Yesterday I spoke with an environmental club of 4th graders. They were knowledgeable and earnest, ready to go to work. One girl mentioned her concern for Dolly, a dolphin who lost her tail in a crab net. Several felt that zoos should be illegal. I gently suggested it was more complicated than that. ![]()
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One boy said he and his dad only hunted when they could use every part of the animal they killed. He told us he would shoot a deer or a pheasant, but he wouldn’t kill an elephant or a lion. ![]()
All the students wanted to talk about plastics. We discussed not using plastic bags, straws or utensils. At the end of our session, three of the students vowed that, next weekend, they would pick up all the plastic bags in their areas.![]()
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As I listened to such dedicated young people, I felt more hopeful. Not all the important news can be found in the media.
Last night at sunset, we had a big storm with tornado sirens, greenish/gold light, high winds, hail and a sky full of lightning. All kinds of lightning—sheets, cloud to cloud, cloud to earth, and bolts that were as delicate and curvaceous as embroidery or Pashto script. Jim and I sat in the living room and enjoyed it all. We are two old mammals, together for over fifty years through all kinds of storms.
I last posted in January, and so much has changed since then. The pandemic is abating, my injured body is healing and the father in our Afghan family has a full-time job. My team is continuing our work with this family and their relatives. We have great respect for their kindness, humor and endurance.![]()
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Meanwhile, we have witnessed the invasion of Ukraine and all the accompanying terror. Even though I can hardly bear it, I feel compelled to keep up with the news. I am having nightmares, as are many of my friends.![]()
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Yet, I have found setting an intention every morning has been helpful. I try to live each day as if it were my last. That keeps me awake to beauty and kindness and grateful for every pleasure. (There are no small pleasures now.) At the end of the day, I can usually feel that, if this had been my last day on earth, it was a good day.
My daughter has organized an art auction here on Facebook, with 100% of proceeds supporting Afghan families on their journey to safety. I invite you to check out some beautiful, unique art, for a wonderful cause.![]()
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www.facebook.com/events/502680548045904
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Since November, Jim and I and two other couples have been sponsoring a family from Afghanistan. The father was a combat medic working with American troops. A baby was born in December to join his siblings aged 2, 4 and 6. Helping this family is challenging. No one speaks English and translation apps for Pashto are inadequate. Our local social service network and federal immigration services are understaffed and cumbersome. And even though our family is entitled to Aid to Dependent Children (RELY,) they have not received any money since they arrived.![]()
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Yet, the family is kind, warm-hearted and hard-working. They are all eager to learn. When we visit, we are offered tea and flatbread. I am learning a great deal about a culture I have always wanted to understand. Once again I have some young children in my life.