HAPPY EVERYTHING

(Photobucket Image)

Egads! I see that I have missed several holidays without acknowledging them on my blog. There were Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, and even Valentine's Day celebrations. As the silly little image above says,  I now wish you  "Happy Everything"!

My only excuse is that I was extremely self-absorbed with a lot of minor ailments, and I didn't want my depressed mood to seep into anything I wrote. We've had so many spring-like days, sunshine, warm temperatures, and some glorious, much-needed rain, it is hard not to be in a good mood. I'm also feeling better. It makes me wonder which comes first -- the good mood or the  physical well-being. People smarter than I have pondered this mind/body connection and still have not come up with a definitive answer. Dr. Herbert Benson's book, The Relaxation Response, published in the late 70s, brought credence to the theory that we can heal many of our ailments with our mind by learning the "relaxation response", which is very much like meditation or self-hypnosis. Around the same time, Norman Cousins cured himself of what he was told was an "incurable" and "irreversible" disease by working in tandem with his doctor, massive doses of Vitamin C, and laughter, which he brought on by watching funny movies, such as the Marx Brothers' films. He documented all of this in his book Anatomy of an Illness. These are just a couple of the early mainstream books to discuss the subject. And who can forget Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking?

Just this week there were reports on the news about the latest research into the effects of anti-depressants, which are accompanied by many undesirable side-effects. The recent studies show that, in most cases, depressed patients get better just as quickly when given a placebo pill as when they are on an anti-depressant drug - even when they are told it is a placebo or "sugar pill". Of course, there are exceptions with cases of extreme mental/emotional problems. No one should ever cease taking prescribed medication without talking to their physician.

"You become what you think about all day long." Emerson had a good understanding of the mind/body connection, as do some modern day spiritual traditions. Unity and the Church of Religious Science come to mind. Also, one of the most popular ministers in the U.S. today, Joel Osteen, understands these principles. He fills his sermons with a lot of positive affirmations, using Biblical references to relate to. He is teaching that if one does nothing but dwell upon problems of any kind - physical, financial, emotional, etc. - one locks himself into a negative, self-defeating condition in life. In other words, "What you focus on increases!" Best to hold positive, healing, loving, abundant thoughts in mind! And of course, "Let go and let God."

If I believe these observations -- and I do -- why did my complaints linger so long? I've had over twenty years of Unity teachings under my belt, and should know better by now. I believe it's because for over ten years I have not lived near people who believe and practice these same principles. I have been spending way too much time alone or with folks with differing beliefs! The one big exception is the time I spend with Community Kitchen and the volunteers there. Now that I am feeling better, and I know I don't have anything contagious, I am going back more frequently. The loving energy there is palpable. I also felt better when I volunteered at Hope's Closet, but I haven't been there in a few months.

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Travis, Carajean, Kelly

Another reason for my recuperation and lifted spirits is a visit from my daughter, Carajean. We had nearly four fun-filled days together earlier this month. While she was here, daughter-in-law Amy and grandchildren Travis and Kelly joined us for one day and night. We all had a good time playing games, eating, and watching movies. One day Carajean and I stayed in our pajamas all day long. The bed didn't even get made. I don't recall that happening in many years!

Amy and Carajean

These two gals outlasted me, and stayed up late playing dominoes. They even cleaned the kitchen so I could get my beauty sleep. They are both so youthful and beautiful that they can get away with late hours from time to time with no after-effects!

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Next weekend we are going on a journey together. Oldest grandson Cameron is performing in his Senior recital at LSU in Baton Rouge. His mom and dad will join us there from Dallas. Carajean is flying to Austin, where she, son Matthew, Amy, and I will drive to Baton Rouge. It's over 7 hours to get there, so it's a good thing we all love each other! Needless to say, Cameron is pleased to have such a big family turnout for this special occasion. This past week he performed with the LSU A Cappella Choir in Plano, Texas. My oldest granddaughter, Audrey (a senior at SMU) was among family members who attended that performance.

