The convoy rolled to a stop forcing those in the rear to wonder and question what was going on. The orders were clear, move quietly from one position to another. The men were told to fallout and rest off of the road. Guards were set up on either side of the convoy and in the front and back of it. The lieutenant in charge of this unit pulled the map from his pocket and hidden by his aides, tried to find out where they were. "Damn! I have no idea where we are." the lieutenant mumbled to himself. He stared at the map retracing where they had come from and where they were suppose to go.
"We made this turn right", the Sergeant offered.
The lieutenant answered, "Yes, but somehow we must have missed this one here. I don't remember seeing it. We've gone to far now to turn back."
"What's this place here, Lieutenant"?, the sergeant asked.
"That is where the Nazis are and we aren't suppose to be anywhere near it. Damn! I wish I could figure out where we are." The Lieutenant swore with a worried tone.
The men in charge looked over the map and the place where they were stopped. Nothing matched where they were suppose to be. The other members of the convoy were beginning to get restless. The longer they sat here not moving, the better the chances of the enemy finding them. Rumors started flowing through the men that they were lost, that the Nazis were just around the next bend, that a mine field had been detected ahead. The men began shifting around trying to find out what was going on.
Finally, a messenger came to every man in the convoy. "The lieutenant needs to know if anyone can find ---------", the French village they needed to be at by morning. Each man answered back, "no". The private spoke to all until he finally came to the medical unit which was well protected in the middle of the convoy. Again, he repeated his message from the lieutenant, to the doctor who was checking the medical supplies again. The doctor looked at him, then at the night sky out of the back of the truck. He moved back out of the truck he had been in and checked the sky again. "I can help", the doctor replied. The private nodded and gave the doctor a look of relief.
"Please come with me to the front and speak to the lieutenant". The private led the way back to where the lieutenant and his aides were still pouring over the map, as if trying to receive divine intervention from it. The doctor grabbed his jacket, pulling it on as he followed the private forward. Along the way, men whispered, wondering if this would be their last moment before a battle. The two men walked quickly, weaving through the vehicles and men until they finally reached the front.
"Lieutenant", said the doctor, "Do you need some help?".
The lieutenant looked up. "Doctor, can you read this map and figure out where we are?"
The doctor took the map, gazed at it for a few minutes, then looked at the night sky. "We can turn at this path and move easterly here". He said. "We can reach the command center before morning if we move now." The lieutenant frowned, "How do you know that"?
"We have been moving in a south easterly direction for a while now. By turning here, we will be going in an easterly direction which will bring us back to the correct road and on target. Just keep an eye on the stars and you will be able to follow them in order to find our way there".
The lieutenant smiled. "The stars, navigating by them the way the ancients did. Please ride with me, and teach me how to do that so this will never happen again."
The doctor nodded and told the private, "tell my driver I am riding up here".
The two men got into the jeep,the lieutenant giving the signal to fall in and start moving. The convoy pulled out and followed the directions given by the doctor. He watched the stars, teaching the young lieutenant the way to navigate by them. Before the sun rose, the convoy rolled into the French town of ----------, at an earlier time than they had been expected. A major came out from the command center. When he saw the jeep with the lieutenant and doctor in it, he waved it down; "Great job, lieutenant, getting here at this pace. Set up your personnel over there, put the medical team in this building there, we have confiscated it from the Nazis. It should be perfect for a hospital".
The lieutenant saluted and nodded, "Yes, Sir! But the only reason we are here this soon is to the doctor here. We were lost, but he showed us the way by following the stars".
The major, shot a look at the lieutenant, and then stepped in front of the doctor. "Good job, Doctor! Wish we had more men like you!" Now let's get this camp up to par and ready for the show to begin."
Off they went. Each in their own direction, preparing for another battle, where men would die, and others would require medical care, and still others would live to fight another day. They were there to end the Nazi reign. A reign of terror. They were there to protect their countries or win them back. They were there to serve and win this fight. This group made it due to a doctor who knew how to read the stars and get them to a safe place. To fight a different day. To live another day. To serve and end terror. Happy Veteran's Day.
By the way this is a true story....
