Miss You Hi Mark, Devin and Simmy,
Thank you for the blog! This was my first time reading your blog! Where have I been?
I read with great interest in your comings and goings, and look forward to reading more.
I wanted to see pictures of you all and am not sure how to do that just yet.
I had one of the greatest summer's and Cortes was up at the top of the list. I
know it's redundant to tell you how much I love Charles, Torkin, and Chuck Roppel,
but I just want the whole universe to know. I am going to teach one more year,
sounds crazy in a way, and I feel the need to for several reasons. I was going to
travel to Colorado next week (I'll be 66 on Thursday) whew.....I said it!......but
have decided to take care of a very "hurtin" right hip as soon as possible so that
I'll be able to travel and walk without so much pain. Life! I'm happy, grateful, and
full of love for you. Jackie
Rwanda Great Blog. I agree that genocide will happen again. We will turn our eyes away because we will feel it does not concern us. I hope that is not the case.
Smiles Love you blog about Rwanda. I do have to say after visiting Rwanda 3 times, I have to dissagree about the smiles. I have almost always received a smile in return when I gave one. Of course saying Muraho helped!
thanks
Devin, you sketch out a deep sentiment in a few poetic phrases. Thank you for the window of insight you share. It hit me and will reverberate for a long while. Blessings to you all!
Blessed! I like to think every little bit that we do can help! If nothing else the realisation that there are differences is already something...We truely are so blessed!!! Miss you!!! Love Yvette (US)
Beautiful, Devin, puts so much into perspective, and indeed we are grateful for all we have. However, I feel what is more important to be grateful for around the world is who we are eternally, and to remember that even though we are sad and distressed about these inequalities.
Perspective Thank you, Devin, for sharing this perspective. I needed to hear it. I drove around all day with the top down,enjoying the snowy peaks and the glistening Sound, thinking about all I had to get done for work, what I should do about the dog's wounded leg, where I had to be next, how my son might be getting along as he drives the moving truck to San Diego. Had I only the language and perspective of simple pleasures, maybe I would have taken a carefree moment to be grateful.
Keep up the blog. I love it. And love hearing these tidbits of wisdom and life.
Hugs from Seattle. -- Your friend, Connie
Love from "Grandma Fish" Nice pics of our grandson, Mark, and your blog writing has been excellent. You are a great writer. Can't wait till you arrive. I have your suite ready!!!
Wow, powerful story. When I was working in Kosovo with the genocide right as the refugees returned, I could not believe the stories in my trauma groups and just could not eat much the 3 weeks we were there. Man's inhumanity to man was just too evil. Today, Kosovo is still having trouble with killings, yet the world got tired of it and ignores it. The people we trained in 99, 00,01, and 02 are working with all of it and our method is in the infrastucture of the Kosovar mental health care system, so the multiplier effect is working for good. Thanks for bringing our attention to Rwanda again.
Continue to carry the torch! Devin and Mark,
You two are inspiring and I am comforted in the knowledge that the humanitarian work that was started in my generation is being continued by people such as yourselves. Onward and Upward!
holy shit It's all I can really think to say - I am speechless and thankful that you have written your thoughts Mark. It's heavy, hard to digest, powerful and painful. Makes me miss you guys more...keep watching, reflecting and writing...I think it does us all good. Hugs.
so true Hey Mark, great blog entry. It's true, Gaddafi and his actions are not covered in the press very often. After reading your entry I will dig deeper in the NY Times to see if I can find anything. Thanks!
How wonderful to hear your 'voice', Mark! Thank you for writing your thoughts, descriptions, impressions. We too are pleased as punch with Obama at the helm-, he's reviving hope and excitement AND getting things done. We miss you in the NW yet feel you(s) close by. Love to all.
Globama! So great to have your pics, thoughts, African history, cultural commentary, trip log, daily life! Thanks for putting that all together. And keep it coming.
And, a personal thank you for putting me onto "Dreams of my Father," which put me squarely in Obama's camp. We have had a blast hosting soup nights for each debate, and of course, for election night and inauguration.
Mark, I hope your summer teacher program is finding it's feet. Wendy is excited and will give it her all.
Devin, good luck with your new BfL adventures. You'll make it work.
We miss you so.
Auntie Ben and Uncle Gilda
Amazing Times Indeed. It is a day of great celebration and awe-inspiring thoughts on our collective future! Seattle sends you its love and many many warm hugs to your family.
Sunshine? Is all that beautiful light really the SUN?
Wowwie....has Simmy grown.....he's a little sunny boy....I haven't seen him in a while. Love the picture of your house....Thinking of you all everyday.
Love, Jackie (grammatucci)
Can't wait to get there!! Looks like plush accomadations to me. Where's our bedroom?? Give our love to all of you, but especially Simmy and Roshi! Grandma and Grandpa
cool house Wow, that's plush! It looks beautiful. I love the space you've got in your yard for Simmy to run about. And Simmy's looking so mature! I can't believe how much he's changed in the past few months. We miss you all. Thanks for sending pictures.
Greetings from Bainbridge! Hi there,
Just read your first post and saw the pictures of your new place! It looks great and we are very happy for you! It sounds perfect to be so near Simmy's day care. Devin, good luck with the new projects. Mark, when will you be starting work and what do you plan to do first?
We miss you hear on the island. The fall weather has been nice in the last few days, with temperatures in the 60's and foggy mornings followed by sunshine. Wet red and yellow leaves are covering the grounds. You know what it looks like...
Reading your post reminds me of our life in Guatemala, that will forever hold a special place in my heart. I would like to live there again some day soon. But for now we are here - just bought our home here in Winslow co-housing - looking for a good drop-off day care for Mateo a couple of days a week.
We would like to come see you in the next year or two. Remind me when is a good time to go?
We love you and think of you often.
xoxo,
Cilla, Leif and Mateo
Jennifer Lail
non-member comment
checking in
Sending thoughts of safety your way . . .I am back on Whidbey and living with Eric. . . .can we Skype?