(Cameron and Audrey)

Due to the isolation and ailments I suffered the past few months, I broke my "news fast" and gorged on all of the cable newscasts. I could not help getting caught up in all the GOP primary coverage. Some of it would be funny if it weren't so scary. I'll cover this in my next blog post. I'm so angry over the recent women's rights issues I probably couldn't keep from being overly insulting of the people involved. That is no way to keep up my positive attitude and assist my continued healing!

Peace and love,

Marilyn

"DESPAIR INTO ACTION"

I have written many times about my oldest granddaughter, Audrey, who is a senior student at SMU, majoring in Environmental Science. She is currently doing an internship in Maui, Hawaii, studying the migration of humpback whales. This morning I received the following email from her. I don't think she will mind my sharing it with you. Her passion is very obvious, and I feel she will continue to grow spiritually and make a very big difference in the world. Needless to say, I am  very proud of her.

(iptimes)

"I have experienced an awakening during my time here in Hawaii. The past few days we have studied some very emotionally enraging topics. Like how the captivity industry fuels the heinous slaughter of 20,000 dolphins every year in Taiji, Japan; how the international laws are consistently being broken and (are going) unpunished regarding the moratorium on whaling; how anthropogenic activities have managed to have a devastating effect on every ecosystem on Earth; how protesters, who are peacefully practicing their First Amendment right, are targeted, punished, and sometimes physically hurt by people of our government; how our government has become a plutocracy, with 200 of the large corporations that own 80% of the world's profits making all of the decisions that impact each of us (by the way, none of their decisions so far have been in favor of the environment).

I have been so moved by the films we have seen, articles we have read, and speakers we have listened to here. One night, watching The Cove followed by a Hawaiian native speaker (a vegetarian) made me cry so much I had to use my sleeve as a tissue. I came home that night, sat on our lanai (Hawaiian for balcony) and pondered. I realized that I had to write something and get it all out on paper. So I did. It's not finished yet, but I made some dramatic realizations about myself and my concern for our current world. Today I am in the middle of reading an interview with Joanna Macy who has made it her mission in life to help transform people's despair into action. I realized that she has literally taken the words right out of my mouth - the same things I realized for myself that night on the lanai. Please take time to read this article -- it  is worth it." 

http://www.personaltransformation.com/Macy.html   

I hope this brief report from a young (21 years) woman of today's world gives each of us pause to think during this election year. I love the way the native Americans used to consider the welfare of the seven generations to follow them before taking any action that might negatively affect the environment. At the current rate of destruction, our Mother Earth may not be here in seven generations! Or if it is, it will not be a very pleasant place to inhabit -- if it is habitable at all.

Peace and love to all living things on our planet,

Marilyn

Be the change..

Many young people are stepping forward and making a difference in today's world. Some of them are part of the Occupy Wall Street movement here in the United States as well as across the world. Not all are necessarily part of a religious faith, but all are united in their wish to "change the world" for the better. They deserve to be heard, and they deserve our support in their nonviolent protests.

I know in my heart that my grandchildren are going to contribute in special ways to a better world. Each of them has a spirit of striving for excellence in everything they attempt, and each shows great love and compassion for animals as well as people. They have loving parents who are guiding them and instilling good values in them. Allow me to exercise my grandmother's bragging rights in the following..

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13-year-old Tanner has been busy this summer learning to make his own videos. Always an A student, he plays cello and has been learning computer programming from his dad.  His very early love of turtles has blossomed into a love of all animals, and he shares the vegan lifestyle with his family. He has his own YouTube channel now, where you may go and check out his two fantastic videos thus far. Notice how he clones himself in both! Click on this link:  TANNER'S VIDEOS

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11-year-old Hannah decided not to attend the TAG (talented and gifted) middle school this year, but to go to the same middle school that her brother Cameron attended. There she auditioned for the school choir, and just this past week auditioned for and made the Dallas All-City Choir. I haven't heard her sing yet, but she sings soprano and her dad promised to video her singing for me soon. He forwarded a copy of her first report card -- all As, with several 100s and one of those was 103 in choir!! How does one perfect perfection??  You go, girl!

