Sal's Reflections

In Boston this week we have seen unbelievable evil and heroic goodness. Terrorists invaded the innocent celebration of a marathon and did unspeakable damage to innocent people. Their heinous actions took human lives,mamed others and created fear and worry in a whole population. On the other hand we witnessed the most heroic behavior on the part of total strangers. Persons reacted immediately to aid the wounded and an entire city came together showing countless acts of charity. First responders and members of law enforcement thought little of their personal safety as they dedicated themselves to the care and protection of the community. We certainly saw evil this week, but we also experienced the basic goodness of the community and this will be the virtue that remains. There will be months and years of pain for all of the lives shattered by this evil episode, but in the end evil always loses.

The government of the people, by the people and for the people was the reason the Congress existed. Since their behavior has completely abandoned those noble goals let’s rename this Government tragedy. I suggest that we call it the United States Hooker School. The purpose for its existence is to be “hookers ” for all the lobbies that cross their palms with money. Their pimps dole out the instructions and they like sheep carry out the dictates of those who pay for their favors. They also are adept at training the ongoing number of those who come to their offices and learn to be future “hookers” .The current members of congress should sit in the windows and flirt with all who have the cost of their services..It would be helpful if like famous world wide areas known for prostitution that the hookers wear appropriate garb that symbolizes their total lack of ethics.The entire Capitol building area should be renamed “the red light district of Government”.

I have no perfect answer to prevent the Newtown or Boston horrors, but I do believe each of us can do something positive for children. Every day in this wonderful land children are abused, bullied and some go to bed hungry. Each of us can do something to help these children. We can lobby the congress to create decent paying jobs by addressing our infrastructure and creating a real safety net with better policies. Also we can engage our children in serious discussions about bullying. Others can become volunteers in schools and support better education for all children. There is no one size fits all ,but every child deserves the love and attention and opportunity to succeed that was gifted to my children. We need to proudly wear on our sleeves the statement that “we are bleeding hearts for all children.”

The adorable eight year old face of Martin Richard is so painful to see because his life was ended by a monster or monsters. That child filled with enthusiasm and a love of baseball was murdered while he waited for his Father to finish the marathon. Whoever did this took this precious gift from a family for some diabolical reason. I will never forget that wonderful child, and like the innocent victims of Newtown, it is a reminder that every child is so precious we must never give up the opportunities to protect our children. The monsters will always spew their hatred and continue to take the most precious members of our world, but they will always be the objects of scorn and disgust.Martin and all those that are taken by their hands will be remembered and loved and fill us with the constant commitment to love and cherish every child.

Cowards!!!!!!! If you think that your heinous act will lead you to some kind of ultimate victory you are completely delusional. My family lives in Boston and despite your murderous act they are a million times more resilient than you. There will be pain and tears but there is a resolve that will overcome your puny cause whatever it is. You have no clue about the character and commitment that built this great city, and the love and affection that continues to thrive.
You hurt wonderful people today with your cowardly act but if you think that you will bring this great place to its knees your blindness equals your total lack of humanity.

If you have been blessed by being born into a family that loves you please realize how lucky you are. Much of who we become is the harvest of years of love and sacrifice on the part of others. Some of us have lucked out twice by being connected a second time to a family that loves us. This weekend in the presence of that gift I again realized how fortunate I am. If you have been blessed once or twice by a loving family it requires you and I to include others who may not have had the gift to share our families with them.

Recently a friend told me one of her saddest unresolved incidents is a break with one of her dearest friends.Several years ago there was a bumpy patch in the relationship and their parting was less than amicable. There has not been one day since that break when she has not missed the friendship but has been reluctant to make contact because she feared any attempt would be rejected. I agreed that was a possibility but told her it seemed that the pain of losing her friend was greater than the risk of rejection.Pride and defenses may work to protect the psyche but friendship is always worth one more try. Going the extra mile may be difficult but friends are such treasures and losing even one is one too many.

I am somewhat of a hybrid because I am socially progressive and fiscally moderate. Instead of labels which may make positions safe listening to the other almost always leads to understanding. Putting people in niches may be gratifying, but it leads nowhere. Whether it be guns, the deficit or the way to move on the issues of the economy and education more will be gained by civil discourse than labels. This week I pledge to refrain from calling anyone right wing, left wing or any other convenient label. I will accompany this pledge by trying to keep my tongue from getting in the way of my ears.

When winter finally fades there is the hope and joy that comes from all the new growth and vegetation. Harsh barren scenes overnight become filled with colors of new buds and flowers. In the world today there are still many volatile issues that threaten peace and harmony. Israelis and Palestinians continue to live in the harsh climate of century old unresolved conflict, and it appears that nothing will ever change. However, like spring there must always be the hope that one day all concerned will realize that the only way to the future is to move from the ice cold barren hostility, to the fresh air that only peace can bring. May the hardened hearts on both sides open again to the possibility of a real spring in the Middle East.

We spend a great deal of our lives in search of the answers that have been the questions that all humans have pursued through the ages. Among the many riddles we seek to solve is the meaning of our life.It is vital to explore this because it provides us with energy and inspiration. For some it is service to others, while others find it in their profession or life’s work. Each and everyone of us has purpose, and it is in that quest that we most fully fulfill the individual contributions that enhance the world. In every day and often in every moment their are opportunities for us to create and recreate the value and substance we bring to ourselves and others.