Richard's Bones Tell His Story

 It's Richard III Alright!

"This has been an extraordinary journey of discovery.  

We came with a dream and today that dream has been realized. This is an historic moment that will rewrite the history books."

Philippa Langley, Screenwriter

Champion Search for Richard III 

Only with DNA technology...a living bona fide relative...and a whole lot of luck did the bones that turned up in a car lot outside Leicester Cathedral were proven to be those of Richard III.  He will be buried adjacent to the Cathedral, the place of his historical death in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. 

What else do we know?  That he died from one of two violent blows to the head and 8-10 wounds to his body. It appears that his body was beaten after his death, a ritual for humiliation.  Scientists speculate that he was buried with hands tied and squeezed into a grave. No dignity was paid to the one called "criminal king."  

Yet scholars still wonder if the Tudors set about to bury Richard III with the pen to establish their line. The archaeological evidence surely backs up the popular view that this was a King not for the liking of the people.  

So what do we really get from the discovery?  It confirms that Richard suffered from a hunchback with scoliosis. He died a violent death and his corpse was humilated to denigrate his memory as a criminal King. The location of the battle is right on accurate. Perhaps the physical remains will spur somebody to revisit his story.  History is after all--written by the winners.  

 

Deadliest Sniper Dies Trying to Save a Life

The man called America’s Deadliest Sniper, Navy Seal Chris Kyle, died with a friend doing what he said was his life’s legacy—trying to save a life.  Kyle authored American Sniper about his training and action as a sniper, and by all accounts, he did earn the reputation for being deadly with more than 150 kills.  And what was his regret?  That I could not save more of our people….  

The tragic irony is that the retired SEAL died doing just that—trying to save the life of Eddie Routh who returned from Iraq with PTSD. By all accounts, he wandered hometown streets crying, smelling of alcohol, without a shirt or shoes.  Kyle heard the story went to try to help him out.  At a shooting range, Eddie took down “America’s Sniper” and friend.  

It is such tragedies for Shakespeare that people’s lives interweave and seek the noble trial to rescue another person. After all--Chris was doing his life’s mission trying to save another life.  The two seemed inextricably bound together from the war, one the victim and the other still on mission.  
Is there more than Shakespearean tragedy here?  John’s Gospel writes that “no greater love has anyone than to lay down their life for another.”  (3:16)  Sometimes when we really see it, we can believe it.  

Second Thoughts about Alabama Kidnapper

This Time We Lost 3 Children

The horror story in rural Alabama came to painful end with the rescue of the little boy Ethan and the death of kidnapper Jimmy Lee Dykes.  In an ironic tribute, they buried bus driver Albert Poland, Jr. who was killed fighting off the kidnapper – for what he wanted most, the safety of all of his children.  

The ultimate sadness is that some where along the line, the “child” in Jimmy Lee Dykes died. Let’s face the difficult truth—a human being in full capacity of rational wit does not use a child in such a horrific manner.  Poland the bus driver, however, knew the value of the children he tried to protect—in fact, so well enough that he was willing to die for them.

The police share this much from the conversations with Dykes. "Based on our discussions with Mr. Dykes, he feels like he has a story that's important to him, although it's very complex," Olson said Monday before the hostage situation ended. He didn't elaborate.  Something dies in us when nobody hears our story.  

I want to say something that prevents us from just mentally burying the kidnapper and killer Dykes and forgetting that he was also a human being too.  A horrifically tragic one...but still somebody we are all related to.

There is a viewpoint, just one particular opinion, that says that we all have a hand in creating this kinds of character.  No question that nature left something out.  Okay. But the kidnapper and killer had a human face that died before this event.  He was the town odd-ball, known for killing pets that strayed his way, and wandering around in the evenings with a shot gun.  He roamed until he found that school bus, Albert Poland, and then Ethan.  We lost 3 before it all ended. 

The Real Super Bowl Score

Super Lights Out! 
Bowl Game #47 
into Record Books

Super Bowl #47 goes into the record books for two reasons--the dramatic 110 yd run-back for a TD and the 3rd quarter lights out for more than 30 minutes. What really happened is still everyone's guess. What it did for the game is nobody's guess. Forget the announcers saying it had no effect on the game.  Nobody watching what ensued (17 quick pts for SF) believed that nonsense!  The announcers were just trying to protect the "integrity" of the game.  Laughable!  It let SF back into the game--when ironically--it appeared to be lights out for them.  The Ravens were running up the score and folks were ready with channel changers with just one more TD. 