Monday, November 11, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Kitty Kisses or The Mighty Feline
I was awakened in a very special way this morning. A slight brush of something whisker touched my lips. Then another touch. I opened my eyes and found myself looking into yellowish eyes which were deep and large. Another brush of whiskers against me and a light breath of a paw against my head. Again, the eyes looked into mine, and the small triangular head pressed against me coaxing me awake. "Oh, Mikael", I murmured. The small body flopped down next to me and he grabbed at my hand with his paws.
"It's too early, boy". I protested. He ignored me and brought his hind legs up, kicking at my hand and then biting it. The mighty hunter had captured his prey and now he sought , only to play with it. "Ouch"! That hurt, you little rascal"! Another bout of kicking and nipping at my hand was the only answer from this feline warrior. "Alright! We will do it your way"! I moved my hand this way and that all the while Mikael reached out with his claws nimbly and confidently to bring his prey back to him.
We played like this for quite awhile. Then he tired of the game, grabbed my hand with both paws and claws, brought it down to his opening mouth with the fangs glistening white and ready to puncture. The back legs came up again, A kick, another, and another! Then the finishing blow. The fangs clamped into my hand. "OUCH"!
I shook my hand and Mikael gave me a taunting look as he switched his tail and sauntered away. I wondered who he would pick for his next prey. The mighty hunter. The attacker of hands. The cat in my life. What would I do without him? I wouldn't have scratches, but I wouldn't have that cute triangular face waking me up with kitty kisses either. I'll take the kitty kisses!
"It's too early, boy". I protested. He ignored me and brought his hind legs up, kicking at my hand and then biting it. The mighty hunter had captured his prey and now he sought , only to play with it. "Ouch"! That hurt, you little rascal"! Another bout of kicking and nipping at my hand was the only answer from this feline warrior. "Alright! We will do it your way"! I moved my hand this way and that all the while Mikael reached out with his claws nimbly and confidently to bring his prey back to him.
We played like this for quite awhile. Then he tired of the game, grabbed my hand with both paws and claws, brought it down to his opening mouth with the fangs glistening white and ready to puncture. The back legs came up again, A kick, another, and another! Then the finishing blow. The fangs clamped into my hand. "OUCH"!
I shook my hand and Mikael gave me a taunting look as he switched his tail and sauntered away. I wondered who he would pick for his next prey. The mighty hunter. The attacker of hands. The cat in my life. What would I do without him? I wouldn't have scratches, but I wouldn't have that cute triangular face waking me up with kitty kisses either. I'll take the kitty kisses!
Saturday, November 9, 2013
The Hunt
Amongst the misty rolling hills of a dense forest, a figure creeps slowly along, stopping now and then to peer over the side of the hill it is moving across. It makes a motion and another figure and another appear; moving the same way as the first until there are ten of them gathered around the first. The sun has been lowering as this movement occurred and has now vanished from sight, leaving nothing in its wake but darkness and the glow of bright spots in the sky. Yet, these do not offer much light and the group on the dark side of the hill are hidden from view.
A glow suddenly appears from the other side of the hill and the sound of laughter and voices is heard. The figures on the hill do not move; instead, they have lain down and are stretched out across the top of the hill, watching and waiting. The glow dies down to a faint glimmer and the voices slowly lower until no further sound is heard. The figures remain still, watching, and waiting.
Finally, the first one rises and is followed by the rest, quietly and stealthily as they move toward the place which is now only dimly lit by a smoldering fire. Around this light are more figures. They are like the first figures in size and shape and they are covered in the skins of animals. Next to some lie spears or clubs. Others have smaller versions of themselves beside them – their children. The ten figures move closer, hidden by the trees and underbrush of the forest which covers their advance from those around the fire. They draw in close until they are almost on top of the ones who are sleeping. Again, they wait and without warning, the night is filled with screams and cries as the ten fall onto their victims, killing those who had had weapons next to them quickly and efficiently with just a single movement. The old are killed next and suddenly the only sounds left are the sobs and whimpers of young females and children.
The ten unleash a howl of victory and they are joined by others like them around the fire which they have built back up. They divide up their prizes and take over this place which had been home to the now dead tribe. They are the new owners of the fire, the young women and children, and the place of fertile hunting, fishing, and gathering grounds. They celebrate their victory, burn the bodies of their victims, and finally settle down for the night. But first, they place several warriors in strategic areas to ensure the safety of their new home and wealth….
