Thoughts For The Day From Papa ‘a

Good Morning All!

My brother, Matt, and his wife, Val, continue their trek across northern Spain.  They’ve moved south a bit from the Spanish coastline along the Bay of Biscay.  They’ve sent back lots of pictures of their journey…beautiful scenery and many old buildings dating back to the 13th century in some places.  They enjoyed staying in hostels all along the way and say that the food is delicious and quite reasonable.  The Spanish people they’ve met are very hospitable and they’ve had the opportunity to meet and visit with a number of international travelers, especially a couple from Adelaide, Australia.  One of the pictures they shared was of a wall in one village that featured the portraits of Albert Einstein, Mahatma Ghandi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr..  How about that?  They seem to be having the time of their lives.  It looks like they have about 225 miles to go before completing their journey on the west coast of Spain.  Here’s to Matt & Val and their Spanish adventure!

Today is Izaak day!  Our grandson Ike comes and spends the day with us, as his mother will be teaching art at Logan Elementary School, a little bit north of the Gonzaga University campus.  It always fun to be with Izaak!  He’s very inquisitive and moves quickly around the house from one thing to another.  He can really crawl!  It won’t be much longer before he is walking.  He’s already able to boost himself up to a standing position.  My, how babies grow up quickly.  He celebrates his first birthday in about a month!  Here’s to precious little Izaak (Ike)!

Speaking of birthdays, here’s to our friend and soon to be mother, Jen in Tennessee; and to school counselor, husband & Iceland traveler extraordinaire, Seth, who both celebrate their birthday today.  Here’s to you two on your special day of celebration…enjoy!

One of the great poets/writers of all-time, T.S. Eliot, was born on this day in 1888.  Here’s to tennis player extraordinaire, Serena Williams, who turns 38 today; to actor Jim Caviezel, who is 51 today; to actress Linda Hamilton of “Terminator” & “Dante’s Peak” movie fame, who turns 63 today; to musician Carlene Carter, who is 65 today; to singer Olivia Newton-John of the movie “Grease” fame, who turns 71 today; and to actor Kent McCord of TV’s “Adam 12” fame, who is 77 today!  Here’s to all of you!

How concerned are you that we seem to have a “double standard” when it comes to judging the behavior of our political leaders, be they Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, etc.?  Our nation’s current political turmoil seems to be a perfect example of using double standards.  Why shouldn’t all forms of misbehavior and/or corruption be investigated thoroughly with total transparency by the media and those in positions of governmental responsibility?  Just as President Trump needs to be held accountable for any misdeeds that he might have done, so too should any other public figures (i.e. the Biden family) be thoroughly investigated for any misdeeds (i.e. influence peddling) that they might had done.  We, the people, need to know the truth, wherever that should lead, irrespective of political party affiliation and/or influence.  No position of public trust should be used for personal gain.  What do you think?

You might recall that I brought up the question of hope the other day.  What does real hope look like?  Is our hope based on wishes and dreams or is it based on a belief in something factual that has occurred in history that is the basis for our hope?  It seems as though every dictionary definition shows that hope should be more substantial than mere wishful thinking.  One dictionary defines it as “a desire accompanied by expectation of our belief in fulfillment.”  So it could be said that hope is an expectation and anticipation that rests in what we believe.  What occurrence in history can you point to that would give you a sure foundation for hope?

Speaking of hope, the efforts of one man, former football great Nick Buoniconti, has led to advances in treating paralysis due to a college football injury his son sustained that resulted in paralysis.  Nick led the effort to establish the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, now one of the world’s leading neurological research centers.  He raised over $450 million for the center during his life.  I came across Nick’s 1969 Topps Football Card yesterday.  Nick also openly shared his struggle with neurological issues due in large measure to his football playing career.  Prior to his death in July of this year, he announced that he would posthumously donate his brain to aid CTE (Traumatic Brain Injury) research.  In March of 2018, he joined with former NFL stars Harry Carson & Phil Villapiano to support a parent initiative called Flag Football Under 14, which advises no tackle football under that age.  Nick had led a storied football career, playing high school football at Cathedral High School in Springfield, Massachusetts (where his family owned a bakery in the predominately Italian South End of the city).  He went on to play college football for Notre Dame.  NFL scouts originally considered him “too small” to play pro football.  However, he was drafted by the Boston Patriots in the 1962 AFL Draft.  He played for Boston from 1962-1967 and then with the Miami Dolphins from 169-1974, where he was co-captain of two Super Bowl champion teams that included the only perfect season by a NFL team in 1972.  His leadership made him a cornerstone of Dolphin’s defense.  His 1969 football card said that “Nick’s specialty is getting at the opposing quarterback.  He is considered the best red-dogging linebacker in the American Football League…”  Here’s to Nick Buoniconti and all he did to further paralysis research and fight against the scourge of CTE (Brain injuries caused by hits taken playing football) by promoting prevention efforts!

Here are some thoughts for the day:

“Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.”

—Jules Renard

“I always want to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.”

—Lily Tomlin, comedienne and star of “Laugh-In” in the late 1960s (played “Geraldine the telephone operator”)

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

—Isaiah, Chapter 9, verse 2

Here’s to a great Thursday and lots of love always!

Press on,

Papa ‘a (Dad, Uncle Mark, etc.)