So what we saw is this--first, SF came back dramatically and took over the game.  The Ravens could not fly--they were grounded.  The temporary lights out "rebooted" SF.  However, and this is not to be lost because it makes a champion. The Ravens then got their second wind and did what was necessary to win the game in the end.


The Real Score
 

The real score and lesson is this: LIGHTS OUT.  A second wind. Taking yourself out of the game for a few plays.  Catching your breath. Time out.   Whatever you call it -- we know that we reach a point in life where we confront a problem, and the harder we work at it, the more difficult it becomes.  Then if we back away, detach, do something else, our minds still work on it--but not on the front burner.  Our best problem solving happens at a subconscious level.  Ever hear the phrase--go sleep on it?  Then you awake the next morning and --bingo!--the answer is right there. 

Check out Richard Carlson, PhD: You can be Happy No Matter What (Five Principles for Keeping Life in Perspective    The chapter on "problem-solving" is terrific. The harder you try to solve some problems the worse they get.  Back away, let it go, forget it for awhile--and the answer jumps out at you.  Once you detach--a different part of your brain can work on it with less clutter and especially the emotion of frustration that builds when answers elude us. 

What was that you said? Wasn't that pass interference on the Ravens at the end of the game to turn the tide for SF? I don't know.  I am gonna go turn off the lights for a while. 

Just Counting the Days?

 

Groundhog Day 2013:

Punxsutawney Phil

Does Not See His Shadow

 

What is the forecasting fad with the groundhog?  If he sees his shadow, then it is weeks more of winter.  If he does not, then Spring comes sooner.  I remember the year he did not see his shadow and we had two February blizzards.  That’s when I turned to The Farmer’s Almanac! 

That’s social custom for you.  They dress up in top hats and heavy gloves—to keep from getting bitten—the crowds gather, the cameras roll—and presto, Groundhog Day!  It’s utterly amazing how we set up this mile-markers—the rites of life. Think of all the mile-markers we create to count time. That first child, the 50^th birthday, marriage and grandchildren—on and on go mile-markers. 

Now comes the question.  What do we do to set up the mile-markers toward our personal growth?  Not just the passage of time—as if we could count SuperBowls (and I was around for the first one!).  But for growth?  There’s a series of books out there called “Younger this Time Next Year.”  Not bad, but you are still counting time, rolling it back so to speak.  

So Which Are You Headed?
 

 So why not set some direction--maybe some goals--for how you'd like to see yourself grow.  
Take on listening skills for the Spirit within you?  For those around you?  In other words, as you walk through linear time--whether it be an early spring or not, you are still deepening your life.  Call it time for growth or spiritual time. 

The point is that just as they have gather for 127 years to watch Phil, you can take one day and concentrate on something that gives you life for living. 

The Genuine Article

Goodbye Mr. Mayor...

Ed Koch

1924-2013

They broke the cookie press with Ed Koch, one of a kind before he became Mayor.  He loved to quip--"People really voted for me.  I got my message out there and they still voted for me."  He described himself as the one does not get ulcers--"I give ulcers!"  The New York Times captured his character by saying he embodied the City.  

But Koch, out among the people or facing a news media circus in the Blue Room at City Hall, he was a feisty, slippery egoist who could not be pinned down by questioners and who could out talk anybody in the authentic voice of New York: as opinionated as a Flatbush cabby, as loud as the scrums on 42nd Street, as pugnacious as a West Side reform Democrat mother.

For me the Jersey boy who grew up across the river....Koch was bigger than life before he died.  It usually takes death to exalt somebody to platitudes or Mt. Rushmore fame.  Not Koch. He was an Independent in political affiliation and character.  It took his chutzpah to tell New Yorkers to tighten their belts back into fiscal solvency.  

What is a genuine article, the real McCoy?  You're looking at him!  He resonates in us the best that we can be when we really dare to be who we really are.  He never saw his saw and went into hiding!

A Brand New Person

Take this chance and walk in the rain
walk and let it take away your pain
let it take all emotions and worries
all of those you heard in stories…

Lines excerpted from “A Walk in the Rain”

John Guevarra

After the longest days, I always look forward to the dog walking me around the bloc  Only this time we went a lot farther  Of course the threatening weather did not deter us We just kept on!  The rain started slowly before it poured—and we got drenched  “What are we doing out here,” the dog leered at me.  “You’re right,” I said back to her.  But now that we are stuck in it—let’s enjoy it—so why run home?  How do you explain what it is like to get drenched and have the day washed off of you?  To get so soaked that what sinks to your bones surprises you as refreshment?  It has something to do with losing control of life and just going with the flow…and washed off as a new person.