A glow suddenly appears from the other side of the hill and the sound of laughter and voices is heard. The figures on the hill do not move; instead, they have lain down and are stretched out across the top of the hill, watching and waiting. The glow dies down to a faint glimmer and the voices slowly lower until no further sound is heard. The figures remain still, watching, and waiting.
Finally, the first one rises and is followed by the rest, quietly and stealthily as they move toward the place which is now only dimly lit by a smoldering fire. Around this light are more figures. They are like the first figures in size and shape and they are covered in the skins of animals. Next to some lie spears or clubs. Others have smaller versions of themselves beside them – their children. The ten figures move closer, hidden by the trees and underbrush of the forest which covers their advance from those around the fire. They draw in close until they are almost on top of the ones who are sleeping. Again, they wait and without warning, the night is filled with screams and cries as the ten fall onto their victims, killing those who had had weapons next to them quickly and efficiently with just a single movement. The old are killed next and suddenly the only sounds left are the sobs and whimpers of young females and children.
The ten unleash a howl of victory and they are joined by others like them around the fire which they have built back up. They divide up their prizes and take over this place which had been home to the now dead tribe. They are the new owners of the fire, the young women and children, and the place of fertile hunting, fishing, and gathering grounds. They celebrate their victory, burn the bodies of their victims, and finally settle down for the night. But first, they place several warriors in strategic areas to ensure the safety of their new home and wealth….
Friday, November 8, 2013
But the Doc Was With Me!
Veteran's Day is almost upon us and I find myself thinking about all the men and women who have served in the military. Not just the US military but, any military. Do you know how many American men and women served in a foreign military during World War II? A huge number. They wanted to be a part of the war in Europe and the Pacific. I knew one man who served for his country and the tales he would tell were fascinating. My stepfather was in the Czech army. This is just one of his stories, but it is a favorite of mine. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and I hope I can give it the words to bring him and the other ones alive for you.
I was serving as a doctor at the hospital by the army airfield. Airplanes had just been used in World War I and the ones at this field, although newer were still a long way from the ones which would be built for World War II. One of the rules for the airmen was to never fly without a doctor being at the hospital. It was the rule and no one could break it. One doctor had to be available at all times and with that you can realize just how many doctors worked in this hospital with me.
Whenever a plane lifted off one of us was at the hospital. The ambulance was readied to take us to the field quickly if the need ever arose. Well, we seldom were needed. Once in a while a pilot would have a mishap: maybe needing oxygen for going to high or just not landing right if he was a rookie. For the most part, we would watch the planes leave and go about our duties, checking the sick, and waiting for the pilots to return.
I had watched the planes many times and had befriended the pilots. They would laugh when they saw me, wondering if I had a needle in my hand to give them more shots or if I was going to batter them with a thousand questions on what it was like to fly. I wanted to do that, but I was not allowed too. I was needed at the hospital and that was where I had to be.
One day, early in the morning, one of the pilots called me. "Doc, how would you like to fly in my plane?"
"Right now"? I asked.
"Yes, now. The general is not here and I can take you up! He won't be back until later"!
"What about the rule"? I countered.
"I'll have the doctor with me! What could be better?" he laughed.
I laughed and agreed to go. My dream would come true. I would fly and be free in the sky.
We met up at the airfield and my friend helped me into the gear and up I went into the plane. He readied the plane and we taxied to the strip of grass which was the runway. My friend radioed in to the tower and then with a roar the plane accelerated and I felt myself being forced backwards into my seat! The plane lifted and I found myself in awe as we climbed higher and higher. The field and ground around us fell away and I felt the pain in my ears as pressure was increased. I knew I had to swallow to ease the pressure. Now I understood what the pilots meant by air pressure and the pain they endured.
This was just a minor difficulty to adjust to, it was what I saw that stunned me to silence. The beauty of the land below and the majesty of the air around us. Clouds covered us with water droplets and the sun would dry them away. The fields, forests, and villages below became like toys from my past. Colours were vibrant and the air was filled with a mixture of grease, oil, and gas from the plane, but it was wondrous and I waas apart of it.
