I am not among the wealthiest people that I know but if I compare myself to the entire population of the world I am indeed rich. I never achieved fame for the work that I did and none of my blogs have gone viral. Mine has been a rather quiet life, mostly routine and average. On the other hand if I were to consider the quality of the friends whose company I have enjoyed I would have to admit to being blessed beyond measure. It is in the people who have crossed my path and stopped to share extraordinary moments with me that I have become a woman of distinction. Perhaps there is no more interesting and accomplished person among those with whom I have shared a cup of tea than Seng-Dao Keo. Continue reading “A Wealth of Friendship”
Category: Courage
Play Ball!
Oh how my mother loved baseball! Even on the day that she died she wanted to watch a few innings of an Astro’s game. She thought of baseball as an all American sport, almost an inspirational game with heroes whose faces donned cardboard collectors’ cards. The reality is that once upon a time baseball had a very ugly side. Years after the Emancipation Proclamation African American players were denied access to the big leagues. Instead they were relegated to all black minor league teams despite their talent. All of that changed on this day, April 15, 1947, when the Brooklyn Dodgers debuted their newest player, Jackie Robinson. Continue reading “Play Ball!”
What If?
On this day in history in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer who thought that his action might somehow save the southern states from Union domination and tyranny. Of course public disgust with his murderous act not only derailed his ill conceived plan but also changed the course of post war reconstruction. Ironically it was Abraham Lincoln who had been the leader in emphasizing forgiveness and understanding for the rebel states and their citizens. Thus it has oft been argued that the schism between the north and the south might have healed more quickly under his leadership than it did without him. Instead the more punishing policies of carpet bagging only increased resentments that continue to this very day in some quarters of the south. Continue reading “What If?”
Yellow Brick Road
One of my youngest nephews was watching The Wizard of Oz on Saturday. He’s a rather articulate little fellow given that he is not yet three years old. He spoke with great enthusiasm about the movie that seems to be his favorite, at least for the moment. It occurred to me that it takes a bit of daring for a little boy to view a film that features witches and flying monkeys but he seemed unfazed by the sometimes scary storyline. He was mostly focused on the ruby slippers, the yellow brick road and the songs. He was more than willing to show all of us the proper way to behave in the land of Oz, a rather new development in his usually somewhat shy demeanor. His new found bravery around people that he doesn’t see very often represents a major leap forward in his personality. He is learning to trust and to try new things, even when they may be difficult to do. Continue reading “Yellow Brick Road”
All It Takes Is A Little Love 