My SUV was hit by a semi today....
Sounds like the beginning of a great country song. I was stopped at the light in a turning lane when a very large orange semi turned into the lane next to me. Unfortunately he undercorrected and took out my front end, driver side, axle and wheel. Thankfully I was only with my dog (coming from the vet). If I had been moving I probably would have flipped over. The truck kept on going but was stopped by the police several blocks later.
My upper body is sore, I'm needing some physical therapy for my left arm and shoulder. I didn't get to see many patients today...
Must be expiating some bad mama jama karma....
Will keep you posted. Arm should be in better shape for writing next week.
Yes, my head tilted in disbelief hearing that someone was chanting for a Fendi bag, I was listening to National Public Radio's piece on Soka Gakkai Buddhism (www.npr.org). It was part of a series on New Religions in the United States.
The story started interviewing members from Beverly Hills, California. Much of the emphasis seemed to be on "gimme gimme Buddhism" (as in I wll be happy once I get all the stuff I want). Somehow that would translate into other people becoming happy in that way and creating world peace once everyone was happy.
The history of the organization was described as a group of Japanese women, their military husbands and hippies that were the beginning of the organization now morphed into an organization of middle classed socially progressive people from all ethnic groups.
There's more to the piece. I know that all the depths of Nichiren Buddhism cannot be explored in 8 minutes. My take away feeling is that how superficial SGI-USA must look from the outside.
If I honestly felt that world peace could be achieved by my getting all the stuff I want, I would do it in a heartbeat. I crave for other things in my life journey- great relationships with family and friends, the ability to help others via my profession, standing up and speaking out on issues of the day, raising my son to be the best he can be.
All that just won't fit into a Fendi Bag...
Snapping to keep from rolling my eyes.
Dr. Mimi
I know most of us on this blog site have been focused on issues of not eating meat and the details of war and torture. Oh well, this is not going to be one of those blogs.
I am happy to say that I am not on call, not needing to carry a beeper. Most of my families will have a hard time tracking me down this weekend. However Modesto is small enough that I manage to see many of my families in the park, at the store or even at a light.
I've been one of those Mama types for a little over seven years. One of those experiences definitely fertile ground for spiritual growth. Being a single mom in a community with many two parent households has been a challenge.
Yesterday, I was the sappy,sentimental mom at my son's school. His class performed "Froggy goes a Courtin' " and "I love you foreever" ( probably the sappiest children's book of all time- they did it with song and signing). However this mama was enchanted and touched afterwards by my son walking up to me and asking me to a luncheon. The kids made lunch for their moms and themselves. Knowing my child was capable of making more than a peanut butter sandwich touched me deeply.
I treasure being a mom and all that goes with it. The runny noses, hurt feelings, little sucesses and school projects. It's only the end of first grade but we have weathered writing small books, innumerable spelling test practices (last week's hardest words were "estivation" and "camouflage") and now the big diorama project. After Monday, I hope to never read another episode of "Frog and Toad."
Anyway, Mother's day has it's roots in the peace movement- the first one celebrated as a "Mother's Strike" against war during WWI. I celebrate Mother's Day not for the card and the gifts rather for the blessings of having a young person in my life. Mamaship also has it's priveleges. Who else gets to say, "why 'cause I said so" or "uh huh, I told you so" at least once an hour?
Snapping to yet another Caribbean party... Roast pig two weeks in a row...I am a happy camper.
Dr. Mimi
P.S.( I'm culturally one of those folks who eats all the pig except the oink. Don't even try to make me a vegetarian. I've been veggie only type in the past. These days I am happily omnivorous--pooping and peeing nicely as well)
A dear friend (a physician, ex-Catholic Nun, Tibetan Buddhist) turned to me and said, could you say a few words about peace from your tradition? We were at a celebration homecoming party for the 19 year old son of dear friends. This young man has chosen the military for the last year and a half and was home on leave.
It's hard to describe my circle of friends (I also call them my family of choice). We all came from varied backgrounds but all have a connection to the same community health center at some part in our careers. All health care providers who like to gather monthly for friendship, food and dance. These people have insisted upon being my friends, feeding my soul and heart. They have embraced my son and I replacing family that lives far away. Rarely do we ever focus on religion except on holidays (we have celebrated many holidays from many religious traditions).
So near dusk, my friend Shirley decided we needed to gather in a circle and say something about peace and safety for our young friend. She began with a Hawaiian chant about peace. Another friend did a Hindu chant in Gujarat. My turn was a libation to the ancestors honoring the Orisha Oya ("Oriki Oya Ase") followed by the fullest sansho I have ever said. Shirley ended with a Catholic prayer in Spanish (the first language of most of the people there).
Our hearts were full and sad. Seeing a young man mature is an incredible experience. Knowing he is going in harm's way is a difficult one. I have worked many years in the peace movement which made me feel very torn. I spent many a day standing on the street corners of my city holding signs against the occupation in Iraq.
Many of my friends there share the same desire about peace but also face the reality of this young man's choice.
I live in a part of California where many young people choose the military. Often times this is their best choice for education and employment as their communities have few opportunites (Modesto is no exception). I pray that in 11 years my son will not feel compelled to make the same choice. I hope that he can find a path that can open up the way for confilict resolution and reconciliation.
But today is my young friend's day...
Snapping to my 16 anniversary of recieving Gohonzon on May 2.
Dr. Mimi