Who are those who suffer?
I imagine that we all feel that we have been hard done by, unfairly or unjustly treated at some point or, probably, several points in our lives. Whether or not we have credence for our cries is always a matter opinion and reason generally dictates, a matter of more than one point of view. Some will have much more valid laments than others. But wherever it registers on the Richter scale of righteousness, it stings. Today, as the world hoots and hollers about aggressive posturing that may or may not lead to a fearful battle, I ask you to think about those who really do, inarguably have it tough. Be it because they live in a warzone, because they are born into poverty in a place that has no opportunity for education and a free ride out or because they have been born in the wrong body by dint of their sex or sexuality, their race or their ability to use that body freely and efficiently without assistance, or simply that the body is worn out by so many years of use. Those. They are all around you if you look. Who are they? They are you but for the grace of that accident of birth that gave you a better chance. I am prompted to this by my savvy linguist friend at Zipfs Law who is currently in Guatemala interpreting (as he has every year of the last five) for Surgicorps International. He does it because he can. It’s as simple as that. I was moved to give a little to help. Really it was a very little. This is what he wrote to me:
“Osyth, thank you so much. Your donation pays for a complete surgical pack. To give you an idea of some of the surgeries that we did yesterday: reconstruction of a hand for a teenager who I’ve seen every one of the five years that I’ve been coming here, as it’s a complicated surgery that has to be done in stages; removal of a mass on the right wrist of a woman whose job involves writing with a pen all day, and who therefore was losing the ability to support herself in a country in which there is no such thing as unemployment insurance, or disability support for people who can’t work; repair of a cleft lip for a kid who otherwise would have been unlikely to find a spouse, in a country in which your only social support net is your family… Your support is really making a contribution to these people’s lives.”
Levelling. Horribly levelling. If Guatemala seems a long way away I can guarantee you there is someone right under your nose who could do with your kindness. Give it a go, for Blanche Dubois was not alone in her reliance on the kindness of strangers. Pablo Neruda, champion of Chile wrote reams and reams and dazzling reams on the plight and struggle of his own people. The woeful disgrace is that these decades later, it applies to so many in this ever-smaller earth place of ours. I give you Neruda’s ‘Mountain and River’ to take to your heart and ponder who might benefit from your act of kindess today. My pledge to Neruda many moons ago, when I first read this poem and imagined myself his little red grain of wheat, was that I would accept his eloquent, searing call to arms. So long as I draw breath I will keep that promise;
The Mountain And The River
In my country there is a mountain.
In my country there is a river.
Come with me.
Night climbs up to the mountain.
Hunger goes down to the river.
Come with me.
Who are those who suffer?
I do not know, but they are my people.
Come with me.
I do not know but they call to me
And they say to me: “We suffer.”
Come with me.
And they say to me: “Your people,
your luckless people,
between the mountain and the river,
with hunger and grief,
they do not want to struggle alone,
they are waiting for you, friend.”
Oh you, the one I love,
little one, red grain
of wheat,
the struggle will be hard,
life will be hard,
but you will come with me.
Pablo Neruda
PS: The picture, captured by HB² (my husband, if you are wondering) in the Atacama Desert of Chile responds to the wordpress challenge titled ‘Elemental’ and, as ever, you can see the glorious gallery of interpretations of others here.
And here, because it would be rude to resist her, is Blanche:
I donate within Australia, but most of the charities I support are beyond our shores. Still it seems like I do so little.
You are one who has seen so much of the world, Peggy so it is unsurprising that you give much outside of your own Continent. It is an entirely personal thing and I would not want to perceived as pressuring anyone. Neither does anyone ever have to explain to me or justify their own modus operandi 🙂
So true. Both of our daughters give to the Kidney Foundation simply because it’s not as ‘sexy’ as the Heart Foundation. Yes, I’m proud of them.
That is reason to be proud. Unsexy causes are every bit as important and your daughters get it. I send them a great big whoop of support 🙂
Unsexy causes will always get my attention. It just makes sense.
Mine too. All hail unsexy causes!!
Al hail 😀
It takes so little to give so much – because compared to so many I have so much. This is something I always try to remember and to take practical action on when I can. A great post Osyth!
Thank you Lindy. You are so right and I am glad that you enjoyed the post. As ever I hesitated before I shared it!!
