8.26.2008

From past to present t0 future ...

6:45 a.m. - We are on the road. OK, it's not 4 a.m., but we are on the road...Primarily, we will follow I-90 west to Minneapolis. MA, NY, PA, OH, IL, IN, WI, MN. Yep, lotz of red states. Carlos has spent three weeks changing thr clutch, suspension, working on electrical, and cleaning the truck.

A shout out must go to Sarah Fuhro who single-womanly collected donations to get theze repairs done and make this trip happen. She grabbed my email list and added it to her own list to ask people to help us out with a $25 donations. More than 100 people internationally sent assistance. Some donations were small (it's not the quantity but the donators quality and integrity) and others were larger. This exercise in faith for Carlos and me in having Sarah send out emails on our behalf has been humbling. She is a remarkable spirit. Her son Joe is currently serving in Afghanistan. We met through 'MFSO' and together we formed the Massachusetts chapter. Sarah and her husbans Bob are our puppies' 'dog-parents'. Her families' support prior to this fundraising has been to watch Buddy and Chica when we travel for peace. The dogs love them. Recently, their own doggie MacDuff went to doggie heaven. I pray that during this time that they and their daughter-in-law Kathleen watch our pups that Buddy and Chica aid in their grief over losing their canine family member.

5 p.m. - Cleveland, Ohio
Wow! We flew over the highways. I drove 90 minutes. Carlos with his fortitude and sheer will drove this trip like a duck with water running off his back. I admire and love this green eyed broken hearted Dad.

5:30 p.m. - The Roper/Ball residence, Cleveland Heights
I have not seen Joyce since 1993. Two children later and this woman is younger than I remember. Her kidz, Sydney is 6 and Graham is 10, are beautiful. This home is lovely...

8 p.m. - We have met Chris Ball, Joyce's husband and Dad to these children. A peacemaker since the 80s. He and Joyce met at the Great American Peace March in 1986. They met at a ten year reunion again in 1996. The rest is his and her story. The proof is in their pride and joy of children. They are intelligent, spirited, peaceful joys. I see Alex's spirit living and alive in these young people. Alexander lives on this voyage...

So, these two peace activists (Carlos and moi) have been passed the torch to us. As they parent in peace we protest peacefully in their stead.

The torch has been passed.