"It Don't Mean Nothing"

The Wall That Heals is at Faith Christian Academy in Arvada and today I drove over to see it.  I tried to remember what I knew of the Vietnam War and realized I did not know much. I knew people were against Jane Fonda for her stance on the war, that it lasted for a long time, that we never won the war, that young men were fleeing to Canada to avoid going to war, and when soldiers returned home they were greeted with jeers and put downs. A friend who served in the Vietnam War told me: "I did not have a night that I did not sleep with my helmet on, that I was  afraid of being killed by a sniper, that most of the soldiers were on drugs because it was the only way to survive and I will never forget the rain and mud!" Another friend told me her brother served in Vietnam and when he returned he was not the same health wise as when he left.

Today, as I approached the large field, the first thing I saw was a huge tractor-trailer filled with information about the Vietnam War. A film of all the soldiers from the Metro Denver area was shown. I saw faces from Westminster, Longmont, Aurora, Littleton, Denver, and many other cities as the faces rolled by. The young men's pictures passed slowly on the screen as people watched for someone they knew. A few stepped up to take a picture of a father, son or relative. My heart felt sad at the loss of so many young men.

Other panels were interesting as they showed different aspects of the war. A motorcycle with names inscribed on the gas tank, notes sent from the war zone to their loved ones; boots, helmets, and canteens had writings from the soldiers.

On one of the panels I read how after one soldier, after he came home wanted to do something for those soldiers who had lost their lives in Vietnam. He wanted to build a wall in tribute to the many who lost their lives. He began fund raising and when enough was collected he held a contest to see who could come up with an appropriate memorial. A twenty year old Chinese student going to school in the United States won and the wall was erected in Washington, D.C. The wall I saw is smaller than the one in Washington, D. C. but it is quite moving and a feeling of wanting to cry overcame me. So many names!

When I looked across the field and saw the wall with 58,318 names I was amazed. So many dead. I saw people rubbing a name by using a blank sheet of paper and a pencil. Some people were embracing and crying, and that brought tears to my eyes. Vietnam vets wearing a vest, jacket or cap showing they had also served in Vietnam wandered around the field. Some were taking pictures and yet it was a very somber gathering.

The wall stretched to a corner going west and the turned to continue going north. Some flowers with notes to loved ones were scattered at the bottom of the wall. I heard one woman say, "I can't find his name." A volunteer stepped up to help her look. I hope they found the name because it must bring some satisfaction that a loved one has been remembered.

There was a picture of a sculpture representing the women who were in Vietnam. I feel a bit ashamed that I never gave Vietnam much thought and especially of women who also served in the military.

Seeing the wall, seeing the people moved by the wall, seeing the veterans who made it home, and seeing how many soldiers were lost in the war, was enough to make me retreat to my car to cry.

Who Is Irena Sendler?

I had never heard the name and when I received the Netflix movie titled, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, I was ready to find out about the woman. The cover of the DVD explained that in the early days of World War II, Polish Catholic social worker Irena Sendler devises a daring plan: Disguised as nurses, she and colleagues gain access to the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw and smuggle some 2,500 Jewish children to safety.

There have been many stories and books that I have read or seen about the Holocaust, yet this movie showed the agonizing separations between parents and children. Also, the loving and caring Polish families who adopted the Jewish children at a great risk to their own lives. It surprised me that the children had to learn how to make the sign of the cross, pray Catholic prayers and never speak Yiddish in order to fit into their new families.

The Jewish parents had fears that their children would be converted to Catholicism and lose their Jewish faith so they hesitated in letting the children go with Irena. Every child's name and where the child was placed with documented and saved so that when the war was over the children could be returned to their own families that might still be living in Warsaw.

An interesting movie that once again brought up how cruelly the Jewish people were treated by the Germans. Irena is captured and tortured but manages to escape with the help of people working in the underground.

She lived to be ninety-eight and in her talks she always stressed to pray and remember those parents who gave up their children, for the families that took in the children and for the many Jewish persons killed at that time.

"I swore never to be silent

whenever and wherever 

human beings endure

suffering and humiliation. 

We must take sides. 

Neutrality helps the oppressor, 

never the victim. Silence encourages

the tormentor, never the tormented."

Elie Wiesel

Self-Timed Photos

When a group picture is to be taken but the photographer can not be in the picture, it is always fun to try a self-timed photo. I say fun because those self-timed pictures do not work the first time I try it. Either the photographer does not have enough time to get in the picture before the "click" or if she makes it to the group it's a partial body picture.

While the photographer fools with the camera, resets the timer and makes a mad rush to get into the picture, everybody else patiently waits and yells at the photographer to hurry. If the camera takes the picture, every one's expression is not the best.

