Advent in Annapolis

As we head toward the winter solstice, light dimming gently day by day, we look to the light that will break forth soon, beginning our ascent to springtime. In the context of the approaching Advent season, in the beautiful little town of Annapolis, as cadets at the Naval Academy bend to the disciplines of their day, Mideast peacetalks will unfold. Israelis and Palestinians will come together to work for peace with nearly 50 other nations and some of the finest peace negotiators in the world, at the invitation of our President. Not everyone is sanguine about this. Hamas is not happy at all. But all reasonable people will hope that the main participants can find a common ground.

Georgie Porgie is hoping for a coup. He recently enjoyed a smiling photo-op side by side with could-be arch-enemy Al Gore. Georgie must be hoping that the gravitas of Mr. Gore's persona, his formidable accomplishments,his Nobel Prize,and his true grace will rub off on him. Not much chance of that. But one can dream.

Let's hope that Georgie is successful despite himself. Al Gore may have stepped bravely into the picture to remind people that the peace process transcends political differences and presidential ineptitude. Let's hope and pray that we will move, with age-old forces of nature, towards the light, the holy light of the solstice that's been celebrated by disparate civilizations since time immemorial.

Thanksgiving Flight

Back in the sixties I boarded a plane with great trepidation, since hitchhiking was illogically my preferred mode for safety. I remember one departure from Santa Barbara to New York when I felt extremely paranoid about flying in general and reluctant to leave my friends in particular. I wanted to turn away from the airport and shirk all responsibilities back East. I was surrounded at the airport by sixties-minded friends who encouraged me by saying words which comfort me still, and not necessarily illogically. One said “You hold that plane up with your mind.” Another proffered “We are all under the same sky.”

As Thanksgiving flights loom large before us, anxieties are heightened, but we may take some sustenance from the President for a change. Georgie Porgie has opened military airway lanes to ease congestion. Not that that eases the situation on the ground at the terminals, but let’s be grateful for what we’re given. Let’s assume we won’t be needing those air paths for anything more than reuniting Americans with their loved ones. Let’s help hold all our planes, trains and automobiles "up" with our minds, through positive thoughts and prayer. And if we are apart from someone we love, take comfort that we are all under the same sky. Then give thanks.