Amazing Grace

I received the most beautiful gift today. I suppose at some level it was necessary to adequately prepare myself to receive it. Perhaps yesterdays post was the groundwork needed to insure I was aligned properly to handle so unique a gift. Something so radiant. I won't trouble you with the number of coincidents that had to happen for me to see it (seems it aired a week ago). I will let it speak for itself.

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/18/mcdonnell-parents-live-through-grace/

It was never my intention to single out a child or teacher. I'm sure each has astonishing aspects to their life's. Still, the dignity on display insists on being shared. While Chris and Lynn McDonnell allow the children to "guide them," I will allow Chris and Lynn to guide me. How could I do less?

* Grace McDonnell

Do Not Pass Go

I have been locked in my own limitations. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of Newtown. Challenged by previous posts (12-10; 11-2; and 10-10). What I had misplaced was the reality of the end of John 14:10; "...but the Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the work." Because simply put, this is a national issue that isn't going away anytime soon. And it is going to take the efforts of millions of Americans. I can only play a small part. But what part I can play, I can do "better than my best."

One of my tasks is to pray for Wayne LaPierre (CEO-NRA) and those who share his views. To meet fear with love. To be as inclusive as I suggest. Respect opinions that I vehemently disagree with. To look at inane comments from the likes of Mike Hucklebee and accept his intentions as legitimate, no matter how misguided. To realize it will take more involvement in the political process that I detest.

Another task set before me is to remember. Each and every one of you who were taken too soon. To that end, the next 26 posts will end with a name. I will try and honor your memory.

* Charlotte Bacon

Newtown, Ct.

The first post on this blog was about Aurora, Colorado. Now Newtown, Connecticut. It is debilitating. The senseless, horrific killing of 20 children and 7 adults leaves me distraught. I am caught up in the evil of the event. Something I perceive as so preventable just occurred and I feel the urge to lash out. Condemn. Point a finger. I want answers from gun advocates explaining semi-automatic assault weapons being protected under the 2nd Amendment. And 30 round clips.

Dan Holmes, owner of Fine Gardens (a landscaping firm) knew and spoke to Nancy Lanza. He said she was "very proud" when she revealed she had purchased a "high end rifle" (perhaps the Bushmaster .223 used in the killings). Dan is quoted as saying; "she loved her guns" (she owned at least five, including a Glock and Sig Sauer). I honestly wonder how Nancy feels about guns now. She was the first victim of her son Adam's killing spree.

Exactly one week ago I posted (Joy To The World) that negativity was evident at a "jaw dropping level." Four days later it was taken to another level. At this time I am incapable of moving through, past, or around, Sandy Hook. Evil very much works in this way. It (Evil) wants nothing more than to leave utter despair and hopelessness in It's wake. It wants a withdrawal from the battlefield. It wants capitulation. Understanding that, I won't. But give me a moment of weakness while I grieve with mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers, nephews and nieces, friends and neighbors...

Adam Lanza was an awkward, socially inept 20 year old. They say he had Asperger's or autism. These are different ways of saying he was awkward and socially inept. By all accounts, he wouldn't look people in the eye. He kept to himself. In the hallways at school it was said he "hugged the wall." I understand shyness and acute sensitivity---as well as being traumatized. I think something horrific happened to Adam when he was 6 or 7. I don't think he was ever able to speak of it until last Friday. The choice he made giving voice to it was cowardly and craven.

There is no going back. Whats done can't be undone. I only ask that if you should stumble upon this blog to honor those who won't: (The Children) Charlotte Bacon--Daniel Barden--Olivia Engel--Josephine Gay--Ana Marquez/Greene--Dylan Hockley--Madeline Hsu--Catherine Hubbard--Chase Kowalski--Jesse Lewis--James Mattioli--Grace McDonnell--Emilie Parker--Jack Pinto--Noah Pozner--Caroline Previdi--Jessica Rekos--Avielle Richman--Benjamin Wheeler--Allison Wyatt.

(The Teachers) Rachel Davino--Anne Marie Murphy--Lauren Rousseau--Victoria Soto--Mary Sherlach--Dawn Hochsprung.

Rich As I Could Be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HziUgo9qZM4

Emmy Lou Harris sings the lyrics of Dolly Parton. A remarkable life lesson made all the more so for being true.

Update 7-24-13 Original link was removed and I have replaced it with (alas) an inferior.

Joy to the World

T'is the season to be jolly?!? Personally, I have been running into negativity on a jaw dropping level. The "you can't be serious" level. And boy, do I have to watch the self-righteous aspect of my being! The irrational, entitled, or hypocritical behavior seems to beg a rebuttal. The hard lesson is; don't engage! Observe. Reserve judgement. Bite your tongue and try to watch how things play out. If further involvement is required, Life will let you know. Otherwise, let it be.

Difficult? Extremely so. But, without the utmost tact, we are drawn into a battle we cannot win. The inherent trait within most people is to be "right." Forget the facts; their right, you're wrong. Period. End of story. Engagement at that crucible simply leads to frustration. It also has a tendency of monopolizing our thoughts. We mentally work and rework the dynamics of how ignorant the other person is/was. We enlist "allies" as we share the experience through dialog. In a sense, we agree to waste our time on another person's delusion.

If I am deluded, then it's within a perception of Life being a Gift. This Gift begets Gratitude. The Gratitude seems to allow space for a Higher Self, a Cosmic Purpose. Under those conditions, I can see your actions as an opportunity to refine my ability to see the Gift anywhere and everywhere. The more outrageous your self-indulgence, denial, or conceit may be, the more skillful I become moving through it, past it, or around it. And that is a gift we can be joyful about.

A Bridge Too Far

A good and gentle man spent his life in pursuit of enlightenment. Years of steadfast yearning finally lent him a vision. If he could locate and cross a bridge high in the Rocky Mountains, a specific wooden bridge, it would represent the culmination of all his spiritual goals. The man immediately began his journey to the Rockies. Another 3 years passed before the man finally found the physical bridge he had seen in his minds eye. Reaching the bridge, the man paused before stepping onto it. He thanked God that he had located that which represented all he had struggled for. He closed his eyes and sent a prayer of thanksgiving heavenward.

When he opened his eyes and moved forward, he was surprised to see a man on the far side of the bridge coming towards him. As they met in the middle of the bridge, the good man smiled. He felt as though this other man was of supreme significance, so he spoke to him; "What brings you to this bridge at this time," he asked. "I have travelled my entire life to locate this bridge," the other man answered. "Crossing over to where you were, I will achieve, at long last, enlightenment."

Brighter Now

The following link is special, and that is saying something. I feel all my links are special or they wouldn't be on this web site. Yet this one, well, it deserves to be highlighted. And its all because of Byron...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bYVQeCQ4qs&feature=related