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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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Have you ever been bullied? Me, too, but only in recent times. I don't recall that bullying was an issue when I was a little girl running around the playground at St. Eloi Catholic School in Ghent, Minnesota, or when I was a big girl at the Minneota Public High School in Minneota, Minnesota. Maybe I was too ignorant or innocent to be aware of it but now, since I've taken several steps in a direction beyond ignorance and innocence, I've become aware of it. I'm learning that those who "discovered" the bullying problem in schools and society today, and turned it into headline news, are the same people who are doing the bullying. I'm realizing there are people who gather stones, pile them in the public courtyard, and convince themselves that their role is noble. They don't call it bullying but that doesn't change the truth of it. *** When I say "little girl," I mean just under 5'4" and 100 pounds. That's where I was when I graduated from eighth grade. When I say "big girl," I mean about 5'4" and just over 100 pounds, where I was through my high school years. Since that little girl has been the editor of the Victoria Gazette, she is 5'4" and ... oh, never mind. *** The funeral of little Peggy Kaufhold on Friday, February 10th, was very moving, not because of the music and not because of the priest, but because of the overwhelming grief and overflowing love that filled the air and fell as teardrops everywhere, and because of the thousands of people who came to pay their respects and because of the eulogy of Bruce Schneider, older brother of Peggy. What a wonderful bunch of kids were raised by Leo and Vangie. Some people touch our hearts. The Schneiders touched mine long ago. *** Before Mom and Dad had thought about staying down in Texas for a while, rather than heading back to Minnesota after they sold their winter home, Dad had boxed up his Texas shoes and shorts and shipped them north. That meant a shopping spree in the Rio Grande Valley to replenish for their unintended stay. "So I went to K-Mart and the cheapest pair of shorts there was $24.95. Can you believe it?" says Dad. "And so I went to the Thrift Shop and I found two pair for $4.95. Ma washed them a couple times and they look good, nice denim shorts." For Father's Day last year I got Dad a shirt from Macy's. He returned it, bought two shirts at Wal Mart and pocketed the rest of the cash. What a papa. Although it was decades ago, he can't let go of the struggles of being poor. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. *** Can you imagine a father hatcheting his boys to death and then setting the place on fire? Or a mother who drowns her children in a bathtub, one by one, or wraps the face of her little girl with duct tape and puts her in the trunk of a car? These horrific current events are telling of the evil times in which we live. It won't get better until society stops sanctioning the murder of children in the womb, which is, of course, bullying in the highest degree. *** Allan and I love good movies. Most of the time we find them downstairs on our very big screen, but we also like the largesse and socialness of a movie theater, not to mention the aroma and taste of theater popcorn. The latest movie we saw was "The Iron Lady" starring Meryl Streep. Before that we saw "War Horse" directed by Steven Spielberg and, before that, "The Help." Each was excellent. I haven't previously been a fan of Meryl Streep because I keep seeing the mannerisms and facial expressions of Meryl Streep in her various roles -- from "Out of Africa" to "Mama Mia" to "The Bridges of Madison County." But in "The Iron Lady" I only saw Margaret Thatcher and she was extraordinary. Am I talking about Meryl Streep or Margaret Thatcher? Yes. As for Steven Spielberg, we've been impressed by most of his work including "The Color Purple," "Schindler's List," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and "E.T." I would say that "War Horse" endears him to us more than any of the others. As for the best gotcha gimmick, it's in "The Help" and it was mouth opening! *** Yes, indeed, it's a wonderful life, just like Jimmy Stewart says. To watch it continue through our children and grandchildren is a significant part of what makes it worthwhile. Throw in the Gazette, some friends, and a trip to Tioga now and again, and what more could anyone ask for? Okay, maybe a trip to Norway this summer. There are those who would like to take that joy away from us in one way or another. But joy is a pretty deep thing. In any case, I'm learning that some folks are just downright mean all the way to their bones. Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones. As always, I appreciate your good comments, your good letters, and your goodwill. Peace to men of goodwill. I hear someone is bringing a Goodwill store to the neighborhood. How nice. |
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March 2012 |
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In-Town Auto Repair 952-443-2868 |
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942-443-2078 |
