Life is a Continuum

      The first time I held my newly born grandson in 2001, I felt connected to the future in ways that I had not experienced before. This child may be alive in the next century. What will he face? How can I help prepare him for his future? The enormity of my responsibility overwhelmed me. 
     Some have said that one hundred years from now, no one will remember the how big my house was or the type of car I drove. No one will remember what number my fortune reached, or how many things I acquired. They probably will not even remember my name. The measure of my true success will be in how I affected my grandchildren. If I teach them to know what justice is, then my success can be measured. If I help instill in him love of his fellow man, I will have done my job. If I help teach him to do unto others, then I will have met my obligations to him and his fellow travelers.
     We are here for only a short time. Our future may be eternal, there may be a heaven, there may be another way of being. We will find out when we die. One certain thing is that our children and grandchildren need us to help them prepare to live life here. We learned from our parents, grandparents, and those that came before them. It is the continuum that has prepared us.
      I believe that it is our solemn responsibility to prepare those who come after us to be ready for whatever comes their way.

Word count 262

The Peace Craving Generation

    The post World War II generation, my generation, has NEVER known peace. We've prayed for peace, marched for peace, bled for peace, and died for peace. Now we are burying our children and grandchildren in the search for peace. We crave peace.
    Our wars have many names: Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War, Baltic War, War on Terrorism. The adjective changes, but the common term is WAR.
    More than one person has died every minute we have breathed as a direct result of war or genocide. Is peace attainable?
    Probably not, but we can hope our children figure it out.

Word count- 100

One of Catonsville's Special Places- Encore

      Lurman Theater is one of Catonsville's hidden gems where diverse people become a community. Young, old, white, black, rich, and poor gather together to enjoy free music concerts every Saturday and Sunday in the summer. Children romp, dance, and play in the sandbox. Young lovers sprawl out on their blankets and share a picnic. Parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents sit in their beach chairs nodding their heads and tapping their feet. People connect and reconnect. The community is strengthened. All is good. This is a special place where the woods come alive with a oneness of spirit and celebration of the way of life found here.
     This place has always been special. In the 19th century, it was part of Gustav Lurman's 2,000 acre farm.   The farm has been divided and now is home to a mental hospital, UMBC, Catonsville High School, a country club, and neighborhoods.
     A group of forward thinkers financed and built a woodland amphitheater in a natural bowl on the high school property during the 1960's. Music enthusiasts began to present free concerts in 1992. The music genre is different every night. Governor Martin O'Malley has performed here. Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Cash tribute bands entertain us. Blues, rock, country, and big band sounds emanate from the stage.The music is secondary. The feeling of belonging makes everything okay.

    Lurman Theatre is one of the places that make Catonsville special. Let's keep it that way!

(Word count- 240)

One of Catonsville's Special Places

      Lurman Theater is one of Catonsville's hidden gems where diverse people become a community. Young, old, white, black, rich, and poor gather together to enjoy free music concerts every Saturday and Sunday in the summer. Children romp, dance, and play in the sandbox. Young lovers sprawl out on their blankets and share a picnic. Parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents sit in their beach chairs nodding their heads and tapping their feet. People connect and reconnect. The community is strengthened. All is good. This is a special place where the woods come alive with a oneness of spirit and celebration of the way of life found here.
     Gustav Lurman was a farmer who owned over 2,000 acres on Wilkins Avenue in the 19th century. This property was special then and provided many benefits to the community as a farm. Now it has been divided and is part mental hospital, university, high school, country club, and neighborhoods.
     A group of forward thinkers financed and built a woodland amphitheater in a natural bowl on the high school property during the 1960's. Music enthusiasts began to present free concerts in 1992. The music genre is different every night. Martin O'Malley, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Cash entertain us. Blues, rock, country, and big band sounds emanate from the stage.The music is secondary. The feeling of belonging makes everything okay.

    Lurman Theatre is one of the places that make Catonsville special. Let's keep it that way!

(Word count- 238)