I am tired. Physically and emotionally. Yesterday was a long and hard day, tough in every aspect but well worth it. It is good to delve into one's soul every once in a while and take stock, take account of what is going on.
Early in the morning, Gerry and I, along with grandson #2 who is about to set off for a year of study in Israel, took what has now become something of a rite in the family - the grave tour. We went to the various cemeteries where parents, grandparents, great grandparents and even great great grandparents were buried, along with assorted other relatives. At one site we met my brother and there, after wandering around a bit we found the oldest grave of the family here in America and it was eerie standing there with him at a tall tombstone engraved with his name, for this is the person who bequeathed him his name.
But what was amazing was talking with our boy, hearing his thoughts and realizing that we have something special here, a pretty intelligent 18 year old with his head on straight and his heart in the right place. And I thought to myself - this is what makes it all worthwhile, knowing that the values have been taught and caught and we saw it in another cemetery as well.
When I went into the office of the cemetery where my parents are, where a family plot is, to thank them for keeping it looking so well, the gentleman said, "Oh, I know that plot very well. It is one of the most visited ones in the cemetery." And I saw all the stones placed upon their footstone and cried, missing them, but knowing that my parents are still honored not only by children and even grandchildren, but also great grandchildren. Taught and caught again.
Draining in every way, but rewarding as well. But what happened that evening also played a role.Grandson and grandmother went to a memorial service for the beautiful young lady, Shira Banki, who was stabbed to death at a Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem, stabbed by an extremist, a fanatic, one encouraged by some sick people of his own community. The program was sponsored by two organizations, gay oriented, yet the attendance was filled by all denominations, all colors and creeds, all with only one motive in mind - to stop the violence, to stop the hatred, be it a 16 year old young girl or a Palestinian child, or a Jewish child cut down in her crib, or Israelis standing at a hitchhiking post.
The cost of hatred is high. The cost of friendship and tolerance is not and the reward is much better. So we all sang, spoke, heard speakers, made contact with Jerusalem, and ended with a solemn, yet hopeful, song for G-d to help His children, to help us make peace within us and in our world.
And so back to our small world here in CV. We are a tiny piece of the world, insignificant, but important to we who live here. I make a plea to you, David, to look within yourself and ask yourself why, for Heaven's sake, why are you insisting on maintaining your path? Why are you so determined to make a kingdom and a line of heirs even as you know that you, as we all are, are mortal, and strive to leave a "legacy". Leave a valid one, a good one, rather than the one of hatred, of suppression, of poor behavior, of a lack of good ideas for the Village and we can go on but I am tired, David. I would like to do what I can to improve this place and do it in concert with others who feel the same way as we work together in a better UCO, make UCO a friendlier place. If we can do that - it would truly be a blessing.
G-d alone knows how much hatred there is in His world so why must we waste our limited time and energy on it. I have no hatred, no plans, no motivation other than the one which is to improve our Village and keep it viable for the foreseeable future. The plea, David, is for you to see the light and reach out, show some positive signs of change and work for this future. Forget the dreams of power. Forget the gripping fantasy of a kingdom which will bear your influence for years to come. You know deep within yourself that that cannot be. Work with us. Work for the Village and let us put away the negativity. We have none other than what we feel is bad for the Village. What is in your heart, David? Show it by action. We are watching and waiting, but not standing idly by.
To paraphrase Psalm 122, wherein David the Psalmist writes about Jerusalem, think of the vision he had and put this overlay on our Village and think what could be, what should be.
"A city where all are welcome
united together in harmony."
The plea is from me and from many others who want peace, positive behavior and a better, improved Village where all work together and no one thinks only of power grabs. Make no mistake about it - we will continue on our path to oppose lack of democracy, unfair practices, but how much better would it be if we could concentrate our combined firepower, our combined brains, our combined wishes for the Village and indeed create a new PAX ERA. Think about it. Choose your advisers carefully and think long term. Therein lies your legacy. The ball is very briefly in your court. Catch it and throw it wisely. Score, rather than shoot improperly and just earn an airball.
