Sal's Reflections

Never in all of the hundreds of times that I have been waiting in the baggage area for my luggage did I experience fear.Yesterday the unthinkable horror happened to persons merely waiting to retrieve their suitcases.Unfortunately we have almost been numbed by this sort of violence, and certainly our hearts go out to the victims and their families, but perhaps there is something we can reinforce in ourselves.None of us can prevent this type of random violence, but each of us can reinforce the only part of life that leaves us some choices.There are no guarantees that life will go on and on impervious to the madness of others, but each of us should pause today and realize the beauty of each second that we have .Smell the flowers is not merely some pithy saying, and it blends with a host of other things that make our lives such precious treasures. Love someone,take some risks,dust off some dreams and give yourself permission to be fully alive.The only guarantee that you hold is that when you grab your life by the tail the priceless gift will be lived to the fullest.

I think it is worthwhile to think of your bucket list in every decade of life.It seems that often the bucket list is reserved for a period when the end of the road is near.Often people talk about their bucket list as only being possible when they retire. I would prefer to think that life offers opportunities all along the way, and the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to dip into the bucket and pull out at least one thing that you would like to happen.
I have never met anyone who somewhere in their reflective moments did not have some dream or goal that they would like to accomplish.Bring the list to the forefront of your brain ,and move that one item from wish,want to choose and make 2017 a very special year.

As a father when a child is born you realize how marvelous it is, but you also become keenly aware of the awesome responsibility. There are literally thousands of moments where you attempt to provide the balance of nurturing,modeling and being there for all the highs as well as the low moments of childhood. At some point the relationship changes ,and you realize that you no longer have a child, but an adult who has been fully launched into making their own way. I have been blessed beyond measure because that child has become a man who has such beauty of soul and kindness that he has now become a mentor. My son John is to celebrate his birthday on Tuesday ,and I have watched him grow into a loving husband,father ,son friend and model of caring and kindness.His manhood is not confined by narrow judgments of others, and he is an example of strength and wisdom that I now draw from each day. My wish for him on his birthday is that he will realize what a gift he is to all who are privileged to know him.

Every new year I draw on the words of my mentor Viktor who treated each new year as an exceptional gift.His conviction came from years of suffering and witnessing countless acts of depravity against innocent men ,women and children. He believed that suffering should not be sought, but when it arrives there is always an opportunity to use it to understand how precious every second of life is.He dedicated the new years to helping others see and believe that no matter how difficult the old year had been there would be moments when they could choose to find new meaning to their lives. This was in his opinion especially true when they dedicated some part of their year to the service of others.

New Years Eve is often a night that centers on sadness and hope. The outgoing year often has taken cherished friends and loved ones, and many persons we know struggled mightily.. The world situation in 2016 was replete with human and nature tragedies that created untold pain.There was rancor politically, and many feel the anguish of what the future holds for our country and the world. However there is also the vein of hope that still believes in the goodness of others and a commitment to the rights and responsibilities of all.It is an evening that can renew the joy of being human, and the belief that somehow all of the mammoth challenges that face us will be met with courage and love.

The New Year is rapidly approaching and can be a turing point in life.The past is over and done with ,and yet many are still held prisoner by events in their lives.There is no way to rewrite what has occurred with regard to pain,failure and a host of genuine emotional bruises that continue to stifle growth. There is a vast difference between forgiving and forgetting. It is neigh on to impossible to forget hurt that was inflicted or caused ,but it is possible to forgive. forgive oneself or another .This provides a mammoth step to the possibilities of the New Year.There is a bridge to cross that accepts the reality of the past into a

Yesterday I watched the HBO documentary on the Boston Marathon bombing.The difficulties faced by those who were injured in that tragedy were documented through the agonizing months and years of recovery.Their lives were completely altered in a split second, and the monumental challenges they faced were beyond imagination. Viewing such pain and sorrow one could understand the evil that had been set loose in an entire city. However, what was more clearly evidenced was the resiliency and courage of those effected by the bombing superseded the evil. Ordinary citizens,first responders and every person in Boston rose to the challenges, and “Boston Strong was more than a slogan.

Last night I slept in a warm bed after having more than enough food to sustain me. I listened to beautiful Christmas music while I wrapped presents.A glass of red wine accompanied the meal that I ate, and I could feel the joy of this wondrous season.None of this is present in the lives of those trapped in Aleppo. Food is scarce ,and sleep is almost impossible with the ever present danger of air raids. There are no gifts to be wrapped, and instead of sharing presents they share only fear and hopelessness.

All of the survivors of the Holocaust that I interviewed through the years told me that they were heartbroken that the world silently stood by and did nothing.The horrors were beyond imagination but what hurt equally was that no one cared. They could not flee and day after day they lived with the fear that soon it would be their turn to suffer and die. Today basically the world is powerless and silent while thousands are murdered in Aleppo. Putin and Assad have perpetrated monstrous war crimes against innocent civilians.We fall back on the belief that we are protecting ourselves from terrorists while children are being murdered, and those that survive will be scarred emotionally for life.I always wondered whether I would have had the courage to stand for my Jewish neighbors against the Nazis.I cant answer that question, but I can now stand for the people of Aleppo and call out the monsters, and beg governments around the world to do everything they can to cease the carnage.

On my way to the Nero Cafe this morning I could hear the joyful sounds of a day care center along the way.It triggered the remembrance of that horrific day when children and staff were murdered in Sandy Hook.I was in New York at the time and remember the shock of seeing that news on the outdoor sign in Times Square.Th parents ,family and friends who lost a child I am certain live with that pain each and every day of their lives.May we never forget those innocents, and do everything in our power to protect the lives of every child.