So moving. Thank you for the reminder of what is so important osyth
Thank you Jodi – that truly means a lot to me.
We need more reminders like this. Your friend’s letter to his colleagues is tremendous.
He’s one special chap. One of the best things to have come out of world of blogging for me. We can never have too many reminders.
People who stand up, even at the risk of being shot down, are admirable.
Beautiful poem, Osyth and so touching too.
I’m glad you like it. It’s never ceased to touch me and to remind me to open my eyes and help.
Yes absolutely and it is so good to help people who require our help cause it makes them happy and us too.
Wise words @boundlessblessings!
Thanks.
My problem is there are so many who need our help and I feel powerless to help them all! I do of course donate often but it’s never enough. I give to individuals when I become aware of their struggle, but internationally, I support Lend With Care International who help provide loans to small businesses in developing countries, many run by women who are supporting orphaned children in their care. Also Womankind who support girls and women, helping them achieve an education and independence, some of whom have suffered appalling injuries, and educating local communities on health issues and gender equality.
Your friend is doing a wonderul service and you are doing a wonderful job of promoting acts of kindness and selflessness and making us look to ourselves to provide the same. 💜👊🏻
I know of WomanKind it’s a wonderful initiative. I am not really asking people to give money. More to think about what they can do. Charitable giving (the money bit) is entirely personal and has to be managed individually and no one should ever feel guilty about what they don’t do but rather glad about what they do. My brother, for example gives a percentage of his income every year. I, on the other hand, being the more scattered sibling tend to be unplanned and emotional about where I give. There is too much need is the real point and I don’t think that any of us should be particularly proud of the world we live in. Thank you for your kind words – you always strike a chord in my heart. In the end, in terms of kindness we can if we will 🙂
Yes, my brother does the same. And I understand what you were doing. I try to practise random acts of kindness but my own physical restrictions restrict what I can do for others and so it never feels enough, donating money is often all I can do and it feels too easy and never enough.
Then you are one who deserves the kindness of strangers. And believe me you give me random acts of kindness whenever you take the time and thought to post here. Donating is not the easy option – it is hugely necessary so don’t, please feel you don’t do enough 🙂
You’re very kind and I feel the better for your kind words 😊💜
And that in turn makes me happy too!
Great post Osyth and a beautiful Pablo Neruda’s poem!!!
Thank you @almeidadepaulo … I love that poem. It reminds me that I should, I can and I will. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. It means a lot to me 🙂
Lovely post Osyth. I support two childrens charities, (one in Australia and a sponsor child in Bolivia). It can be overwhelming to see so many in need, but I know that what I give makes a difference, and I know that I cannot help everyone, so for me, this is how I make a difference in someones life.
Well said Claudette … we can’t help everyone. And I thank that Social Media has made it worse. And the fact that the world is an every shrinking place with every disaster and plight on our screens and on the news-stands. That you do what you can is surely all that can be asked? I know you to be someone who will always do what she can 🙂
I agree that social media makes it feel worse, and in some ways it desensitizes you too. My little sponsor child helps me feel “real” when donating – even though we only exchange about 3 letters a year (it takes ages for the mail). I have seen her grow and change. I hope that her life is better because of what I give, and in the end, that is all you can hope for, to may someone’s life better – that is the real gift. Just as your friend wrote.
I’m not terribly good at links on this iPad but I would like to introduce you to Sally, Hotdogs and Marmalade. She has a lovely blog and recently spent time in Bosnia. I think you would like her (I do, if that’s any recommendation)
https://hotdogsandmarmalade.wordpress.com/
Thanks, I will check her out.
😊
All acts of kindness will differ. The heart guiding the act is what keeps us alike. I respect your promise shown and given to Neruda. Thank you for publishing this post.
Profoundly wise words – it is the heart. I made that promise when I was less than 18. I won’t vary despite the very real efforts of others to dispirit me over time. I’m so glad valued the post.
I heard a report yesterday about the huge drought and famine in East Africa. I lived in East Africa in the mid/late ’80s–the era of “We Are the World,” and saw people starving. It is haunting. Yet, during the call-in section after the report, callers said we should take care of our own first, that it would be better to let people die and reduce the global population, etc. There was a heartlessness, a hard-heartedness. I suspect that for all their calls to help our own first, these same people would opt for social Darwinism and not helping anybody all that much–if one is suffering, it is one’s own fault.
