July 23, 2016
Well, so far things have gone like
clockwork. A few minor adjustments. My overall experience was 1) being
rejuvenate and energized by meeting with family and friends and catching up on
our lives together. Some I haven’t seen for many years. 2) Everyone of them is
somehow doing something to make our lives, planet, society better. (Soup
kitchens, home gardens, helping autistic children, doing operations for free
for crippled children, helping those who are down and out, unemployed,
homeless, tutoring kids after school, designing programs for high school
students that give them skills in manufacturing so that they can get jobs in
those companies who have been helping with their tuition while they worked part
time as apprentices, growing organic crops, taking youth to third world
countries to give them an experience regarding the lives of the majority of
people who are impoverished and struggling, teaching kids and others how to use
computers and other modern things, running summer programs for youth, etc. etc.
etc. Everyone is doing something to make a better society. I am impressed and
encouraged to see this great spirit.
I have been saddened by the tone of the
Republican convention. It was, I felt, too negative, and personal in the sense
of being sometimes vicious in remarks about some of the people involved in the political
process. It could have been better to try to emphasize some positive things.
Also, I really don’t think that Trump is presidential material, for many
reasons. But, we have similar problems in South Africa. There is far too much
corruption, lack of transparency, and willingness to be violent. (Again, much
like the States)
The local elections will be, I believe, at
the end of August. That will tell the story of what really counts and what is
peripheral. The results will help us to understand what the future will be
like.
Among many other things, I saw my niece,
Jenna, today and was impressed with her maturity. She will be here with us on
Sunday. I will see her again on Sunday when we have a family gathering at my
cousin’s house (John and Ruth Severyn). Everyone has been super kind, generous,
and hospitable, with an open house policy if I wanted to bring someone along. I
had better stop now. I will get something out again after a few days. Love and
peace, as usual. Cas.
