Books Worth a Look

  • Little Bee by Chris Cleave - This book is a must read. Better than anything else I've read, it takes you vividly into the life of a person in the 3rd world who has no choice but to escape. It is brilliantly written & works well as an audio book. Often I've sent info about the wonderful refugees I've met in Europe. We know only so much of their plight as it is painful for them to recall much less live through again by recounting it. But over time it is clear what they've lived through. This book is excellent as you discover the horrors of their world. Somewhat how to me, it is like being in Europe near a Concentration Camp. One has an obligation to visit it. 'Never to Forget.' In this case, to have our eyes opened.
  • Garbage King by Eliz Laird - The book is set on the streets on Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia and here lives Mamo and his sister Tiggist. When Mamo's "uncle" offers a job, he soon sets out on a bus to work. Little does he know that he is actually being sold into slavery...

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

A Wedding in Trinidad California - a Reflection

This blog's purpose is to share people I meet & experiences I'm fortunate to have. It's not mean to be about me, per se.

So, with that in mind. simple actually, a wedding invitation. But not quite. This invitation is from a young man whom I met & taught at Loyola College 3 years ago. So you say?

The so is the kind of person he is. I knew he was impressive, grounded, kind and sensitive. For now I'll leave out handsome, athletic, smart though they too are true! He is also someone I came to call 'friend.' So off to Arcata/Eureka Airport - not on the beaten path! (For now I'll skip the little curious travel details including our being asked to move luggage from the hold up with us into the cabin to make more room for needed fuel. Fuel is liquid; luggage ain't. Hmm.I'll leave it at that.)

Not just a fun, enjoyable wedding - much more.

Ian and Anna designed a simple wedding; they composed their own vows including:
  • a mutual invitation to allow each other to be who they are
  • a shared commitment to both passion and compassion
Hold it, did you say compassion? How 'un-me!'

What do they say? You know a person for whom he/she hangs out with? - or something like that!

I was treated to 3 days of incredible friends of the couple. More, I saw just how much love they shared: in the banter, in the guys dancing & miming key lyrics - just for fun, in the ready acceptance of a stranger - even one close to 40 years older, in the unbridled joy in the persons getting married, in their complete comfort with diversity, in their respect for family.

Those young people did not just have a party. They celebrated life and relationship.

The setting

The northern California region is magnificently beautiful. The Pacific at our feet below rocks, trees, and green of resplendent beauty.

I cannot but say that Anna and Ian, their friends, and the magnificence of nature - all reminded me of my belief that there surely is a God & he/she demands that we love one another, treating all his creation with reverence and joy.

Thank you Ian and Anna and all present: friends and family. "Let all creation praise the Lord."
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1 comment:

cottasofia said...

California is a wonderful city to visit in the United States. Planning a Wedding in Trinidad. There are several reasons to have your wedding in Trinidad besides the fact that the average low temperature is 75 degrees and you can experience at least 8 hours..

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June 27, 2011 at 5:30 AM

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REFLECTIONS & ARTICLES

Thoughts on the amazing people I get to meet.

Rich, my 19 year old friend, soon to be Franciscan and recent community member at Haley House in Boston. An article he wrote.

http://www.capuchinfranciscans.org/pdf/2008%2003%2011%20CVO%20Update%20A%20community%20of%20two%20tables.pdf