There are many things one can do to help, here and there. One can be an aid worker and devote one’s life to changing the world, or one can enable such people, by donating and/or advocating (and voting) for public funding for them. In fact, the news report about the famine said that things were bad because climate change was making the drought far beyond what had happened before, but that aid programs were doing a great job of keeping the suffering from matching the scale of the drought. Aid programs do make a big difference.
One can help, as your readers point out, in other ways, for medical research, or making human-to-human connections in their own communities.
Visiting one of my African students years later, I asked how she was coping with the drought that had hit the year before. She proudly said her family (husband and two children) survived it just fine–“we just ate every other day.” I can tell that story to some people who feel they are blessed to never face such situations, while others actually respond to me that “those people are lazy” and “they made their own problems” and “the world would be better off without them.” I fear there are more and more of the second kind of people in the world today, for whom others’ suffering is proof of their own superiority.
Selfishness is one of those words. It makes people cringe that they may be so accused but in fact it IS necessary to look after oneself at a basic level lest we become a burden on others. Beyond that there are few who could not spare something for another whose need is greater. And as to the population? I could wipe out many who think they are bigger and better and more entitled at a single stroke if I ruled the world! I am interested in your story and i hope many of my followers will read it … it too is leveling. Very leveling. Thank you for taking the time to write at length in response 🙂
In my blog, I often poke fun at the pompous, but I realize that it doesn’t change anything for the better or make a difference in anyone’s life. I salute you and those like you who are a positive force in this “ever shrinking place” of a world.
My husband and I (which in itself has a pompous sound to it) often talk about PompArses … here are too many of them. I don’t really set out to make a difference just to encourage others to be decent :). Thank you so much for taking the time to comment – I honestly do appreciate it 🙂
One of my friends, Jill Phillips, wrote a song called “Show Up” — And she says in it,
“…’Cause we think about so much
And do nothing at all
Afraid that what we have to give is so small
You don’t have to save the world
All that hero talk is only superficial stuff
If you want to change the world
All you got to do is show up, show up, just show up”
Sometimes our showing is simply financially enabling someone else to physically show up and do surgery on the hand of a teenager.
Great post, Osyth.
(and thanks for the little plug 🙂 )
No thanks needed … I think Claudette would appreciate you. I love those words. Really love them. Jill Phillips has it in a nutshell … and so do you (but I thought you would 🙂 )
Oh such a generous heart you have dear Osyth..i am sure you will be blessed and be showered with so many prayers from people whose lives you have touched…kindness and generousity:…our world needs this today and you respond to it with so much compassio ..
I just think that we should never be closed to the notion that there are always those with far greater troubles than our own. I have never forgotten the death of your young friend, for example and the impact that it must still have on those that loved her. Just one example. We all have a heart, I would love to think that most want to use it 🙂
Amen to that Osyth.
Over the years i saw how most people in my country struggle to survive on a day to day basis even simply in terms of daily food. And so as one of the very few families who are blessed financially, we currently opened up a grocery store for our less fortunate neighbors..here we sell really affordable goods…and i saw how people loved the idea…its not earning much but at least it pays the bills for the staff and other operating expenses..i love to see people buy goods everyday and i ca see their smiles as they walk out of our store.
How that makes my heart sing. A solution to fit the problem not just in terms of providing affordable goods to those that have little money but also in providing employment. Shining star award of the day to you and your family 🙂
Thanks Osyth..i am also very happy to have made this conscious effort of making the kids see how lucky we are ..they get to watch over the store during weekends when they don’t have classes..
Important life lessons that will make them better adults 🙂
Lovely poem Oysth and reminder for us all. I am hoping you have a great and happy day. 🙂
It is. I love Neruda … he speaks to my heart in so many ways. The reminder is one we can all take to our own hearts – how we act on it is nobody else’s business and depends on so many things. I am hoping YOU are having a good day and that you are happy. I always hope that you are happy 🙂
The picture he took takes on a formidable tone in tandem with the poem.. Since I usually read your thoughts first, then go back and enjoy the photos and videos, I don’t know if my unbiased impression would be different or not.. Regardless, it’s a terrific photo, please give him 2 thumbs up from from me.. 🤔 One for each brain ! 😄
I can’t remember the author and can’t find the quote online, but this one always comes to mind when I need that nudge out of self pity.. “Life has many inconveniences and few problems.. Wisdom is knowing the difference between the two..”
