My Memorial Day Wish

It never ceases to amaze me that the human race has survived this far. For one thing, earth is not a stable environment. Tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, mudslides, sinkholes, and fires threaten us on a regular basis. Our precarious situation is made even worse by war. Billions of dollars are being used to kill other human beings as countries regularly drop bombs on each other. 

Meanwhile there's the threat of disease. Hantavirus and Ebola are frightening illnesses. Not enough money is spent on finding ways to prevent the spread of these horrible plagues. Not enough money is spent on research to discover vaccines to eradicate these afflictions.

Yet, with clear threats to the entire globe, many people continue to argue and blame each other for the problems. 

Why can't we get along? Why can't we have peace?

💕 💖 💕 💖 💕

A Moment of Grace

Hubby and I experienced a heaping moment of grace on Sunday. It wasn’t as if we went looking for it. It just happened and we both recognized it for what it was for it touched us as a sign of hope and possibility.

The weather was glorious that day and we decided to go to a local park in the afternoon to rent a boat for an hour. Hubby prefers the paddle boats. I prefer rowboats because I know how to handle them. However, the paddle boats give arthritic knees a good workout and so that’s what we chose. We donned our life vests and spied our ship. I got in first. Then hubby lifted the ropes off the cleats and hopped in with me. Off we went.

There were many people in the park that day and as we drifted around the lake we saw an amazing array of humanity. There were women in hijabs, Orthodox Jews, Indians, Hispanics, and those who are descendants of former immigrants—like us. Families were picnicking, fishing, or cruising around the lake as we were. Everyone was sharing the same park. Everyone was enjoying the day. Everything was peaceful.

While it is true that these groups were not particularly intermingling, they were all in the same space and walking along the same paths. The children were playing in the same playground.

It was beautiful and hopeful. If everyone can share a park in peace, then surely we can share the entire world in peace. At least, it's a possibility.

With our rental hour nearly over, I attempted to pull up to the dock. I am not as agile as I once was. I no longer leap. I did not pull up close enough to the dock to feel secure in jumping out of the boat. Hubby tried the same maneuver and also failed. Fortunately, a much younger Jewish woman, with a skirt that reached to her ankles, asked if we needed help. We gratefully accepted. She easily reached down, grabbed the ropes and attached them to the cleats. We thanked her profusely. Without her help, we may have been there for a while longer.

Our moment of grace has stayed with us We saw not just that park, but the world as it could be. Pray for peace. It's a real possibility.

In Perfect Harmony

Dear Santa,

I haven't written lately because I thought I had all I need. However, this year taught me a few lessons because it was particularly difficult. I have discovered that there is one thing I would dearly love but it is beyond my capabilities to obtain.

I would like PEACE. I know that's a tall order, which is why I am writing to you. I know people have been fighting each other since the dawn of time. Unfortunately, I've found raging hatred isn't only a problem between different countries, there's a disturbing amount of hostility and bitterness in our own United States.

There are people in my community who have beautiful homes, plenty of food on their tables, and who drive much nicer cars than the one I drive and yet they hate their fellow Americans. What's worse is their total lack of compassion for those less fortunate.

They are scary. The land of the free and the home of the brave is beginning to resemble the land of the mean and the arrogant.

Can you soften their hard hearts? Can you somehow make them realize how blessed they are? Can you heal their souls and take away the hatred that is not only eating them up inside but poisoning our own beautiful land?

I know this won't be easy, but since you're magical maybe all it would take would be a sprinkling of enchanted glitter. Or maybe a song would do it. You know, the kind that gets stuck in your mind.

I sure hope you can help me out. I'll leave some oat shortbread by the fireplace. Give my best to Mrs. Claus.

Thanks.

Love,
Penelope