Sal's Reflections

Not a week goes without someone from my past re -entering my life.Our paths had once been joined but time and circumstances forced us to go seperate ways. Often almost without exception there was no severing of the relationships, and the embers of friendship and love were always there. Reappearing they reminded me of what joy and meaning there was in those times we spent together. I am grateful for the intersections that once again have brought the crossroad friends back into my life. They once influenced who I was and it is an exceptional gift to have them with all of their life experiences to once again share with me their presence and wisdom.

The remembering of all those that perished in the 9/11 tragedy somehow spawned the idea of courage in my mind. There were people of every creed,race and color whose lives were ended that day. Many of them were the children of relatives who left places all around the world to participate in a dream. They came often with almost nothing but had the courage to leap into the unknown because they wanted a better life for their families. My father was eleven years old when his father decided to leave the known for the unknown.Their journey and early life in this new land were not easy but the courageous decision to come was only the first of many that would follow. The World Trade center in a sense was the ultimate shrine where all of those decisions to come to this great land reminded us again of how wonderful it is to live in a land where we strive to honor the dream of all who come here regardless of their race religion or creed.May we continue to remember those that died, and fully embrace those that come from all over the world to share the dream that never dies.

It is literally impossible to forget the horror of that day and the pain that spread across the entire country.Innocent victims lives were ended by the hatred and deranged beliefs of strangers. There is no way that we can wipe away the devastation of those people who lost their lives, but we can in remembering them find new meaning in their sacrifices. Hatred killed them but the courage of so many tried to save them and in those heroic actions they gave us a road map of what we owe each other as citizens. Our land was reborn over and over again by coming together and finding ways to face the challenges of the day. We came together after that horrific day as a people. There was no party that dominated; we were first and foremost Americans. If there is anything we can salvage from that disastrous day it is the belief that we are one people who in tribute to those who lost their lives must find common ground. Reaching out to each other does them honor and sanctifies the lives that can only live through us.

During the Democratic convention there was the repeated theme of caring for others. It is the hallmark of a great society that lives out the adage of providing for the weakest members. I have learned this from my family, and it has been reinforced by a friend who has devoted his life to the marginalized. Sid Lehmann has dedicated his life as an attorney representing ordinary people in their search for jusice and fairness. I have admired not only his keen intellect but more importantly his moral fiber and unyielding commitment. I am a better person today because of him, and his belief in the rights of others gives me hope for the future. Principles in books are important but witnessing the courage to never alter the profound beliefs of our democracy have an impact that is beyond measure. Thanks to my friend Sid the road ahead is always lit and clear.

Retirement in the context in which we have known it may need to be radically altered, In the past it often meant the gold watch, a luncheon and then start to get ready for the rocking chair and the grim reaper. I prefer to look at it through the prism of the ultimate promotion.If you have truly retired from gainful employment,raising children or a host of other responsibilities this is the moment of opportunity. You have now been promoted to the land where all of those wishes and fantasies may now be real. There is no time limit to the exploration of all that life offers so forget all the nonsense that is reverberating in your brain from all the so called wisdom that has barnacledby others. Find new meanings ,new challenges,new opportunities to make your world a better place. Get out of the rocker and go for it.

I thought Michelle Obama’s speech at the convention last night was riveting. She poured everything she had giving a glimse into who she is why she loves the man who is my president.
There are no perfect human beings in this world but she put a human touch on the difficulties of the most important job in this land.She outlined the path to the oval office and the strain of the monumental decisions that come with the territory in believeable terms. She was elegant,profound and totally believable. Both of the women standing by the men that they love gave the voters glimpses of who their partners are and why they should lead the country. I applaud both of them while sharing my view that I wish to stay the course.

I will not demonize Romney or Ryan. I am sure that they are decent human beings who love their families and their country.Obama is far from perfect but he is closer to my world view than the Republican ticket The Democratic party that he heads is more inclusive has a foreign policy that I believe is working, and is certainly less bellicose than the Republicans. The hand he was dealt from Bush was horrendous and though the growth has been tepid he stemmed the bleeding of losing over five hundred thousand jobs a month. Though late to the party Obama has endorsed the full rights of gay citizens and has a view of women’s full participation in civil rights that I share. I am opposed to the continuation of the war in Afghanistan but give Obama credit for passing the affordable care act. It is far from perfect but a first step in the goal to have all citizens have a right to quality health care. I am respectful of anyone’s right to vote for any candidate but I will refrain from name calling or putting useless labels on those that differ from my views.

I must admit that the search for significant meaning leads me toward grandiose plans and expectations.There is nothing wrong with searching for the mammoth achievenents but sometimes this quest clouds other opportunities..In evry day there are countless opportunities to reach out to a friend or relative that is in the midst of pain or difficulty.There is the realization that volunteering at a soup kitchen or standing up for someone marginalized by society is ever present .A phone call or note or even an email letting someome know that you care is a building block to true greatness. I will continue to search for the exceptional, but I will remind myself of the endless meaningful moments that are available.

This is the time of the year when political conventions flood us with how terrible the other side is.Hosts of accusations based on fact and fancy occupy days and nights trying to convince the electorate to support an individual party.It is easy in the midst of these diatribes to become pessimistic and conclude that this magnificent experiment called democracy has run its course.This conclusion should be seen through the prism of the countless times America was on the canvas and pundits concluded that doom and gloom would be the future path. This turbulent time of bickering without common ground will pass and someday we will fulfill the statement of Winston Churchill who said” After they have tried everything that does not work America always gets it right.” We will find our way and that glorious city on the hill will once agin embrace the inner strength to be the magnet that draws millions to our shores.

I spent two delightful days with my Brother Russ and we explored a host of topics. Though we are deeply committed to each other by nature,training and disposition we are vastly different. He is very conservative on most issues and I am very progressive on the same issues.We discuss these with fervor but an abiding respect for each others’deeply held convictions. I fully enjoy our explorations and try not to be defensive or so partisan that I cannot hear the rationales behind his views. He in turn has shown nothing but respect and attention to everything that I put forth. It is truly a dialogue, and every time I am with my brother I grow in wisdom and love. I am blessed to have such a giant ever present in my life