Listen

We've protested enough. We've shot at each other enough. It is time for us to sit down and listen to each other. It is natural for people to notices differences. Skin color, ethnicity, politics, religion, socio-economics and a host of other things divide us. We all have a tendency to want to associate with those who are like us. It's is the easy thing to do. But is it the right thing to do? I believe the time has come for each of us to step our of our comfortable cliques and engage with others who are not like us.

When we engage someone who disagrees with us, there is a natural tendency to become defensive. As a wise person said, "We don't listen, we reload." It is time for us to listen. It would be interesting to just listen to another's point of view without feeling we had to defend our own. We would learn. We would gain understanding. It would be a breath of fresh air. It would reliever us of the tendency to always have to be right. 

We could change the world... by listening.

One the Beach

When I was a freshman in high school, I saw the movie, "On the Beach." It was 1958 version of nuclear holocaust, but without the explosions. The movie scared me to death as we were, at the time, convinced the Russians could blow us us up at any time and the world would be destroyed. Years later, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, what had been portrayed on the screen came dangerously close to being reality.

As an impressionable young man, I left the theater after watching "On the Beach" very surprised to see life going on as normal, not able to shake off what I had just seen. Many years later, I sat in a park at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, seeing normal people doing normal things. I thought what a tragedy it would have been if we had destroyed this beautiful place and if they had destroyed our beautiful places.

Recently, I had the chance to watch "On the Beach" again. When the powerful movie finished, I had the same gut reaction, but intellectually knowing what I had watched was the product of someone's imagination. "On the Beach" held up reasonably well with parts, of course, being laughable. But the message is not laughable. Through environmental consequences, war or some other way, we still have the possibility of all but destroying ourselves. If we do, it will likely be the result of some a misplace ego or just plain ignorance. I like my life. I like my family. I like my neighborhood and friends. I hope it stays that way. Watching "On the Beach" again, I was reminded how fragile life can be. On that cheerful note, have a great day!

Why I Don't Write

Recently, I had a friend comment on this blog with the remark, "Why don't you write on your blog?" The question gave me pause. In the past few years, I have written to prison inmates. I now have four. Perhaps, letters to them each week fulfills my creative juices. Another friend questioned the wisdom of writing prisoners saying it probably does't accomplish much. As I seldom hear from any of them, it was a good question.

Some how I feel a connection with the prisoners I write. With one exception, I don't know what they look like or why they are in prison. Maybe the fact that teachers are considered by some to be the largest incarcerated group in the United States. I've visited a prison several times. They are glum places without any joy.  Viktor Frankl decided while in a German concentration camp that the Nazis could take everything away from him, but he still had the freedom to choose who he was and think what he wanted to think. I hope the letters I write will give the prisoners who receive them some of that, independent thinking. Perhaps the freedom to think and the knowledge someone on the outside cares will help a bit. If not, I've given it a shot.

Prone To Wander

I have changed the name of my blog which contains religious themes. You will find the newly renamed blog at http://prtowand.blogspot.com. I hope you enjoy it.

Death

It's always a hard-to-talk-about topic. We lost Brenda's Uncle Max a few days ago and, of course, we feel sad and know we will miss him. Brenda and I visited him at his home in San Marco, California last June. He was suffering gallantly and smiling as always. Two words come to mind when I think about Max: kind and classy. 

A former fighter pilot, Max always liked to drive. I asked his wife, Virginia, why Max wouldn't fly, but how he liked to drive wherever he went. Before I could answer, I said, "I'll bet if Max can't fly it himself, he doesn't want anyone to fly it." She smiled and said that was exactly right. I'm kind of that way myself. If I'm driving with someone else, I just look out the window and hope for the best. There is one good way to drive and that's my way. Anyone who doesn't drive exactly like me is just not a good driver. Although having reached 70, I'm slower and more cautious than I want to be.

When a friend or relative dies, I reflect on everyone I have known who is gone. I do anticipate in the next life we will have a grand reunion. I look forward to seeing my great grandparents, grandparents and parents. I have enjoyed many aunts, uncles and cousins. Also many friends have shaped my life. I'd like to see some of my teachers and see what they think of my life. I tell my children and grandchildren that I have more relatives who have passed on than those still living. So while I posses certain strong beliefs about the afterlife, whatever it holds, I look forward to experiencing what my loved ones have gone through already. I don't believe in a burning hell, but if I am wrong and we're all burning forever, at least we'll be burning together, I don't anticipate that happening, however. I am fortunate to be related to great people and to have great friends. I don't think a loving God would deny any of them. They can orient me when I go on that ultimate journey. And I'll get to see Max again!

Christmas Eve

Not reacting well to some events of the season and having a martyr complex, I wanted to feel better and partially relieve myself of a variety of disappointments. On the afternoon of December 24, 2013, I visited two friends in the hospital.

One was a 93 year old woman we know from church who broke her hip a few days ago. She recognized me when I came in. Her gown was off her shoulder and I accused her of trying to be sexy. I asked her when she expected to go home and she said, “Never.” Although the visit lasted just a few minutes, it changed me.

The next visit was to a friend who was ten days out of heart transplant surgery. He is having some complications, but feels his surgery is a blessing of life particularly since his health insurance is not being renewed as of January 1. This man and his wife were in good spirits and he was full of humor and gratitude. Of course, they were grateful beyond words for the unknown person who lost life, but was able to extend the life of another.

As I left, I pondered on how difficult life is at times. We get so wrapped up (no pun intended) watching presents open. Then we can have things we don’t need or probably won’t used in a week or two. I am always sadly amused at those who advertise high ticket items for Christmas with the realization that nine out of ten viewing the ads can’t afford what they see. Equally amusing are the TV news stations which carry as their top news story how many people are shopping in a given year. That’s news? It happens every year.

This year I have two friends suffering in the hospital. Next year there may not be any or there may be more. It could be me. It could be you. It would be a positive gesture to spend an hour out of our Christmas orgy to stop, drop by the hospital or nursing home and brighten the day of a few lonely individuals we don’t know. Especially those who think they’ll never come home. That would be a gift!

November 22, 1963

In a few day, the country will be remembering the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. There are books, television and radio shows about that fateful day. I frankly am not interested in reading, watching or listening to any of them. That day is etched in my memory as one of the worst days in my life and I don't care to re-live it. It would be like saying, "I want to go back to the day I had my first major surgery." No thank you.

I was privileged to see then candidate Kennedy in the fall of 1960 when he was running for president. He appeared at the Modesto train terminal during a whistle stop tour of the Central Valley of California. I had a close friend who invited me to go down to see Kennedy. I was a Nixon supporter, but went out of curiosity and have never regretted it. Kennedy waded into the crowd and shook a number of hands. I suppose I could have pressed in to shake his hand but just wasn't interested.

Three years later, I was saddened by the tragedy. Kennedy was young and had great charisma. I wouldn't wish what happened to him on any one. I have often wondered what our country would have been like had the assassination never taken place.

I happend to see Robert Kennedy at a Brigham Young University assembly just a few days before he was assassinated. It was another tragic, sorrowful event.

I never had the opportunity to see Martin Luther King in person, but when he was assassinated I kept thinking our country might actually be ruled by assassinations. Fortunately, that has not been the case.

Politicians and public figures come and go. I am grateful that they are protected from the whims of those who might wish to take their lives. I honor those who serve in the public eye. Whether I agree with them or not, I like to see our system in action and not perverted by assassins.