Civil Courage ~ Good Angel

She was a 22 year university student here in Germany. One evening last week she intervened to help two girls, 13 and 16, who were being harassed by three men near the rest room in a McDonald's restaurant. She helped to free the girls but shortly thereafter an 18-year-old attacked her in the parking lot hitting her so violently that she fell and suffered a brain concussion when her head hit the pavement. Taken to the hospital she survived in a coma for one week. This morning Tugce Albayra passed away. It was her 23rd birthday.

Vain Effort ~

All the theology classes are of no avail in bringing me closer to experiencing who God is.

God's Harlequin ~

In spite of all my weaknesses, my hang-ups, my excesses I know that I am Your creation, Your flawed creation. Maybe, maybe, You have always wanted me just that way. Maybe You take delight in me. That's why I bear with myself, trusting You.

Destination ~

Are the luxurious, high tech BMWs and Cadillacs the seniors are driving all rushing along the roads to make it to their drivers' funerals on time?

Arnold Palmer ~ 85th Birthday

Dear Arnie,

Would like to let you know that you were, and are, an inspiration for me on my life's rough fairways. I often recalled your composed determination, and it kept me going. 

Thank you so much,

Charles [4 years younger] 

____________

♰ September 25, 2016

Remembering the Holocaust ~

Seventy Years Later

Auschwitz

One Sunday morning in Munich

Seventy years later 

I saw six suitcases painted white 

Standing on a sidewalk 

Each with a rose stuck on 

And nametags. 

People came past 

Stopped, bent over to read 

And continued on with stooped shoulders— 

Wrenched from Sunday calm.

Like a Morning Prayer ~

Held the umbrella slanted against the wind and walked, looking down at the path, concentrated for once, without distractions.

 

Deep Fear ~

What is it I fear? . . . Fear is when the person I am talking to might be thinking that I am too old and not quite up to par.

 

Rewards ~

The University of Rostock in Germany is going to present Edward Snowden with an honorary doctorate degree, honoris causa. . .

Ochenhausen, Germany ~

Last evening at a concert on Ochsenhausen, Germany, the full quaking power of Schubert's Adagio, Trio Opus 100 overcame me on hearing the first three notes and did not let up until the movement ended.

 

Discomfort ~

Why does it affect me so, that the little five-year-old next door [whom I do not know] will not even as much as say hello?

 

Sunday Morning ~

And overhead, a lark fluttering and twittering its song.

Hustle and Bustle ~

In the garden the birds are busy. The bird houses and nests are occupied and there is constant feeding. Other young birds are learning to fly. The lilacs bushes are favorite perching places. There is a lot of fluttering in the bird bath.

Not Knowing ~

In all the great decisions of my 80 years it was best that I did not know everything that was involved. Knowing would have paralyzed me.

 

For the Mothers of the Fallen ~

Good Friday, 2014

You, dear son, died lone. When Jesus died his mother was at his side.

Golf ~

Haven't played golf for quite a few years now, at 81. But I could have been a much better golfer if I had only listened to some advice and not insisted on being my own pro.

Mothers of the Fallen ~

How the pain of loss and its sting comes creeping into the daily life of 

the living mothers

 of the fallen soldiers. And they sit alone, suffering.

Poetic Tribute

Water from the roof ~

Our little contribution to saving and appreciating water.

Deathbed ~

The priest came. The old man told him he didn't want to hear about Jesus and holy things, but he did want him to come back.

The Bombing of Dresden, February 13, 1945

To commemorate the day the bombs fell there was a concert in the Dresden opera: Johannes Brahms: A German Requiem. When the music had ended the audience did not clap. Quietly, everyone stood up and remained standing, long, in silence.

Prayer ~

You don't have to go to the mountains to pray -- but sometimes it helps.

How fast things change ~

I remember how, ten years ago, I would click into the internet and have the joyous feeling that I was connected with the world.

Now that click makes me wary and I feel as if I am in enemy territory.