REAL LOVE

It was a reunion of extraordinary proportions. To see the gleam in their eyes, the hope and joy overflowing from their hearts… WOW! That’s real love.

We live in a culture where all we need is supposedly love, yet still, at times, it seems rare indeed. There exists way too much oppression, bigotry, and worship of man-made concoctions an earring short of a golden calf. Too many leaders have embraced a leadership style that values speaking louder (more than listening), subduing dissenting opinion (more than learning), and surrounding self with like thinking (more than being sharpened by another). To me, those contradict a love that makes the world go round.

What is real love?

I’ve heard it’s a splendored thing; it’s a verb; and it will keep us together. They say you can’t buy it, can’t hurry it, and some will stop in the name of it. Others question how deep it is, if it will still exist tomorrow, and what it really has to with anything. Some love rainy nights. Some rock ‘n roll. Be careful, though, as several will say it stinks, bites, and claim you’ve lost it. Yet as I ponder the wisdom in knowing the power of love, I am spurred on by something that’s real.

One of my dear friends left for Asia last weekend, flying overseas, putting her family here on hold, sacrificing her resources, to proceed with an international adoption. She and her husband are adopting not a cute, cuddly, and innocent infant, but rather, a 15 year old orphaned teenager. There are no material rewards for this. There will be no fanfare or publicity for the selfless act of this compassionate family. Any thanks my friend receives will stem from the knowledge that she knows she is truly demonstrating love. She and her family are providing hope, opportunity, and a solid foundation for a young girl whose foundational pillars have been previously shattered.

Real love is this: loving the orphans and the widows. Loving with no expectation of receiving anything in return. That’s why there was a gleam in their eyes. Well, truth is, I wasn’t with them in Asia last weekend. They’re still there. But I know if I experienced love like that, there’d be a gleam in my eyes, too.

AR

TODAY'S WRAPPING

Soon I will share my personal wish list for Christmas. I’ll warn you now: I like gifts! Until then, in my pre-Christmas preparations that each of us sometimes wildly engages in, I’ll share what I’m hoping to wrap today…

For Governor Rod Blagojevich: A pen to help him write his resignation letter. (He can sell the pen on Ebay afterwards – to the highest bidder, of course.)

For Hillary. Bifocals. (These should allow her to focus in on the job closest to her – as opposed to some other job she might be dreaming about.)

For the “Big 3” US Automakers: A model car. (One that runs as well and maintains the resale value of a Honda or Toyota.)

For Tony Dungy: A playoff berth. (Is there a man of greater integrity in the NFL?)

For Tom Brady: Microwave popcorn. (He’ll need something to munch on while watching those playoffs for the first time in 6 years.)

For Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez: Terrell Owen’s duct tape. (Surely TO has some that he’s forgotten to use again this year.)

For NBC’s “ER”: George Clooney’s return. (What would make us “ER” fans happier in the 15th and final season?)

For President Bush: Muscle relaxant. (Does everybody from Texas walk that way?)

For President-Elect Obama: An autographed basketball by John Wooden. (John Wooden also took time out shooting baskets, and he, too, led his team well.)

For Natasha and Malia Ann: Barbara and Jenna’s earplugs. (They’ll need them to maintain their precious, beautiful innocence, blocking out the plethora of disrespect some seem to spew when your father is the President.)

For European Television Producers: A filter. (Have you ever witnessed prime time European TV? Oh my.)

And finally, for all the incoming US Congressmen: “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” for those they represent and those with whom they disagree. (Excuse me, but partisanship is ugly. Remember that the most effective leaders engage in respectful dialogue, listen, and comprehend we can learn from one another.)

Time to wrap… remember, I like gifts.

AR

NOT SO GOOD

For those among us who believe all people are inherently good, Rod Blagojevich will challenge your thinking. Wow. This is appalling. Absolutely appalling.

Hailing from the 5th most populous state in our country, the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, was arrested Tuesday based on allegations of federal corruption. Long the focus of criminal investigation, Blagojevich was finally charged – one of the charges being that he was attempting to sell President-Elect Obama ‘s vacant Senate seat.

Let’s wrestle with aspects deserving of attention…

First, the arrogance. As we acknowledge that Blagojevich has not actually been indicted as of yet, the wire taps alone identify an arrogance that is disturbing. To think that simply because he is the holder of elected public office gives him the authority to use his appointment power for personal financial gain is despicable! To actually say a U.S. Senate seat “is a [bleeping] valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing,” shows that while Blagojevich may be smart, he is by no means wise. His arrogance only magnifies his foolishness.

