TIME TO COME TOGETHER

In the past few months, a number of events happened that have strengthened my belief that we will live and respect each other as we enter this Springtime.

The first event was on a trip I took with my companion Don Snyder, on which we crossed the flooded Mississippi.  Water was rising and the banks held trees so distorted I ached for their inability
to stand upright, and the wetlands were so submerged I had to strain to see them.

The second was the toppling of the Notre-Dame Cathedral Spire Tower.  It may seem strange that two such unrelated events seem bound together much less produce hope for the future.

I believe Mother Nature has the ability not only to inspire poetic words and art work but to tame human ambition if it brings harm.  As many times as natural buffers and engineering devices try
to shore up coast lines, the river defends what is rightfully its own path.

When the Notre-Dame fire broke out I felt the anguish of losing so much history representing human creative ability and the horror we do to each other by closing down our ability to think.

So it is that I believe we can come  together if we use the ability we have to think.

APRIL BEGINS BY GETTING RID OF MARCH

In the month of March, Old Man Winter behaved like the guest who is invited to dinner then stays late.  St. Louis was treated with the same quirky weather as were other cities and nations on this Planet.  When it should have been  time for Spring to come to our table, she remained hidden behind layers of mist, fog, snow and ice.  The lady seemed deserted by the Sun. Rivers raged when they should have been bubbling brooks.  Winter came to us much too soon and is still hanging around.

No matter how bad things were, some of the upside to all this was the presence of the young and old who raised strong voices to tell us we need to change our ways if we are to protect Mother Earth and  ourselves.