Early in the morning, Gerry and I, along with grandson #2 who is about to set off for a year of study in Israel, took what has now become something of a rite in the family - the grave tour. We went to the various cemeteries where parents, grandparents, great grandparents and even great great grandparents were buried, along with assorted other relatives. At one site we met my brother and there, after wandering around a bit we found the oldest grave of the family here in America and it was eerie standing there with him at a tall tombstone engraved with his name, for this is the person who bequeathed him his name.
But what was amazing was talking with our boy, hearing his thoughts and realizing that we have something special here, a pretty intelligent 18 year old with his head on straight and his heart in the right place. And I thought to myself - this is what makes it all worthwhile, knowing that the values have been taught and caught and we saw it in another cemetery as well.
When I went into the office of the cemetery where my parents are, where a family plot is, to thank them for keeping it looking so well, the gentleman said, "Oh, I know that plot very well. It is one of the most visited ones in the cemetery." And I saw all the stones placed upon their footstone and cried, missing them, but knowing that my parents are still honored not only by children and even grandchildren, but also great grandchildren. Taught and caught again.
Draining in every way, but rewarding as well. But what happened that evening also played a role.Grandson and grandmother went to a memorial service for the beautiful young lady, Shira Banki, who was stabbed to death at a Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem, stabbed by an extremist, a fanatic, one encouraged by some sick people of his own community. The program was sponsored by two organizations, gay oriented, yet the attendance was filled by all denominations, all colors and creeds, all with only one motive in mind - to stop the violence, to stop the hatred, be it a 16 year old young girl or a Palestinian child, or a Jewish child cut down in her crib, or Israelis standing at a hitchhiking post.
The cost of hatred is high. The cost of friendship and tolerance is not and the reward is much better. So we all sang, spoke, heard speakers, made contact with Jerusalem, and ended with a solemn, yet hopeful, song for G-d to help His children, to help us make peace within us and in our world.
And so back to our small world here in CV. We are a tiny piece of the world, insignificant, but important to we who live here. I make a plea to you, David, to look within yourself and ask yourself why, for Heaven's sake, why are you insisting on maintaining your path? Why are you so determined to make a kingdom and a line of heirs even as you know that you, as we all are, are mortal, and strive to leave a "legacy". Leave a valid one, a good one, rather than the one of hatred, of suppression, of poor behavior, of a lack of good ideas for the Village and we can go on but I am tired, David. I would like to do what I can to improve this place and do it in concert with others who feel the same way as we work together in a better UCO, make UCO a friendlier place. If we can do that - it would truly be a blessing.
G-d alone knows how much hatred there is in His world so why must we waste our limited time and energy on it. I have no hatred, no plans, no motivation other than the one which is to improve our Village and keep it viable for the foreseeable future. The plea, David, is for you to see the light and reach out, show some positive signs of change and work for this future. Forget the dreams of power. Forget the gripping fantasy of a kingdom which will bear your influence for years to come. You know deep within yourself that that cannot be. Work with us. Work for the Village and let us put away the negativity. We have none other than what we feel is bad for the Village. What is in your heart, David? Show it by action. We are watching and waiting, but not standing idly by.
To paraphrase Psalm 122, wherein David the Psalmist writes about Jerusalem, think of the vision he had and put this overlay on our Village and think what could be, what should be.
"A city where all are welcome
united together in harmony."
The plea is from me and from many others who want peace, positive behavior and a better, improved Village where all work together and no one thinks only of power grabs. Make no mistake about it - we will continue on our path to oppose lack of democracy, unfair practices, but how much better would it be if we could concentrate our combined firepower, our combined brains, our combined wishes for the Village and indeed create a new PAX ERA. Think about it. Choose your advisers carefully and think long term. Therein lies your legacy. The ball is very briefly in your court. Catch it and throw it wisely. Score, rather than shoot improperly and just earn an airball.
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