Second, the politics. With rumors swirling for years of the man’s unscrupulous behavior, were there people who ignored a lack of integrity out of loyalty to a political party? Was there anyone who promoted a man of knowingly shady character because they felt he would work to advance their particular cause? For even though each of us is capable of erring often (something about that “erring is human” thing), depravity of this magnitude is typically not an individual’s initial attempt at deception. Why was Blagojevich elected in the first place? Who wanted him on the ballot? Who jumped on his political bandwagon for all the wrong reasons? Careful, too, not to jump too quickly on Blagojevich’s Democratic Party standing. If it wasn’t the Democrats, it could be the Republicans. For any partisan to believe his party is incapable of operating in this current culture of corruption, that would be equivalent to grand naiveté. Make that even more foolishness.

And third, the fallout. Thank God Blagojevich and Obama are not close. As the next to assume our nation’s leadership reins, we don’t need a leader scarred from the onset. I admit; it does make me uncomfortable that both men’s careers were propelled by the historically unethical, Chicago political machine. But as for Obama’s current ties to Blagojevich, I pray they are null and void. Just make sure you’re honest with us, Barack. I need my President to be honest (I wish President Clinton would have learned that a little more quickly). My guess, however, is there will be others involved here who are far, far less than honest (and thus, quite possibly, the focus of another semi-witty blog). Too many put self-interest above doing what is right. To be honest is what’s right.

But wait… a final fallout question…

In light of the aforementioned arrogance, I am assuming today that Rod Blagojevich is not remorseful; at most, perhaps, he is merely regretful to have been exposed. So back to the dubious concept that perhaps not all people are inherently good, I have to wonder: where else in our country is this happening? What else is unknowingly for sale? How, as a national body, are we being deceived?

The potential answer is even more appalling.

AR

CHOOSING WISELY

Last week I had the opportunity to visit with a friend, who sweetly shared with me her fond reflections on growing up in a small town – something many of us miss in very comfortable, suburban America. My friend, who currently chooses suburban life, humbly shared the “Keilloresque” benefits of a small town heritage.

It truly is a place where “everybody knows your name.” It’s a place where friends and neighbors regularly drop in on one another unannounced – often daily. It’s also a place where you find yourself arguably a little more accepting, because even if you passionately disagree with one another, the same people may be dropping in again the next day. You go to school together… cheer on the same teams… share in the community successes… work on the community challenges. You laugh and cry together. These people have learned to invest in one another – to take the time to be with one another. They have learned the joy and the sharpening that comes only from relationship.

I am reminded of the wise teacher, who arrived in a new town after multiple speaking engagements. He was somewhat wearied and found rest at the home of two sisters; he was also relieved to have some quieter moments with a smaller audience. There was no PowerPoint presentation to prepare! But there’s something precious about that investment – about those one-on-one relationships. And so the man sat down with the sisters, fording them opportunity to ask questions and glean more from his wisdom. One sister actually sat at his feet! The other, however, was distracted by all the self-deemed, necessary preparations, and thus, she missed this time, hurrying about in the kitchen. Finally, the busy sister disrupted the teaching, sternly announcing, “Teacher, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?! Tell her to get on her feet and help me!” Aware of all relationships in that room, the man gently corrected the hurried sister. “My dear friend, you are worried and distracted about many things. But relationships are always more important than things. Your sister has chosen wisely.”

Funny… these days we supposedly wish for peace on Earth and goodwill toward men, but it’s hard to be peaceful when we’re so busy “doing”! We buy, bake, bake, buy, wrap, write, toast egg nog, you-name-it. We’re often so busy “doing” that there is no time to sit down and enjoy one another… resting in the holidays… finding meaning in the season… investing in those relationships. Relationships are more important than things.

Small town has it right. They seem to be choosing wisely. Perhaps that should be our prayer this Christmas.

P.S. Only 16 days left…

AR

FAME… EGAD

Few of us will forget where we were that Friday evening, watching a live feed of the low-speed chase of the Ford Bronco, heading south on that California highway. OJ Simpson was famous. He still is.

As I mull over Friday’s verdict – sentencing Simpson to up to 33 years in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping in a failed attempt to recover sports memorabilia from two collectibles dealers – I wonder how many are only thinking, “It’s about time.”

I don’t claim to know if OJ was guilty years ago. As an admirer of success on the football field, I’d like to think he was not. However, it is hard to ignore some of the evidence introduced at his 1995 trial:

· DNA showed that blood found at the scene of Nicole Brown's murder was likely O.J. Simpson's. The odds it could have come from anyone but Simpson were about one in 170 million.

· DNA analysis of the blood found in, on, and near Simpson's Bronco revealed traces of Simpson's and the victims’, Brown's and Ron Goldman's, blood.

· Simpson's hair was found on Goldman's shirt.

· DNA analysis of blood on the left-hand glove, found outside Brown's home, was proven to be a mixture of Simpson's, Brown's, and Goldman's.

· Nicole Brown had told family and friends that one set of keys to her home was missing. She had indicated to several family members and friends that she feared Simpson had stolen them to gain entry. The keys were later found in Simpson's home.