Soon, we banked and headed back to the airfield. We landed without incident and I was lost in musings about how amazing it had been. Suddenly, I looked up to find a car stopping beside the plane. My friend groaned: "Oh no!" Then I noticed who it was that stepped from the vehicle.
"What do you think you were doing, Captain?" growled a deep and angry voice.
"Just doing my usual flight pattern, Sir"! Answered my friend.
"You flew even though there was no doctor at the hospital?" questioned the very enraged personage in front of us".
I got out of the plane and joined my friend on the ground. "I wanted to go for a flight with him and he obliged me", I said trying to help my friend out of this predicament.
"But Sir!" My friend exclaimed. "I had the doctor with me! That was even better!"
The general glared at my friend. "You are suspended from flight for one week. You will clean latrines instead for your folly"! To me, the general said, "Now go, Doctor! You have had your fun and now you will spend a great deal of time at the hospital"!
The general spun around leaving us saluting behind him. He jumped into the vehicle and roared off. My friend and I still saluting as the dust swirled around us.
"Well", my friend said. "That went better than I thought it would. I wonder why the old goat was back so soon"?
I stared at him and tried to apologize for all the trouble I had gotten him into. He looked at me and laughed loudly! "I would do it all over again, my friend! Watching and listening to you as you saw the world as I do was well worth the little bit of anger I got from the old goat"! He laughed longer and finally I joined him as well. For it didn't matter that the doctor was in the plane with him, the doctor wasn't at the hospital! We roared with laughter over this and realized just how silly it all was. Then my friend drove me to the hospital and he began his discipline of cleaning the latrine. All because the doctor was with him and not at the hospital.
I was serving as a doctor at the hospital by the army airfield. Airplanes had just been used in World War I and the ones at this field, although newer were still a long way from the ones which would be built for World War II. One of the rules for the airmen was to never fly without a doctor being at the hospital. It was the rule and no one could break it. One doctor had to be available at all times and with that you can realize just how many doctors worked in this hospital with me.
Whenever a plane lifted off one of us was at the hospital. The ambulance was readied to take us to the field quickly if the need ever arose. Well, we seldom were needed. Once in a while a pilot would have a mishap: maybe needing oxygen for going to high or just not landing right if he was a rookie. For the most part, we would watch the planes leave and go about our duties, checking the sick, and waiting for the pilots to return.
I had watched the planes many times and had befriended the pilots. They would laugh when they saw me, wondering if I had a needle in my hand to give them more shots or if I was going to batter them with a thousand questions on what it was like to fly. I wanted to do that, but I was not allowed too. I was needed at the hospital and that was where I had to be.
One day, early in the morning, one of the pilots called me. "Doc, how would you like to fly in my plane?"
"Right now"? I asked.
"Yes, now. The general is not here and I can take you up! He won't be back until later"!
"What about the rule"? I countered.
"I'll have the doctor with me! What could be better?" he laughed.
I laughed and agreed to go. My dream would come true. I would fly and be free in the sky.
We met up at the airfield and my friend helped me into the gear and up I went into the plane. He readied the plane and we taxied to the strip of grass which was the runway. My friend radioed in to the tower and then with a roar the plane accelerated and I felt myself being forced backwards into my seat! The plane lifted and I found myself in awe as we climbed higher and higher. The field and ground around us fell away and I felt the pain in my ears as pressure was increased. I knew I had to swallow to ease the pressure. Now I understood what the pilots meant by air pressure and the pain they endured.
This was just a minor difficulty to adjust to, it was what I saw that stunned me to silence. The beauty of the land below and the majesty of the air around us. Clouds covered us with water droplets and the sun would dry them away. The fields, forests, and villages below became like toys from my past. Colours were vibrant and the air was filled with a mixture of grease, oil, and gas from the plane, but it was wondrous and I waas apart of it.
Soon, we banked and headed back to the airfield. We landed without incident and I was lost in musings about how amazing it had been. Suddenly, I looked up to find a car stopping beside the plane. My friend groaned: "Oh no!" Then I noticed who it was that stepped from the vehicle.
"What do you think you were doing, Captain?" growled a deep and angry voice.
"Just doing my usual flight pattern, Sir"! Answered my friend.
