Blog archive
May 2024
Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024
No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024
An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024
Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024
Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024
The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024
Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024
April 2024
Rumor of Humor #2410
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2411
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2412
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2413
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2414
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2415
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2416
04/28/2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Four Kinds of Love
By Edward A. RinderlePosted: 12/15/2023
I am a music lover. I often walk through my day with a song in my head. Sometimes, I even sing it out loud. I have my favorites, and one of these is “The Rose” by Bette Midler.
The first verse of “The Rose” speaks of how people can think of love in four different ways. I began to muse over how I might have loved in each of those ways at some time in my life. Hence, the following.
Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.
Have I ever loved like that? I'm afraid that the answer is yes. With my kids when they were little. I so wanted to convey my “wisdom” to them about what is the “right way” to live. I was sure I had that “right way” all figured out, so I tried to impose it on them. Out of love, of course. It turns out that I was right about some things, but wrong about others. My kids have all grown into good people, however I choose to define “good”. But there are some scars, scars that are my doing.
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed.
My kids again. When I think back on my mistakes in raising them, my soul bleeds. And with my dear Jean, in the last few months of her life - when she had lost nearly all of her ability to speak - as I tried to determine futilely what kind of help she needed, I bled. I still do.
Some say love, it is a hunger an endless aching need.
I miss Jean so! I hunger for her touch.
I say love, it is a flower and you, its only seed.
In my pain, I find myself surrounded by sowers. Caring people that sow the seeds of love to me and to others. People in Pasadena Village. Friends and family in my neighborhood and beyond. I know that the seeds they are sowing will sprout some day. I can feel it happening. I can hardly wait to see the flowers.
I've recently joined a grief group. Something strange and wonderful seems to be happening there. I see fellow grievers respond to something I say or do with kind words of gratitude. Am I becoming a sower, too?
When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong.
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose.