On the Generosity of Friends

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

We have recently been the beneficiaries of extremely generous acts by a friend of ours. She likes to drive, it's true, but she'd gone beyond the call to drive us to and from an airport more than four hours away. She's driven a group of us from Greencastle to Philadelphia for the flower show. She's a wonderful friend. I greatly appreciate her gifts. Her actions make me think of this quote from Dr. King. This commentary on personal altruism holds true for politics as well.

Each member of society must decide whether or not they will advocate the generous policy that helps everyone or,instead, demand the lowest taxes, the most mean spirited programs, and the least communitarian solution to our problems. As for me I was raised by my parents to believe that our work on earth is to make a change for the better, no matter how small. I'll continue to try.

Friends Make a Difference

We won! Is there anything sweeter than winning? Yes, winning big. And, indeed, how proud I am that Pennsylvania went by 10 points for Obama, even though Franklin County kept the same percentage of votes. Well our hard work resulted in many many more Democrats turning out but many, many more Republicans turned out too. It was fun to have some good conversations with people in my area about why I was supporting Obama. It's the first time I've really engaged with folks around here about politics. They were all civil exchanges.

A dear friend and education reformer Deborah Meier, came in from NYC to help on the campaign and right after she left, we welcomed friends from Sweden. They arrived so they could stand in Times Square on election night and feel the love.The Europeans really wanted the Bush era to end and a new era to begin in relations with the USA. Let's hope it really happens.

We had a great week with them in DC. We saw an amazing retrospective glass exhibit at the Renwick Gallery of the work of Lino Tagliapietra. Everyone should make an effort to see it. You will be dazzled by his feats of magic with glass.

And finally I want to hail my former co-workers who pulled together a little reunion at the Glen Echo Irish Inn in Maryland. What a wonderful, funny, smart and idealistic crew. It makes me feel good to see them doing well by doing good.

Serena's Birthday

Friendship can be defined in many ways. Some people stay in touch weekly, daily, monthly...for us-living a continent apart-three times a year seems to be what we manage. But we're still friends, thinking of each other on birthdays, waiting for the card we remember to send, marveling at her wonderful valentine greetings that are creative and whimsical. So after seventy years how do I remember Serena?... the person who told me at 50 that she still feels as if she's seventeen. The person who suffered through a hurricane season at a Connecticut resort where we were both childrens' counselors. The person who sat next to me in college. The person with whom I double dated. She's had an adventurous life and not always a contented one. But she's made it through, contributes to her city, does art, has good childen. To me she'll always be my "best friend" of high school and college. I think of her often and as we enter our 70th year, I'll raise a glass to her health and long life and yes, happiness!