My decision for charity.. If it’s to an organization, I want every penny to go for the needy, not into pockets of administrators or towards lobbying to push seperate agendas.. I’ve only found one..
When I’m moved to give “one on one”, my heart does all the deciding.. I know my brain does alot of deducing along the way but if my heart protests, then I discard my brain’s conclusions.. Most of the time, I don’t know which was the “right” decision, but am happy to say that a few times there was unexpected followup that proved my heart was right 😊
I’m glad you haven’t let anyone dispirit you in your choices.. In my opinion, desicions on giving should only be between the heart and brain.. You’ve got a healthy portion of both 💛
Both Brains will say thank you (though he only has one, quiet, mouth) … the whole set he took that trip are pretty spectacular. He has an observatory there and is on the visiting committee for the big on (ALMA) so he is very familiar with the place. Loves it. I love that quote. Really love it. It is wise. And Charity? Thorny often and all we can do really is follow our hearts and audit with our heads. I think 🙂
I can add no greater wisdom than that which you have already offered, echoed by so many others here and so eloquently by our friend Kevin. Funny that word, ‘others’…means different things to different people. What does it mean, helping ‘our own’ first? Other than our own immediate family, of course, and I know I’ll go down as a bleeding heart with some for that. I do bits here and there, mostly feeling that it’s entirely inadequate, but for sure we can all do more. Thanks for your call to action, and for a moving poem and photo. If words could move mountains…
If they could indeed. I firmly believe that we have to look after self (health, nourishment, shelter) before we can look to doing anything else. But I also firmly believe that every little helps and that we all have something we can give (not spare change or big fat cheques but tangible things and intangibles like compassion, understanding, time). It is never enough. Never ever. Kevin is a superstar and a shining example of someone who does a bit (a lot in my estimation) because he can. And that’s what it boils down to in the end, perhaps
I’ve known he’s out of this world, from the start.. You both are 😄
Wow, the views he must see, from both ! The smaller at his whim to point where ! My Dad bought himself a moderately high powered telescope that he wants me to take up to Maine because the light pollution in our area of Florida has become so bad.. I’m probably going to pack it up to take with me by Fall..
Do. Stargazing is so peaceful and so enlightening. Two Brains is in radioastronomy rather than optical so it all relies on bouncing waves. A bit like my life really 😀
😂 The Osyth Wave.. I see the future now.. Two Brains will discover and aptly name the so far undetected wave that has eluded all of science.. It will solve TOE !!! My unifying friend 😁
I didn’t know it was that type of observatory.. When I set up the telescope, it will take me back to my childhood, except this telescope is quite a bit better than the one I had..
Wouldn’t that be a thing – the mind boggles! 😂 Yours will be wonderful – som many brilliant things you will see and your childhood will be in your eyes again in a lovely way.
I love the words, your thoughts, and the photo, of course.
I wondered if you would approve of the photo, Arbie! Thank you for your kind words 🙂
Beautiful, humbling words, and your choice of a desert for illustration fits perfectly. Without the love of and for others our lives are no more than deserts, wastelands where nothing grows and develops into life. I hadn’t read Neruda before, but I can see why that poem made such an impact on you. A lovely post xx
Thank you Clive. That is a quite wonderful comment – particularly your reference to the desert of life if we fail to reach out and be reached by others. Neruda comes with my highest recommendation (and a Nobel). I’m glad to have introduced you – when you put his words in their historic context they have even more impact 🙂 xx
Thank you, I must have been inspired by you! I’ll be exploring Neruda and the history xx
This makes me happy! Xx
Your support for your friend in Guatemala is wonderful and will have made an enormous difference as I know only too well. A beautiful post Osyth as always, enhanced by the words of Neruda, taken to heart, and your husband’s stunning photo. Thank you 🙂
C’est moi qui dit merci à toi, Andrew. You are such a support and you truly get my half-baked mindset. You of course, have been in my friends shoes – or rather you have been in the scrubs and I respect you enormously for the difference that you have made to this world. And that really is it … we can all give a little of what we have – training, talent, skills. Neruda, as you know enhances the world in my view. I am certain my husband will be very chuffed that you think his a stunning picture (as do I) — I often share yours with him and he is very fond of your paintings too. One day, perhaps we can sit and break bread together with those amazing spouses of ours. I do hope so – in the name of all that is good and in the spirit of peace and hospitality and a world that really can be as one. ✌🏼🙏🏼😊
Looking forward to the day 🙂
😊
Thank you for your words of wisdom. We of the First World, get caught up in our lives and need to be reminded to take the blinkers off.
