Grief and grievances

Happy Friday.

To All. And I mean “all”, Ukrainian refugees included.

While at it, might as well send my “Happy Easter” ahead of time.

We’ve lost a bunch of good folks of late. Let’s hope the next wave of folks that are now washed ashore carry with them bigger and better dreams: a future for freedom and a future for folks everywhere.

War destroys and thrives on fear. Peace builds upon hope and dream.

The nuts and bolts of our life should be clear air and clean water.

Then rational thinking peppered with a heart full of empathy.

Can’t raise the level of compassion. Could only be demonstrated…as in “the Son of Man wept”.

By the river of Babylon, there we sat down.

Many Ukrainian, by the tune of 8 million refugees are joining our ranks.

My parents were displaced, slept in a downhill corner shack of my cousin’s huge tea farm (with two dozens or so imported cars). Then they turned refugees and immigrants. First-generation. Nomadic life-style. Au Courant, in the flow, on the road.

When Ginsberg and Kerouac drove cross-country, they became famous for “blogging” and boasting about their new vagabond adventure.

Yet, those who fled war for safety, became invisible. Unkown. Not even qualified as K-mart shoppers.

Just hand-me-down clothes, while China keeps making new ones.

The table has turned since the late 70’s when Kissinger was daily on the news.

Now, the theatre of war has moved on to the Eastern side of Ukraine (Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan…distant memories).

Life goes on. The old died. The young think they’re entitled to more stuff. Shopping online, friending online, and paying tax online (if you can get through).

We used to be allergic to pollen. After covid, to people.

Such a sad affair. Playing solitaire. Rainy day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The lone man – Nighthawks – at the cafeteria counter, nursing his cup of coffee.

21st-century man. Macho man. Tattooed man. Rodeo man. Riding like a Lone Ranger down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Heroes of another time and place. Keep checking your phone, your wallet and and your bank account.

Meanwhile, 8 million souls only have their carry-on ; 100,000 will be receiving UNHCR plastic bags containing their “Guide to re-settle in America” – essential documents to the New World and New Life. Chances are, they will join other Ukrainian American, filling out job applications for Uber, Airbnb, Amazon, Walmart, and other big box companies. Just don’t work for the IRS (we can’t recruit ‘m).

Bonne Chance. I know. Been in your shoes. Crying my heart out. Jesus wept. The Son of Man, by the river of this new Babylon. Come, all ye who are wretched and poor, for the Kingdom of God belongs to you.

Happy Easter. Happy Friday. Happy New life here or elsewhere in Poland, Romania and NATO’s land. Fight on. Inspire us. Show us to appreciate this mundane and boring life of ours, on or offline.