Deacon,
I have nothing to add to this beatiful post other than to thank you for posting it.
Emotions are running high for all countries at present and none of us are exempt from feeling sadness and grief at this horrific tragedy.
Ana
ladonna
JoinedPosts by ladonna
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Reason gifted......
by Deacon infor those of us who are european, we know first hand the brutality of terrorism.
england endured attacks from the close neigbour northern ireland for a long time, italy france and spain, along with germany endured homegrown versions of the same.. the us finally joins the ranks of the rest of the planet, in having more than a taste of the evilness of brutal sudden invasion of familiar and personal territory, and will have to grow up fast in the realities of the way of the world.. i awoke early this morning to the pictures of death and mayhem, and my mind turned back over the past 20 some years of my experience with the aftermath of violent conflict, be it one sided, sudden and devasting in its effect.
the memory bank started in overtime, recalling the so familiar pattern of emotions, numbness, shock, fear, despair, anger, sadness....and now i watch the same thing hit the shores of america, affecting all the peoples as if they were one.. as a person, once closely involved in the repair of humanity, both physical and mental, my heart grieves for those that have suddenly lost loved ones, for those who will forever be affected by the inflicting of one persons ideas and actions upon others....it is wrong and unloving, and oh so very human...to decide that ones personal message or belief is of greater import than others.. the american authorities will speed up their work to find the perpertrators of this heinous action, and then we will see if the present government is strong enough to keep this country together without inflicting the residents with yet another long drawn out war because of revenge.
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ladonna
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Please pray or meditate today
by Rex B13 inwhether you believe in god or not, i hope you will join the peace-loving people of the world in memorial or prayer for the families and the ones lost in this tragedy.
there are likely to be some equally or surpassing brutal retaliation in the days and months ahead.
many more innocents are probably going to die....... after the idiots in the arab countries stop partying i hope they start thinking about just how they are now bona-fide targets.
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ladonna
Rex,
My son and I stayed up nearly all night as we saw what happened in USA.
Today the streets in this big city are like a ghost town.
Last night all my love and thoughts were with America........they still are.All USA citizens.....please be well and safe.
Ana
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Well, I'm stuck in my office in Manhattan for now
by Michael3000 inhi, folks.
i know nytelecom works nearby (across the river?
), but i can tell you all that today has been (and will continue to be for a loooong time) the single most bizarre, surreal event i have witnessed.. i work in an office building at 26 broadway in manhattan, about 10 blocks from the world trade towers.
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ladonna
((((((Michael))))))
((((((NYT))))))Love to both of you.........so sad that you both had to suffer this ordeal. My thoughts are with you both and the whole of USA.
Ana
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To All Who Love Or Dare To Love
by ladonna in"i'm robert peterson".
when i left, wendy said it had been a happy day.
i'm robert peterson.
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ladonna
I'm happy that some of you enjoyed it........tonight I think of USA and hope with all my heart that anyone here has all their loved ones safe........
Love,
Ana -
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To All Who Love Or Dare To Love
by ladonna in"i'm robert peterson".
when i left, wendy said it had been a happy day.
i'm robert peterson.
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ladonna
Today I was teaching an art class of about 22 people when a gentleman came and handed
me a true story that he thought would touch my heart in an important way. The rest of the class asked me to read it out, and I did. This was so profound that I felt I need to share this with people I care about. Words fail me to say anything further, but please take the time to read this story. It may just teach you something as it did me. I would like to publicly thank Mr Ray Whiting for giving me this Gift.
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She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of 3 or 4 miles whenever the world seems to close in on me.
She was building a sandcastle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.
"Hello" she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.
"I'm building" she said.
"I see that. What is it?. I asked, not really caring.
"Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of the sand".That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes.
A Sandpiper glided by.
"That's a joy," the child said.
"That's a what?."
"It's a joy. My Mama says Sandpipers come to bring us joy."
The bird went gliding down the beach.
"Goodbye, joy," I mutterd to myself, "hello pain," and turned to walk on.
My life seemed so out of balance.
"What's your name?" She wouldn't give up.
"Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson"
"Mine's Wendy and I'm six."
"Hi, Wendy"She giggled. "You're funny," she said. In spite of my gloom I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle follwed me as she called, "Come again, Mr P, we'll have another happy day."
The days and weeks that followed belonged to others. The sun was shining as I took my hands out of the dishwater. "I need a Sandpiper," I said to myself, gathering up my coat.The ever-waiting balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly but I strode along, trying to capture the serenity that I so badly needed. I had forgotten the child and was startled when she appeared.
"Hello Mr P, do you want to play?" she said.
"What did you have in mind?" I asked with a twinge of annoyance.
"I don't know, you say."
"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically. The tinkling laughter burst forth again.
"I don't know what that is."
"Then let's just walk." Looking at her I noticed the fairness of her face. "Where do you live?" I asked.
"Over there," she said as she pointed to a row of summer cottages.
Strange, I thought, in winter.
"Where do you go to school?"
"I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation." She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling a little better I agreed with her and smiled.Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her Mother on the porch and felt like demanding that she keep her child at home!
"Look, if you don't mind I'd rather be alone today." I said to Wendy as she caught up to me. I was cross with her.
She seemed unusually pale and out of breath. "Why?" she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, "Because my Mother died today!" and thought, why am I telling this to a little child?
"Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day."
"Yes," I answered. "And yesterday and the day before and oh, go away!"
"Did it hurt?" she asked.
"Of course it hurt!!!!!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.A month or so after that when I went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself that I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked on the door. A drawn looking woman opened the door.
"Hello," I said. I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was."
"Oh yes, Mr Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much I am afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please accept my apologies."
"Not at all, she's a delightful child," I said, suddenly realizing that I meant it. "Where is she?""Wendy died last week, Mr Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn't tell you."
Struck dumb I groped for a chair. My breath caught.
"She loved this beach; so when she asked to come we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had what she called 'happy days'. But the last few weeks she declined rapidly," her voice faltered.
"She left something for you. If only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?"I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something, anything, to say to this woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with "Mr.P" printed in bold, childish letters
Inside was a drawing with crayola bright hues; a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:
"A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY"
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's Mother in my arms.I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," I muttered over and over again, and we wept together.
The precious little picture is now framed and hangs in my study. Six words, one for each year of her life that speak to me of harmony, courage and love. A gift from a child with sea blue eyes who taught me the gift of love.
"The price of not loving another human being, is to love oneself less"
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My best wishes to all who read this and love to those who know I love them.Ana
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THAT DOES IT! I'M STAYING!!!
by Nathan Natas inoh, you can try your little cooing sentiments, you can send me more gifts, praise me and all that.. but i'm not leaving!
don't say i didn't warn you!
it's too late now!.
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ladonna
Nathan,
I LOVE Your comment!!!!!
Ahhhhh.....So great to have one that is not a prima donna
Ana
I will defend, to your death, my right to my opinion.
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Intro's quote-o-rama
by Introspection ini guess i've been inspired by stephen's quote threads, so i'm going to start one myself.. not one particular author here, just whatever i can find:.
q: why do you think that people are so protective of their egos?
why is it so hard to let go of one's ego?.
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ladonna
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
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Can I share a great experience with you all?
by jonjonsimons injust wanted to pass along a recent experience that has helped open my eyes about many things.
i wasn't going to share this with the db but with all of the crap going on around here lately i thought it might be nice to post something that i found to be uplifting.
a few of you that i exchange emails with already know that my leukemia came out of remission recently.
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ladonna
(((((((((((JJ))))))))))))
You have already shared your experience with me, thankyou.........
I hope you get some family back because you're one hell of a guy..
Love,
Ana -
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Eulogy for My Father
by Farkel inon tuesday, august 4, 2001 at 3:42.a.m.
mst, duane floyd checketts, 77 died in his sleep due to complications from pneumonia.
he is survived by his wife bette and two children, douglas checketts, patty smith, and 8 grandchildren.. duane, who was fondly called duke by everyone who knew him was born in farmington, utah on march 8, 1924. his father floyd, was one of 10 children raised in a tiny house built by his own mormon father who immigrated in the early 1860's from birmingham, england.
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ladonna
Dear Fark,
I had been away for a while and had not visited the forum.
Reading the eulogy to your father was a touching and emotive experience.
How fortunate a man he was to have had a son like you.
If I could reach over oceans, I would give you this, .........
((((((((((((((Fark))))))))))))))))))A Tribute to your Father, you, and life.........
The day is done, and the darkness
Falls from the wing of Night,
As a feather is wafted downward
From an eagle in its flight.I see the lights of the village
Gleam through the rain and mist,
And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me,
That my soul cannot resist.A feeling of sadness and longing,
That is not akin to pain,
And resembles sorrow only
As the mist resembles rain.Come, read to me some poem,
Some simple and heartfelt lay,
That shall soothe this restless feeling
And banish the thoughts of day....
Not from the grand old masters,
Not from the bards sublime,
Whose distant footsteps echo
Through the corridors of Time.
For, like strains of martial music,
Their mighty thoughts suggest
Life's endless toil and endeavor;
And to-night I long for rest.
Read from some humbler poet,
Whose songs gush'd from his heart,
As showers from the clouds of summer,
Or tears from the eyelids start,
Who, through long days of labor,
And nights devoid of ease,
Still heard in his soul the music
Of wonderful melodies.
Such songs have power to quiet
The restless pulse of care,
And come like the benediction
That follows after prayer.
Then read from the treasured volume
The poem of thy choice;
And lend to the rhyme of the poet
The beauty of thy voice.
And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.Love,
Ana....... -
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Goodbye, and Thanks For All the Fish......
by Prisca indear all,.
it is with much regret that i have decided to leave jw.com.
it is not a decision i have made lightly, in fact i had been thinking about it for many weeks now.. i am leaving because i cannot be a part of a forum that condones abuse and deliberate offensiveness towards other posters.
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ladonna
Dear Pris,
You already know that I regard you as a friend and you also know that I too have had to live down an awful scenario on this board that was never of my making.
I too almost left, but I didn't. I saw that that would have made that major person and the other two players winners when in fact they are nothing but losers in sheeps clothing........you know all of this........you allowed me to vent out with you.....
Please rethink this.......really carefully.......you have read all these posts from people that care about you.
If you still decide to leave, I will respect your wishes but will miss you around here greatly.
You are one of the loveliest people I have had the pleasure to meet here and I am so happy to call you my friend.Talk Later....
Love,
Ana