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Audrey debuted as an apprentice ballerina with Contemporary Ballet Dallas last weekend. She had an entourage of family members attend, and her Uncle Craig told me she is a beautiful, talented dancer. She is in her senior year at SMU, and this semester has a light load which allows her more time to dance and even do some modeling on the side. She is excited about going to Maui in January to study the migration of humpback whales, and is still an avid animal rights activist. Her degree will be in Environmental Science. She's a whiz at calculus, too! And loves to play violin with her mom when she's at home. The lovely photo of her reminds me of Degas' fascination with ballerinas at rest.

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Travis recently brought home his first fourth grade report card of the year - he made the All A Honor Roll! As the only grandchild thus far who doesn't seem to be interested (yet) in music or the performing arts, he has channeled his interests into sports. This year he has made his dad proud with his baseball ability. The last two baseball games, Travis made great catches. One was a flying catch he made at third base when the bases were loaded. I think his dad, Matthew, was as excited about that as he was at attending one of the World Series games in Dallas this past week. Dad was a Junior Ranger when he was a kid, and still loves the Texas Rangers.

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This photo is of grandson Cameron in full makeup for an operatic performance at LSU. We can see how he will look as a middle-aged man, huh? Not bad! He sings the role of Alcindoro in LaBoheme this weekend. He said that for this production they set it in the French Quarter during  Prohibition. Cameron would love to go to graduate school next year. I pray that the economy improves, so it may be a plausible possibility. He's one of the many students in this country who - in spite of a four year scholarship, will be saddled with student loans when he graduates. Besides his beautiful voice, Cameron is politically savvy, and has a spiritual side that is developing as he is gaining life experiences. Maybe singing every Sunday for the Episcopal Church choir has had an influence on him! 

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I don't have the latest up-to-date info on my other two granddaughters, Ashlyn and Kelly, but it will be forthcoming. A little reminder to moms, Carajean and Amy!

It is obvious how proud I am of these beautiful, young, developing souls. But what I don't say often enough is how very proud I am of their mom and dads.. my children, Craig, Carajean, and Matthew. Their lives were not easy growing up, and they never had the stability and security I wished to give them. I've commented before that sometimes our dreams for a good life are not realized in our own life, but if we hang around, we can often see them come true in our children (sometimes, in spite of their upbringing!) and grandchildren.  Congratulations, you three (and your supporting spouses, of course).. I send my love and prayers for your continuing success in raising such super grandchildren of mine!

As the video suggests... "be the change"... You and yours are bringing about a better world for all of us. One that will be filled with beauty, compassion, and love of all life. 

Peace and love,

Marilyn

WE ARE THE 99%

OCCUPY WALL STREET

By not watching the cable news programs, I am unable to state with accuracy what is being told about the "Occupy" movements across the country -- even across the world. I know that the network news I watch in the evening rarely has much to say or show about this phenomena. The local news programs infrequently mention the Occupy Austin protests that are going on except if something negative happens... like an intoxicated transient pulling a knife. I read where more and more transients are moving in on the protesters. Perhaps they will get free food. Because, yes, in this "prosperous" state of Texas we have many homeless and hungry people. Oddly enough, to even get up-to-date information on any of the protests across the country, I had to request special "custom" news on my Google news site. Could the reluctance of the media to give proper notice of the revolution going on in America and other democracies around the world be in part due to the fact that the media is owned by large corporations? We know how Rupert Murdoch controls the content of his so-called "news" networks. And we condemn him for it. Surely this cannot happen in our free society that all our news will somehow be filtered to keep from giving the public a clear and true picture of what is happening today. The link under the above video is the "official" website of the original Occupy Wall Street protest. Go there to find out their latest news.

