Memories II

Funny how innocent little every day occurrences can release a flood of memories.  

Last night I was channel surfing trying to find anything that might be interesting on TV.  Something that is very hard to do these days.  TV sure isn’t what it used to be…in my opinion.

Anyway, I’m flipping through the channels when I run across the great movie Gone With The Wind and instantly I was zapped back to 1961 and the first time I saw GWTW.

I was making plans with my friends to go see the movie Atlantis The Lost Continent a movie that at the time got a lot of hype and I was very eager to see.  However, Mom had other plans for me.  She wanted me to go with her to see GWTW.  Not only did she want me to go….she insisted that I go. 

You have to understand, I was a very strong willed child and could really pitch a fit when I didn’t get my way.  However, I was also my Mother’s daughter and came by that trait naturally because Mom was just as strong willed and had more practice at getting her way!

I was sooooo angry.  She was of course ruining my entire weekend and who wanted to see a dumb ole movie about the Civil War!!!  But she was a sly fox.  She didn’t tell me anything about the movie, or why she wanted me to see it…she just drug me to the theater kicking and screaming (metaphorically speaking of course) all the way.  I was mad and deliberately refused to get sucked into the movie until the scene at the beginning where Scarlett throws the vase at Rhett for eavesdropping on her conversation with Ashley.  

After that I was hopelessly hooked on the entire 3 hr, 44 minute saga of Scarlett and Rhett.  I went back and saw the movie anytime it was showing.  Read the book countless times and had my favorite sections marked.  I drooled over Rhett and wished I had Scarlett’s guts. 

Now, with maturity, I recognize Scarlett for the spoiled little brat that she was…but she sure did keep the story interesting.  And for all her faults she was in the end…an incredible survivor. 

Every die hard fan knows that in the 1991 Alexandra Ripley wrote a sequel to GWTW, but I and almost everyone else was very disappointed.  It just didn’t keep up with Margret Mitchell’s talent for story telling.

So last night was bitter sweet…to watch the movie again, thanking Mom the entire time and wishing with all my heart that she was there, to share it with her one more time.

Rare Delights

Ahhhh….spring is in the air!!  This is my time of year, when life is vibrant and renewed.  All the creatures feel it too.  The birds sing a different song.  Sonny and Cher romp harder and longer in the yard.  I am compelled toward the gardens. 

I also remember some of my favorite encounters with the wild world during this time of year.  I wish I’d kept a journal over the years dedicated just to these encounters.  They were so special and I fear that my memory does not do them justice.

Many years ago I moved to the island of Guam.  On my first time on a sail boat I was thrilled with the experience.  The Palumin Tasi was a 35’, single-masted sloop that had picked up a strong wind just off the coast of the island.  As she flew through the water a pod of dolphins picked us up for their fun and swam just under the bow of the boat.  The down-wind gunnel of the boat was right at waters edge, so I lay down on the deck with my hand over the side skimming the surface of the water. One of the dolphins came up under my hand and swam alongside with my hand on its back.  What a thrill.  It lasted only seconds, but in my mind it is there forever.

Another time I was hiking the rim of the Red River Gorge on a clear spring day.  I was by myself and enjoying the day.  There was a point in the trail where it led out to a dead-end looking over the gorge below.  A slight breeze caught my attention and then the scream of a hawk as it dove just above my head.  If I had seen it coming I could have grabbed it from mid-air.  I don’t know if I startled it, or it was warning me off, perhaps I was too close to a nest.  Whatever, the bird was beautiful and within inches of my face for just a split second. 

Since we’ve moved into our current home we are constantly seeing wild creatures.  Our most special was many years ago we found a den of red fox on our property.  We discovered them one day as Pete was bush-hogging our field.  As he turned the tractor at the end of the field and started back down its length a fox would come out of the tree stand and follow along behind the tractor catching mice and voles.  As it captured one it would head back to the edge of the field where two young kits waited for dinner.  The other parent sat just a few yards off keeping a close eye on everything.  

 This encounter went on for several weeks.  Actually it became quite an every evening entertainment to the point that friends were coming over with their lawn chairs to watch the evening’s activities.  Every late afternoon the family would make its appearance for another lesson in fox livelihood.  The kits grew to the point that they were following the parent into the field for that evening’s dinner. 

Our favorite evening was when a gaggle of Canada Geese landed on the pond. As they foraged in the field for greens one of the adult foxes decided that a goose should be dinner that evening.  As he crouched down, stalking his way toward a lone goose he failed to notice that all the other geese were surrounding him in their inner circle.  When he was about to strike he looked around and realized he was in mortal danger and slowly backed up until he was outside the circle and then walked off with his head hanging in dejection.  Boy, do I wish I’d had a video camera that night.

