What Do We Do Now?

It is the day after the day after the election.  In my state, a change in partisan control took place in the Governor's office and both chambers of the state legislature.  An incumbent U.S. Senator lost.  Those that support the party that will soon control most of the elected offices in my state are quite gleeful.  Their mantra is:  The people want change. 

Those that support the party that lost control of most elected offices in my state are saying they are happy.  They argue that the other party will now have the responsibility of cleaning up the mess they created.

I have always argued that campaigning and governing are two different animals.  One party ran a system of campaigns that was effective.  However, the supporters of this party now have to hold the feet of the newly elected officials to the fire.  The electoral courtship is over - the campaign to get the newly empowered party to the altar has been successful.  We will soon get a more accurate picture of the party we "married" - warts and all.  If the new spouse doesn't do what they promised (aka:  to govern), we can count on another divorce in two years.

Spring Break In October

Earlier this week, we had frost every night.  However, we are now entering into a very mild stretch of weather with sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s (far above the average for this region at this time of the year). 

Unfortunately, I am not able to fully enjoy this wonderful weather environment.  I am stranded in my own home.  Earlier this morning, after my wife left for work, I heard and felt a thud in the house.  My initial assumption was that the beloved canine knocked something over.  I did some investigating and found a sleeping dog and no signs of mischief.

All was going as usual until I pressed the button for the garage door opener and nothing happened.  I pressed it again and still nothing.  Then I noticed that the spring that makes it possible to lift the door had snapped in two.  That was the thud I felt and heard earlier.  This has happened before.  The garage door is down and is not moving.  My car is inside and is not moving, either.

So, here I sit.  Fortunately, I am able to connect to the computer server at work and can accomplish quite a bit.  However, it is a strange feeling to know that I just cannot go get into the car and drive somewhere.  While I don't have to face such challenges very often, many people with disabilities face the challenge of being "stranded" at home every day of their lives.  They cannot come up with the idea of going to a movie and then just go.  They have to make arrangements to find transporation.  If transportation is available at all, it is often difficult to coordinate and is very expensive - even in the large university city where I live.

A Foxy Challenge

A friend that is a priest of St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, WI, was recently playing a bit of tennis for some exercise.  Lo and behold, his tennis match was "crashed" by one of the residents of the abbey property.  Father Andrew was able to snap a photo of the "crasher".

A Good Batting Average

My sister-in-law, Jane, passed away last month.  Jane was a free-spirit.  She left her husband and two small sons many years ago to pursue the party life that she thought would make her happy.  She never did find much happiness.  She passed away after a pretty tough battle with cancer.

Yesterday, the family got together to fulfill Jane's wishes regarding her mortal remains.  It was a pretty tough family reunion, as many of the members still harbor bitter feelings toward Jane for turning her back on her husband and two small sons.  We can all question why Jane did some things she did and whe she didn't do things she should have done.  Thirteen family members were at the informal memorial service.  If it weren't for Jane, five of those people - her former husband, her two sons, her daughter-in-law, and her young grandson (whom Jane was able to hold two weeks before she died) would not be part of our family. 

In spite of many questionable things Jane did and didn't do during her earthly journey, she made it possible for five wonderful people to be part of our family (and made it possible for three of those five people to exist).  That's a pretty good batting average.

It's Not What You Know, But Whom You Know

I was delivered by the Green Bay Packer team physician two days after a game.  In those days, hygiene wasn't what it is today.  I could very well have Packer blood in me.  I was born too late to remember the Packer "glory years" of the 60s.  For most of my youth, we considered a Packer loss by less than 10 points to be a victory.  Even with that factored in, the Packers still lost most of the time.  My family had (and still does have) season tickets.  I think I went to 7 games before seeing a victory.

As the years went by, I always hoped I would live long enough to experience the Packers winning a Super Bowl.   That really was one of my top hopes for life.  Along came the mid-90s.  The Packers became one of the dominant teams in the NFL.  They were on a roll.  My father and I went to many playoff games.  When it looked likely that the Packers would go to the Super Bowl, the Packer organization held a lottery.  The few winners would have the opportunity to buy tickets to the Super Bowl at face value.  My father's name was picked!  I could not believe my good fortune - I was going to the Super Bowl and might actually see the Packers return to glory!

Fast forward to the Monday after the Super Bowl.  That Packers won.  Time spent in New Orleans was amazing.  I saw more people I knew from my hometown there than I would have walking around my hometown.  I had seen the Packers win the Super Bowl!  My hope was realized. 

However, I was given much more than what I hoped for.  Yes, I saw the Packers win the Super Bowl.  What was more significant was that I saw the Packers win the Super Bowl with my father.  At that time, he was close to 70 and retired.  On the tour we took to the Super Bowl, we had to stay at a hotel that was 90 minutes away from New Orleans.  At my father's suggestion, we took the first shuttle bus into New Orleans on each of the three days we were there and the last bus back.  Yes, we left at 8:00 am every morning and returned at 3:00 am.  We experienced all that New Olreans has to offer.  Several times during the trip, my father said something like "Don't tell your mother about this." 

I saw the Packers win the Super Bowl.  More importantly, I experienced that event with my father.

I was thinking about this earlier today while attending the funeral for Sylvia, a 90 year old woman that I have gotten to know over the past year during weekly visits to bring Communion to people at a nearby assisted living and rehabilitation center.  Although suffering from dementia, Syvia became crystal clear whenever I brought her Communion.  Invariably, she would say, "Thank you so much.  You don't know what this means to me".  Sylvia experinced many things in her life.  She was very well-educated at a time when many people felt that educating women beyond high school (except for teachers and nurses) was a waste of time.  Sylvia earned a Ph.D. in English Literature and Communications.  She taught for many years as a full professor at a major university.  Given all that she achieved, one might think her obituary and eulogy would be full with a list of professional milestones.  However, at Sulvia's request, these were the words that were shared.  "I have enjoyed many highlights during my life.  My family, friends and students comprise those highlights.  Thank you all for sharing this journey with me."

It is not what you know, but whom you know.

On The Clock

I just learned that the father of a good friend passed away recently.  His mother passed away lassed year.  So, he is experiencing the feelings one has when both parents have passed away.  Two weeks ago, I attended the wake for the mother of another friend.  Her father passed away last year.  She, too, is discovering the feelings one has when both parents have passed away.

Like my friends, I am experiencing what it is like when your parents are no longer living.  Fortunately, like my friends, both of my parents lived long and productive lives.  While there remains a deep sense of loss for all of us, we share the joy knowing that our parents lived full lives and are now on another journey (and reunited with other loved ones that have passed away).

I guess I have to get ready for this.  I am of an age where most of my friends still have both parents that are living.  In a few years, that will no longer be the case.  A few years after that, most of my friends will have no parents that are still living.  A few years after that, an increasing number of my friends will pass away due to natural causes.

This does not have to be a morbid thought.  All of this is part of both the earthly and spiritual the life cycles.

Who Cares?

LeBron James is hosting a one hour special that will be aired live on ESPN to announce which NBA team he plans to join as a free agent.

Would Nelson Mandela or Mother Teresa have held a televesion special to announce the next cause(s) to which the would devote themselves? In twenty years, LeBron James will be remembered by those few people that memorize sports statistics. Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa will be remembered as being being a part of positive world history for centuries to come.