REFLECTIONS ON HOME IN COLUMBIA

We are well into the “New Year”, 2016.

The unusually mild weather has made it easy for Lloyd and me to continue our walks.  While walking I am often mindful of what these unseasonably warm days in January mean for the future of our planet.

January 14 of this week marks one full year since I no longer held public elected office after 37 years.  Though I clearly loved and valued my world work during all these years, I have had a beautiful, peaceful year.  As I go about living in Columbia, I continue to be asked frequently whether I miss being in public office. My answer is constant:  I loved it for all those years, and now I am very clear I no longer want to devote so much of my time to that.  I am grateful for such clarity for which I credit my meditation guides, some still living on this planet and some not. 

Some of the pleasures Lloyd and I now enjoy include having more time for good TV programs and good movies.  I have been surprised by how many there are.  Watching the Kennedy Center awards program when numerous magnificent musicians and performers were given national recognition I was literally transported back 50 years when James Taylor sang one of our all-time favorites, “Up on the Roof” in honoring Carole King.  We witnessed President Obama wipe a tear from his eye.

The quality and variety of music offerings right here in our community is edifying.  Last night Lloyd and I attended a magnificent performance in the Chamber Music Series of the Candlelight Concert Society at Howard Community College.  We can so clearly recall Norm and Nancy Winkler who started that series in the early days of Columbia.  With the 50^th anniversary of our beloved James Rouse’s newtown, we have an excellent opportunity through the Columbia Festival of the Arts to create a thorough and beautiful performance of his accomplishments, inclusivity, and values which continue to enrich our lives.  We are the ones who have the responsibility to keep it alive.

This evening I will be attending the Howard County Concert Orchestra’s “Viennese New Year Celebration” conducted by my friend, Ron Mutchnik, who was inspired to create this performance, including ballet dancers, when he visited Vienna last year.

We are blessed with numerous other musical and theatrical groups whose talents we plan to enjoy throughout 2016.  I am grateful to Lloyd for drafting and sponsoring the county legislation which created the Howard County Arts Council when he served on the Howard County Council during the 80’s.                                                                                     

Howard Community College will be presenting “The Seasons of a Woman’s Life” on Friday, March 4 at 9:30 a.m.   This program will include recognition of my life’s work for social, economic, and environmental justice in public policy.   

REFLECTIONS ON ZACH

One day last week, while doing regular chores around Columbia, I met an acquaintance who asked how I was doing and added “we all thought you would really miss elected office since you held it for so many and were so good at it”.  Grateful for that compliment, I gave my usual answer that I had indeed loved my work and I am quite clear that I no longer want to contribute to the universe in that way.  I added that it becomes clearer and clearer to me that my experience with Zach during the last two years of his life played a big part in my decision to leave public office.  His ability to live life to the fullest no matter what and to find ways in which he could help others live a life of love even while his own abilities became more and more limited had an enormous impact on me.  I realized that every one of us is presented each day with limitless opportunities to promote more love and peace in this world, often in a one-on-one basis.  Every morning I remind myself to emulate Zach as much as I can.  I still have a limitless way to go to attain his selflessness and loving kindness.  Yet I know of no better goal than to be like Zach.

REFLECTIONS ON BALTIMORE, MY HOMETOWN

Some of you have told me that you like to read my comments on articles from publications  relating to public policy in the city of Baltimore, state of Maryland, and nation of the United States, but that you don’t usually “bother” with the articles.  Well, I am presenting you with a challenge this first month of 2016.

Following are twelve recent articles and editorials from the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post which I found particularly insightful regarding public policy issues facing Baltimore, Maryland, and the U. S.  Many of them focus on the lack of economic justice, which I continue to consider to be by far our greatest challenge as a democracy.  I also feel very strongly and have worked for many years for stronger gun restrictions.

One of the greatest examples of economic injustice is not covered in these articles - the lack of a range of new housing costs in the thousands of new residential units being built in our own community in Downtown Columbia –  almost all are upper end.  I have found no accurate reporting on the fact that big profits will be made while leaving moderate and low income people literally “in the dust”.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-kelly-column-2015-20151225-column.html  

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-ideas-for-better-baltimore-20151229-photogallery.html  

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-bb-schools-20160108-story.html  

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-lead-addiction-20151228-story.html  

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/the-church-is-not-the-building-it-is-our-faith-and-our-people/2015/12/26/dce43392-a41f-11e5-9c4e-be37f66848bb_story.html  

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/misplaced-priorities-in-college-sports/2015/12/26/457528c2-a9a1-11e5-9b92-dea7cd4b1a4d_story.html  

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-tobacco-tax-20160107-story.html  

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/fewer-people-are-sentenced-to-maryland-prisons-but-too-many-remain-behind-bars/2016/01/05/a1f56b84-b333-11e5-9388-466021d971de_story.html  

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/president-obamas-gun-reforms-are-sensible--but-long-overdue/2016/01/05/edf9ef78-b3e7-11e5-a842-0feb51d1d124_story.html  

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/capitalists-should-listen-to-bernie-sanders/2015/12/27/e16ebaa0-ab2b-11e5-bff5-905b92f5f94b_story.html  

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-gun-lobbys-con-game-will-wind-down/2016/01/06/01e33d9e-b4ad-11e5-9388-466021d971de_story.html  

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-problem-in-the-boom-in-auto-sales/2016/01/06/4f6657f6-b3e3-11e5-9388-466021d971de_story.html 

REFLECTIONS ON OUR PLANET BEYOND THE UNITED STATES

On Wednesday, January 13, Lloyd and I will leave for three weeks in Southeast Asia.  This will be our first journey to this part of our planet.  We will be visiting Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Singapore – most on a tour and a smaller portion on our own.

