THE GRATITUDE TRAIL-FRIENDS and WARRIORS

OF THE REASONS WE COUNT

    Friends say I'm mellowing from the energetic and relentless 24/7 sprinter I was as a journalist, documentary maker or news executive.  "More sensitive" they say. I don't think it's a new turn. If I'm more reflective its because I'm no longer obsessed by deadlines. Be that as it may, I'm taking a few opportunities this year to observe reasons for gratitude. While they are mostly personal, you may see something with which you agree.

FRIENDS

    "Real" friends are a blessing aren't they? Through loss and suffering as well as in sun lit moments of joy, they are with you. It is in challenges and adversity that true character is revealed, and where the truth of that old adage "a friend in need..." is validated.  I found research that places the origin of that line to 3 BC.  Translated from Latin it says "a sure friend is known when in difficulty."

     Friends are a blessing.

WARRIOR SERVANTS

    War is hell, William Tecumseh Sherman said and I agree.
War is a crucifixion, Dr. William Enright said and I agree.
    War is a failure of human beings to behave to their highest good. War produces the worst in humanity. But in our muddled history on this blue sphere, it has also produced valor, sacrifice, devotion and honor.  
    Sadly, old men conscript young men and women to do the fighting for them. These warriors answer a call and respond and many have died and suffered on our behalf.  Debate the cause, or the politics as we must, but gratitude for those who have served and given is no point of debate.

 Viet Nam Memorial

Washington DC

 Korean War Memorial

Washington, DC

District of Columbia WW I Memorial

Washington, DC
We are grateful for those who have served.

The tribute to WWII personnel, my father included,

is the subject of forthcoming post.

This is the time of year to count 'em up.
See you down the trail.

     

INSPIRED

A DOSE OF GOOD MEDICINE

    Being personal now- our fall trip to Washington was a much needed medication.

    Time with our dear friends Frank and Sandy was part of a cure. The other "tonic" was to touch history, art and culture as an antidote to a bruising and almost unfathomable battle.

    I sense some of you are saying, "What the...?  Washington as a place to go for peace and inspiration?  Yes!  Yes indeed!

   Frequent readers remember I'm a First Amendment fanatic. I'm the kind of goof who reads the Declaration of Independence each Fourth of July, and who is adamant about protecting our liberties and who holds dear the extraordinary set of bones upon which this republic hangs-the Constitution.

   I believe that all of us are entitled the full extension of  rights, privileges and responsibilities laid out for us by the founders, protected by sacrifices through generations and increased by our perpetually growing enlightenment. 

   So Washington DC is the touchstone, in so many ways.

   Ingrained in the raison d'être of these monuments and memorials are intellects, sacrifices, leadership, vision and a devotion to an ideal-a nation where all live in equality. 
   Personalities who have risen to lead are honored, beyond their days, as a challenge to us in our time.  These stone reminders are a tonic. We are humbled and inspired by what we see and remember.

    Service personnel and journalists have given much, including their all so that we may know and live free. They inspire me.
   Politicians who rise above petty politics to move the arc of history as statesmen inspire me.

    Temples that celebrate the best of our creative dreams,  reaching and artistic output, inspire and offer a healing balm.

    And so our divided and dysfunctional Congress, beleaguered Presidency and questionable Supreme Court do not detract from the wide and long sweep of the true greatness that can and has emerged in and from this Capitol of human longings and achievement. It is not perfect.  None of the heroes who are memorialized were perfect. Like all of us, they had feet of clay and were made of the same star matter. 
   We have eras of which to be proud and periods of shame and embarrassment but it is always on a human scale, moving toward an ideal, an inch, a day, a moment at a time.

    So I take from all of it an inspiration and renewed zeal to stay stalwart in my belief that all of us, regardless of birthright, are children under the same heaven, brothers and sisters of planet earth. I may not like you, I may not agree with you, but neither that, nor how and who you were born should stand between you and full equality, even in a church.

    Your color, your gender, your ethnic heritage, your sexual orientation, your physical or mental challenges simply make you a human being, entitled to the full privileges of life.

    I thank the good Lord for a vision that it is so, and for a nation where we get better at making it so and for a place where we build monuments and temples to remind us to make sure it is always so and to recall those who have said so.

    See you down the trail.

GOT FREEDOM? THE WEEKENDER

LIKE A BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY

    A favorite stop in Washington-The Newseum.  An incredible display of history told through the lens of journalism, it is also a temple to the First Amendment. The message reads clearly in the neighborhood.

  A current exhibition is a moving look at a pivotal moment in the life of boomers.

    Riveting clips of television coverage of the historic moments highlight the powerful exhibition.

   Another emotional stop is the memorial to journalists, killed in the line of duty.

    A stroll provides a glimpse of the Washington Monument

under scaffolding.

 There is still middle ground in Washington.

     See you down the trail.