Yesterday, after six or seven tries I did manage to get a picture with me in it. I had to step over and around the dog who insisted on leading the way! Most of the pictures were taken before I had set the camera to self-time and those turned out okay. When I finally made it to the group, I was not sure I was in the picture. But, when I acually

saw the picture, I liked it because it looks as if two of us are dancing!

Being so busy fooling around with the self-timer that I did not notice that one of the ladies was hiding behind small flower pots.  So much for trying to get a good group photo!

Friends, you and me.....

you brought another friend....

then there were three...

We started our group....

our circle of friends...

and like a circle, there is no 

beginning and no end."

Eleanor Roosevelt

A Day With Friends

Today we drove to Heritage Lavender farm and even though it took us awhile to find it because GPS had us going in circles, we finally found it. The sign to the farm is small but with eight eyes looking for it, we finally spotted the driveway leading back to the many lavender plants! Maxine, a friendly German Shepherd, greeted us as we got out of the car. We met the owner, Trudy Perry, and she told us all about the farm. She mentioned that she had worked in Health services and wanted to do something different. All I could think of was, what a fun second career!

Reading her brochure I found out that Heritage Lavender is, "Nested near the quiet hills of Berthoud, Colorado, Heritage Lavender is home to over thirty different varieties of lavender." In one acre there are over 500 lavender plants. The plants are grown using organic practices without the use of synthetic chemical herbicides or pesticides. It is good to know that some growers are farming without chemicals and more interested in healthy growing.

Even though none of the plants were blooming she did mention that in July the lavender flower will be seen all over the area. Made me think I would like to return to see the area covered in lavender blooms! In the meantime, while my friends looked at plants to buy, I went into the gift store and purchased lavender soap and a sachet of lavender. I liked the smell of lavender.

On our way home we stopped for lunch at Aunt Alice's Kitchen and noticed that the parking lot was full of cars so we figured it must be a good place to eat.  The menu had a large variety of things to order, the service was good and we were seated right away in a large booth. Could we have asked for anything more?

Our next stop was the Cheese Importers and I have never seen such a display of orange and yellow flowers. The entrance and the tables covered in colorful tablecloths gave me a happy feeling! Inside the narrow aisles had French items on either side and one could spend hours just looking at books, aprons, glassware, candy, trays, lotions, bowls, and anything French that might be needed! The special cheese room was cold with hundreds of varieties of cheese. They do have jackets hanging by the entrance to the cheese room, in case it is to cold for those entering the room to find a cheese!

After Cheese Importers there was some discussion as to whether we should go the Flower Bin, a place to buy plants and gardening stuff.  Since I was the only one without a garden or flowers, my three friends decided to stop. I was glad we stopped because I found neat items to photograph for my blog while they purchased perennials

.
On our way home we were hit by a heavy rainstorm that kept the windshield wipers splatting at a fast pace, yet when we neared Arvada we could tell that not a bit of rain had fallen. As everyone got dropped off with their plants and memories, we said goodbye and agreed the day had been special and full of fun.

"True friendship is when friends can walk

in opposite directions yet remain side by side."

Josh Grayson

Penny Lost, Penny Found

"Feel good in a clean car!"

Today I took my car to wash and the price had gone up to eight dollars. The last time I had washed my car at the auto wash the price was seven dollars.  I guess the last time I washed my car was before January, 2019, because the attendant told me that is when the price went up. After slowly rolling through the car wash and looking at the greenish soap suds, I put my car in gear and drove to where the vacuums are located. Pulling the long yellow hose I began to suck up the trash and dirt on the floor boards.  I saw a penny but before I could move the vacuum away the hose swallowed the penny with a whooshing of air. Darn, I thought, that was a reminder from my son Andy. Oops, sorry son.

I finished vacuuming the car and wondered how it could get so dirty since I am the only one that drives it. Replacing the hose I started to get into my car when a few feet away, in a muddy puddle, I saw a dirty penny.  Did Andy put it there because of the one that had been scooped up in the vacuum? I didn't know but I did pick up the penny and it will join my saved Andy pennies!

Strange, my son let me know he was with me this morning as I cleaned my car!

"Drive in

get wash,

be happy."

From the

 Internet

Holy Spirit Was in Rare Form Yesterday

It seems as if the Holy Spirit does not get as much attention as The Father or The Son. Yesterday was the celebration of Pentecost when Christ appeared to the Apostles after His ascension into heaven. My previous blog was about Spirit of Christ Catholic Community, Pentecost and saying goodbye to a priest who will be off on new adventures by taking care of his aging parents and giving talks at different parishes. He has a special way of telling stories that bring us back to his Homilies.

This blog is about how I believe the Holy Spirit showed a sense of humor.  As I entered the pew I noticed tags at the end of the pew. The tags were there so every one would write their name on them and place the sticky tag on their chest. That would give us an idea of whom we were talking with, or at least know their first name! I decided not to put a tag on.