I will be carrying with me some of the writings of two of my greatest spiritual teachers: Thich Nhat Hanh, a world-known Vietnamese monk, and Thomas Merton, a U.S. Catholic monk who spent considerable time in Thailand working on communion between Buddhist and Christian monks.  (During Pope Francis’ recent visit, he cited Merton as one of the three greatest gifts our nation has given to the world. I remember when I was quite young my Mom’s reading his spiritual biography, “Seven Story Mountain.”) Lloyd will be carrying travel books and novels set in the area “Lord Jim” by Conrad, “The Quiet American” by Graham Greene, “The Killing Fields” by Christopher Hudson.  As usual, w e will share our books

We have also revisited some of the films about this region – Indochine, Bridge on the River Kwai, and Good Morning Viet Nam with our beloved Robin Williams.  The latter film also served to remind me all too clearly of the fear of the draft among my friends when we were fresh out of high school and even more strongly about one of our nation’s least admirable eras.

REFLECTIONS ON OUR UNIVERSE

Lloyd and I are also indulging ourselves with more time reading our favorite periodicals to which we subscribe:  The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Harper’s.

The January edition of Harper’s contained an article which I am unable to access for inclusion in this message.  So here is a synopsis of “Trying to Get a Handle on the Unfathomable Hugeness of Everything.”

Alan Lightman, a physicist teaching at MIT and a novelist who authored “Einstein’s Dreams,” writes that most physicists agree on the big-bang theory and that 14 billion years ago the entire observable universe was “roughly a million billion billion times SMALLER than a single atom” and has been expanding ever since to its current size of something like 100 million galaxies.”

I have incorporated this “Unfathomable Hugeness” into my awareness each night when I look out on the night sky through the two large windows by our bed – one above the headboard and one two feet away from “my side”.  I have converted that side windowsill into somewhat of an altar with photos of Zach and other family members as well as a hand-printed letter that Zach, at the age of ten, penned for Lloyd and me after he came home from his several months at Hopkins with his first brain tumor.

Zach and I loved to look at the stars together at the beach and we spoke of them during his last two years.  The “altar” includes small works of art with the following quotes:

“If we only look down, there will never be stars.”    Hakuin

“The darker the night, the brighter the stars.”           Fyodor Dostoyevsky

“Surely now he’s the one giving light to the stars.”   Unknown

“In one of the stars I shall be living 

  In one of them I shall be laughing 

  And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing 

  When you look at the sky at night."                             The Little Prince

                                                                                      Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 Pools of sorrow, waves of joy

Are drifting through my open mind

Possessing and caressing me

Across the Universe

- Lennon and McCartney

May we all live a life filled with constant awareness of “unfathomable hugeness”, love, and peace during this year of 2016.

~Liz 

Reflections on Life - November 2015

It had been my intention when Lloyd and I flew off to Puerto Rico on November 5 for a 10 day holiday that this message would go out while I was away. Then there was Paris, and it simply didn't seem possible to send it out without some kind of acknowledgment of this global heart and spirit breaking tragedy. 

It was more than somewhat surreal that Lloyd and I were able to envelop ourselves in the natural beauty of the more remote coastal areas of this island as well as another much smaller island of Culebra off its northeast shore. Although we had been to Puerto Rico numerous times before, our last visit was almost 20 years ago when we took my sister Martha with us shortly before she died of leukemia in our home.

The lush greenery and countless creatures on land and in the beautiful turquoise sea served as a backdrop for the images embedded in our minds from TV of the hate filled carnage.  One quote from a young male Parisian stays with me: "They want us to hate. I will not hate. We must stand up and live. That is all."

When you think about it, isn't that all any of us can ever do in this precious life?

REFLECTIONS ON HOME IN COLUMBIA

During this autumn season, now that daylight savings has given way to standard time, I am increasingly aware that sunrise comes later each morning and sunset earlier each evening.  I can sense the change in season throughout my mind, body, and soul.

Behind our home are a few acres of undeveloped land surrounding a pond and bordered by tall trees that live between us and other homes. The setting sun moves behind those trees a bit earlier each day. Now that most of the leaves have fallen, the remaining rays are clearly visible. By the time my December 21^st birthday comes around, the last rays will be visible at 4:30pm. Each year on my winter solstice birthday, Lloyd

pens a brief poem on the theme of my bringing the light back. Gotta love that guy.

Brilliantly colored leafed trees have been visible from every window in our home.  Now they are virtually leafless. The pathways in the Middle Patuxent Valley, safe from the ubiquitous leaf blowers, are totally covered with fallen leaves, dry and crunchy on some days and rain sodden on others, creating a very different sensation underfoot as we take our

walks.  Cedar Lane and Little Patuxent Parkway sidewalks are periodically cleared of leaves, making our walks there quieter, though the silence continues to be joyfully broken by your beeps and honks, bringing a smile to our faces.

For twenty years my campaign committee held a picnic in one of the Cedar Lane Park pavilions.  Each year the number of attendees increased, and by the last few years people spilled out well onto the surrounding grassy parkland.  A constant at these picnics was a rousing and inspirational talk given by Congressman Elijah Cummings. Just this week, Lloyd and I were perusing a large album of photos taken at these picnics and other community events so generously prepared by our friend, Columbia photographer Ron Fedorzak.  To my surprise, many of my faithful supporters throughout my years in elected office asked when the “Liz picnic” would be held this year.  They expressed disappointment

when I responded that those picnics were over – gone with my many years in public office. I was moved by their emotion, and it served to remind me how fortunate I am that, much as I valued holding office, it

never became my identity.  I was Liz Bobo then, and I’m Liz Bobo now, in love with life.

Lloyd and I had great experiences recently at two Howard County restaurants that we have frequented for many years.  One was at Tersiguel’s on Main Street, Ellicott City. After we went to the county court house 22 years ago to get our marriage license, we walked down the hill to have a celebratory lunch.  Fernand sat us at the small table by the “renaud (fox)” stained glass window.  We have returned every tenth of October since, bar one when we were out of the country, to enjoy a scrumptious French meal at the same table. This year we were seated by Fernand’s son. When making our year’s travel plans we work around that date.  Guess it’s safe to say we love traditions.

The other was on November 5 when we went to Clyde’s to sit at the bar and get a great sandwich with a beer and wine for supper.  We started talking with three guys sitting next to us and learned that they had been original bartenders when Clyde’s opened on that same date in 1975. A delightful hour followed during which we shared countless wonderful stories about the early days of Columbia.  I think it’s safe to say that each of us is so grateful to have had that experience of Columbia in its early years and continue to hope that most of the original values instilled in us by our founder, Jim Rouse, will live on.

On Tuesday we leave for ten days in Puerto Rico. We will be staying in small towns and a small island offshore where we have visited several times before.  We love the people, culture, history, and beauty of this place on planet earth.

REFLECTIONS ON ZACH

In the ever expanding circle of interconnectedness surrounding Zach, I continue to be approached by people I have never met telling me how he has impacted their lives.

One day a few weeks ago I had two such encounters.  The first occurred in the morning at a coffee shop.  Lloyd and I had read the “Post” and “Sun” with our coffee, and he had left for the golf course. I stayed at the table reviewing my “to do” list for the day and quietly made a couple of calls on my cell phone.  The line of customers waiting to place their orders at the counter passed by my table.  Right after I completed a call

to someone my daughter had asked me to contact about the possibility of his helping with an event sponsored by the Zaching Against Cancer

Foundation, a young woman asked if I knew Zach. I replied that I am his grandma and asked how she knew him.  She responded that she worked at Camden Yards during the baseball season and saw many kids there wearing their foundation tee shirts and striking a Zaching pose. She had asked the kids what they were doing and learned Zach’s inspirational story through their response.  We had a nice warm talk in which she asked to be put on the foundation contact list and then we left the coffee

shop to continue our respective days.  After running a few errands I drove to pick up Zach’s sister, Julia, and go to lunch at outdoor Clyde’s on one of the last warm sunny days of autumn.  On the drive there I told Julia about my encounter with the woman at the coffee shop. The minute we got out of my car at the lakefront parking lot, a guy walking by called

out ,“Are you Liz Bobo?”  I said “yes” and asked who he was. His reply, “I’m a friend of Zach’s.”  Julia and I simply looked at each other. Neither of us recognized this man. Derek is his name, and he is about twice Zach’s age.  He said they had met about four years ago in a cash register line in an Ellicott City drug store.  After paying they continued to talk for several minutes until one of Zach’s friends from school came in and told them that the guys were waiting for him in their car. The two new

acquaintances kept in touch, occasionally having lunch together. Though I had never met Derek, Zach had told me about him. Both told me that they shared beautiful conversations about the wonder of life.

Julia and Zach’s dad, John, stopped by our home one evening recently. John had just returned from a weeklong hike along the Appalachian trail. A year ago he had covered an adjacent section of the trail, adding to the considerable distance he had hiked with Zach in previous years. One lesson he told us he had learned on last year’s hike was to pay even more attention to the weight of each item he carried with him. That included his relatively heavy leather wallet.  He decided to check in Zach’s room to see whether his wallet was lighter.  Turned out it was, though much more important, John found a halfsheet of paper folded in one of the compartments.  One side contained typed “promises” of legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, one of Zach’s heroes. Example:

“Promise yourself to be strong so that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.”   The other side of the paper has several quotes in Zach’s handwriting.  One:  “It is better to travel hopefully than arrive.” (Robert Louis Stevenson)  Another: “Looking back it seems to me all the grief that had to be left me, when the pain was over, stronger than I was before.” In my mind’s eye, I can so clearly see Zach pulling out this precious paper, which had obviously been folded and unfolded repeatedly, and reading it for sustenance and inspiration which he then in turn passed on to so many of us.  John let me make a copy which I now carry in my wallet.

