As a inveterate poet, l have long appreciated the importance of Longfellow for shaping the persona of our country .
In the daily choices we make, we find ourselves shocked by the insults to our intelligence. But when we are faced with personal tragedy we must draw upon our own resources and find a way forward.
Thank you for this reminder, even as we face the unthinkable hurts in the public sphere, as well as our private grievances.
His words in this poem spoke to me as a historian and priest. I have seen war and lost friends in it. The thought of the suffering that Trump and his minions are going to bring upon our country and the world mean that I have to find something deep to help me though. All the best my friend. Thank you.
The boiler was replaced after almost three weeks of space heaters and blankets. I can’t say that “all’s well”, but l certainly can get back to my desk and resume my substack posts.
The correspondences with Lucian and Timothy Snyder is a clear indication that I’m in good company! And now that you’ve resumed your incisive posts, I’m gratified that caring hasn’t completely disappeared from the face of the Earth.
Despite all indications to the contrary, all is not lost! How’s that for a non-denominational holiday thought?!?
Many thanks to you. I will try to keep Longfellow’s words as a reminder of what we can be if only it weren’t for the “others” :the followers of the naked emperor. I am doing all I can to maintain focus. I am working with immigrants who have been here for years and are petrified. We’ve even been there before, and like Donnnie Darko, I am older. I feel I might not be able to deter an ICE agent at this point. It’s terribly concerning. Please that the people who claim to be Christians will stop telling me they are and SHOW me.
Thank you for sharing this. I admire people like you who do what you do to help and offer aid to people who flee to this country seeking refuge. I hope that you will be able to continue. Please be careful as you try to help. People like you will still be needed for a long time. Though it will be difficult, the wrong will not prevail so long as we never give up.
All the best, please be safe in the new year even as you try to shield those who you serve, and don’t trust any of the Trump supporting, and maybe otherwise supportive Christians to do anything tangible to do more than talk.
As a inveterate poet, l have long appreciated the importance of Longfellow for shaping the persona of our country .
In the daily choices we make, we find ourselves shocked by the insults to our intelligence. But when we are faced with personal tragedy we must draw upon our own resources and find a way forward.
Thank you for this reminder, even as we face the unthinkable hurts in the public sphere, as well as our private grievances.
Babette,
His words in this poem spoke to me as a historian and priest. I have seen war and lost friends in it. The thought of the suffering that Trump and his minions are going to bring upon our country and the world mean that I have to find something deep to help me though. All the best my friend. Thank you.
Steve
The boiler was replaced after almost three weeks of space heaters and blankets. I can’t say that “all’s well”, but l certainly can get back to my desk and resume my substack posts.
The correspondences with Lucian and Timothy Snyder is a clear indication that I’m in good company! And now that you’ve resumed your incisive posts, I’m gratified that caring hasn’t completely disappeared from the face of the Earth.
Despite all indications to the contrary, all is not lost! How’s that for a non-denominational holiday thought?!?
Many thanks to you. I will try to keep Longfellow’s words as a reminder of what we can be if only it weren’t for the “others” :the followers of the naked emperor. I am doing all I can to maintain focus. I am working with immigrants who have been here for years and are petrified. We’ve even been there before, and like Donnnie Darko, I am older. I feel I might not be able to deter an ICE agent at this point. It’s terribly concerning. Please that the people who claim to be Christians will stop telling me they are and SHOW me.
Christina,
Thank you for sharing this. I admire people like you who do what you do to help and offer aid to people who flee to this country seeking refuge. I hope that you will be able to continue. Please be careful as you try to help. People like you will still be needed for a long time. Though it will be difficult, the wrong will not prevail so long as we never give up.
All the best, please be safe in the new year even as you try to shield those who you serve, and don’t trust any of the Trump supporting, and maybe otherwise supportive Christians to do anything tangible to do more than talk.
Peace,
Steve Dundas