Another evening I was watching a fawn prance around in our back yard from the kitchen window.  As I watched enjoying its playful antics the fawn suddenly stopped with its nose down in the high grass.  Then suddenly both the fawn and a stray cat jumped straight up in the air.  The cat turned in mid-air and when it landed took off in the opposite direction….the fawn was in high chase.  Never have I seen a deer chase a cat before. 

I could go on and on with stories like these.  As they occur they are a constant source of delight and education.  And I think that in part, I have Spring to thank for these rare delights.

Choices

I heard very sad news this week.  An acquaintance, someone I did not know well committed suicide.  Again, I didn’t know her well, I only recognize the name, don’t have a face to go with it, but nonetheless…how sad.

Over the years I have known a few people who have committed this act.  Years ago a young woman I had worked with took her life.  I’ve had two family members who years ago were desperate and I knew two different friends in Alaska who took their lives in desperation.  In every case I am left with the huge question….why?

I can’t imagine reaching such a point in my life that I would consider taking my own life.  My two friends in Alaska made the decision after suffering for a few years with debilitating diseases that ended any quality of life they might have hoped to have.  But for me, that could not be a decision I would make.  I have too much faith in the purpose of my life and its spiritual journey.  I know that if I am stricken with a disease that there is a reason and knowing that karma does exist, that I am destined to learn and grow from each facet of my life. 

I will never forget the phone call I received one day from a dear loved one who called to tell me that she planned to take her life soon.  She spelled out exactly how she would proceed and was calling to say goodbye.  There was nothing I could do, I was not in a position to physically stop her….but I did, with my words. 

My training in rape crisis intervention kicked in to automatic overdrive and we talked for quite a while.  Then I remember telling her how much I was going to miss her, how much I loved her and how sad I would be when she was gone.  It seems like it was those words that turned the tide.  She just needed to know that someone cared and would miss her if she was gone.  Happily she lived a long life and eventually died of natural causes. 

But I think about the woman who took her life this week.  I wonder if there was anyone she could have turned to that would have made a difference.  I mentioned in my blog “Warrior Moms” a quote by Bob Woodward, the famous journalist and author that our culture is currently in the middle of an ‘epidemic of disconnection’.  This act is a symptom of that epidemic.  People who are connected, loved, valued and needed do not commit suicide. 

So, my acquaintance made a difficult choice this week.  One that was no doubt silent and invisible to those around her.  How sad that she was a victim of the epidemic and that someone, somewhere in her life might have had the right words for her. 

Memories

Anybody see Oprah when she had Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford on…their first interview together ever and two of my favs.  Made sure I didn’t miss this show. 

What a treat to see them together and hear what they had to say about their careers.  Sorry, but I get kind of gushy about the two of them.  ‘Funny Girl’ is one of my all time favorite movies.  Can’t begin to say how many times I’ve seen it ….I can say almost every line for every character and can sing every song (although you wouldn’t want to hear me) without missing a word. 

And Robert, what woman my age doesn’t have some pretty hot memories of that guy.  I remember him in an early flop, ‘Downhill Racer’ but it was his role with Jane Fonda when they were kids in ‘Barefoot in the Park’ when I really noticed him.  After that every movie with him in it was an automatic must see for me. 

Today was fabulous since with the two of them together the focus was on ‘The Way We Were’ which is another great film.  Seeing them together on Oprah’s stage reminded all of us watching of the passing of time.  They sure don’t look like they did back then…but they both have achieved so much with their careers.  Both are award winning actors, directors and producers but beyond the obvious is what doesn’t get as much attention.  They are both political activitists….Barbra for the candidate of her choice and Robert for the environment.  Robert of course founded the Sundance Film Festival which has launched many a career in the performing arts.  Barbra is heavily involved in supporting medical research activities for women’s cardiac health among other things.

They are both such classy people and I find it sad that we don’t see as much of them on the silver screen anymore.  But then, that is their choice and it is their lives…so be it.  It is enough to see them on these rare occasions and to have our own memories.

Warrior Moms

A few weeks ago I wrote about ‘Warrior Women’….the fact that there is now evidence that Amazon women did actually exist thanks to archeological digs and DNA evidence founds in the steppes of Russia. 

Today I want to write about ‘Warrior Moms’.  As usual I was watching Oprah from wince comes my inspiration.  Today’s broadcast was on military families and their struggles.  Her honored guests included Tom Brokaw, Bob Woodward and Michelle Obama.

The first family featured was an Army soldier who came back from Iraq with severe head injuries including blindness.  His wife, Jenny, brought tears to my eyes.  Her story and that of her family portrayed sacrifice and moral fortitude that is so far beyond anything I’ve ever experienced that it is difficult to find the words that begin to do her justice.  In addition to full time care for her now permanently disabled husband their two young children of course need her attention and care. 

