It is the Christmas Season. I had a request from my spouse to skip the disturbing current events and focus on the beauty and joy that is represented by the season. That is a tall order, but apparently so is one of the expressed tenets of Jesus’s time on earth. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” I was raised in the Methodist church and my parent’s insisting on living by the golden rule. Although the term, “Golden Rule” began to be widely used in l7th century Britain by Anglican theologians it may date to the early 1600’s. The maxim of reciprocity, dates to the ancient Egyptian goddess Ma’at as early as 2040 B. C. What a world we would enjoy….if only!!!
Romeo and Juliet is the tale of a true but forbidden love. According to Greek mythology, Amaryllis, a beautiful maiden, fell in unrequited love with Alteo, a strong, handsome shepherd who had a passion for flowers. To earn his love she sought the advice of the Oracle of Delphi, stand in front of Alteo’s house for thirty nights piercing your heart with a golden arrow. On the thirteenth night an extraordinary flower grew from her blood and helped her win the love of Alteo. Today we believe the amaryllis symbolizes determination, beauty and love. The flower can also represent success and are commonly given as gifts of hard-won achievement. And in the spirit of the holiday, Amaryllis is a Greek female name that means “to sparkle.”
The NY Times posted an Opinion piece by Pamela Paul. Paul outlines 10 noteworthy children books and their enduring take aways. She suggests they are great reading and likely a source for this year’s resolutions. I am not going to recount all of the learning except to say, apparently none of these have been banned yet.
In “A Light in the Attic” by Silverstein his poem “Arrows” is illustrated by a pierced cloud that has descended next to a shame faced child holding a lowered bow. The lesson, beware unintended consequences. “Rotten Island” by William Stieg tells about the power beauty has to overcome the world’s ugliness. The message, avoid people who want to be unhappy. With profound meaning today— “If you give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff, is one of her franchise of books about insatiable animals.—“some people will never be satisfied.” And finally, Mercer Mayer’s classic—“There’s a Nightmare in my Closet”. The little boy discovers that the monster is frightened as well and to defeat your fear you comfort it. Paul suggests it may be worth a try on most bullies. “Kill cruelty with kindness.”
Jeffry William Mooney turned a year older on the l9th. Chronologically he is two years younger than myself, my digits add to 11 and he totals 9. Hank will post the answer next week. Please join me in wishing Jeffy a wonderful birthday and healthy next year.
We have amaryllis blooming right now and I highly recommend them as gifts to brighten the holiday. Mike