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The Old Debate Begins Yet Again

I had the same argument last year, resolved it then, but it’s back again now. It’s all about a Christmas tree: do I want one – or not? If my answer is affirmative, then I must continue: real or phony? Tall or short? So many questions. So much to think about. My mind still entertains images of dancing sugarplums, happy family Christmastimes of many, many years ago. Now we’re scattered, erasing any temptation to gather as COVID-19 continues to dictate so many of our choices. (Actually, am I the only one who finds the rules becoming increasingly stringent?) Of course that ...

The Story Of A Local Man Serving In World War II

At the eleventh hour on Monday, November 11, 1918, an armistice between Germany and the Allied powers went into effect. It was a temporary, later made permanent, cessation of hostilities in The Great War. It marked the end of what the world, including millions who had experienced it directly, ...

Video, Photo ‘Stand-Ups’ And Masks Cover The News

I can’t tell who those people are on TV or in the newspapers. Why not? D’oh! They are all wearing masks! These days, aren’t we all? Yes and no. We are supposed to wear masks “in public.” That generally means any buildings where “masks required” signs are posted. Masks are also suggested whenever we are closer to each other than “social distancing,” about six feet away from each other. Amazingly, that is almost the same distance that the Benedictine nuns of sacred memory thought we boys should maintain while dancing with our girl classmates at the St. Joseph ...

Listening To Those Crying Out, Speaking From The Heart, Helps Heal

The second installment ended in dramatic fashion. A call from Maria and Ramon sounded desperate. They were facing Cicily all ready to drive to Queens to see her twin sister, Nina, who was hospitalized. Rising from her languid state, Cicily, energized from her shocked grief condition, began to mobilize to see Nina. That plan in the moment was unrealistic on many fronts. An eight-hour drive to Queens might be futile; family was in quarantine, Nina was hospitalized with a no-visitor rule in place, and lastly, no hotel/motel provisions were viable. What to do? Calls to clergy and physician ...

Patience, Appreciation: We Don’t Often Notice

“Said ‘Woman, take it slow, and it’ll work itself out fine,’ All we need is just a little patience Said ‘Sugar, make it slow and we’ll come together fine’” All we need is just a little patience…” “Patience” by Guns and Roses I can’t recall a time when I’ve ...

Maria, Ramon Struggle To Take Care Of Mother With Sick Twin

The first of three installments brought attention to a couple, Maria and Ramon, who were greatly concerned for Maria’s mother’s health and well-being. By their collective description, Cicily, Maria’s mother, was devastated upon hearing news of her twin sister’s hospitalization. A telephone call from Cicily’s family in Queens, a week earlier came with bad news. Nina was hospitalizes for the COVID-19 virus. Cicily shut down. She’s not eating, sleeping, or responding verbally. Daily calls from Nina’s family keeps this family informed. A call to Cicily’s doctor was met with a ...