On November 21 the Zaching Against Cancer Foundation will hold its annual Run/Walk at Turf Valley on Route 40. Lloyd and I have signed up for the 5K, I walking and he jogging (at least part of the way. Most of our family will be there, and Zach’s parents are hoping for a good turnout. This Foundation was Zach’s idea, and he led the first several board meetings sitting at the head of the family’s dining room table with the board members including two Centennial High coaches. Zach wanted to help other kids with brain cancer have the loving support he so experienced.  A friend whose kids go to Centennial recently told me that the halls of the school still ring with stories of Zach even though most of the kids in attendance there now never met him.

Go to “ZachingAgainstCancer.org” and come join us. We had a great time last year and would love to see you.

REFLECTIONS ON BALTIMORE, MY HOMETOWN Baltimore Sun 10/11/15 - D.Watkins for Mayor

Last month I wrote about former teacher now published essayist, D.

Watkins’ “searing dispatches from urban war zones.”  In a later edition of

“The Sun”The local writer lays out a plan for bettering Baltimore including

desegregating schools.

Baltimore Sun 10/25/15 - Brick by Brick

Baltimore looks to many benefactors to help rebuild, and perhaps inspire,

after April’s unrest

REFLECTIONS ON PUBLIC POLICY

Washington Post 10/30/15 -  Court:  NSA can collect phone data through

Nov.

Deep gratitude to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for its diligence and courage in pursuing this post 911 invasion of privacy issue. Security is clearly important, and it must be balanced with individual rights.

Washington Post 10/15/15 - Backlash builds against dominance of wealthy donors

Large campaign contributions are directly connected to the fact that such a large percentage of our nation’s wealth is held by the top 1% of our population.  I have to go with Bernie Saunders on this one.

REFLECTIONS ON OUR PLANET BEYOND THE U.S.

Seven years ago Lloyd and I took a magnificent vacation traveling through the Balkans. We travelled alone by train, bus, and ferry through Slovenia, Croatia, Boznia, and Montenegra.  The mountains and sea were exquisite, and all of the people warm and welcoming.  Yet the tension between the Croatians and Boznians was palpable.  In the mountain town of Mostar

big holes in the stone walls made by launched weapons remain in homes and other buildings.  These images arose as we viewed on TV the movement of the masses of refugees fro Syria, Afghanistan, and northern Africa migrating through this area.  It has been more than 20 years since the Balkan wars.  Now refugees from other repressed countries travel through this land where even now bitterness remain.

Yes, another interconnectivity note.  Zach loved to watch ESPN 30 for 30 videos and he liked me to watch some of them with him. One of his favorites was about two boys, one who grew up in Bosnia and another in Croatia.  They had been best of friends and each was the star on his high school basketball team.  Both moved to the U.S. and were drafted for pro teams.  Then their countries went to war and their long deep friendship turned to enmity.  Zach was moved beyond words that we humans are capable of such hatred.

A few days later, Lloyd and I drove to western Maryland to take Julia out for lunch.  Our waiter was from Croatia and very familiar with that particular 30 for 30 video.

Omnipresent interconnectivity.

Washington Post 11/9/15 – After 25-year wait, a democratic election in

Burma

Ponder the contrast between the fierce determination of peaceful Aung San Suu Kyi and her Burmese supporters to have an opportunity to cast their vote and our low voter turnout in the U.S.  Mindboggling.

Washington Post 10/26/15 – Lessons from up north by E.J. Dionne, Jr. “The Liberal Party landslide and the triumph of Justin Trudeau in Canada’s election …was a tonic for progressive economics and a cautionary tale for parties on the center-left lacking the courage of their

convictions.  Trudeau proved that voters understand the difference between profligacy and necessary public investment.”

I pray that we U.S. voters demonstrate the same understanding in 2016.

REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

Our Pale Blue Dot – Astro physicist Carl Sagan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wupToqz1e2g

The older I get, the more I believe that people are basically good. These two physicists, one astro and one quantum, contributed greatly to my developing that belief. Another immediate example of the ever widening circle of inter-connectivity manifesting itself in my life on this earth: I am typing this on November 9 and just read that today is Carl Sagan’s 81st birthday.  Lloyd is 81.

Quantum Physics & Creativity -  Quantum physicist, Hans-Peter Dürr and

Deepak Chopra 1/2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIKgldFGPe0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymsCpeN3UZE

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 July 2015 Newsletter:

Liz Bobo Reflections on Zach and Life Today marks six months since I completed 33 years in elected public office and the newly elected members of the Maryland legislature were sworn into office. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve for so many years and adjusted virtually immediately and quite easily to no longer holding public office. Lloyd and I were present in the balcony of the House of Delegates chambers in the Maryland State House in Annapolis to witness Eric Ebersole, Terri Hill, and Clarence Lam take the oath of office and assume the role of representing Legislative District 12. I was aware of deep gratitude of their willingness to take on this major responsibility in our democracy. Many of you have asked me, some more than once, what happened to my oft repeated commitment to continue my monthly e-newsletter. Clearly I have not done so for six months now. My answer - wisdom directed me to do otherwise. I determined it wise to limit my role during that first legislative session during which I did not hold office to mainly that of an observer, albeit a quite vested one. Given the numerous changes in Annapolis, I thought the session went quite well. Clearly revenue sources will be a central issue throughout the next four years. I have been spending my time catching up with friends of all ages, some new and some of long standing, travelling (mostly with Lloyd), and focusing on my meditation practice. Last week I participated in my tenth annual weeklong silent retreat at a center in the rolling farmland outside Richmond, Virginia. It is led by a Buddhist monk named Shinzen, though the focus is not religious. I am aware of the depth of the impact with peaceful mindfulness and am so grateful to my friends David Glaser and Judy Vogel for "putting me on to it" ten years ago. What a blessing. Virtually every day that we have been home here in Columbia, I have walked 3.5 miles, often with Lloyd, Sometimes we walk out our back door and down Swansfield Road to the magnificent Middle Patuxent Valley, for which our beloved Jim Rouse donated thousands of acres. We have watched it change from winter snow covered hills through the newly spring green to the current lush summer foliage. Other times we walk out our front door and down Cedar Lane to Little Patuxent Parkway around the Clary's Forest "loop road" and back. Many of you have "honked" as you drove by us in your vehicles. Keep on honking! So today I resume what I plan to be a monthly communication of my experiences and observations of the impact of public policy - local, state, national, and international- on the lives of we humans and our planet. Although not a religious communication, it will include my observations on the impact of major religious leaders such as the Dali Lama and Pope Francis, who currently speak to me as truly, clearly, and courageously as anyone about the needs and conditions of our planet. In the past months, I have given thought to doing some other form of writing about my combined spiritual and public policy journey. I have been gratified and humbled by the suggestions and offers of editing assistance that I have received from professional writers and journalists. I focused on this prospect during some of the "sits" on my recent retreat. I look forward to continuing to share this amazing life with all of you. Reflections on Zach March 11 marked an entire year since Zach took his last breath on this earth. On that day Lloyd and I were riding along the ridge of the Andes and in the Sacred Valley adjacent to Machu Picchu in Peru. At about 3:30 our tour bus stopped at a walled-in village of indigenous peoples who raise their own food, weave their own clothing from alpaca, and sell their products to groups who have attained approval to visit inside. About 14 of us entered the walls and received demonstrations of weaving and cooking. I told Lloyd that at 4pm I was going to step outside the gate, and I did. I sat on the knoll of a bright green mountain and watched white clouds move swiftly through a deep blue sky. I noted 4:15 as the time Zach took his last breath. He was right there with me in the magnificent Andes. You probably won't be at all surprised to know that I believe this cannot be simply a coincidence. Zach and I had many beautiful conversations about various spiritual traditions throughout the ages and around the world. I so benefited from his curious and reflective mind. Zach continues to be with me in spirit continually, particularly when I am outdoors looking at the night sky. (Venus and Jupiter have performed for us beautifully this month, reminding me of one of my favorite Hafiz poems "The Planets are Throwing a Party Tonight.") Lloyd and I have a small deck right off of our bedroom, and it is part of my bedtime ritual to stand out there with memories of Zach and all he taught me about how precious life is. "Come from love, not fear" was one of our favorite centering phrases. Since he departed this earth, I have been with him and the moon and stars and planets in Italy, Greece, Haiti, and more recently Peru, Ecuador, and Barbados. I so often recall the quote that Father Richard, my Mom's friend who serves life by heading a hospital, orphanages, and schools in Port au Prince, sent me shortly after Zach departed from this earthly life: "When we die, we lose neither our awareness nor our understanding. Rather our awareness becomes as wide as the sky and our understanding as deep as the sea." So Zach's spirit constantly encompasses his Mom, his Dad, his sister Julia, and all of his loved ones More than a few of my friends, and some whose names I do not know, have told me that they benefit by focusing on Zach when they are in times of pain and sorrow. I believe it's a good idea to include times of joy. The 2015 New Year's edition of the Baltimore Sun included "remembrances" of eight individuals from the metropolitan area who had died in 2014. They were mostly men and women in their seventies and eighties who had made significant contributions to academia, government, business, or sports. Then there was Zach Lederer, age 20, whose "signature fist-pumping pose gave hope not only to those in medical situations, but also to those in life who had other problems. They had to think 'if he can do it, I can.' " And so it continues. You may be aware that the University of Maryland basketball team had a stellar season this year. Zach, who would have been a senior, had served as student manager of the team. His parents follow the team