REFLECTIONS ON LIFE – OCTOBER 2019

ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED

Go to the end of “Reflections on Life” to watch Liz’ latest episode on Howard Community College Dragon Radio

REFLECTIONS ON HOME IN COLUMBIA

Although I always begin these Reflections writing about Lloyd’s and my home life, our garden, and the surrounding acres belonging to our town house association, including the flora and fauna living there, this month is an exception.

We had spent a week on the small island of Culebra, off the northeast corner of Puerto Rico and four days on the main island.  I awoke very early on the morning of October 20, the day we were flying home.  Virtually every morning, at home or away, I wake before Lloyd. When we travel, as well as at home, I keep by my bedside a book of essays, “Being Peace” by Thich Nhat Hanh, and randomly select a paragraph to read as I sit on the side of our bed before rising.  It was a rarity on this day that my first action of the morning was to check my cell phone for messages on the chance there had been a change in flight schedule. The first words to appear on my cell phone screen in a text from a friend – “Elijah died”.  I rose and began walking quietly around our room in a beautiful old hotel built in the 1800’s in one of Puerto’s most historic cities, Ponce. I recall hearing myself repeat over and over in a very low voice so as not to wake Lloyd “Oh, no.  Oh, no.”

Then, as if he were right there with me, (as in spirit he truly was) I was instantly aware that this is not what Elijah would want me to do.  He would want me and all of us to recall and celebrate all of the strength, courage, determination, hope, and yes, LOVE, that he so generously spread around during his own lifetime. He would want us to strengthen our determination, courage and will to work for social, economic and environmental justice.

I will miss your physical presence beyond words, Elijah, AND, with your inimitable spirit beside me, I will do my best to carry on your work of LOVE and Peace.

“What Cummings did as he ‘worked until his last breath’   by Jeff Barker

The Baltimore Sun                                                                     October 23, 2019

Clearly, Elijah did not live an idle end of life.  He worked tirelessly for us until his last breath.

REFLECTIONS ON ZACH

Many of you will recall my annual picnics in Cedar Lane Park during my 20 years serving in the Maryland House of Delegates.  When Elijah became our representative in the U.S. Congress, he attended every year.  He would stand beside me on the bench of one of the big wooden picnic tables and speak in his booming voice about the status of issues relating to social, economic, and environmental justice.  For many of those years, Zach attended the picnic with his mom, dad, and sister – Chris, John, and Julia.  Each year Elijah made it a point to speak with him.

After Zach’s brain cancer returned when he was a student at the University of Maryland, he and his family continued to attend.  Elijah told me how inspiring it was for him to observe Zach and his love of life even as the cancer persisted.  Observing the two of them speaking and I could see that Elijah was deeply inspired, as were so many others.

REFLECTIONS OF BALTIMORE, MY HOMETOWN

Elijah Cummings: He Worked Until His Last Breath

Lloyd and I attended Elijah’s funeral service at a very large church in West Baltimore.  The capacity of the church is stated as 4,000.  On this day, that number was exceeded.  As a former County Executive and State Delegate, I was seated with Lloyd in the main section of the church near the back.  The aisles are slanted, so we had good perception.  Elijah’s body lay in state at the front of the nave of the church.  The service lasted for more than three hours.  The choir of more than 150 souls was magnificent, for hours filling the church with joyous songs.  President Obama and numerous others spoke with reverence and fervor of Elijah.  His wife, Maya, spoke lovingly in a voice that almost equaled the timber of her departed husband’s.  His two daughters spoke of what a loving and wise parent their father was.  Lloyd and I were amazed that we did not tire or even get antsy during the long service.

Since that day, I am acutely aware that Elijah is no longer “living” on this earth.  I am equally aware that his spirit is as alive as ever in my and many, many other souls.  We will need that spirit in the coming months and years in dealing with the large and deep amount of injustice in our nation’s government.  That spirit will continue to be there for our taking.

Elijah lived in a town house in the heart of downtown Baltimore.  When I was a little girl living in a single house in west Baltimore, we called them  “row” houses.  For years, when riots, or unjust arrests, or shootings took place in my hometown, we could see Elijah, front and center, leading a march through the streets of this city that we both loved.

Following a riot in Baltimore recently, the president of our nation referred to the city as “a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.”  When I read his quote in the Baltimore Sun, I thought, “You will live to regret those words, Mr. President.”  When Elijah learned of the president’s statement, he responded forcefully, but without the concurrent hatred. I wonder if there is any chance our president learned from that exchange with a man filled with not only courage and wisdom, but, above all else, LOVE.