I find this video and its music particularly moving. Contrary to what I heard FOX News said about the protestors being dirty, unkempt, anarchists bent on destroying Western civilization, you will notice that everyone is represented in this video... There are young people, old people (yayyy seniors!), a mix of races, business suits, young couples with children, celebrities, and even clergy. And I don't notice any ragged dirty folks either. (Although, with the length of time they are having to make do with minimum bathing facilities, I'll bet some are beginning to smell a little rank!) The following is from their website, stating what they are all about:

"Occupy Wall Street is a leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends and encourage the use of nonviolence to maximize the safety of all participants."

Students who have been burdened with outrageous student loan debt when graduating college and with no jobs available to assist them in paying their debt... Seniors who are concerned with losing some or all of their Medicare and Social Security benefits... Workers who have lost their jobs and benefits due to outsourcing of labor to foreign countries so Corporations can continue to rake in record profits... Homeowners who have been foreclosed upon by banks who in their greed accepted faulty mortgages... The uninsured; the homeless; the discriminated against; the disenfranchised from all areas of our society... These are the members of the Occupy movements.

The one common theme throughout all of the movements is that something is broken in our government. Our politicians are letting us down. This is no longer the land of plenty. There is plenty for the few -- the 1%. But our country is so much more than that 1%. Sadly for us, the coming election campaigns are not being waged "by the people and for the people"; but the candidates with the biggest war chests and the most powerful, rich, and influential backers will be at the forefront. Thank you, Supreme Court for your ruling on corporate campaign contributions!

I applaud the protesters and only wish I were younger and able to join them. A couple of my senior friends and I had planned to join the Occupy Austin movement on Columbus Day. Some protesters we were! The first good rain Texas had in months happened the day before we were to join them, and the forecast was for even more. We didn't want to go and be rained out. (Maybe we can still participate. I have my bell bottoms and love beads ready!)  She's concerned with the impending cuts in Medicare and Social Security, and he wanted his sign to read, "Give me back my pension!" He had worked for a steel company in Ohio for thirty years, gradually moving into management. I haven't asked why, but the company filed for bankruptcy and he lost all of his pension he had paid into all those years. I assume it was during the time so many steel companies went under due to competition from the steel companies in China. Another case of corporate greed.

I was recently reminded in a talk by former President Bill Clinton that every critical change for the better in this country was preceded by protest movements of some kind. Even as early as the movement to end slavery that resulted in the Civil War. We had the Women's Suffrage, Civil Rights, Anti-Viet Nam War, and Women's Rights movements that all led to necessary change to raise our society to a higher level. Nonviolent protests are the Democratic way. So... rock on, Occupy Wall Steet movement. May you continue to spread throughout our land until the issues of inequality are addressed and corrected!

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Long-time friend, John (Jack) Nance Garner, continues to speak his mind on subject matters of importance. He frequently has his Letters to the Editor published in the Denton Record-Chronicle. And he frequently gets a lot of opposition in return. Here is his latest:

Corporate welfare:

"Hate welfare? Think it’s the most wasteful idiotic government program ever conceived by man with the help of God’s adversary? I do, too. Let’s put the boot to this government boondoggle. Let’s end it now. Let’s take the super rich, Big Oil, pharmaceutical companies, Wall Street and big bankers off of welfare. With 1 percent controlling 40 percent of the nation’s wealth, how much of the government’s resources do you think they use to maintain and add to their personal wealth? Of course, the idea of taxes should be the burden of the less-wealthy. The super rich need their money to make more money. They never get enough.

The base reason is from a mental condition known as peniaphobia — a fear of poverty; an unreasonable fear that is the father of greed, which in turn births the unequal tax system the super rich want to keep in place. This is not a new mental condition.

God handled those super rich of that time by proclaiming a year of jubilee, which required the compulsory return of all property to its original owners or their heirs, except the houses of laymen within walled cities, in addition to the manumission of all Israelite indentured servants. You had to give everything back and start all over. Godly inspired or not; not a popular concept with the “haves” then, as of today.

You would think Obama’s jobs program is going to do that from the amount of crocodile tears dripping onto the editorial pages."

