KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON

We kindle this flame in honor of the Creator of Creation. We are grateful for the plenty that blesses us. In a world where many walk hand in hand with hunger we have abundance. In a world where too many walk in fear we can speak as our hearts lead us and show our faith freely. In a world where too many are alone, even in a crowd, we are rich in family and friends.

 

I’ll be honest. Except for the very poor among us, Americans have it so good we don’t even realize it most of the time. Outside of the US, most folks still get around by the power of their own muscles. I suspect that at least half the world’s population still doesn’t live in houses with plumbing and electricity. If you need water, you walk. If you need food that day, you walk. If you have a job, you walk. If you want to go to school, you walk, that is if there’s even a school within walking distance. And that’s if your family can afford it. Too many kids in the family? Maybe the boys get to go to school and the girls don’t. You get the picture.

 

If you live in a war zone, you’re taking your life in your hands just about every time you take a trip to the village pump. Even if it’s not a war zone, access to a reliable supply or clean water or food, something we take for granted, may be next to impossible. For slum dwellers in many Muslim nations, the religious schools run by the fundamentalists are the only schools available. And it would take a very long history lesson to explain why so many of these countries just happen to be the ones where US aid was funneled into the military or grandiose public works projects meant to glorify the leaders, not help the led.

 

If we are so blessed, let’s give thanks for what we have instead of focusing on what we don’t. Let us be thankful that most of us can walk down the street without having to dodge a mob or a bullet. And remember that even in this country not everyone has that privilege. Hug your families, and your friends and remember that there are too many inthis world that never know if they are hugging someone for the last time when they leave the room.

 

As usual I ended up where I didn’t expect to. My little mental candles are still around, by the way. I caught myself thinking of mom, our family, those I know through my journal and some of those little candles starting truckin’ out the door. Actually, the first one didn’t truck, it took off like the Roadrunner with Wile E Coyote in hot pursuit. And, uh, I don’t think about sending them, at least not at first. They just go. So, Lisa, Russ, Cin and anybody else who has dropped by, don’t be surprised if you find a little cockeyed glimmer knocking at your door.