As a young adoptee I had one simple quest: to find my birthmother. Twenty years later I found her, but she had already died. I did, however, joyously find loving aunts, uncles, two brothers, a sister, and even an 87-year-old grandmother! When it rains, it pours. My mission was successful, but a new quest began:… Continue reading The Secrets of the Universe
Category: Philosophy
Is God Inside or Outside Us?
My birthmother had a Christian upbringing. My birthfather was a Sephardic Jew. His father was a rabbi from Aleppo. I never met my birthmother or father. Although their acquaintance was probably brief, I wonder if they ever realized the holy books of their religions included the first five books of the Bible. And here I… Continue reading Is God Inside or Outside Us?
One Tree at a Time
Recently I posted about a tree I was trying to save from being chopped down. A lady from Norway replied in disbelief, wondering why I was concerned over one tree. I first thought she was being insensitive. However, she posted a barren photo of the mountains where she lived, saying that the price of timber was high in… Continue reading One Tree at a Time
Born from the Stars
Today I paused to print my family tree that was painstakingly assembled with the help of the most amazing women researchers who became my friends. As an adoptee who never met my birth parents, I always wondered how I got here. Today I feel complete in knowing I arrived on planet Earth from the human… Continue reading Born from the Stars
The Truth Bridge
I talked to an old friend for the first time since I was a young teen. He was black and lived on an adjacent street. I used to sit behind him on his bike with the banana seat as we pedaled to the corner store for a bag of chips and a soda. I was… Continue reading The Truth Bridge
Are we real?
Sometimes it takes the small talk of a friend to open up the door of our minds. It was 30 years ago when I went to one of my jewelers to pick up a new creation. “Hello. How are you?,” I always began. “Oh, I’m great,” was always the answer. After some chit chat the… Continue reading Are we real?
Living Promises
By Diamond Mike Watson. Fountains Living Promises pendant. I created the Living Promises pendant and its verses for a user to summon any positive virtue. Forged in precious metal, the Living Promises pendant renders its charm with positive thought. The inspiration of the design came from a sketch my adoptive mother, Martha, drew when he… Continue reading Living Promises
Be Thankful for your Eyes
Gemologists can seem strange at times. That’s because we know that our business extends beyond what we see. We have been known to burn amber in an inconspicuous place to smell its smoke and determine its authenticity. We rub pearls beneath our front teeth to ascertain if they are real. (A smooth feel is an imitation, slightly… Continue reading Be Thankful for your Eyes
Courage
I loved my adoptive mother but I didn’t always agree with her. I’m glad she taught me to stand up to bullies and defend myself. But I remember her instructing me to stay away from the problems of others. Perhaps she thought if I shielded myself from conflict I would somehow be protecting myself. Later… Continue reading Courage
A Promising Flower
In 1974, when I was sixteen, I wrote the following doom-and-gloom poem that was published in a small poetry book. Some old school friends recently helped me find this. I always felt the writing was horrible but it strikingly reflects the COVID-19 calamity that is currently afflicting our world. I do still share the… Continue reading A Promising Flower
Is it OK to Hate?
The response to this question about hate was so transformational to me that I clipped it from a magazine and carried it in my wallet for years. Although the question was posed about a relationship with one’s mother, I believe the response by Marilyn Vos Savant rings true for all things, such as cancer, Covid-19, natural… Continue reading Is it OK to Hate?
Mr. Green Tree
Mr. Green Tree It must have been nearly twenty years ago that I remember driving to work and noticing such a handsome tree in the middle of a barren plowed field. I remember thinking how welcoming his shade would be for laborers escaping from the hot sun. I went as far as imagining the workers… Continue reading Mr. Green Tree
Concrete Gray Steps
This is my childhood home in New Albany, Indiana. In the summertime the hot sun would blaze behind the house where I would sit on concrete steps and squint into the sky. Gray paint would always flake off the steps like dried flower petals. As golden rays soaked into my bare chest I would try… Continue reading Concrete Gray Steps
Sharing the Same Experience – Part Four
At my meditation class my dear instructor always begins by drawing a large circle to illustrate there is a universal “real” world that is considered truth. I suppose I am a difficult student because I can’t yet wrap my mind around that concept. I chose these images at random. If I asked you to look… Continue reading Sharing the Same Experience – Part Four
The Profound Tweet
I am still moved by a tweet from President Trump after the nation began to experience its longest government shutdown in history. It came at a time the President had retreated into the almost vacant west wing of the White House, void of the chatter of aides and interns. In fact, because the tweet is… Continue reading The Profound Tweet