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There has been so much happening in the world recently, it is hard for me to make up my mind what I wish to write about next. The death of Muammar Qadhafi hopefully will mean that Libya can now get down to the business of creating a government of equality for all. They were under so much oppression for so long. Again, we are faced with a matter of rejoicing at the death of a fellow human being. It must have been very, very hard for his wife, children, and grandchildren to see the horrible images of his dying and death that were displayed everywhere. As the old saying goes, "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword." It's still sad to see someone end up that way. Let us hope it was for the greater good of the Libyans.

These are exciting times of world changes that we live in.

Peace and love,

Marilyn

P.S. I LOVE YOU

I know it may be puzzling to read about love at this time of year. It's not the Christmas season when we are filled with love of church or family, and it's nowhere near Valentine's Day when we traditionally express romantic love. But as the song reminds us, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love". 

Today, so much attention is focused by the media on the opposites of love: hate, fear, dissension, and violence. Just about everyone at one time or another seems to be at the center of their attention. A large portion of the American public spends a good deal of time watching television news or reading the news in papers or online. These folks are being programmed -- or indeed, brainwashed -- into a hateful and/or fearful mentality. An us against them mentality. We are constantly being pitted one against another: country against country, the Democrats vs Republicans (and now the Tea Partiers), liberals vs conservatives, "legal" citizens vs illegal immigrants, believers vs nonbelievers, rich vs poor. We are exposed daily to the "failures" and "losers" in our society, and they differ depending upon who is telling the story. Of course, we all want to be on the successful, winning side, don't we? It can be confusing at times knowing which side that is. It flip flops on us as we switch the channels on our TV, read opinions by different authors, or hear results from the latest poll. How are we supposed to know who we are against?? Or who to hate?

Love is anathema to a good news story, right? But never has it been needed more by our society.

What kind of love is needed now? Agape is often defined as Christian love, or brotherly love -- it is a type of love that is encouraged by all religions and philosophies. But even atheists feel love for their fellow man. I've always felt that these verses in I Corinthians 13 project what would be a perfect love. There are a few additional words that define love as well: compassion, empathy, forgiveness, tolerance, and generosity. And one we often forget -- service. What would life be like if there were not those dear souls who, with love in their hearts for their fellow man, dedicate their lives to caring for others? I believe that it is the rise of greed in the hearts of some that has created the loss of quality in so many areas of service to others. It is becoming more and more the case of "if the dollars aren't there, the loving care isn't either"! And that's sad.

The song goes on to say, "No not just for some, but for everyone." Wow! wouldn't it be wonderful if we all experienced love? We may not always receive love, but we can always be love.. and express it in myriad ways to everyone and everything in the world around us. One little way I like to think I am spreading love is by purchasing the Love postage stamps. I put them on all my correspondence -- even the bills I pay by mail! Silly, but it brings a smile to my face thinking about the people who handle each piece of my mail and see that little spot of love on the envelope. I hope it brightens someone's day. I'm always eager to see the new issues of these stamps each year, and I'm upset when the post office is out of Love stamps. My favorite was one published years ago. It was a picture of the earth from space, and instead of being round it was heart shaped! 

You can tell how long ago this stamp was published by looking at the cost! These were sold in 1991.

         

I know that some people are put off by my habit of signing nearly all of my emails with "Love". I really mean that, though. If we are close enough to send each other emails -- even jokes -- that means we care about each other. If one can care for a stranger and offer love by way of little postage stamps or serving up food at a local food kitchen, why can I not send a little love by way of my often brief messages via the internet to people I know? I always have believed that words have powerful energy. If I put any energy into correspondence, I want it to be positive, loving energy!

I consider it an expression of love when I fill the bird feeder in my backyard.. or give the birds fresh water. Or when I feel sorry for Piper, the Great Dane who lives next door, when she is left in her pen for days on end, and I take her a couple of doggy biscuits and rub her ears and talk to her for awhile. She has even learned to "sit" politely in anticipation of her treats! When we give love, we often receive so much love in return.

