In Remembrance, Part II, Transitions

Ten months ago, I shared a story of a woman named Megan and her mother Nancy. You can follow this link to get to that story.

About a week ago, Nancy died peacefully in a nursing home in Overland Park, Kansas. She is survived by one son, James III (Casey), and three daughters Michaela, Jenny, and Kelly and a slew of grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband James, Jr. (Jim), and daughter Megan.

Nancy came to Marie and my wedding in Colorado. I wrote this in the last entry:

Megan’s mom came to Colorado for our wedding. During the dance at the reception, I thanked her for coming. And I told her that I am a better man, and will be a better husband, for having known her daughter.

Days like this, I feel sad, and a little depressed. It's gray, it's cold, it's sharp outside. Inside Marie is recovering from surgery and pneumonia and I'm recovering from bronchitis. It's been a tough year, tougher than the year before. And it's probably going to be tough next year too. So I feel overwhelmed.

Still, I think that I am more overwhelmed by an equal measure of promise and un-experienced promise. I am blessed, and I am tired. I have given, but being blessed still more is expected. I rejoice in what I have received, and regret what I have not yet accomplished.

Maybe that's not so bad, without the overwhelming stuff going on. Because when "overwhelm" takes over, then the blessings tarnish and the un-experienced promise is a burden not its own blessing.

Megan's sister Jenny came to our wedding too. She caught the bouquet. She's the one who talked me into seeing "Harold and Maude." If you've never seen it, go, it's a fine movie and her favorite. To say the least, I had no idea what to expect when I went. Still, there is a theme of a cusp of old life and new discovery that is glorious. But this discovery is not without its own pain and misery.

Nancy, go with God. God be with your children and grandchildren. Thank you for the gift of your love and your daughter.

So now I leave you with Cat Stevens' "Trouble" from "Harold and Maude."

As sad as this scene is, I don't wonder if it doesn't also show what it looks like to make a difficult transition, even if it's on the banjo.

President Obama's Acceptance Comment

My next-to-last brother-in-law's girlfriend posted this comment on her Facebook account and I like it enough to share with you all:

Barack Obama's comments in part - I know that throughout history, the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept ...this award as a call to action -- a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. http://www.democrats.org/blog.htm

Perhaps President Obama and his handlers know that he received this prize sort of like Miss Congeniality also winning Miss America. He knows that he got a huge "atta boy" and he knows that there are miles to go before he sleeps.

Please God, let this be a momentum builder, may your peace come to reign.

The Prize of Promise?

The Nobel website says, "The Nobel Peace Prize goes to President Barack Obama 'for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.'"

As a registered democrat and a supporter of the President, I think he got the award just for not being George W. Bush.

Sorry, just not enough of a reason to win the prize. Maybe in five years...but not today

Kayne, So Subtle

This link will be disabled soon enough, but in the meantime, "Enjoy."

Alex, I'll take "The Overly Self-Involved" for $200 please.

Hooray for Beyonce's reaction both when it happened and later in the evening. It's a pity that I can't find video of Beyonce classy response to Kanye's interruption when she brought Taylor Swift back on stage later.

9/11 + 8

Eight years ago today I was in "Introduction to the Old Testament" and "it" happened. What we never imagined could happen not only did, it was on TV for all to see.

I remember going into the Financial Aid office and thinking the radio sounded like "War of the Worlds" and I was wondering if I had missed the intro by Orson Wells and the Mercury Theater.

I remember going home and seeing Marie sitting on the edge of her seat. I remember me joining her.

Honestly, I guess that's all I have to say about that.

From Where the Grass Is Greener

The Today show just reported that many Republican and conservative Democratic members of Congress are skeptical about the President's health care reform package.

Gee, if I had their insurance I could afford to be skeptical too.

President Obama's Speech

In a scant three hours, President Obama will be on-line and on C-SPAN addressing the youth and young adults of America from a high school in Virginia. From the way some people are talking about this, you'd think he was going to propose the end of the truth, justice, and the American way.

First things first, judge for yourself. Read the text here. The speech is scheduled to begin at Noon Eastern time so if you can, watch it on the Internet from the link at the White House Web site or on the tube live or any of the dozens of times it will be rebroadcast.

Now for the commentary: What's funny about this is the reactions of the mobs. I don't even want to credit reactions to "people" or even "Americans" anymore. We are quickly becoming a nation of mobs and this "Sharks and Jets" mentality is seen best focusing between FoxNews and MSNBC. Frankly, they're just different ends of the same line and if we can't get beyond that, we will live on that line instead of in a marketplace of ideas and free expression.

AOL has some fun stats. Monday night, they reported that of people who responded to their online poll, 60% thought the President's plan to address the nation's students was inappropriate. Did these people respond the same way when President Bush did the same thing in 1991? From where I sit, the more important question is "Did I?"

Shame on me, I probably did. Hypocrisy stings when you realize it cuts both ways.

This morning, after the publication of the President's remarks, 56% think the controversy is much ado about nothing and 62% approve of the remarks. Less than 24 hours earlier, 60% thought the whole thing was inappropriate.

The AOL resources I used can be found at these URL's:
http://news.aol.com/article/obama-school-speech-controversy/655701
http://news.aol.com/article/obama-school-speech-text/658197