Nothing to apologize for

I have submitted the following as a letter to the editor. 

Since it may or may not be published, I am sharing it with you now.

Responding to the sermon delivered by Bishop Mariann Budde during the National Prayer Service, President Trump's angry tweet ended, “She and her church owe the public an apology!”

With respect, I would like to ask our President a couple of questions and add a comment.

Did you listen to her whole sermon about the three pillars of unity---respecting the dignity of every human being, telling the truth and living with humility?

Did you hear and feel her heartfelt final words, spoken gently to you? They were a simple, sincere ask for mercy on those who are afraid right now. The bible tells us to “speak the truth with love” and that’s exactly what she did.

Most people feel the need to apologize occasionally. You should try it sometime. But in this case, as a member “her church”, I cannot apologize. Your disrespectful, tone-deaf tweet to her does nothing to help build the unity you claim to want for the country we all love.

John Saville

Corona, CA.

A Camellia Grows in Corona

 

Dear Friends

The headline on the front page of the LA Times on the morning of January 10^th was stunning. Above a devastating picture were these words:

                          “EVERYTHING IS BURNED DOWN”

Just three hours after I saw that picture and read that headline, I received a text including a picture; our second grandchild had arrived! A beautiful flower named Camellia had joined her sister, named after a beautiful bird called Rosella (an Australian parrot). (This picture was after she came home).

The name Camellia has several meanings including “love”, “devotion”, “a spirit of depth”, “self-reflection”, “inner strength”, “loyalty” and “humility”. In Latin, camelia (one l) is a feminine name meaning “helper to the priest” and a form of camellia, the evergreen shrub with gorgeous flowers that bloom in winter. I hope Camellia will experience and carry forward some of these meanings in her life.

“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” is described as “a tale of perseverance and vulnerability about a young girl as she grows up in the slums of Brooklyn, New York, and faces an unforgiving world and learns to thrive in it” But for now, with a thankful heart, I will be watching A Camellia Growing in Corona.

I cannot imagine the heavy burden and deep grief that so many are carrying after the fires, not to mention the wondering, "What now?" I pray they will find and be surprised by signs of new life and new hope, and thrive once again.

John

P.S. We were notified by a cousin in Florida that a Camellia Festival opened the day after Camellia was born. It's hard to see but it included this prize winner named Camille!