We can share our love by donating to worthy causes -- money if we have it or time if we don't; by calling someone we love and haven't spoken to in a long time; by sending a get well card to cheer someone who is ailing; by forgiving someone who has inadvertently (or purposely) hurt our feelings; or by visiting a lonely person. And of course, there is always the Internet. To send a personal email -- even a short one -- to let someone know you are thinking of them has lifted the spirits of someone. (Myself included!) I like to think of it as Instant Love!

Even during all the natural disasters in the United States and other countries in recent months, it was heartwarming to see the love in action as people from all over the world as well as our own area rallied to offer assistance in every way imaginable. It seems to neutralize the pain and horror of such events if we concentrate on the rescue and relief efforts.

Love is truly  powerful. Below is a beautiful bit of prose written by one of my favorite metaphysical teachers. I'm sure I've posted this on one of my blogs before, but I think it needs to be read again and again:

"There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer;
no disease that enough love will not heal;
no door that enough love will not open;
no gulf that enough love will not throw down;
no sin that enough love will not redeem...
It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble;
how hopeless the outlook;
how muddled the mistake.
A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all.
If only you could love enough you would be the happiest and most powerful being 
in the world.".. Emmet Fox


Yesterday I noticed I was getting increasingly impatient with the long line at the drive through window at the drugstore. I was penned in for 20 minutes, making me late for helping out at the Community Kitchen. I was very cross with the young man when I finally dropped off my prescription, telling him in no uncertain terms how I felt! As I drove off, I was ashamed of myself for my outburst. A few hours later when I returned to pick up my prescription, the same young man waited on me. (This time it took only 10 minutes!) He was very apologetic and made some comment about how it just didn't seem to be my day. I apologized to him, and even told him how I was learning a lesson about being in such a hurry. Patience, Marilyn, is a loving virtue!


Let me know your favorite way of spreading the love. We can't all be Mother Teresa, but in a myriad of small ways we can express love and overcome all the negativity that surrounds us daily. 


Peace to you all,
Marilyn


P.S. 
I love you!

A sad commentary on this "Nation Under God"

The Georgia Board of Parole and Pardons' failure to grant clemency to convicted killer Troy Davis is just one more example of the ills of our country. The fact that we put to death many innocent people in this country because of the hard line of a few is shameful. The state of Texas leads the thirty-six states who have the death penalty with the number of executions carried out. More have been carried out under our present Governor Rick Perry than under any other of our governors. It was shocking to hear Perry's recent statement that he never loses sleep over any of them! Even if one of them might be innocent. And this is the man who shamelessly prayed in front of our whole nation, displaying his so-called Christian beliefs for no other reason than to gain votes from the Christian Right. To me, this is typical of the hypocrisy shown by so many professed Christians running for office today.

As Sister Prejean (author of Dead Man Walking) says above, Jesus was a threat to the Romans and the religious hierarchy of His day because of His all-encompassing love, and insistence on equality for all. Forgiveness was a key word of His Gospel. And each and every one of us is deserving. Can you imagine that, if Jesus were here today, before healing someone He asked to see a green card, proof of citizenship, or Social Security card? Or asked who one was sleeping with. To refuse food or drink to a beggar in rags because to help him might make him dependent and not seek work?

It makes no sense to me to make a stand against abortion rights, then refuse to allow adequate sex education (not just abstinence) in our schools or planned parenthood clinics to assist the poor.  Yet this happens in every election since Roe v Wade. (Texas, by the way, leads the nation in teen pregnancies.) It makes about as much sense as clinics to "cure" homosexuality. Both of these issues are in the forefront of so many religious political contenders today. And they attract a lot of voters who never bother to seek out or to understand the rest of their platforms. Which today seems to be to maintain the status quo.. or maintain or institute legislation that only helps the few.

And that's what these candidates count on.

Tonight Troy Davis will join the ranks of Dead Men Walking.. guilty or innocent. May God bless his soul.