closely and attend the games when they can in seats set aside for them by the coach and team. During at least a few of the games recognition was given to the inspiration that Zach had and still does give to the team. That New Year's edition of the Sun also contained a list of "Most-Viewed Maryland stories for 2014". Of the eight "remembrances" of individuals, only one individual, Zach, was also included in the ten stories most-viewed on the internet. The more time passes, the clearer it becomes just how intentionally Zach developed his will to live his life with brain cancer in a way that would inspire and thereby help others. It brings to mind the Jackie Robinson quote he chose for his Centennial High School yearbook, a year before the discovery of his second brain tumor following the one he had as a younger boy "A life is not important except the impact it has on other lives." This spring another grandson, Patrick Knowles, graduated from high school in Montgomery County. Lloyd and I were present at the graduation. When the principal recited this same Jackie Robinson quote at the end of the ceremony, I knew Zach had found a way to be with his cousin at graduation. Patrick will be following Zach to the University of Maryland. Reflections on My Beloved Hometown, Baltimore I grew up in West Baltimore near the site of the Edmondson Village shopping center before it was constructed. I walked a mile down Edmondson Avenue to St. Bernardine's Elementary School. I used to walk with my Mom to catch the streetcar on this avenue and ride it to the Lexington Market in downtown Baltimore where we would buy our weekly meat and produce. By the time I went to high school, these trolley tracks had been torn up, and I would take the bus on the same route past the market to the intersection of Charles and Saratoga Streets, transferring to another bus northbound to Seton High school near the Baltimore Museum of Art about one mile from the intersection of Pennsylvania and North Avenues, the hub of the recent, tragic riots. Years later I would walk to that same market for a lunch of fresh seafood at Faidley's stall when I was a young mother and student at the University of Maryland School of Law. Shortly after the riots, Lloyd and I attended an outdoor program very close to this intersection where David Simon, prophetic creator of The Wire and The Corner, spoke to an audience of about 200 sitting on metal folding chairs. He had flown into town in short order and of his own accord to encourage people (us) to support Baltimore during this most difficult time. It is very important that we in nearby affluent Howard County heed his words. A few weeks later, I and three long time women friends from Columbia drove in to Center Stage in Baltimore to see a performance of "Marley" . This production, which had record attendance for the venue, drew a packed house of human beings of all shapes, sizes and colors who virtually "brought the house down" while up on their feet singing Bob Marley's magnificent songs at the end of the performance. There are possibilities for moving beyond this violence, and we must all be a part of the healing. News Articles Washington Post "A Crusader's Quiet Farewell" I very rarely describe a human being as a "hero". I reserve that term for those who habitually demonstrate courage in the face of personal harm and for the benefit of the greater good. For many years Bill Moyers has been one of my heroes. This Post article covers some of his many contributions to protecting our rights in a democracy. I find the closing paragraph quoting Moyers particularly poignant: "I've lived long enough to see the triumph of zealots and absolutists, to watch money swallow politics, to witness the rise of the corporate state. I didn't drift. I moved left just by standing still." And so it is, Bill. http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/bill-moyers-signs-off--for-the-final-time-he-swears/2015/01/01/1c641bac-9118-11e4-a412-4b735edc7175_story.html Financial Institutions I am so grateful that Maryland's Attorney General Brian Frosh is demonstrating the courage to take on the injustice so evident in our financial institutions. We clearly have a need for many more like him in our nation. http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-md-frosh-everest-20150618-story.html Taxpayers have bail big banks out http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/we-bailed-you-out-and-now-you-want-what/2015/06/05/95ba1be0-0a27-11e5-95fd-d580f1c5d44e_story.html Wall Street http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/when-wall-street-offers-free-money-watch-out/2015/07/10/11452e6e-2583-11e5-b72c-2b7d516e1e0e_story.html The Pope, The Dali Lama, and Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi The follow three articles reflect my opening paragraphs on the possibilities of major positive impacts by those in religious positions. Though the Burmese leader does not hold a religious position, she had endured long suffering through meditation to benefit her country. Dalai Lama http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dalai-lamas-birthday-underscores-tough-road-ahead-for-tibet/2015/07/05/64d7a716-20ef-11e5-84d5-eb37ee8eaa61_story.html Dalai Lama article http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/dalai-lama-getting-his-second-wind/2015/07/10/02cfe2e4-26b8-11e5-b77f-eb13a215f593_story.html The Pope http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-pope-the-saint-and-the-climate/2015/06/17/2087095e-1531-11e5-9518-f9e0a8959f32_story.html Burma  http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/burmas-fragile-transition/2015/06/16/56bd4746-1463-11e5-9518-f9e0a8959f32_story.html Prize-Winning Author Chabon Returns to His Beginnings Sometimes the words of a inspiring masterful author can help us appreciate our Newtown of Columbia, particularly when he grew up here and is the grandson of our beloved founder, Jim Rouse. http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bs-ae-author-chabon-20150418-story.html The Right to be Free from Guns Freedom from guns seems so distant when we read daily of more and more gun violence in Baltimore. We must hold on to the real possibility that we can attain this freedom. This effort will take all of us. We in Maryland are blessed to have Vinnie de Marco leading us with his compassionate wisdom. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-right-to-be-free-from-guns/2015/06/24/0e2d8d04-1a8c-11e5-bd7f-4611a60dd8e5_story.html Liz

