South Asian Vibe

Hi kids! I got out and about yesterday for "The Georgia Center for the Book"'s Writers of South Asia and the event featured dear friends Jaya (To India with Tough Love")Kamlani, Anjali Enjeti and Soniah ("An Isolated Incident") Kamal. Poet and human virtuoso, Franklin Abbott, created and organized this event. Joe Davich runs The Georgia Center for The Book in Decatur, and commented in the introduction, that Atlanta is the envy of many northern cities, given the number of events we offer which are literary, and the huge support we have for them. "Those Yankees are jealous" he said, to the delight of the giggling audience. The variety was stunning. In addition to poets, there were other writers, authors of creative non-fiction, essayists, and debut novelists. Indeed, Anjali read a stunning essay on her blended heritage; Soniah read a just-penned essay on her father, parental expectations, and understanding; Jaya read from her older and newer works, including pieces which challenge the notion of war. I met several interesting writers, all of whom had huge stage presence, and very evocative work. I left wishing I could claim "South Asian" as part of my own heritage. I think I'll probably have to settle for reading about their own journeys, and those journeys will become a part of the way I see the world, anew. Come to think of it, I think I already do.... Peace, kids.

Ways of Being.

Hi kids! I'm endeavoring to write more consistently in this Blog. I am losing affection for the Christian-model of humans. Frankly, I do not think we are created, "Broken", though Life certainly tries to break us. Or perhaps, a more-true thought is that when Life is not lifting us up, it is breaking us down. It rarely is "neutral". There are so many ways to "be" in the world. Sometimes--lately, quite often-- I feel like an Agnostic--someone for whom the very "idea" of God seems too distant, too faraway, too nebulous. A cumulus cloud, fading...and, in the very next breath, I'll find myself remembering watch beloved Mom attempting to pray, (try as she might, she could not speak the words; she was able only to whisper "I can't".) as I comforted (I hope) her, saying "Well, that's okay, Mom, I'll say the words, and you can say them in your head, okay?" She looked relieved and muttered, through a slight smile, "Okay...", as I prayed "The Lord's Prayer" and a "Hail Mary" for her. Earlier today, while scrolling through Facebook and friend's posts, I came across a nun explaining the Rosary being "Sung by Dominicans". It was kind of delightful and my joy at discovering that post, begs the question: Can someone be both ambivalent about God, while actively searching for SIGNS of God? Is it hypocritical to have membership in--and truly enjoy--a group on Facebook known as "Liberals, Atheists, Feminists, and Friends", while simultaneously planning a prayer or meditation session, or going into a church or Mass, to light a candle, for those who no longer, can? I can assure you, I suffer from no "cognitive dissonance". I feel culturally like the same "Cradle Catholic" I've always been: honoring Jesus Christ as a man of peace and good will, but feeling inside that God is "within". That we must fix ourselves, alone. I feel such kinship with the "Humanists" who believe only humans can advance humans, that we must respect all life. So that's where I'm at these days, broken-but-not-broken, a doubter, who believes. Peace, kids.

Breaz's Graduation

Several days ago, I went to Palm Beach County, and saw my lovely niece, Breaz, graduate from high school.There were over 500 kids graduating from Park Vista, which was holding only its Second Annual Commencement, on account of it being such a new school!!

I was delighted to hear the superintindent of schools give an emotionally-charged speech. Instead of the incredibly typical "You are now beginning a journey...", he spoke of what students are taught, versus what they are SHOWN(in this world), and took ownership in the tragedy---in that gulf that exists between the two. He asked everyone present to consider what is taught, versus what is shown to today's young people.
A distinct example he gave was "We teach you to behave with ethics, but our government shows you corruption, and corporations show you greed.." Very politically charged, this gentleman spoke with conviction, and tremedous courage(especially in very-red-state Florida!).
God Bless him for that!

I watched as Breaz literally swept across the floor of the Palm Beach County Convention Center, all smiles, her bright blue eyes-- wet only momentarily with tears-- upon seeing her Dad.
I thanked Tom, chatted with Randy, ran my hands over Hansoo's hands, beamed at my very proud Mom and Dad, and hunted for Tina(busy as always-- cooking, and serving all this delicious food-- I'm sure.)I listened as several of Tina & Tom's neighbors and friends discussed their suburban lives(how they met their husbands, what hell this husband who's a policeman has gone through,etc..), and I found myself seeing what this thing called "typical" really is--"Typical" not being ordinary, really, but meaning that one is in the main--in the mainstream of life-- and feeling every important, and even trivial thing, every detail, with all one's heart--because that IS living--living in the now, in the tiny individual moments that compose that bigger picture we call life.

"Life Is Not A Dress Rehearsal"--Sarah Bernhardt

Enjoy every moment, kids.