I wasn’t in the courtroom during that trial (thank God!). I didn’t even watch much of Ito and company. But over a decade later, I have faced questions from a curious son who knows his football history. With Friday’s verdict, he asked, “Has OJ Simpson always been a bad guy? I mean, when he won the Heisman, when he played for the Bills, did people know his character wasn’t all that great?”

Excellent questions from a pretty wise 11 year old. I shared with him that I didn’t know if OJ was a “good” or “bad” guy. I didn’t even know for certain whether he was guilty or not. I simply know that if I was a person as famous as he, I wish I would have used my fame a little better.

From the mouth of my babe… “Yeah, me, too.”


AR

HERE THEY COME

The following graces us via The Associated Press this morning:

“A financially ailing Ohio school district has joined the ranks of banks and automakers clamoring for a portion of the $700 billion economic bailout package. Olmsted Falls Superintendent Todd Hoadley said Tuesday that if automakers and cities like Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Phoenix can ask for money, schools should be able to follow suit. ‘I feel a moral obligation to our taxpayers to make this attempt,’ said Hoadley, who requested $100 million from the Treasury Department last week. ‘This is a legitimate request. I’ll be frankly disappointed if something positive doesn’t come out of this.’”

School funding is certainly a precarious issue. In Ohio the State Supreme Court has now ruled multiple times that current funding methods are unconstitutional, as they rely too heavily on property taxes. Yet something makes me uncomfortable with all those who feel a “legitimate” need to reach out their hands, asking for their “share of the pot.”

First the banks. Second the automakers. Then the state governments. Now the schools. Who will be next?

Isn’t that the true billion/trillion dollar predicament? If we begin to disburse free money, to whom do we give it and to whom do we not? I have a hardworking friend who sadly closed his small business last week. I know others who struggle with their mortgage payments – not to mention their kids with the college loans and expenses. Come to think of it, the holidays are coming up, and I could use a little help with the grocery bill during that time. If free money is given out, wouldn’t we all want to get in line?

I have no intention of being calloused. But that’s the problem: contrary to the 4 a.m. holiday shopping sprees, there still is a spree, but there is no end to the line.

Where is the balance between boosting and bailing? Who has the discernment (not to mention the political moxie) to draw the line – to prudently articulate that a strong dollar means not always saying ‘yes’ to those who ask to ‘show them the money’?

The true moral obligation to our taxpayers? Drawing an appropriate line.


AR

MY CABINET

In light of the selection of Hillary – which I still can’t tell if it’s an effort to hire the most tactful or an embracing of the strategy to keep your friends close but your enemies closer – I’d like to offer my own cabinet selections… some deceased, fictional, but arguably qualified. Drum roll please…

Secretary of Agriculture: Orville Redenbacher. Few have done more with small kernels of grain.
Secretary of Commerce: The “Hollywood Elite.” They seem to have lots of goods and materials and like to tell the rest of us how to spend ours (not to mention how to vote).
Secretary of Defense: Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens defensive unit. No one runs on them… not even fierce Bengal tigers.
Secretary of Education: All BCS analysts. They have to educate in the midst of great confusion.
Secretary of Energy: Any of the 4 a.m. post-Thanksgiving shoppers! (ok, so I was one of them.)
Secretary of Health & Human Services: Rachael Ray. She focuses on being healthy and concise – the latter of which seems rare by those inside the Beltway.
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development: Cindy McCain. I hear she frequents a lot of houses.
Secretary of the Interior: Paige Davis, host of TLC’s “Trading Spaces.” She makes everything look good while adhering to a strict budget. Congressmen, hello??
Secretary of Homeland Security: Kevin McCallister, that 8 year old kid from “Home Alone.” Who else can fend off all attackers?
Secretary of Labor: Bobbi McCaughey, mother of the Des Moines, Iowa septuplets. Enough said.
Secretary of State: Condoleezza Rice. With a BA, Master’s, and Ph.D. in Political Science… an expertise in communism, military policy, Soviet affairs, and the NFL… a resume that includes employment by both Republicans and Democrats… mentored by Josef Korbel (college professor and father to Madeleine Albright)… she remains one of the most qualified ever.
Secretary of Transportation: The Producers of the “Amazing Race.” They don’t seem to have problems directing people where to go.
Secretary of the Treasury: Ebeneezer Scrooge. It’s safe to say he wouldn’t be distributing billion dollar bailouts.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Donovan McNabb. (This spot can only be filled by a Philadelphian, experienced at handling the simultaneous cheers and jeers at the old Vet.)
Attorney General: The Mainstream Media. This person needs to be able to represent the President well at all times (rumor has it MSNBC began practicing about 18 months ago).

And last but not least…
The Chief of Staff: One of the Manning Brothers. These guys lead both big and small (giants and colts); they motivate the masses to cheer on the entire team. They absorb monstrous hits, but yet, they always come out shining. Sometimes they even get a ticker tape parade…

Searching for that ticker tape…

AR