their brand? I hope they have an opt-out clause in their contract, because Bode’s brand is a loser.

Contrast Bode in all of his self-important glory with Jason McElwain, a 17-year-old high school senior who got to play in the final four minutes of his last home basketball game. Jason gets in the game, misses his first shot by six feet, misses his next attempt (a layup), and then goes on to make six three-pointers in a row, setting a new school record. (It would have been seven, but his foot was on the line.) He finished with 20 points in four minutes.

The thing about Jason, though, is that he normally serves as the team manager. He’s also 5-foot-6; not exactly towering. He’s also autistic. Jason’s love for basketball, his enthusiasm for life, and his spirit carried the day; then his team carried him off the floor. Now *this* is a kid that rocked.

[See the video]

A couple of times now, a “quiz” has crossed my desk purportedly seeking to “learn more about people you know” and it contains things like “favorite ice cream” and “last person you talked on the phone with” and “shoe size.” Sheesh.

As you can imagine, I complained (a lot) about the quiz because I didn’t feel that these inane questions really offered any sort of insight at all. When I complained to my sisters, they said, “So smartass, make your own damn quiz!” So I have.

Feel free to copy, paste, and email to your heart’s content. And here’s to hoping you learn something new about someone…

[See the quiz]

Kate Nowak created a small experiment to see if, by using the broad-based reach of the Internet, she could pass on one million blessings in 100 days. She created a small movie designed to be a meditative experience for the viewer.

Kate says, “It has been said that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Every time you remind yourself that you are, indeed, blessed — even in those times when you do not see or feel the blessings — you are figuratively lighting a candle in your world.” View the movie, light a candle in your own world, and forward the link to someone else who needs it…

[View “May You Be Blessed” Movie]