"You flew even though there was no doctor at the hospital?" questioned the very enraged personage in front of us".
I got out of the plane and joined my friend on the ground. "I wanted to go for a flight with him and he obliged me", I said trying to help my friend out of this predicament.
"But Sir!" My friend exclaimed. "I had the doctor with me! That was even better!"
The general glared at my friend. "You are suspended from flight for one week. You will clean latrines instead for your folly"! To me, the general said, "Now go, Doctor! You have had your fun and now you will spend a great deal of time at the hospital"!
The general spun around leaving us saluting behind him. He jumped into the vehicle and roared off. My friend and I still saluting as the dust swirled around us.
"Well", my friend said. "That went better than I thought it would. I wonder why the old goat was back so soon"?
I stared at him and tried to apologize for all the trouble I had gotten him into. He looked at me and laughed loudly! "I would do it all over again, my friend! Watching and listening to you as you saw the world as I do was well worth the little bit of anger I got from the old goat"! He laughed longer and finally I joined him as well. For it didn't matter that the doctor was in the plane with him, the doctor wasn't at the hospital! We roared with laughter over this and realized just how silly it all was. Then my friend drove me to the hospital and he began his discipline of cleaning the latrine. All because the doctor was with him and not at the hospital.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Egg Farms, Harvesting, and Experimentation
There are a few things which scare me; snakes, failure, and death. They all make sense in a rather bizarre way. They kind of go hand in hand in one respect. A lot of people understand what I'm talking about concerning all three. Snakes just freak me out, I think it is because I was chased by two when I was a kid. I just don't like them. Failure, well, who wants to fail; but it is through failure that we learn and grow. Death....death is something which is just plan permanent. It is the only permanence in our lives. We are born, live, and die. Something so certain about that, even though we live a life of continuous flux. So, yeah, these things scare me, but there are other scarier ideas or items which really frightening.
Take for instance an egg farm. Yes, an egg farm, but not the ones you are thinking of. I'm talking about egg farms where women are taken and placed into a position, hooked up to machines, which then has them produce eggs, for fertilization. That's right, eggs, human eggs, for fertilization. Oh, I know, people will say these are the ideas of science fiction and horror writers, but in the "UK a woman "donor" was harvested for 85 eggs in one "season"" (Fox news). Yeah, I know, Fox news reported this, but this was for a legal egg donor facility. Let's face it, we know there are legal places, but what about the ones which are underground so to speak. If you really think they don't exist, you are either incredibly naive or just plain ignorant. So yes, these human egg farms scare me to death. Not the legal ones, but the covert ones for what are they doing to women? Women who are in third world nations, women who disappear, women who are poor just to name a few. I don't know about you but this is scary and is happening, whether we want to believe it or not.
Then there are the organ harvesters. Yes, organ harvesters. Think they are just rumours or stories? Think again, we are finding out more and more everyday about the lucrative organ harvesting going on. Go ahead, Google it. You will find article upon article concerning this issue. Human trafficking has found a moneymaking area in the field of organ harvesting and it is in every country! Remember the article about the little Chinese boy who was found in a field with both of his eyes missing? Yeah, organ harvesting, but he is alive. How many others have been taken and killed for their organs? Again, it is the poor or those alone in the world which are taken. Talk about frightening! At least, Frankenstein took from the dead, not the living.
Now, this the third activity which has and still is going on. Human and animal experimentation. NO, I am not talking about the nice legal ones. Those have all sorts of legal sanctions. I am discussing the other ones, like the human experimentation done by the Nazis and Japanese during World War II . I'm talking about the "research" they did and how much you want to bet is still being done by some people. You know, the vivisections done without the use of an anesthetic. Or how about putting individuals in the freezing cold, dump cold water on them, let them freeze, then amputate their limbs? Don't forget that after their is nothing but the head and torso left, they get to be treated with the bubonic plague, cholera, or one of the other wonderful diseases out there! Think it didn't happen, check out Japanese Unit 731 and you will find the truth. You might find you can't believe this happened and if you don't think it still isn't happening take a look at Iraq's history and the events in Syria. Believe me, being naive or turning your head and looking the other way just doesn't cut it. No, we do and these types of activities go on all the time...we just don't want to think about it.