Your – half baked – words should be required reading.
Ali
Giving is the greatest expression of love for others as you love yourself. If not for compassion what are we? An empty vessel devoid of a soul, doomed to live a life beset with guilt and sorrow. I have made my choice.
Thank you John and nice to have you aboard! Those are wise words and spoken from the heart of a decent man.
Your friend writes so movingly, as do you. A beautiful reminder to think of others and just do what you can.
Thank you … he really does and I felt his words needed to be shared wider. As for me, you flatter me kindly and I thank you … it means a lot.
Such a beautiful post and reminder to do the right and decent thing, Osyth! Your words always echo my thoughts which is quite scary on some level 😉 On another, it´s just wonderful 🙂
The photograph is very beautiful – I dream of visiting South America one day. And the Neruda is as always just beyond any praise, so very, very touching.
Wish you a wonderful summer weekend, filled with joy and sunshine! xxxxxxxxx 🌺💕☀️
I hope your post spurs more to give. The value of what we give far exceeds what we can do with it. For example, last year I vowed to say yes to every charitable telemarketer who called our house. They ran the gamut from a halfway house for recovering addicts to research foundations. I decided on $25 as the minimum. At the end of the year it came to about as much as I spend on specialty coffee. I am now spending less on coffee and more on donations. I don’t give to the telemarketers so much any more and instead focus on a few charities, a couple of them international and aiding children. It doesn’t affect my quality of life one iota to give. And every time I give I wish I could do more.
Susanne, I am proud to know you. That is all. Except to say that I, too, hope this might spur more to give. Because as you say, in the end the quality of the donors life is unlikely to be effected but the recipient’s life can be turned around. Chapeau madame 😊
Pablo Neruda & Tennessee Williams… comme on dit en français: que désire le peuple?!… <3
* * *
hummin' with Jean Ferrat:
comme de désire – j’adore les deux. Et les peuples? J’espère que ils apprécié l’un ou ‘autre ou plus simplement … les deux!
Once again, another exquisite and meaningful piece, one that I dare not try to tarnish with my own thoughts. I shall simply bask in the goodness, and think back on the poems that helped us think forward…
The poems are the entire point. And Vivien Leigh. I am grateful that you have not taxed me with ruminations that I must engage with 🙂
Lovely poem, this is just how I feel… I am a gay boy and life would be much easier if I was not, but I know there are many people who suffer much more than myself and when I meet them I try to help, just being kind and talking to people is often enough to help them go on.
Roijoyeux I am so thrilled to welcome you to my half baked world. Where you can be as you are and not be worried about being caused suffering because if you are the causers will have me to answer to. There are always those worse off. Fact. But what makes life hard for you makes my heart bleed. Because it is wholly wrong that you should be anything than free and happy. Hugs to you. And kisses too. We call them les bises here xx
Thank you Osyth, you are almost as kind as I am 😉
Ha! Let the kindness contest commence 🙂
I know je suis français, je vis en France, des bises très chère Madame 🙂
Gros bises à vous aussi 🤗
Doing all we can to help others, is like doing all we can to save our souls! I guess you’re a good soul!
It just seems so obvious to me. I like to think that we are all good souls – just sometimes that goodness gets mislaid 🙂
right on! me 2 is in da same boat….i am going to do a kidney transplant go fund me site soon also for that reason..jest to get back an forth to dialysis evry 2 days is costing me 300 a month plus an i cannot afford it .dang.. great post-it take care .. Q
It is so wrong that you should have to break the bank for treatment. I have friends who live in a very remote part of France. He is picked up and taken to the hospital and dropped home again for his dialysis. The round trip is 50km but if it were double that the same service would be provided. When he had to have specialist care in Bordeaux (650km round trip) he was transported there and back. I wish you luck with your Go Fund Me – I will help where I can. If you look through the comments, you will find that my friend Leggy Peggy comments that her two daughters support Kidney Disease charities. Just a thought 😉 Warm wishes to you Q
Such a beautiful and timely post, dear Osyth. The photograph of the Atacama desert is divine and reminds us of the beauty of nature. My favorite film, too, kindred sister. Blanche always reminded me of my mother both in looks and temperament.