Autumn has arrived.

On the last evening of summer Lloyd and I invited the immediate neighbors from our cul-de-sac to visit our home for refreshments. We printed up a handout with the dates and times of upcoming magnificent performances by the moon, planets, and stars for the remainder of the year 2015.  It gets quite dark in our little area, providing a good opportunity for great viewing.  I included on the paper a poem: "Autumn is another spring, when every leaf is a flower." (Albert Camus)  In an ever expanding circle of interconnectedness, Katerina, one of our granddaughters, said when she looked at the handout "I'm studying Camus in class now" at Wilde Lake High.

On our walks we observe more and more dry crunchy fallen leaves underfoot, particularly on the hilly paths off the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area.  Mentioning our walks, I cannot fail to tell you how we continue to get such a kick out of the "beeps and honks" from an increasing number of you along Cedar Lane and LPP.  What fun, and I so love fun!

Lloyd has hung two new hummingbird feeders outside our kitchen windows - one over the sink and one beside the table where we eat most of our daily meals.  Over the 23 years that we have been living together in our townhouse, we have had numerous such feeders which rarely attracted hummingbirds.  These two new feeders are very small - about four ounces - and the humming birds really love them.  We get so much pleasure watching these tiny winged creatures.  In Ecuador last spring we visited a hummingbird sanctuary swarming with hundreds of birds in a screened-in area of about 30' by 30'. Some lit on our hands and stayed for 15 minutes or more.  I experienced an awareness of feeling so profoundly trusted.

As sponsors of the legislation that created the Howard County Arts Council over thirty years ago, Lloyd and I are so gratified to see the arts continue to thrive in our community.  The quality of concerts, theater, and the visual arts is truly stunning for a community of our size, and we attend the performances and exhibitions frequently.

When I was a five year old first grader at St. Bernardine's Elementary School in West Baltimore, I played the role of Mary in a nativity scene in a school Christmas play.  Some of the kids said I was chosen because my older sister, Martha, had entered the order of nuns, Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), who taught at the school.  My mom, of course, differed and believed it was pure talent that landed her youngest daughter the pivotal role  At any rate, that nativity scene uncharacteristically elicited much laughter from the mostly parental audience because I could not keep my veil from slipping off of my head and had to keep reaching down to the floor, on which I was kneeling by Joseph and the infant doll in the crib, to return it to its rightful place.  I have never performed on stage since, though in later elementary school years as a member of the choir I was occasionally pulled out of class to go next door to the parish church and sing solo in Latin from the choir loft at a funeral mass.  My mom opined that I was chosen because I had perfect pitch, though, alas, years later we learned that the nuns said I was the only kid in the choir loud enough to fill the entire church from the loft. Fast forward to the present and the upcoming next segment in October of the Columbia Festival of the Arts.  I received a call from Valerie Lash, Dean of Arts and Humanities at Howard Community College (HCC), whose energy and  talent serves our community so beautifully through Rep Stage and other venues, asking me to play a small part in one of the productions of the Festival.  So after almost 70 years I will be back on stage along with other familiar faces from our Columbia community.  Come see us on October 4 at 3pm at the community college, and please pray that  my veil stays put.

Rehearsal went great last week, and the director, S.G. Kramer, said I delivered my modest lines beautifully! 

Culture and the arts are thriving throughout HCC under not only Valerie, but others such as Tara Hart and Helen Mitchell.  I recently attended the Rep Stage production of  Baltimore Waltz.  Magnificent!  Jim Karantonis is a friend who has volunteered and given me some guidance on my writing-very helpful and energizing.  Jim describes himself as a story teller.  I have heard him deliver one of his "stoop stories" at HCC.  Last week at a performance of the HCC Arts Collective, he read "The Prize" a true story from the psych wards during the Viet Nam War.  I was truly bummed out when I had to leave before his reading. Jim sent me the radio recording of this piece which he describes as "my small way to remember the soldiers."

REFLECTIONS ON ZACH

I continue to hear from people, some of whom I don't know, about how their lives are being inspired by Zach and the way he lived his precious, though brief, life. I am including a message I received recently from Jerry Krasnick, a long time friend here in Columbia.

"I went camping a few months back, and I was hiking a mountain that had some tough challenges for me.....my MS is getting worse, so it's difficult to hike steep inclines.....anyhoo....I got near the summit and was contemplating giving up and going back down.......I thought of two people that always had the attitude of "never give up,"  my mother and your grandson Zach.

I made it to the top.

Love & Peace,

Jerry

Last week, Zach's sister, Julia posted on Facebook, continuing his family's dedication to keeping his beautiful, indomitable spirit alive.  And alive it is.

"#tbt with my bestfriend, miss you more than anything"

On November 21, the annual Zaching Against Cancer Foundation will hold its second(?) annual run/walk at Turf Valley on Route 40.  Lloyd and I have signed up for the 5K, I walking and he jogging (at least part of the way).  Most of our family will be there as well, and Zach's mom, my daughter, Chris, expects a good turnout.  This foundation was Zach's idea and he led the first several board meetings sitting at the head of their dining room table with board members including two Centennial High coaches among others.  Zach wanted to help other kids with brain cancer have the loving support he so experienced.

Go to "Zaching Against Cancer.org" and come join us.  We had a great time last year and would love to see you.

REFLECTIONS ON BALTIMORE

I am so encouraged to read in the Baltimore Sun that the University of Maryland Law School from which I graduated is offering a course on Freddie Gray exploring "the legal and social challenges that surrounded Gray's life and death, and continue to fuel the distrust between police and the community in many poor and minority neighborhoods-challenges of housing, policing, education, violence, unemployment and health care."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/bs-md-ci-freddie-gray-class-20150903-story.html

Regarding violence, the following Baltimore Sun editorial, makes a point about guns in our communities that we simply must grasp:  "To stop the city's rampant gun deaths, we must remain appalled by them."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-homicides-20150903-story.html

"The Beast Side: Living (and Dying) While Black in America", a series of essays by former Baltimore City middle school teacher, D. Watkins, was released in September. D. grew up in Baltimore's east side.  His publisher describes the essays as "searing dispatches from urban war zones."  I grew up in Baltimore as well, on the west side.

