In respect of Dorothy Height - this is significant

Dorothy Irene Height (March 24, 1912 - April 20, 2010) was an African American administrator, educator, and social activist. She was the president of the National Council of Negro Women for forty years, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.

Presidential Proclamation -- Death of Dorothy Height

DEATH OF DOROTHY HEIGHT

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As a mark of respect for the memory of Dorothy Height, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that, on the day of her interment, the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on such day. I further direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

He took my hand (my newest poem)

From somewhere in the crowd

He appeared in a hurry

Until he took my hand

It wasn’t a greeting

It was a moment

When time stood still

And he held on

To my hand

And pulling it ever

So slightly toward him

He caught my eyes with his

And his gaze held mine captive

Once again pulling me in

The world faded around us

I wanted to move on

To greet the next person

But he held on

As though he wasn’t through

He leaned in

He said, “I am Luke” and waited

Waited for my name

My name

Then he disappeared

Into the crowd.

My upcoming class reunion

My impending, sorry, I mean my upcoming high school reunion must be really on my subconscious mind. Night before last, I had 3 different dreams related to this event. I am only going to share one here, but trust me, my doctor had a field day with symbolism in all the dreams that related to my fear of intimacy.

In the dream, some of the guys in my class got together and made a series of robocalls to the rest of us about the reunion. My phone rings and I hear, “This is Pepper Just reminding you to sign up for the Class of 1970 Reunion.” (I changed the name to protect me.)

I hate robocalls. The first time Bill Clinton called me in 2008 I was impressed. Three phone calls later I became irritated. This season of primaries for county judges has been particularly annoying.

I haven’t been able to decide if this was a humorous dream or a nightmare.

I have rsvp’d on facebook and sent my money in, so please, please no robocalls!

Today's Masters - Isn't this a great story?

The headline on the Yahoo sports blogs reads - Phil Mickelson, wife Amy give us one of Augusta's best moments

Last year, Amy Mickelson was diagnosed with breast cancer. This year, she wasn't able to walk the course in support of her husband, but she was able to be at the 18th hole when he won. As a survivor myself, I know how hard that first year is after your treatment and my heart is full for Amy.

In light of the drama that has surrounded the Masters, wasn't this a great way for it to end?

review of THIN PLACES a memoir by Mary DeMuth

I would like to recommend one of my new writing friends new book, THIN PLACES. If you have ever wondered why there is a longing in you that you can fill you need to read this book. Here is my review of the book.

THIN PLACES is Mary DeMuth’s candid memoir of her life, where in spite of tragic events, she finds healing in the loving presence of God through our Lord Jesus in the ‘thin places’. Her words draw you into a sweet, though uncomfortable rapport as you turn the pages to find your heart broken along with hers and then restored again and again by the Great Spirit.

In the transparency of Mary’s heart felt story I saw a mirror of the story of my own life. My tragedies are not Mary’s nor would mine so clearly show the dichotomy of good and evil that Mary shares. However our souls do meet in that vast daddy/mommy-hole which nothing in our human world can fill.

This is the bittersweet truth that Mary’s book reveals to me. God innately fills us with this deep longing she calls the daddy-hole, a longing only he could fill. He gave us the most special of relationships - mother, father, child, spouse, as shadows of his love. As humans, instead of finding beauty in these, we find how much they fail. Our disappointment can turn to joy as we fill this longing through the love of Jesus.

Here is a link to the book on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Thin-Places-Mary-E-DeMuth/dp/031028418X

Look who visited me for Easter

During the snowstorm, one of my trees fell against the wood fence creating an opening that Penny insists on using as a gate. So for now the dogs are spending a lot more time in the house than any of us like. (especially the cat!)

On the other hand...the small animals that live in our woods, are

enjoying the break. Saturday the Easter bunny came for a visit!

The Bluebonnets are out!

On a road I frequently travel, there is a hill I top not far from home. Once you reach the summit, you can see the road stretching way ahead. Knowing there is something waiting on the other side, my heart fills with hope.

Week after week, topping the hill, disappointment would cover my heart . There was n

othing, nothing but long stretches of dead, brown grass framing the road. Yet, when it seemed the view was never going to change, (especially in year where it snowed on the first day of spring) the brown vista was now green and my hope began to soar.

Yesterday, I topped the hill with anticipation and found joy! The bluebonnets are out! All is right with the world once aga

in!

God gave the world the rainbow as a symbol of hope. But He saved this delicate wildflower, the bluebonnet, for us Texans. They begin as dots of blue in the sea of green. Each flower has these tiny little blue and white petals. Individually they would quickly be lost against our vast horizons. Once when they maturely stand shoulder

to shoulder magnifying each others hues, they over take the field.

God paints our fields and road with inspiration breaking up the overwhelming presence

of the work ahead. He whispers you can plough that field, you c

an finish the school year, you can move into the long, hot summer. It’s only takes a couple of weeks, for our hearts to be renewed. So we haul our kids into the grass full of chiggers and take our photos to preserve the memory. The memory - we made it through the winter. We save them for next winter and often send them in Christmas cards to friends to remind us. A day will come again when the bluebonnets will be out and the world will be right again. God Bless Lady Bird Johnson for her vision!