Oh how much we would share if we ever met … Blanche being one such. I’m touched that you enjoyed the post … you see things, get things and your opinion means much to me x
Aaaww – thank you Osyth! I so often feel at odds with the world even with many real friends.
Moi même x
I love this post and the photo! It makes you put things into perspective. Xxx
Thank you Lynn … you are too kind to me – I just think it’s important to keep that perspective xxx
A wonderful post Osyth.. certainly putting our lives and daily grumbles into perspective. Truly spreading inspiration and kindness! (lovely photo too.. ) xx
Thank you – Two Brains took some crackers on that trip …. he loves Chile (has spent over a year of his life there in total) and I think that love shows in the quality of the images he produced. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, though unsurprised since I know you to be a hugely compassionate soul. Xx
Gorgeous post all round, in sentiment, prose, image and poetry. Perspective and empathy is everything. If only there was some kind of injection we could develop to innoculate people against forgetting we are all the same. How different the world might be 🙂
Now THAT might save the world …. in the meantime, I guess all we can do is remain conscious and strive to be humanKind. Thank you for your generous and lovely comment 🙂
Real wisdom here, Osyth. All life should be valued and we must remember that kindness and care are everyday essentials. Acts of kindness can be found everywhere, whatever pain and suffering people are having to deal with, and there is surely nothing more beautiful than goodness for its own sake
*nothing more beautiful than goodness for its own sake* … lovely words from a lovely person, thank you 😊
Lovely post my friend…..nothing makes my heart feel all warm and fuzzy is to reach out and change someone’s life….not matter how small or big, sometimes just a smile cane be all the difference….kindness comes in so many sizes…..one kind act at a time..if we all practiced it, the world would be such a better place….lovely pictures….my heart is breaking for our friend Terry…lots of hot tears xxkat
I remember when I met my husband he commented that I was always smiling at strangers and that he could see the tangible effect of that small act. Some days I have to kick myself out of whatever trivial malaise is clouding me and force myself to smile and guess what … the reward is that I feel so much better too! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I am heartbroken for Terry and Gary along with so many others. Don’t get me started on fairness …. xx
😉 XX
Hi Osyth. I am visiting at last! Thanks for this thoughtful post and encouragement. Somehow I now find myself remembering: “it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness” (apparently originally stated in a sermon by William L. Watkinson published in a collection in 1907, although it has also been attributed to more famous folks). Anyway, though some may think this maxim is trite (perhaps virtually any maxim might be considered trite?), I find it somewhat comforting and a reminder to try to not be overwhelmed …
I am delighted to welcome you to my half baked place. I don’t find Watkinson’s words trite at all but rather an excellent maxim to keep close to the heart and tap when all around seems to conspire to drown one. I so enjoy your posts … I learn from you which is one of the things that keeps me ticking calmly — the continuous process of learning and you are a genuinely talented photographer. There is only one thing you need know about me and that is I only EVER say what I mean.
Thanks Osyth. I love your certainty about saying what you mean. I am much more tentative. Often I am not entirely certain what I mean, even in my mind’s eye, or at least not certain enough to express it in words. Though, like you , I do love words. Paradoxically (or not?) it can be hard to be half baked in words?
Such a heartfelt post Osyth. There is indeed so much unfairness in the world. I headed off to Darajevo in 2000 in the aftermath of the war with a healing charity. It was indeed a great leveller and I was met with so much kindness in return. I raised money to return in 2001 but sadly my health deteriorated and the funds helped another to go there…
These days I contribute to our local animal charities who are on their knees. If I ever got a windfall I would give most of it away. 🌼🌼🌼
My mother gets berated by her bank manager for ‘giving to much to charity’ …. phooey – what on earth is the benchmark! It is entirely up to the individual as a matter of what is available to them to decide in their own conscience what they can give (either as time, skills or cash) …. My daughters warned my husband, when we met, that he is taking on a woman who, when fully settled will have more animals than Dr Doolittle – all waifs and strays. Including two donkeys and a pig. He has understood over the last five years that they were not in any way joking!!!