Now you know what I mean. Being afraid of snakes, failure, and death are pretty normal and well, rather pitiful compared to what is out in the real world. It's a scary place out there, but we have to be in it and of it. When I attended church we were always being told that we (the parishoners) are in the world, but not of it. Now, I'm saying, we as humans and whatever religion we may be are not only in it, but of it. It's only through our knowledge and being a part of the world that we can stop or at least slow down the three frightening activities I discussed above. Like I said though, if you don't believe me and consider it all to be the writings of horror and science fiction, look it up. You will find the truth and I hope you are as frightened as I am about what is happening, then maybe, we can keep the fight going against these atrocities.
Work Cited
Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/24/human-egg-farms-put-donors-at-risk-experts-say/.
Take for instance an egg farm. Yes, an egg farm, but not the ones you are thinking of. I'm talking about egg farms where women are taken and placed into a position, hooked up to machines, which then has them produce eggs, for fertilization. That's right, eggs, human eggs, for fertilization. Oh, I know, people will say these are the ideas of science fiction and horror writers, but in the "UK a woman "donor" was harvested for 85 eggs in one "season"" (Fox news). Yeah, I know, Fox news reported this, but this was for a legal egg donor facility. Let's face it, we know there are legal places, but what about the ones which are underground so to speak. If you really think they don't exist, you are either incredibly naive or just plain ignorant. So yes, these human egg farms scare me to death. Not the legal ones, but the covert ones for what are they doing to women? Women who are in third world nations, women who disappear, women who are poor just to name a few. I don't know about you but this is scary and is happening, whether we want to believe it or not.
Then there are the organ harvesters. Yes, organ harvesters. Think they are just rumours or stories? Think again, we are finding out more and more everyday about the lucrative organ harvesting going on. Go ahead, Google it. You will find article upon article concerning this issue. Human trafficking has found a moneymaking area in the field of organ harvesting and it is in every country! Remember the article about the little Chinese boy who was found in a field with both of his eyes missing? Yeah, organ harvesting, but he is alive. How many others have been taken and killed for their organs? Again, it is the poor or those alone in the world which are taken. Talk about frightening! At least, Frankenstein took from the dead, not the living.
Now, this the third activity which has and still is going on. Human and animal experimentation. NO, I am not talking about the nice legal ones. Those have all sorts of legal sanctions. I am discussing the other ones, like the human experimentation done by the Nazis and Japanese during World War II . I'm talking about the "research" they did and how much you want to bet is still being done by some people. You know, the vivisections done without the use of an anesthetic. Or how about putting individuals in the freezing cold, dump cold water on them, let them freeze, then amputate their limbs? Don't forget that after their is nothing but the head and torso left, they get to be treated with the bubonic plague, cholera, or one of the other wonderful diseases out there! Think it didn't happen, check out Japanese Unit 731 and you will find the truth. You might find you can't believe this happened and if you don't think it still isn't happening take a look at Iraq's history and the events in Syria. Believe me, being naive or turning your head and looking the other way just doesn't cut it. No, we do and these types of activities go on all the time...we just don't want to think about it.
Now you know what I mean. Being afraid of snakes, failure, and death are pretty normal and well, rather pitiful compared to what is out in the real world. It's a scary place out there, but we have to be in it and of it. When I attended church we were always being told that we (the parishoners) are in the world, but not of it. Now, I'm saying, we as humans and whatever religion we may be are not only in it, but of it. It's only through our knowledge and being a part of the world that we can stop or at least slow down the three frightening activities I discussed above. Like I said though, if you don't believe me and consider it all to be the writings of horror and science fiction, look it up. You will find the truth and I hope you are as frightened as I am about what is happening, then maybe, we can keep the fight going against these atrocities.