Teresa is a Mom who lost her twenty-two year old son to the war in Iraq.  Five-six times a year she makes a 5 hour drive to Arlington National Cemetery to read her son’s favorite book to him, place flowers, talk to him and leave his favorite food behind at his grave marker.  Six years later she still misses him like the day she attended his funeral.

Bob Woodward has studied and written about the affects of the war on American military families and one of his comments struck a chord with me…that we have an ‘epidemic of disconnection’ happening in our country as evidenced by how most of us pay little or no attention to the plight of our military families.  He noted that ‘we get into trouble when we don’t pay attention’ and my gut tells me he is right on target. 

I had never heard the terms ‘Gold Star’ and ‘Blue Star’ families before… Blue Star representing those families with active duty soldiers among their ranks and ‘Gold Star’ for those families who have lost a loved one.   They also mentioned a website where you can locate wounded soldiers in your community to reach out to them and their families.  I tried to find the site with no luck.  If anyone finds it, please send it to me. 

Oprah noted how every teacher should know which kids in the classroom have a father or mother deployed and how every church member should know who in their congregation is either a Blue Star or Gold Star family. 

The stories of these Warrior Moms brought tears to my eyes.  Their bravery, their fidelity ….every act of their lives serves as role models for all of us.  Whether genetically or spiritually, we have Warrior Women living quiet lives among us, it is time to reach out and embrace them.

If you want to act now, try the link below.

serve.gov

Heroes II

It bothers me that in a previous blog I was unable to identify any heroes for myself.  I looked the word up in the dictionary just to make sure I was clear on who a hero might be.  The dictionary says….

                “ 1. A mythological or legendary figure, often of divine ancestry, who is favored by the gods

endowed with great courage and strength, and celebrated for his bold exploits. 2.  A man noted for courageous acts or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his life. 

3.  A man noted for special achievements in a particular field. “

First, I have to take exception with the word ‘man’ throughout.  The copyright on this edition is 1994.  Should have gotten that part right at least!!

But beyond the obvious sexism, I would of course place all of our soldiers, fire fighters, policemen/women, ambulance workers, etc. in the category.  But my search is for a personal hero.  Who might that be??

When I think about my values and what I hold dear two names do come to mind:  John Muir and Galen Rowell.

John Muir (1838-1914) was a Scotsman whose family moved to Wisconsin when he was a young boy.  His family life was very strict and rigid and so at a young age he struck out on his own and eventually ended up in Yosemite Valley.  He was of course the founder of the Sierra Club but more importantly was the work he did all his life in helping to preserve the wild places of the world.  When you read any books about him you can’t help but be in awe of this man whose courage was mythological in proportions. 

There was a time when I read everything I could get my hands on about him.  Two stories remain vivid.  John Muir spent most of his life alone in the wild places and as such he sought out experiences that most of us would work hard to avoid.  For instance there was the time a wildfire was raging in the Redwood forests of Yosemite.  Rather than run from the fire he ran toward it, to one of the giant Redwoods that he knew to be hollow at the ground level.  He wanted to experience the fire first hand, in the midst of it.  So there he sat, hunkered down inside the trunk of a hollow Redwood for many hours while the fire raged around him.

He also deliberately climbed to the top of one of the giant Redwoods during a lightening storm.  Once again he wanted to experience the storm first hand.  So during the height of the lightening and thunder with the rain pouring on him and the top of the tree swaying in a terrific wind storm, he clung on for dear life….you might refer to him in today’s terms as an adrenalin junkie!

His legacy lives on through the efforts of the Sierra Club and the work they do to preserve the wild places and protect the environment of the world.

Galen Rowell (1940-2002) was a contemporary of our times and an outstanding photographer.  I had the pleasure of introducing him years ago to an auditorium full of people attending our local Sierra Club fundraiser.  I did not know until today, as I prepared to write this blog, that he had died in an airplane crash returning from a photo assignment in Alaska. 

Galen was an award winning nature photographer and traveled the world capturing those images that we all enjoy in National Geographic, Life, Nature Photographer to name a few.  His photographs captured us that evening as he took us to Yosemite, Denali, Tibet and around the world.  Beyond his talent as a photographer, he lived the values he professed to.  He was an outstanding person and the world is a lesser place for his loss. 

If you want to know more about either of these men use these links to Wikipedia.  They give a nice overview of both. 

Galen Rowell:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galen_Rowell

John Muir:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Muir

So for today, as of this writing, these are my two heroes.  I admire their work and their values and I wish there were more of them in the world.