I wish ...

Kids are getting their wish list together for the holidays. Some lists are longer than others, and of course, that depends upon their age. But this morning as I watch on Twitter the "140 characters" of bargains gained by early shoppers I decided I would put together my own wish list:

My wish list will depend on you and others to help me obtain the results. I know that eventually there will be "peace on earth" but I would like to know why we don't have more good will towards mankind.

I wish someone would explain:

• Why the western media has to tell everything that is going to happen before or during a commando raid to evacuate hostages. Doesn't anybody think that the militants get information too?
• Why governments and/or military tell anything that would give the other guys a "heads up". When I was growing up we found out after something happened--and we were usually on the winning side
• Why with all the naval vessels and crews internationally the pirates in Somalia can hijack huge vessels without a problem or a shot being fired? Have our policies of everybody play nice gone too far?
• Why can the government give away the bailout money without congressional oversight? If the congress can pass laws regarding taxes and the rights of the citizens, why aren't they involved in the bailout other than to say, yes go ahead and do what you want?

And here is a question that I have been pondering for a while:

• After 40+ years why are we still giving the same information about how much the US has in coal fields and natural gas that could be used as alternatives to Middle East oil?
• Is it because the governments knew we were slowly moving into a New World Order and that it wouldn't make any difference?
• And when, as the UK and Russia has asked that the G20 look at a one world government in April 2009, does that mean that everybody put their goods into one basket and everybody share equally?

I don't know about you, but I wonder whose on first, whose on 2nd and whose the short stop. I suppose you could say the tax payers and the "common folk" are certainly the catchers.

Perhaps now would be a good time to let your country leadership know how you feel about a one world government, and ask them, how does that work?

Well, that's my list for today, instead of standing in lines waiting at WalMart, Penny's or a great gadget store---I'm cozy at home in front of my computer reading Twitter (SOMF smile on my face).

365 Days Later

Last year at this time I was living in eastern Africa, thinking about being back in the States as people ere getting ready for holiday shopping, Thanksgiving dinner, and then Christmas. I wondered what it was going to be like in the rural areas where I was living, in a place that so far hadn't gotten excited even over the local holidays.

It was strange to find that even the national holidays were nothing of importance. I laughed at how many times the banks were closed because of "National Day". It seems that every person had a special holiday if they had been in office, but in a democracy of only 40-years or so that wasn't so hard to understand. But it was the special holidays of growing up that I took for granted to be internationally celebrated. So the anticipation started growing.

As the days passed, one morning I sat on my terrace looking out at the northern mountains that were always green and seemingly close enough to reach out and touch, the strange ridge of irregularly shaped trees breaking the horizon. Allowing my memories to flood into a bran that had purposefully trained to be focused and without attachment to too much of the past. I was, after all, living in a land where there were no old friends, old traditions, and certainly nothing that was tangible to my personal past.

My children as small youngsters came first, the delight of Christmas and helping fix the Thanksgiving dinner. Cleaning for days before all the extended family would arrive for a dinner in a house far too small to hold everybody, but somehow it all worked out. Carpets that had to be cleaned after the big dinner and before the tree was ceremoniously placed in the living room. It all seemed eons ago.

I wondered what we would be eating for Thanksgiving, and then found there was no Thanksgiving holiday. Bummer! But then no turkey either and the chickens were so small that even stewed there was more bone than meat. Mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries, and all the good stuff were basically non-existent. I could have koo-koo (chicken) breast with a small wing deep fried, served with ugali (white coarn meal made intoa real grits type for), I had mine with soft french fries.

While I sat in the restuarant with my deep fried chicken, fries, Coca-Cola and fresh fruit plate, I watched the people down in the turn-about on the street below. My mind and heart began to reflect on life in general and the awesome opportunities that I had been allowed to experience.

I have learned not to take life for granted, nor the things that are so abundantly given to us. To my friends in east Africa, a big pot of ugali and greens was a blessing. To have beans and/or rice was being rich. My friends thought it strange that I chose to walk to town on most days, walking with the villagers and neighbors instead of taking a matatu (van). It was important to get the whole experience. Coming back to the States, it is difficult to see food thrown away because somebody doesn't like it, 57-brands of chewing gum, and several colors of a handbag, dresses, and other commodities.

This year as I reflect on what last year was like and the lessons learned, I am thankful this year that I can know that the source of all things is a loving God who knows the beginning from the end. That I have had the wonderful experiences of living with other cultures and becoming part of them--as one race-humankind.