Wonderful. 😊
That should read Sarajevo!
I know and you humble me that you did this. I have another blogging friend (Sally Hot Dogs and Marmalade – you would like her) who has just come back from Sarajevo – her posts have been moving to say the least.
I shall pop over and visit her later. The people of Sarajevo are amazing.
Your writings are so inspirational. This one in particular… »They are you but for the grace of the accident of birth that gave you a better chance. » So very simply true.
Merci beaucoup
Suz
C’est moi qui dit merci a toi. That is a lovely thing to say and I’m so glad you picked that line … I try to live by it. ☺
Moi aussi.
Wow, what a wonderful gift you were able to give!! This sounds like an amazing project. Sad to hear about the situation in Guatemala, though.
Kathrin — http://mycupofenglishtea.wordpress.com
There are so many places like it that aren’t making headlines. All one can do is what one can do and that is, whoever we are, to give something every day … even if its only a smile to someone who looks lonely 🙂
As I read the letter, the emotion melts my heart…..’I don’t know but they are my people’. The picture captured by your husband is simply stunning. Does he like traveling?
Pablo Neruda was not the easiest of poets but certainly amongst the most powerful. I love his work. My husband does travel very extensively. He has an observatory in Hawaii and another in Chile and is involved in others in Taiwan, various locations in the US, Germany, Russia, China, various locations in Europe including Grenoble where I am living at the moment and he is working on one for Greenland. He has also spent time in Ladakh where there was an idea of putting an observatory. His speciality is sub-millimètre wavelengths so his instruments work by sound wavelength rather than optical means. The only continent he has not visited is Africa – I think we need to at least go to North Africa so he can say he has stood on every one of the earth’s continents. He has had quite the charmed life.
I learn so much from your posts, I really look forward to reading them! I have never read Pablo Neruda but now I will.
And, I’m in complete awe after reading what your husband does! I can’t stop imagining how adventurous this must be, particularly his specialization. Indeed, a charmed life.
He often says that he is one of the luckiest of people because he has spent his whole working life doing what he loves. He is a very humble man and like your Ashish for you he is my soul-mate with no doubt!
Wow💛💛Cheers to you both.
I can’t tell you how happy I feel to exchange comments, it’s like chatting and catching up with you and feels great because you’re such a wonderful soul☺️☺️☺️
He is so right, mostly people settle for work that enables sustainable earning, whether happy or not. In my lifetime😀so far, your soul-mate is the first person I have known who is loves his work😇😇
I am so delighted to have ‘met’ you … I feel you are kindred spirits and so chatting comes very easily. My husband fortunately knows he is fortunate. I cannot imagine how tiresome he would be if he was oblivious. My experience is much the same of yours …. he is rare in being able to work at what he loves 😊
PS: Enjoy Neruda … I would recommend reading about him as well as his words – it adds clarity to some of his more political works. And start with ‘Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair’ and ‘The Dead Woman’ if I may be so bold 🙂
I’ve never read Neruda, although I’ve seen a couple of films about him. As always, your post made me sit up and think. However, hard done by we might feel personally, there are always millions more who have been dealt a far less advantageous card by life. The picture of the Atacama Desert is haunting. I will probably never go there, but it has always exerted a pull on me.
A beautiful and timely post, Osyth. There’s always something we can do to lift others. We only need to look around, share our resources, and act with kindness. 🙂
Sadly, I think it has been timely all through my life. If only people would réalisé that there but for grace go they and that it is so terribly easy to be kind. Thank you for your very thoughtful comment 🙂
You are exactly right. It’s always a good time to act with kindness. 🙂
Lovely post, Osyth
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun | Half Baked In Paradise
https://osyth.org/2017/09/02/my-working-week-my-sunday-best/ … This was the one I wanted you see just in case you hadn’t heard
As you will now know, that post was the latest in my reader. And I must have missed it anyway, so the prompt was valuable
Hey ho. The only thing that mattered to me was that certain people had sight of the news 🙂
For that, I am grateful, my friend
You are my Blogcush my lovely. xx
https://lucyathome.co.uk/blogcrush/blogcrush-week-30/
*blushes* 😊