Work Cited
Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/24/human-egg-farms-put-donors-at-risk-experts-say/.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
The Lady in the Harbor
One of the most inspiring activities to do when in New York City is to see Lady Liberty. Now most people go to the island to see her; me, I never did. I always wanted to experience seeing the Statue of Liberty the way the immigrants did after she was put up in 1886. Think about how it must have been for the people who had left everything behind in order to start anew in a country filled with opportunities and hope. They left their homes, family, friends, and countries with the belief in the myth of roads paved with gold and freedoms for everyone. The promise of riches and, in reality, land brought wave after wave of immigrants to New York City and standing tall in the harbor was the Lady greeting them with the words of the poem, The New Colossus:
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" Emma Lazarus
is found in full text at the Lady's feet. Lady Liberty was not created as a symbol for immigrants, she was a gift from the people of France in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The tablet she holds in her arm is inscribed with the date of the Declaration, July 4, 1776. However, she became the hallmark to the people coming to the United States. An icon of liberty and hope.
The poem was placed at the feet of the Lady in 1903. but to the people on board the ships coming into the harbour, she was the first view they had of this new country. The Lady holding the light of Liberty high symbolizing how liberty spread throughout the land just as light shines forth radiating through the darkness illuminating the way to the land available to all who worked and upgraded it.
Yes, for me to see the Statue of Liberty is to stand in the feet of those people and feel and see what they endured and perceived when she came into sight. I did this by catching the Staten Island Ferry in Manhattan and standing on its deck I would lift my eyes up to the Lady as we swept by her. Yes, there were New Yorkers going back to their homes or to businesses on Staten Island. But there were many foreigners on board as well. All wanting to feel and see the same thing I did. All wanting to experience what those before us had. One time I was laughing for I was surrounded by a large group of Japanese. It was enlightening and eye-opening to see this party of Japanese and their thrill and animation of seeing the Lady from the deck of the ferry.
It was seeing this which made me realize the truth of this country I was born in and grew up in. My country was and still is the herald of Liberty, Freedom, and Democracy. Watching the faces and smiles of these people told me how much this statue and country mean to the rest of the world. Even today, the Lady welcomes people to a land of opportunity and hope. Yes, we are in the midst of a, well, rough time, but in reality, we are a young nation and the teen years are usually rather volatile and expressive. We are learning and growing. Expanding on our ideals of liberty and freedoms. We move forward and like all nations/children we learn from the mistakes and failures after all how can one be perfect all the time?
Yep, I love New York City. I love to remember my time there and my journeys on the ferry to see the Lady Liberty. Most importantly, I love what I learned from those journeys and how I shared a very special moment with a group of Japanese upon seeing the Lady in the harbour. I love this land, with all it's wonders, marvels, headaches, and troubles, for it was built and STILL is being built by WE, the people and that is what makes the Statue of Liberty so wondrous, for she represents us all and the liberty we seek.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
"One more step and I will be the ...."
While watching, "The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship", a scene caught my attention and I found my mind wandering about the significance of it. It's near the beginning of the film when Sam and Frodo are leaving the Shire. They are walking and Sam suddenly stops. Frodo walks a bit further, stops, turns, and asks Sam "What is the matter"? Sam looks about uncertainly, a bit of fear in his eyes; and a bit of curiosity. Then he tells Frodo, "One more step and it will be the furthest I have ever been from the Shire".
Yes, the little hobbit would be the farthest he had ever been from home. So much in that statement. So much in Sam's mind. So much in my own mind. I don't remember the furthest I had been from home. I was only 3 years old. My parents had been told by my doctor to take me to a warmer climate for I may not survive the winter. My health had always been precarious, but this time it was making demands that the cold winter had made upon it that my small body could not handle. My parents sold our cows and such, packed my sister, brother, and myself up and off we went to Florida.
Obviously, I survived and became a healthy individual; but now, the pain from joints, and back make life hard at times. However, health and pain is not what I am thinking of. No, instead, I think of how that step being the furthest from one's home is filled with so many emotions. Fear, trepidation, speculation, happiness, courage, and hunger flit through one's mind at that moment. There have been some who have been unable to take that step, they turn back and flee to the place where they are safe and comfortable. There are others who take the step. They push out for a bit, explore; maybe even remain away for years; then they too, return to the place of their earlier lives. Maybe they wish to find the peace and comfort they had before they took the step. Maybe they discovered they already had before what they had been looking for. Who knows? There are so many variables at play with this which one can never really understand for it is dependent upon the individual to make this decision and for the rest of us to accept it.