Looking across the church I could see the majority of the people had a tag and wondered if I should put one also. I looked down and noticed their were no pens so again I thought I would not put a tag on my chest! Mass began and right before the first reading, a noise made me look across the aisle. Two pens had fallen to the floor and were rolling down the aisle. One lady grabbed one pen but the other pen rolled up to my foot and stopped.

I picked the pen up, wrote my name on the tag, stuck it on my chest and wondered, coincidence? I think not!

"The Holy Spirit's voice

is as loud as your

willingness to listen."

From Pinterest

Red Was The Color of the Day

At the ten-thirty mass Pentecost Sunday came in with singing, banners and lots of red! Both the priest and the Deacon looked wonderful in their red vestments trimmed in gold. If you happened to feeling a bit blue, you spruced up when the banners trailed by long red and white ribbons entered the church. Red gladiolas adorned the church and the altar had a red cloth covering it.

Today was also the celebration of Spirit of Christ Catholic Community because Pentecost is the day of the Holy Spirit. After Christ's resurrection and His ascension the Holy Spirit was manifested on Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of Jesus' promises. Usually pictures will show a flame over the apostles' heads on Pentecost. The priest mentioned that as he looked around at the congregation he could almost picture a flame over each head!

Mass was bitter-sweet because the priest said his farewell since he has been called to do other duties and will no longer be at Spirit of Christ. Though he did say that he will return if needed, after all he still has the key to the church! He choked up a bit when he said that he would be taking care of his aging parents. He will also be giving missions or talks and promised to let everyone know where he will be so we can attend some of his talks.

As he walked back to the altar after the homily and good-byes, many parishioners were wiping their eyes. I felt a bit choked up because I know that his messages have always seem to tweak my heart. After mass he was greeted by many persons coming to say good-bye and to eat a donut.  His parents were in attendance and I said to his mother, "I am a fan of your son." The dad replied, "Well he now has two fans, his mother and you!" I now know where our priest gets his sense of humor!

How lucky is Father to have both his parents and how lucky are the parents to have a, handsome  story teller priest, evangelist and loved by many, son!

Even though our loving priest is moving on to do different work, and he will be missed at Spirit of Christ, it is as his mother told him, "your story has not ended,"

Prayers and best wishes to our beloved priest as he goes on his new adventures!

Feeling Like A Celebrity

For the past four years, I have attended the Strawberry Brunch and Fashion Show at the Arvada Community Recreation Center.  It is a fun morning being escorted and waited on by attentive men.
The clothing shown by regular looking women is always interesting and nice styles are presented to the crowd.

Two years ago, someone called me and told me my picture was in the SLATE magazine. A magazine letting seniors know about the different activities. I immediately stopped by the rec center and picked up a copy and sure enough, there I was with some of my friends!

Since I do not see the SLATE magazine regularly I have no idea if my photo is featured in other issues of the magazine. Today I attended the brunch and fashion show with three friends. At our table we met a sweet mother and her daughter who are Spirit of Christ parishioners. We invited them to join Young at Heart for fun and food!

After today's brunch and fashion show, I picked up a copy of the magazine.  When I got home my phone dinged twice because my friends were texting me to tell me I was in the current issue of the SLATE magazine. I grabbed my copy and flipped through it and there I was again!

If that doesn't make one feel like a celebrity, nothing does!

"My belief is that you

live your life by example

and not by a caption (photo)

in a magazine!"

Jonathan Knight

Met Someone Like Me

After mass on Sunday, I met three friends at La Peep for breakfast. Two are good friends and one I had only met once before. I found her to be interesting and she had stories to tell! As we talked I noticed that she reminded me of me!

She told us about volunteering in an orphanage in Mexico and she taught English to the children. I told her that I had also volunteered in Queretaro, Mexico and had taught Spanish to kinder kids. We laughed when I told her that the children would say to me after I had mispronounced a word, "Asi no se dice." (That's not how you say it.)  Later in the conversation she mentioned that she made jewelry
and I told her I had decorated crosses with jewels to be raffled off in a contest.

When she told me that she looks after an anti-social person by taking her shopping or to eat, I remembered how I had taken an elderly lady shopping, to run errands and out to eat. I believe the lady was lonely and I gave her hours of being with someone.

I had a Wrangler jeep that I had won in a raffle and drove it for eight years before I sold it.  The new friend mentioned she drives a jeep Wrangler. Her jeep is tan and mine was red. She said she likes the color lime green and I told her I have been thinking about a lime-green Kia Soul. Strange that we both like the same color!

As we talked about our similarities in our lives we were surprised how alike our pasts had been. Before we knew it, two hours had gone by. Whenever we meet up again, I wonder what other things we will find to compare!

"We have very similar brains.

But they come out in different

personalities."

Guy Berryman