The Baltimore Sun                                                           October 23, 2019

“Young Tommy, Baltimore in the 60’s and a thing called courage”

by Dan Rodricks

Shortly before Elijah's death, Thomas “Young Tommy” D’Alessandro III, former mayor of Baltimore and Nancy Pelosi’s brother, died at the age 90.  He was mayor during the early days of racial integration in that city.  As Roderick’s writes, he was a very courageous mayor.  Just 15 years his younger, I so clearly recall my Mom, Helen, of southern Maryland tobacco farm heritage, following his courageous service in political office.  The Pelosi’s were a Catholic family of strong faith.  I attended Catholic elementary and high school in Baltimore.  The older of my two sisters, Martha, upon graduating from high school when I was five years old, “entered” the convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  I have been aware of so much connectivity in spirit among Nancy Pelosi, Elijah, and me during these past weeks.

REFLECTIONS ON PUBLIC POLICY

Howard County

Last month I wrote about some very discriminatory negative language used in connection with some proposed changes in school boundary lines in our county, particularly in Columbia.  Along with more than a few others, I had called for respect and inclusion in our discussions about public policy.

Apparently, neither I nor others expressing the same deep concern have had much of an impact.

Although he was not a figure in Columbia in the our new town’s early years, I am as certain as I am about anything, that Elijah would echo loud and clear the words of wisdom and LOVE of the new town’s founder:

– “Columbia is an open and color blind city.” - Jim Rouse

Countless headlines have appeared in numerous news publications since Elijah’s death.  I choose to include the foreword below written by Elijah himself in July for the forthcoming book,” In Defense of Public Service:  How 22 Million Government Workers Will Save Our Republic,” by Cedric L. Alexander. 

The Washington Post                                                         October 27, 2019

“We’re in a fight for the soul of our democracy"     By Elijah E. Cummings

REFLECTIONS ON OUR PLANET BEYOND THE UNITED STATES

CAPE VERDE, AFRICA

The Washington Post                                                             October 23, 2019

“One hundred percent girls’:  Sea turtles and climate havoc”

by Danielle Paquette

Although this article reports on turtles on the West African island nation of Cape Verde, it could take place elsewhere. Science has told us that because of rising temperatures of the sand into which the sea turtles bury their eggs, all of the hatchlings will turn out to be females. I wonder what it will take for us humans to “get it” that we are not in control.  I could make a joke about women’s lib, but I won’t.  This is truly troubling.

CANADA

The Washington Post (editorial)                                                 October 23, 2019

“In Canada, a victory for the Planet

Mr. Trudeau won while making big promises on climate change.”

“…the prime minister’s Conservative opponents relied on the conventional wisdom that carbon taxes are political poison, and they lost.”

We may well need such clear understanding on behalf of the voters in our next national election.

REFLECTIONS ON OUR UNIVERSE

From a very young age, I have loved gazing at the stars at night.  Lloyd is able to point out many terrestrial aspects of a dark night sky, and has done so for me in many countries on planet earth.  We have been blessed with several clear night skies since Elijah’s death.  I have stood on the small upper deck off of our bedroom on the third floor of our home. Remaining very still and quiet I am deeply aware of his bright spirit.  Good night, Elijah.

Across the Universe

 “Pools of sorrow, waves of joy

Are drifting through my open mind

Possessing and caressing me

Across the Universe

~Lennon and McCartney

Be well and love life.

~ Liz

My monthly Reflections episodes, the Dragon radio show I record at HCC, can be found at http://dragondigitalradio.podbean.com/category/reflections-on-life/.

This month, for the first time I did a second interview of the same person, Willie Flowers, President of the Howard County NAACP.  We spoke of the impact he had on my relationship with several generation relatives when he introduced me to the president of the Calvert County branch of the NAACP.  Lloyd and I visited him, and he in turn introduced me to a woman who knows direct descendants of my mom’s dad, who was born and raised in Calvert County before moving to Baltimore.  While visiting, we participated in a memorial program on the dock of the Patuxent River from which about 15 slaves had escaped in the early 1800’s.

The minister sang “Old Man River” in a magnificently deep baritone. We and about 30 others, black and white sang along with him. Next month, Lloyd and I will return to Calvert County to meet with the other Monnett descendants.  My mom, born Helen Marie Monnett, will be with me in spirit, deeply.