Peace and love to all,
Marilyn

9/11

I do not know how many of you watched the ceremonies this morning at Ground Zero, but one of the most moving parts to me was hearing this version of "The Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon. The moments of silence at the exact time the planes hit each one of the towers, the Pentagon, and the plane that went down in Pennsylvania, then the ringing of the bell, moved me to tears. 

Other moving musical tributes were performed by Yo-Yo Ma, James Taylor, and a beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace" by a flautist whose name I did not get. 

Among the speakers, Governor Christie of New Jersey read a short poem by Mary Lee Hall, urging people  to Turn Again to Life

"If I should die and leave you here awhile

Be not like others sore undone

Who keeps long vigil by the silent dust.

For my sake turn again to life and smile

Nerving the heart and trembling hand

To do something to comfort other hearts than thine.

Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine

And I perchance may therein comfort you."

So many families of survivors were inspirational in telling their stories of how they have done just that -- turned again to life. And honored loved ones lost too soon.

Former NY Governor George Pataki read the last verse of the poem, "The Names", written by Billy Collins, United States Poet Laureate, in 2002 as a tribute to the fallen that fateful day of September 11, 2001:

"..Names written in the pale sky.

Names rising in the updraft amid buildings.

Names silent in stone

Or cried out behind a door.

Names blown over the earth and out to sea.

In the evening -- weakening light, the last swallows.

A boy on a lake lifts his oars.

A woman by a window puts a match to a candle,

And the names are outlined on the rose clouds --

Vanacore and Wallace,

(let X stand, if it can, for the ones unfound)

Then Young and Ziminsky, the final jolt of Z.

Names etched on the head of a pin.

One name spanning a bridge, another undergoing a tunnel.

A blue name needled into the skin.

Names of citizens, workers, mothers and fathers,

The bright-eyed daughter, the quick son.

Alphabet of names in a green field.

Names in the small tracks of birds.

Names lifted from a hat

Or balanced on the tip of the tongue.

Names wheeled into the dim warehouse of memory.

So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart."

As President Obama read from the Book of Psalms, there was no doubt in my mind that, although no prayers were to be said at these ceremonies, many were offering up their private prayers to God.. and God was there.

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No, we will never forget the dark day of 9/11/01. So many American lives were lost needlessly. We will always honor and revere their memory. However, there is nothing more we can do about those losses. Nearly 3,000 gone forever from this earth. And as we turn again to life, may we "do something to comfort other hearts". Nearly 100,000 lives are lost daily to the famine in Somalia. Surely there is something we can do about that. We have thousands of victims of the wildfires right here in Texas right now needing our help and comfort. We can do something about that.

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And as a reminder that there is always good happening somewhere on any given day, I thought I would include the following little chart of "good stuff happening" on this day in history:

Good News on this day in History, September 11

By Good News Network Sunday, September 11, 2011

• First World Parliament of Religions conference held, marking the first formal gathering of representatives of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions (1893)
• Mahatma Gandhi coined the term "Satyagraha" (Truth-Force) to characterize Non-Violent movements (1906)
• The Boston Red Sox won the World Series; wouldn't repeat for 86 years (1918)
• The World Wildlife Fund was formed (1961)
• The Beatles recorded their first single, "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You," at EMI studios in London (1962)
• U.S. President Jimmy Carter, President Sadat of Egypt, and Prime Minister Begin of Israel agreed at Camp David on a framework for peace in the Middle East (1978)
• Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds recorded his 4,192nd hit, breaking Ty Cobb's career record (1985)
• Scots voted to create their own Parliament after 290 year union with England (1997)

And on this day in 2005, Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip after 38 years. Israeli soldiers lowered the flag at a ceremony marking the end of military rule there. It had already removed its settlers from Gaza, bulldozed their homes and demolished its military bases.

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As the lovely poem says "turn again to life and smile"... There are unfinished tasks to complete.

In reverence, peace, and love,

Marilyn