This Memorial Day in Casper, Wy. is a beautiful day. Perhaps summer is coming to stay awhile. It's time for kicking back and cooking outside and reflecting a bit on the ways and the whys of our lives. My oldest daughter, Tara and her friend, (my friend too) are running the Boulder-Boulder today, so I wish them well, and hope they improve their times considerably! Middle daughter, Katie spent the last couple of days in the Jackson Hole area, right in the heart of true Heaven country! And youngest daughter, Lisa has just moved back to Casper from Billings. We (hubby Tom and I) went up to help her move. I thank her for doing it at this time, because the country between here and there is absolutely beautiful. Wild flowers abound and everything is so green. Please, let us take care of it forever! We truly felt a kinship with this gift of space on the trip.
After returning from the Washington Peace March, I came home to Casper, and we had a peace march here on Armed Services Day. About 50 people marched to the Veteran's Park where we found a number of angry veterans shouting at us and invading our space, telling us to get out of their park and calling us communist losers. It was a confrontation we had not expected and it was a little frightening. We kept our cool and walked slowly through the Park and marched back to our starting point. It was a stark reminder of the way this war has impacted all of us, and strong feelings about it are not only displayed in Washington, but in our very own neighborhoods too. Remember: War is not healthy, ever! Pax Tecum
Monday, May 28, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
A Mothers Day Unlike Others
Mother's Day was different this year. I was not with immediate family, didn't receive flowers, and didn't go out to dinner. Instead I opted to be in Washington,DC visiting the Pink House and the White House. I hung out in Lafayette Park and walked in the "mother of A March" through the streets of Washington to the Capitol. Cindy Sheehan led us. We numbered about 350 people strong, all of us committed to make a statement that war is not acceptable to mothers and is not healthy for our children and other living things.
I went because I had to. After all I have learned in the past year about the injustice in the world, I have become accountable to use my spirit and strength to protest the powers that are able to lead us into chaos. How does one person from Wyoming influence the world stage? One way is by putting yourself on the stage with other like-minded people and making noise so loud that it rattles the walls of the rooms the elected ones sit in. That is the way we become the deciders.
And so two people from Wyoming, Roxie and I, went to witness with other peace loving men and women, the power of the people. The women we met were focused and extremely courageous. Many were arrested for civil disobedience, willing to face jail to nail home their message: End This War Now! And a mother's plea: WAR, NEVER AGAIN!!!
Our trip was possible because of the wind beneath our wings. Our families, Gene David"s hospitality in Baltimore, our friends who were unable to go themselves but encouraged us, and prayers that were felt throughout the entire experience. Thanks to you all. Pax Tecum
I went because I had to. After all I have learned in the past year about the injustice in the world, I have become accountable to use my spirit and strength to protest the powers that are able to lead us into chaos. How does one person from Wyoming influence the world stage? One way is by putting yourself on the stage with other like-minded people and making noise so loud that it rattles the walls of the rooms the elected ones sit in. That is the way we become the deciders.
And so two people from Wyoming, Roxie and I, went to witness with other peace loving men and women, the power of the people. The women we met were focused and extremely courageous. Many were arrested for civil disobedience, willing to face jail to nail home their message: End This War Now! And a mother's plea: WAR, NEVER AGAIN!!!
Our trip was possible because of the wind beneath our wings. Our families, Gene David"s hospitality in Baltimore, our friends who were unable to go themselves but encouraged us, and prayers that were felt throughout the entire experience. Thanks to you all. Pax Tecum
Monday, May 7, 2007
Into the Second Week
The second week of retirement has started. It's strange to think I won't go to work tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. I'm trying to get used to the freedom but must admit I am a little scattered.
Peace and justice? You bet. This past week-end was spent at the Come and See Conference that the Diocese of Cheyenne sponsors every spring, and this year discussions focused on social justice. There were many fine speakers, but I especially enjoyed Sister Helen Prejean's talk entitled "Dead Man Walking--The Journey Continues" She told us her story about her journey that took her into the heart of prison ministry and how that led to a national dialogue about the death penalty. Where she started out is not where she ended up. The lesson in that? She advised that we must be acutely attuned to the sneakiness of God. Amen to that! The Universe has great plans for all of us, only they may not be our plans!
This week will bring more activity. I (along with Rox, my friend) will travel to Washington D.C. in solidarity with all mothers. We will demonstrate against the War and be witnesses that War in any form is not healthy for children or other living things. Pax tecum
Peace and justice? You bet. This past week-end was spent at the Come and See Conference that the Diocese of Cheyenne sponsors every spring, and this year discussions focused on social justice. There were many fine speakers, but I especially enjoyed Sister Helen Prejean's talk entitled "Dead Man Walking--The Journey Continues" She told us her story about her journey that took her into the heart of prison ministry and how that led to a national dialogue about the death penalty. Where she started out is not where she ended up. The lesson in that? She advised that we must be acutely attuned to the sneakiness of God. Amen to that! The Universe has great plans for all of us, only they may not be our plans!
This week will bring more activity. I (along with Rox, my friend) will travel to Washington D.C. in solidarity with all mothers. We will demonstrate against the War and be witnesses that War in any form is not healthy for children or other living things. Pax tecum
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