From my front porch

It's really simple sometimes to be able to look at a sunrise and praise the morning. This past week I attended the funeral of my oldest cousin. I'm an only child and sometimes attending funerals mean that no one recognizes me until I say my nickname to them that I went by as a kid.
There were many relatives there and as we shared our stories and our lives there seemed to be a common thread that ran through all – we only get together at funerals and sometimes weddings but never really keep in touch very well. We hug each other, exchange addresses, take pictures but the follow up is hard.
This week I buried my cousin that lived a life that impacted hundreds if not thousands as a teacher, superintendent, mayor, scout leader and just neighbor. I listened to the eulogy and reflected upon my own life.
I too am a teacher, have been a youth leader, community leader, involved in state committees and businesses, an artist and neighbor. Will my eulogy be the same? What will be said?
As a youth I was a thief, a liar, a drunkard, disobedient to authority, arrogant, self-centered, selfish and rude. I didn't always do my homework, cut classes and created many problems for people. I don't think that's what will be included however. It will be the good they remember. But that's not fair! I did the good because of Christ living in me. He changed my life and caused me to have a different attitude. My eulogy must include salvation from my past because my reward will be beginning while my friends and family mourn my passing.
I want my life to be remembered as one that was extended grace undeserved. Salvation in God's love. I may never achieve greatness in man's world and that's ok. If my tombstone simply says FORGIVEN, I hope those that view it understand they can be forgiven too. I share this because that's who I am and what I believe. I believe I am forgiven and what I do has to reflect that undeserved love from God to me.

Last train ride

It seems like only yesterday we arrived in Europe. We've tasted, seen and heard new things. We've walk nearly a hundred miles where history took place and heard names from the past come to life and be real. We've made new friends and learned how important we each are to each other. Not everyone should travel, but everyone needs to learn how to be flexible as our world shrinks. 

Stonehenge and Bath

I know. It's not the bath, or the blocks. It's angels climbing Jacob's ladder. More impressive in sight for spires and buttresses, and the Hugeonaut targets (Statue of Paul and others.) Jane Austin saw their duplicity,saw their facades with tattered interior walls. The duplicity of their lifestyle. Does this church, the lamp of Western Europe, have something else to hide?

London for Dummies

The old and the new. The clock tower and the London Eye. A system of here and there. The taxis and the tube. Buses, trains and automobiles. The comfort of reading English almost makes one lazy and numb to castles, museums and other sites.

As I strolled through the National Gallery, I realized once again how fortunate I am to be here. How fortunate I am to walk the streets that holds a people whose ancestors ruled over us. 

Are you really brave?

I watch a protest and a rally. Political and ideological. One group spoke and chanted. Another drove by and waved flags and sounded there horns. But it was those on the sidelines I watched more closely. Those that stood by and watched the others get excited. But they watched the others around them more closely.The police and riot crews. The passers by. The tourists. But no media.  Curious.

The rally was a little different. Flags from cars with beeping horns. People hanging out windows. But this group was being watched, jeered at. But even more it was the cars that got separated from the large group that I noticed weren't beeping as loud or waving as boldly.

So, Peter; are you as bold when you are in the minority?

Paris. The city of lights with no fear

I'm sure that having no time to record is an accurate way of summing up Paris. On the move from the get go. From the moment we arrived we were non stop. But it was on the Eiffel tour that I learned patience and kindness. I was frightened it is was ok to be a leader with shortcomings. I was human. Mortality took me over. 

With all the security, checks and double checks there was no cure for my apprehension. No balm for my fear. I had to give in and trust. 

In step with Easy Company

It seems to me to be an astonishing thing that I have traveled as through time and yet so much more to come. The countryside is littered, no flooded with the history of wars. Hundreds of years of conquering, invasions and occupation. Rebellion and death has been a part of the culture. As we pass through Bastogne I see in my mind the soldiers of Easy Company. The chill in the air and the rain along with the tall pines remind me of the struggle. For each trip there has been appoint for me that hits me hard. For years past it has been at, the colosseum in Rome and the gladiatorial games. Once it was Florence and the inspiration of art. I have cried at Dachau. Felt humbled in St Peters. But this is different, there was no time to reflect, no time to honor the dead, not even time to stop. Rest in peace Easy.