charity requires courage but it is what makes us human

End of the day giving thanks to understand that charity and compassion is what makes us all human. The idea of caregiving I learned particularly in reading Ann Burack-Weiss. "True charity requires courage: let us overcome the fear of getting our hands dirty so as to help those in need" -Pope Francis

My Mom would so love Pope Francis. She was born on the birthdate of her favorite Pope, John XXIII. I have the mass card she kept of his papacy.  What more can I say about a Mom who was the first person ever thanked by her County and the State of New Jersey for just listening to people with special needs, those most of us run away from. 

This past year I have been blessed to see the love between my Dad and a brother with special needs as they slowly said goodbye in our Dad's fight with Alzheimers. I asked over 200 people to get a ride and finally wonderful journeys. 


Thank you for parents that I witnessed rally to show love, charity and compassion for others. Proud that they loved me.

Thinking of the son of a neighbor who died about a year ago. He was so crippled but he was the biggest help in her eyes. Thank you universe that I knew him and always have that memory of their family.

carpe diem in la manana

NYC electoral zeitgeist November 2013

Viva la Brewer!

Gale Brewer certainly has the courage, smarts, indefatigable energy and the love to meet the challenges of the zeitgeist of NYC/2013. Of course I am totally biased although now in Newark and just another cripple when on the streets of NYC or crawling up the subway stairs to teach my hundred and something course which usually includes a student who knows and loves Gale Brewer! 

Of course,  who else but Gale used a cane for a short bit so no doubt she knows the nuances of nyc transit.

When I go to NYC now I feel the Hellen Keller quote 

“Cut off as I am, it is inevitable that I should sometimes feel like a shadow walking in a shadowy world. When this happens I ask to be taken to New York City. Always I return home weary but I have the comforting certainty that mankind is real flesh and I myself am not a dream.”    

comforting now to know that there will be Gale as MBP.

The smarts and courage to fight and/or educate...  a recent blog highlighted on the hidden running of NYC:

http://truenewsthebund.blogspot.com/2013/11/organized-crime-politics.html

the energy and love...

Legacies of Mom, Dad...

Sent a letter to a local newspaper editorial, today.

"A joy to read on the advocacy work of State Senator Richard Codey, particularly on behalf of mental health.

On October 21, 2013, our Dad, the father of 9 children, died at age 86, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. His passing is so soon, his estate and legacy still to be sorted these days. I think now of our sister who died August, 2012, and of the death of our Mom in 2006 after a brief period of illness. 

The wake and funeral for our Mom included: family/friends, countless DailyRecord employees, and numerous people whom our Mom had befriended in her advocacy work for NAMI. This community of consumers advocated for a memorial to my Mom through Senator Codey. In early 2007, the first Sussex County Freeholder memorial for an advocate on mental health issues was held. I am sorry the event was never covered by the Daily Record but maybe as so many employees supported our Mom. Our Mom would not have wanted all the attention, she simply sat with people and listened.  From this event, $50k in stigma education was budgeted in her memory. 

Senator Codey did not receive recognition for his efforts but the event and legacy has been inspiring to thousands, many of whom cannot advocate for themselves.  I posted a video on the life of Rita Harding Wright at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQppEXGoSOk

Thank you Senator Codey. Thank you Daily Record for your notice of his work. "

remembering Dad, bonding anew All Saints/All Souls

with the oncoming death of our Dad I found myself reading Dante again.. the wonderful passage into a world beyond the living.. with the passing our Dad now the prayers I say for him and these days the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. http://www.catholic.org/saints/allsouls/

so thankful I could visit the grave of our Mom and think of Dad and our sister this All Saints/All Souls. http://ncronline.org/blogs/francis-chronicles/all-saints-all-souls-feasts-are-time-renew-hope-pope-says

in the course of our lives, the bonding moments.. today motoring with my neighbor and brother to the town where my Dad, Mom and sister, now all dead lived. Absolutely gorgeous colors and blue skies after a brief tornado-ish wind storming getting out of Newark. Visited the gravesite of our Mom, gorgeous tombstone but alone sans flowers.. no one left to leave them now but for occasional visitors. It is akin to her family heimat in Chicago, a dynasty diasporied. Just two weeks ago the three of us went to see Dad in the hospice. an incredible now revisiting our pasts and moving into tomorrows. thank you universe for these moments. — going to Newton NJ

a friend emailed the time of this reality.. "I got your message and you are more than welcome.  Please enjoy!   This is a tough time for you and your family and the loss was profound.  You have an arduous task ahead as you go through your father's belongings and render keep sakes.  Blessings and we will speak soon."