Stirred by images of my beautiful mother and her guitar…singing, singing, singing…a message of social justice from her soul through the late 60s and 70s. Songs “Has Anybody Here Seen My Old Friends Abraham, Martin, and John”, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” passionately intoned to urge peace and love.

She had witnessed the brutality of racism and combat’s destruction in WWII Europe and felt an obligation to use the means she had—her song–vowing not to stop until the world was rid of prejudice and war. Her ardent example compels you and me to use the means we have each day to promote peace and the valuing of all lives.

Memorial Day amid the loss of lives, jobs, and property due to pandemic deepens our sense of loss as consequence of war. With heightened awareness we give gratitude to those who served, and for those who suffered the collateral loss of loved ones, businesses, and homes, yet courageously rebuilt lives and serve as much needed examples of the resiliency we need today.

Photo: My mother, grandmother, and aunt, forever displaced from their Hungarian estate; Trier, Germany 1945.
Note mortal shell damage on background building.

Perfect Mother’s Day Gift during social distancing time? – A Coraggio gift set filled with encouragement delivered to her door!

I am happy to add the loving touch of signature and ribbons, and love you up with $2 off each book plus combined shipping.

Today we are reminded of Hope.

Hope for a Renewal of Spirit.

Hope for a brighter future for ourselves and for the world.

A Cacophony of Life

While aspects of the world experience COVID-19 illness and death,
the croaks of a thousand newly-hatched tree frogs eager for the life that awaits them and
the honks of a gaggle of geese glad for the return to the comfort of their summer environs,
remind me that also around the globe new life emerges and
there will be a grateful return to the comfort of familiar life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LRqqvhe7Gk

My all-time fav Mother Teresa quote is:

“Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.”

Day after day Mother Teresa personally encountered an unyielding number of poor, sick and unwanted. Yet, she relentlessly extended bodily and figurative touch through her deep well of compassionate love, returning to God when needing to replenish her cache of goodness. At this time of global illness and isolation, let us heed her call to see and touch the lonely, suffering and unwanted all around us, by whatever means we are able.

Let us take strength from the quarantined Napolitani who sing “Don’t give up!” from their balconies with true Italian spirit and courage – coraggio! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDRiINXik00

Inaugural Opioid and Pain Conference focused on engaging the community with innovative strategies to manage pain and collaborative initiatives to combat the opioid crisis. I am grateful to facilitate two panels important to me: 1) State of-the-art approaches to managing pain without narcotics, and 2) Recovery-oriented criminal justice efforts which can foster not just an absence of criminal behavior but help to restore a human being to a fully functional life. Tomorrow at Michigan State University.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-capital-area-pain-opioid-conference-tickets-59774003654

Preparing lentils as do my cousins in Hungary to beckon a Szilveszter (New Year) of good fortune.

(Lentils symbolizing many coins in your pocket.)

Hungarian New Year Lentils with smoked paprika

May lasting health, positivity, peace, and joy pervade your New Year and New Decade!

Shout-out to Schuler Books in Okemos for small/local business Saturday!

Schuler Books has been a supporter of Coraggio books since their releases.

Schuler Books promotes Coraggio books’ spiral-binding that helps people with disabilities more easily read a book–by shelving on an end cap or cover forward–while other bookstores prefer books with a title on the binding that can be compactly shelved. Missed Small Business Saturday? Consider shopping for one of many unique items at Schuler Books & Music any time this month.