The Gift of Rain and Postage

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.


e. e. cummings

Positive thoughts are the most life giving gift we can give ourselves, especially when things are not going well in our lives. When we look upon nature in all its grandeur, it is hard to not believe that something all knowing, all powerful and watchful is presiding over us. As the rain finally fell upon my desperately drought ridden back yard last night, I could almost hear the trees and grass give a collective sigh of relief. Even though the sky lit up and belched a terrifying rumble that shook the very foundation of my home, I knew the corn would welcome more than a drink to cool parched and withering leaves, but an electrifying boost of creative energy as well. And so we rise to meet a new and glorious day; hopeful, renewed and longing for more insight like a rainbow outstretched on a distant horizon.



I apologize for not posting last week, but I was on a camping trip with my two boys. Unfortunately, I broke an arm while attempting to navigate a mountain bike trail and have been a bit incapacitated ever since. I hope to keep on in spite of having to be so much more patient getting dressed and performing the daily tasks that we all take for granted, like dressing and bathing ourselves. I am also reminded how much pain can affect and redirect our patience for the tiny annoyances that come along during the course of a day’s time. It is indeed a comfort to read E.E. Cumming’s quote above and to be reassured that God has all things in the palm of his hand. I thank you Aunt Jane for the simple gift of honest words and something as subtle as a postage stamp. Bless you!

Thoughts on the Lessons Learned from History

It is for each of us as citizens of the United States of America to raise the banner for which so many have fought and died to preserve. Will you be one of them, at least for today?


From the recesses of an old soul that lies within, I transcribe the thoughts and emotion of a nation’s turbulent history and the lessons learned therein. Why is it that politicians, no matter how learned or distinguished in their civilian professions, become like pawns in a game of give and take and partisan rhetoric? I am sickened to think that after more than two hundred years our republic is on the verge of ruin like the weather worn edifice of Greece or Rome. I am distraught to consider the old adage true that all great democracies built on individual freedoms and liberties are doomed to repeat the sins of ages past and crumble down upon them selves. Are the words of Founding Fathers merely an idea or theory printed on parchment to appease the riotous crowd whose cry for independence is muffled by tyranny and oppression? I call upon the highest ideals of men and women to transform this great land to its original intent and to sustain the banner “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We trust.”

From the grave I heard my ancestor cry: "I carried the orders from our Commanding General Washington to the bloody fields where our brethren lie distraught, wounded and dying.”Don't give up the fight!" he said, "Don't give up the fight!" And the men emerged from their tents, straightened up their soiled and worn cloaks and proceeded to pursue the dream of liberty for all! I awoke in tears to the echoes of defeat from our lofty Capital's Hills.

Today, July 3, 2012, we prepare to celebrate not only the founding of a brave new continent prescribed and ordained by God to lead a floundering world towards the ideal of “All Men are Created Equal, That they are endowed by their creator certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” but also to this oath; “We pledge our fortunes, our lives and our sacred honor.” Let us remember these words and not let “politics as usual” become the epitaph for this great land of opportunity. Let the sins of the present and past not burden us any longer and let us learn from the lessons that greed, corruption and want teach us about the worldly aspirations of the flesh. Let our spirits soar with eagles and proclaim “freedom” as our battle cry once more. Peace- Witt

Foxes and Fowls

Foxes have holes

Fowls’ their nests

But no place he,

his head to rest.

- Matthew 8:18-22

I find a riddle in these words, or more importantly, a challenge. Faith has a two fold message that puts the soul, mind and body on notice that each human being, comprised of an intrinsic trinity must come to an understanding that man is a reflection of God. Perhaps this is what I have come to know as a “sacred mystery.” We must all be willing to cast off the dark outer skin of our worldly selves and leave behind the sharp jagged refuse of our sinful past and take up a higher purpose for our being. As Christ showed us when he wrote in the dirt all of the blemishes of the high priests as they condemned a woman to death, we must let the wind wipe away the traffic of the well traveled road of our past understanding and become a new creation.

Some have called for “A new world order” in which humankind transcends the selfish motives of personal gain, power and greed to work for the common good of all. For these I believe have been the greatest downfall of man. When we can put aside these pitfalls of evil and deceit, then can we fully realize the end for which we seek; full communion with God. The universe stands before us as an example of what is paraphrased from Goethe as "an order and chaos that finds meaning in the hum of planets as they orbit a blazing star to transcend space and time to find the ultimate truth about our place in the cosmos."

We must all question and pursue our own destiny within this microcosm, yet we must embrace each moment as part of a journey to a higher end. The struggle and strife of worldly cares shape and form us to conform or break away from whatever challenges us along the way. It is merely a matter of choice to follow in the footsteps of destruction or eternal life. And so, the ultimate question is posed: “How will I live my life, for selfish gain or for the goodness that pervades every living thing on earth?” Will I bury myself underground in the safety of my will to survive or will I fly amongst the fowl that rise at dawn and sing the praises of a new day found?