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Sunday, December 13, 2015

Peace to the World.

This is our second home, Riverbend Hospital/Specialty Clinics in Eugene, Oregon, one hundred and fifty miles from home.Here is where our doctors and specialists and surgeons practice. Here is where our grandson was born three years ago on a cold and wet day while carolers sang White Christmas in the big lobby. And this is also the town where I meet visitors who fly into Oregon, reigniting old friendships among pines and river banks/

Our doctors, friends and family are at our fingertip most days.
Personal appearances are not necessary in most cases.




This is Maggie Tintut and I two years ago in Los Angeles, where our children met and married, and we congratulated each other at graduations and weddings and comforted each other during sad times. We don't email or catch each other on Facebook, but our children do, and they pass on information back and forth, to be sure we are all connected as we can be.
We don't have to meet face to face as often as we used to to stay connected. At this gathering, as I walked ahead with Thizar my son's wife, her daughter and husband and my husband behind us, we were about to meet another dozen people, young and old, all stopping their lives to spend a Sunday morning with us all, sharing dim sum, catching up on all the events of the year. Notice how my husband back there is texting to our daughter,catching up with her at the same time.

My writing a blog or two also helped. My son Brian used to read my blog, and at times he'd call to tell me that he appreciated my thoughts on this or that topic. Blogging has allowed me an opportunity to understand my own sentiments about different aspects of life. By sharing my feelings, my children and my friends have known my point of view more often than we could ever find time or occasions to discuss.

Lately, my brother's grandchild tracked me down on the internet through my memoir blog. Imagine how happy we all were. I got to communicate across the continent and another ocean with people I would never have met, with whom we share a great deal.

My biggest joy at this time of the year is to scroll through my web album and discover this picture of my two boys and my granddaughter as we posed for pictures ten years ago, happy to get together for Christmas on the Oregon coast. This must have been an unusually sunny day, unlike the present weather pattern we are experiencing.




We live in great times for communication. We can instantly communicate across the globe and click our preferences for a post someone else shared. Love and War of words could be triggered without much fanfare. Unlike old days when sending a message across the land meant acquiring proper paper and envelopes, current address and stamps, we can be sitting in front of television listening to the news and typing away our Christmas greetings to everyone we know, and even to those we don't know.

It all breaks down to this simple message: we are all connected even when we don't know. What we say matters now more than ever. Let's enjoy this freedom. And let's us wish the world a future of peace and goodwill.

19 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Rosaria - you've said it exactly re what a blog can do - I kept the spread of communication going when my mother was alive by writing usually ... the blog became my own brain power helping me keep stimulated with other thoughts.

What you've said is wonderful to read ... we should be so grateful for all we have and what we can do and need to spread goodwill and peace as far as we can - cheers Hilary

The Broad said...

What a beautiful post this is. I so agree with you about the opportunities we now experience with the ease of communication. In my case, I particularly care that I am now in touch with nieces and nephews and cousins. It is a joy to discover how much we really are part of the same family -- it is a wonderful thing.

Marty said...

Agreed. When I retired, my world contracted quite a bit. Not only did I no longer interact with an average of 100 students a day, my colleagues faded away back into their working world. Now I not only have new friends whom I see, I also connect with so many through blogging.

joeh said...

Peace and goodwill would be lovely, I am adding it to my wish list.

Amanda Summer said...

How beautiful that your brother's grandchild found you via your memoir blog - I remember fondly how it described your Italian upbringing. Amazing how technology can bring us together. xo

Tom said...

It's so nice that you're connected to your family. Amen to a world with "a future of peace and goodwill."

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"we are all connected even when we don't know. What we say matters now more than ever."

Yes, and it is important that we do say something, I believe. The network created by my blog has introduced me to the most interesting people and ideas. And, at least someone is listening to me! Ahem, dear husband.



Rubye Jack said...

So very true how we are all connected and, at least by me, too often forgotten. Remembering this makes life good. Thanks Rosaria.

the walking man said...

I must be getting persnickety, the first thing I noticed in the walking family photo was two people trying to develop bent neck syndrome. Good lord, Rosaria I love the instant communication, Skype and all too, but too many times I have seen people in the same room texting each other because it was easier to use the fingers than to talk and and use the eyes. Though never a great letter writer I do enjoy the odd day when the post person actually delivers a stamped envelope hand addressed and when i send one out.

Have a wonderful Christmas season enjoying all of your family and friends (just not in a hospital lobby)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Rosaria ... WV is not on - and I got one the other day ... but then it doesn't come up -

Blogger put it there - not me!! Anyway I'll check as I go round - but I've only one blog on which it came up ..

I'll keep checking .. cheers Hilary

dianefaith said...

Your blog is a positive place on the Internet, and I am always glad when I find a space like this. Unfortunatiely, a lot of connection on the Internet seems to center around throwing insulting remarks at each other. When I end up in those places I despair of humanity.

Maggie May said...

I'm pleased that your relative was able to track you down through your blog.
When used properly, the internet is an amazing invention.

Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.
Maggie x

karen said...

Hi Rosaria! Thanks for visiting my long neglected blog, so good to hear from you and to see that you are still around! So amazin to see the photo with everybody connected in different ways.. how lovely that a young family member has reconnected via your memoir blog, so worth all the effort when that happens! I'm so glad that you are still writing.. I'll be back again soon!

A Cuban In London said...

What a beautiful post. We are all connected in many ways. Thanks.

Greetings from London.

Linda Myers said...

We are all in this together. We are all connected.

Hilary said...

Beautiful post, Rosaria. We are indeed all connected. That's something that keeps jumping out at me in so many ways. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

troutbirder said...

Well said, Rosaria. Merry Christmas. :)

Sharon McPherson said...

A lovely expression of blogging ... positive and spot on. Well done. I have always enjoyed dipping in and out of your stories over the years, Rosaria. Appreciated. Best wishes from Scotland. x

yaya said...

Merry Christmas Rosaria! I can't believe I missed this post so I hope you read this and know I'm thinking of you and hoping all is well. Your thoughtful post reminds me of how the internet has been a good tool for me. Through my blog I've met wonderful, talented and, in your case, inspirational, intelligent people! Wishing you good health and happiness in the new year!