Self-Confidence Rules

"A stranger’s eye peers at me,

                 

To tell his world what he sees,

                 

Defines my character with an unknown eye.

                 

But what I am and what I’ll be,

                 

Is totally by God’s divinity."
                                       - M. L. Stith

Memorial Day

   Through out my school days it was called ‘Decoration Day’.   The observation was held annually on May 30^th.   Ceremonies were held and the graves of those who died in service to the country were decorated with flowers and our nations flag.

Research says in 1966 Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, NY the ‘birthplace’ of  ‘Memorial Day’ because a ceremony was held in Waterloo on May 5, 1866 honoring local veterans who had fought in the Civil War.   However, other information shows tributes to Civil War dead had been observed in various communities prior to that.  Nevertheless, year after year, in towns and cities throughout America our fallen servicemen and women would be memorialized on May 30^th.

By an act of Congress, in 1971, Memorial Day was made a national holiday.  It was also moved to the last Monday in May.  This past Monday (May 27^th) in towns all across America parades, speeches, patriotic music, floral displays, and more honored our veterans and military personnel currently serving, at home and abroad.  U.S. flags can be found on the graves of those killed and the graves of our veterans who have passed on. 

It never fails though, every May 30^th I find myself mentally observing Memorial Day.   Thinking of their sacrifice, I envision unknown faces vowing to defend America. 

Oath of Enlistment:  “I (name) , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.  So help me God.”

Our liberty has been preserved.   To each who took the oath, “Thank You”. 

Musing

Successfully living through the aging process does not come easy.

There’s much to learn that I never knew before.

And why wouldn't that be so?  After all, my own aging is an absolutely new experience for me.

Thankfully, I’m a willing student.

                                    
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 Fact:   A dictionary defines “patriarch” as the oldest male in a tribe or family. 

The same dictionary defines a “matriarch” as a woman who is the head of a family or tribe.  No mention of age.  I like that.  

An added definition describes her as an older woman who is powerful within a family or a tribe. 

Accorded power - and not labeled as the oldest, not bad.

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I think I can handle being a “matriarch”.  (Even one without power.)

I know I'm looking forward to my tomorrows and whatever surprises each day may bring.   

Read A Book

I’m talking to me – with the thought you may find merit in the message.

All at once it’s clear for peace of mind I must curl up with a good book and forget the world. These days I can even sit outside in the warmth of the sun and take myself someplace where I’m expected to be a non-contributing spectator only.  The point is I’ve got to reconstruct my thinking patterns  -  override unsettling personal and global concerns always flooding my senior mind.

I already have many books I want to read (or finish reading).  I’ll talk about just a few.

One I picked up in London’s Heathrow Airport for the return flight from a 1999 Paris - London vacation.  The Debt To Pleasure is an award winning first novel, written by John Lanchester.   In fact it won the 1996 Whitbread First Novel Award.  My thinking at the time of purchase!?!  Perhaps inspired by the craftsmanship of the novice book writer, I would soon knuckle down and produce my own first book.  It didn’t happen.  Not soon anyway.  Today, I learned Mr. Lanchester wrote four additional books while I labored over completing mine. Black Star Girl was finally published in 2010.

The Warmth of Other Suns is another book I look forward to losing myself in until I reach its very end. Early last year I downloaded the highly acclaimed book to my Nook and began the journey of a terrific read.  Written by Isabel Wilkerson a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, factual and inspiring history is conveyed about the lives of Black people in early 20^th century America.   My father could have been one of Author Wilkerson’s subjects.  He migrated in the 1920’s from the south to the north and Zanesville, Ohio where he met my mother.   I’ve detailed his/their/our story in Black Star Girl, which is also available on Nook and Kindle and other e-readers.

Recently a friend gifted me with a fairly brand new book written by Henry H. Abernathy, Jr., another new author.  The name of his book is School of Hard Knots, subtitle, “A Citizen Sailor Goes to Sea”.  The primary setting is on a U.S. Navy ship in the 60’s and is a first-hand account by the former sailor himself.  From what I’ve read and leafed through so far, it is an extremely interesting, well-told story. I’ve laughed and I’ve felt pain and anxiety and that's after thoughtfully reading only 32 pages!   I vow to begin again tonight.

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I’m thinking there’s no time as good as present time to let the rest of the world roll by and enjoy the relaxation of a few good books.  Wish me luck.