Then there are those who take the step and move completely away from home. They search for whatever it is which grabbed hold of them, following the dream which has spread it's wings before them. They find a new life filled with their dreams and goals, of journeys, and quests, and fulfillment or loss. Actually, all do this. When we reach a certain stage, we take that step. It doesn't matter if we turn back, go forth and return, or leave forever. We take the step and live what is brought before us. We face the trials, the hardships, the loves, the joys, and the hopes wherever we are. No, it's not just those who leave, but also those who stay. The step is always there and we take it in whatever way we decide. The variables are what makes our individual edicts and these are always in flux, a constant motion rather than an inflexible unchanging straight line.
Sam took the step, he went forth, he journeyed, he fought, he survived, then he returned home. Yet, he had changed. He had found confidence and a strength he had never realized before. He came home. Frodo, came home as well, but he was changed in a different way. He was different. No longer the naive loving hobbit. He had suffered in ways which Sam had not. Frodo survived, but he no longer belonged to the Shire. In the end he leaves, going away never to return for he had grown away from the comforts and binds of his home. If one reads the books of "The Lord of the Rings" you find out that Merry and Pippen leave the Shire as well. They too had been touched and suffered. They too, no longer felt the links of commonality and home; they too, would leave and join with Frodo, in a new place beyond the sea of known to that of a different land which they would find and grow in.
Yes, my mind has wandered over this and I have come full circle. Go ahead, take a step, it's there at any age and every moment of your life. Just remember to be yourself and you will discover there is more to you than others think for it is your variables which determine your own path in the journey called life.
Yes, the little hobbit would be the farthest he had ever been from home. So much in that statement. So much in Sam's mind. So much in my own mind. I don't remember the furthest I had been from home. I was only 3 years old. My parents had been told by my doctor to take me to a warmer climate for I may not survive the winter. My health had always been precarious, but this time it was making demands that the cold winter had made upon it that my small body could not handle. My parents sold our cows and such, packed my sister, brother, and myself up and off we went to Florida.
Obviously, I survived and became a healthy individual; but now, the pain from joints, and back make life hard at times. However, health and pain is not what I am thinking of. No, instead, I think of how that step being the furthest from one's home is filled with so many emotions. Fear, trepidation, speculation, happiness, courage, and hunger flit through one's mind at that moment. There have been some who have been unable to take that step, they turn back and flee to the place where they are safe and comfortable. There are others who take the step. They push out for a bit, explore; maybe even remain away for years; then they too, return to the place of their earlier lives. Maybe they wish to find the peace and comfort they had before they took the step. Maybe they discovered they already had before what they had been looking for. Who knows? There are so many variables at play with this which one can never really understand for it is dependent upon the individual to make this decision and for the rest of us to accept it.
Then there are those who take the step and move completely away from home. They search for whatever it is which grabbed hold of them, following the dream which has spread it's wings before them. They find a new life filled with their dreams and goals, of journeys, and quests, and fulfillment or loss. Actually, all do this. When we reach a certain stage, we take that step. It doesn't matter if we turn back, go forth and return, or leave forever. We take the step and live what is brought before us. We face the trials, the hardships, the loves, the joys, and the hopes wherever we are. No, it's not just those who leave, but also those who stay. The step is always there and we take it in whatever way we decide. The variables are what makes our individual edicts and these are always in flux, a constant motion rather than an inflexible unchanging straight line.
Sam took the step, he went forth, he journeyed, he fought, he survived, then he returned home. Yet, he had changed. He had found confidence and a strength he had never realized before. He came home. Frodo, came home as well, but he was changed in a different way. He was different. No longer the naive loving hobbit. He had suffered in ways which Sam had not. Frodo survived, but he no longer belonged to the Shire. In the end he leaves, going away never to return for he had grown away from the comforts and binds of his home. If one reads the books of "The Lord of the Rings" you find out that Merry and Pippen leave the Shire as well. They too had been touched and suffered. They too, no longer felt the links of commonality and home; they too, would leave and join with Frodo, in a new place beyond the sea of known to that of a different land which they would find and grow in.
Yes, my mind has wandered over this and I have come full circle. Go ahead, take a step, it's there at any age and every moment of your life. Just remember to be yourself and you will discover there is more to you than others think for it is your variables which determine your own path in the journey called life.
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