Saturday, July 9, 2016

Celebration Fills The Empty Spaces


          Celebrating with Ruth Ayres at Discover Play Build.  and connecting with others who share their celebrations, too.  




       I took some time posting the following yesterday on Facebook. My words did not come easily, wanting to say something that added to a tough conversation, and now today, many are possibly asking "How can we celebrate?"  But we must not give up what is a fight for what's right. My mother told me of those years in World War II when the family went years without seeing loved ones,  read dreadful headlines of battles all over the world, and didn't know where their loved ones were. They did not give up, and kept living their lives, hopeful, often doubtful, worried, joyful when good news came. I celebrate they made lives matter, for our future goodness. 

       And I celebrate that we persevered and marched in the sixties for Civil Rights, thinking that it wouldn't get better, and it did. Now it's time to fight and march again to make change.

       From FB: There is solace in going about our daily lives, and there is that which pushes us to action, to find something good to hold onto when so much is troubled around us. I am thinking of that "day before", the one where life was good for Philando Castle, Alton Sterling and the police officers, all doing their lives with family and friends, adding to others' lives in good ways. And now it is the "day after". . . and time to step up to make everyone's lives matter, because those lost cannot do that now. We need to do it for them. A Poetry Friday friend posted this poem today. Here is her link: https://kerirecommends.com/…/…/poetry-friday-in-summer-time/ And here are the four lines that touched me, as I hope they touch you, and help you do well with your lives today and tomorrow, too! 


"The summer sounds, and summer sights,
That set a restless mind to rights
When grief and pain and raging doubt
Of men and creeds have worn it out;" Paul Lawrence Dunbar

                       I celebrate and keep on for these children, for all children. How can I not!






18 comments:

  1. I hear you, my friend. Part of no internet and not following news is living in a happy bubble. The bigger the shock when returning to hear the news and ask "What's going on with this world and people?"

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    1. Thanks, Terje. I felt that way returning from the beach.

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  2. Your words are so true. We keep going by being in the small moments of every day. Right now my daughter is in the midst of interviews for her first "real" job and wedding plans. So I can see good in the future. The will to keep going is in the "dailiness" of life, those small moments, the ones we love, the faith we hold on to. And knowing lives do matter, and doing all we can to show that is not just words, it is the way we live.

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    1. Thanks, Diane. I'm glad to know about this happy time for your daughter. Best wishes to her!

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  3. Wise sentiments Linda. Thanks for this post.

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  4. Thank you for sharing these words to live by...the pain of thinking about lives lost hurts so much. I pray for the families who've lost someone they love. Prayer helps.

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    1. Thanks, Amy, it's been a painful week from afar. I can't imagine how those who have had such a loss are doing.

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  5. I am taking such comfort in these lines:I celebrate they made lives matter, for our future goodness.
    Thank you, Linda.

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    1. You're welcome, Tara. I am thankful for my family who showed that tough times can be endured, and overcome, too.

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  6. Linda, you've found what matters in all of this upheaval we are experiencing right now. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. You're welcome, Julie. It feels so important.

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  7. My heart hurts for the continued violence in our world. And I'm encouraged by your reminder - they did not give up and neither must we. I have much to learn and was touched by Franki's latest post that shared so many resources. Love your collage of those grandchildren!

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    1. Yes, Franki's post was filled with good links. Thanks, Ramona, wishing you a wonderful time with that new grandson!

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  8. Marching in the sixties for change as you did, it is so very hard to see what is going on right now. But perspective has taught me to look at how very far as a people we have come. We may have far to go but I know in my heart we will get there. As you said, us grandmothers must keep striving and keep the faith for the new generation.

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    1. I find it hard too, to see that there is still so much division, but I am hopeful. Thanks, Bernadette.

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  9. I so enjoyed the way you linked fight that traditionally have been considered worth fighting for to present fights that are still worthy of our time and talent. We can change the world even in the smallest ways by remaining strong in that desire to continue moving forward.

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    1. Making the world we live in better, especially in areas we still aren't getting "right" is something important to me. Thank you!

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