Brutal as some of these essays are, I believe they can help us understand what we must do to revive this city as a place where all human life is respected and valued.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bs-ae-d-watkins-beast-side-20150905-story.html

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bs-ae-d-watkins-review-beast-side-20150911-story.html

           

MARYLAND PUBLIC POLICY

After several years of failed attempts, Maryland adopted the "Medical Marijuana Law".

I was a co-sponsor.  During the past year, much deliberation has taken place on the most advantageous method to administer this new law in a way that provides the most benefit to those who want it to ease the symptoms of various diseases and addictions while at the same time preventing harm and abuse.  Having prepared and adopted clear and strong guidelines, the state is now accepting applications for the first round of licenses to administer this law.

One application is from a consortium led by Blaise Connolly Duggan, a Columbia resident and graduate of Wilde Lake High School, who is now the director of the Penn North Drug Addiction Treatment Center in downtown Baltimore located in the center of the recent riot area.  This center, founded by Blaise's parents, Bob Duggan and Dianne Connolly has been operating for years as the only on demand drug treatment center in downtown Baltimore - show up at the door and you get treated.  You may have to come in and wait a while, and you do get treated.  The  center has received very high marks from the judicial system in the city for the low rate of recitivism in its clients.  Since the recent riots, the center has also provided food and activities for the area's kids.

There are several other Wilde Lake grads are on the consortium's board with Blaise.  I will be working with them.  Stay tuned.

Lloyd and I recently attended the memorial service for Richard Israel at St. Anne's Church right on the circle in Annapolis.  Richard had worked for years in the Maryland Attorney General's Office.  He provided excellent legal guidance to me on various controversial bills I sponsored over the years.  Richard was an attorney who truly loved and respected the law.  Several years ago, he left that office and ran a successful campaign to serve as one of Annapolis' Aldersmen.  He brought his love and  respect for the law and good public policy to that arena for several years. 

Richard was a brilliant, principled man who also had a marvelous sense of humor. A few years ago he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.  The way in which he lived with this disease which spares little in those who live with it was exemplary.  He inspired so many of us.

Then during the last legislative session, Richard performed what I believe may have been the best work of his life.  He voluntarily served as the human face for the "Death with Dignity Bill."  He did not get the benefit of this legislation at his life's end because it did not pass the legislature.  I'm certain that his courageous and life-loving example moved this public policy closer to being in law for others of us who hope to have its benefits available to us  at the end of our lives.

Thank you, Richard.

NATIONAL PUBLIC POLICY

Recently I read through the e-newsletters I have sent out during the past two years.  I was surprised to see that in virtually every one I had mentioned Pope Francis in one way or another.  Clearly there was something about this human being that caught and held my attention. 

When the Pope addressed Congress, I was on the lawn with thousands of others.  The simplicity and directness of his words stood out along with the softness of his voice and facial expression.  In my case there was agreement with the large majority of his points on public policy.  His ability to give voice to very strong positions with a gentle voice is something I want to learn.

Watching many of Francis' other appearances and listening to his talks on TV, I saw love show up on the faces of so many of his listeners, some of whom more frequently wore frowns and some who had expressed contrary public policy positions.

How many times during his visit to the U.S. did Francis say "Remember to pray for me. Don't forget." What a beautifully simple and effective way to get us to bring forth his presence and his message.

In his presence, I experience hope.

BEYOND THE U.S

I recently had a long cup of tea with Mike Clark, co-publisher of the literary periodical, Little Patuxent Review, and a former reporter with the Baltimore Sun who covered me when I served as a Howard County Councilmember and County Executive.  He had offered me some guidance with my writing skills, and I took him up on it. (A few years agoMike helped me organize my thoughts for a talk to a local congregation on public service and spirituality.)  Our conversation over tea ranged from our spiritual perspectives to world events, particularly the Syrian refugee crisis.  I told Mike that in the midst of all of this tragedy, I found some beauty and justice in the juxtaposition of Hitler and Germany's current Chancellor, Angela Merkel, one of the strongest advocates for these refugees.  Could there be a clearer contrast with Hitler? The next day Mike sent me his profile of Merkel.  (I am beginning to think I may appear to  be practicing fabrication, and yet it's true, I just this minute received a message from Mike forwarding me an interview with Pope Francis which has not received wide distribution. Note that we have not collaborated on the use of the work "interconnectedness".)

"Liz-  Angela Merkel, research scientist who grew up in communist East German,  turned German political leader:

Merkel represents the efficacy of maternal wisdom in social policy.   Maternal wisdom reflects the  sensitivity for children, family and community.  It sees the body politics in these terms as fundamental to society.  You can imagine her feelings when she saw the photos of the drowned Syrian child and how it touched the essence of what was an unfilled destiny of that child--and how Germany itself--besmirched by the horrors it caused in WWII and the holocaust--can find liberation and renewal by opening its arms.  Maternal wisdom  re-energizes a graying German society with immigrants seeking opportunity and it re-defines what it means to be a German offering hope rather than violence and death implied in the uber race consciousness of the Nazis and the rigid thought control of the Communists.  Maternal wisdom helps with the transitions essential to social mobility, creativity and opportunity.  it defines social policy as

an extension of family and community and sees the value in our inter-connectedness.

Mike"

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Pools of sorrow, waves of joy.

Are drifting through my opened mind

Possessing and caressing me.

Across the Universe  Lennon and McCartney

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~Liz