My sister, Marianne, has died. She and I are just two years apart; our voices sounded so much alike that people could not tell us apart. We sang duets throughout our childhood. Burton made a recording of the two of us a few months ago still singing together.
Our granddaughter, Aimee Everist, participated in her church school Christmas pageant. Many children; lots of parts. Aimee played the part of a woman who was the last person to be admitted to the Inn before there was "no more room" in the Inn. A provocative part to play. What would you think if you were she? Would you even be aware you were comfortable while the Holy Family was shut out? What do you think about those now for whom there is no room?
From Martin Luther's Christmas sermon, 1543: The Inn was full. There are many of you who think to yourselves, "If only I had been there! How quick I would have been to help the baby." Why don't you do it now? You have Christ in your neighbor. You ought to serve your neighbors for what you do to your neighbor in need you do to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow, Dec. 7 is the 81st anniversary of theJapanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Our navy ships were sunk, more than 2,400 people were killed and more than 1,200 injured. President Roosevelt said this was a day that would live in infamy. So many more days since then. So many more wars. In the midst of Advent we again wait for the coming of the Prince of Peace.
How good it was to be around the table at Thanksgiving. We missed Mark and Aimee in Arizona. Kirk was here from Texas. We were at the home of Joel and Rachel. Present were their children, Jennaya and Jackson and Rachel's parents and brother, the Sundbergs.
For those of you who can receive Iowa Public TV, the All State Concert will be rebroadcast, Sunday, December 4, at 1:00
Once again a wonderful concert of Orchestra, Choir and Band at the 76th Iowa All State. A premiere festival, one of the best in the nation. Grandson Jackson performed, his third year. Sons Joel and Kirk, All State singers when they were in high school, with daughter-in-law Rachel and granddaughter Jennaya, also a former All State choir member, watch, along with Burton and Me. I and my sister, Marianne were All State singers when we were in Mason City High School in the 1950's
Thank you, Speaker of the House, for your years of service to this country. You are an intelligent, wise, courageous woman. I cheered when you were elected speaker some 20 years ago. I admire your ability to learn about people, to strategize, to respect everyone. You may well be the most influential Speaker of the House in history. You accomplishments are way too many to mention. You have been made fun of, threatened. Your life and that of your husband have been in danger. And you have not only survived, but led--collaboratively. You have led with grace and dignity and deep faith. Thank you.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918, the Great War (World War 1) ended. The armistice was signed. The killing stopped. This was the war to end all wars. In 1938 the day became a legal holiday dedicated to world peace. In 1954, after WW 11, the day became Veterans Day to give thanks for those who serve in all wars. My father served in the Great War, many many cousins served in WW 11. My son has served in the National Guard. May we, in this time of global conflicts, dedicate ourselves to work for world peace.
"The Path" goes for 21 miles around Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Indigenous Potawatomi peoples created the path centuries ago. In more recent times Lake Geneva became home to prominent Chicago families for their summer homes. Now by law the path must be maintained by property owners and always open to the public--everyone. Some pedestrians walk the entire path in one day; most walk it in segments or just part of it. What a joy!
One week from this Wednesday morning, we will awaken to find out the results of the Nov. 8 elections. However, it may be days or weeks until we know the full final results. There very well may be candidates who deny they lost. There might be court cases, and, yes, violence. But this cannot deter us from voting. Indeed, it must propel us to vote thoughtfully. Know what the candidates really believe. Thank the poll workers when we vote. Invite a neighbor to go with us to the polls. Voting and upholding the voting process is needed to strengthen this democracy. Vote!
Remaining members of the Mason City High School class of 1956 who still live in Mason City meet once a month for dinner out. These faithful people have planned class reunions for hundreds of people every five years. But that stopped during COVID. I so strongly support public community schools. Youth of every class and race, background and ability come together to receive an excellent education. Excellent teachers--professionally trained and caring about all of us. The entire nation needs excellent public schools where diversity is welcomed.
I live in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, native home to the Winnebago and Sioux tribes. Today is Indigenous Peoples day in over 12 states, including Iowa. There are 574 recognized tribes in the United States. Columbus Day has been recognized as a federal holiday for a long time. President Biden has proclaimed, for the second year this is Indigenous Peoples day. In Canada, indigenous people are called "First Peoples" and say "the Encounter" not "Discovery." How can one discover people who already existed? I need to learn from indigenous people and "discover," what I don't know. I plan to do that.
Six weeks from today is Election Day. Some people have already requested absentee ballots. A few states have begun early in-person voting. But too many will "sit this one out." We can't! Democracy itself is on the ballot. What can you do to assure all people can vote? Help those whose names have been removed from the rolls? Help those who don't have an address because they are homeless? Congregational clergy cannot tell people HOW to vote, but can encourage them TO vote. Justice, inclusion, equity are on the ballot. We dare not give in to those seek authoritarian power, making a mockery of democracy.
Family heritage is important. On my father's side I am English and Scottish. My Dad died 72 years ago when I was ll. In his Cook family, there were six sisters, my dad, and one more brother, 20 years younger. Since my dad had only girls, would our Cook name be lost? (I use Norma Cook Everist as my professional name, not a legal name.) However, my dad's younger brother had five boys, including two sets of twins. Lots more Cooks! My cousin, Rick, a doctor in Chicago, came back to Mason City for a class reunion last weekend. What a wonderful conversation we had after all these years! Here is a picture of him and me. I think we have the same smile.
So much has been said about Queen Elizabeth II's stability, her family troubles, her long life, but I go deeper to this woman's ministry of reconciliation. In watching the German TV DW news, I learned of her five visits to Germany, more than to most other nations. Elizabeth suffered through WW II and also joined the war effort as a mechanic in the military. She began her reign during the food shortages after the war. However, only a short time after the War she traveled to Germany. She cared about the suffering in Germany, too. After unification, she traveled to Dresden, which had been bombed to the ground by Allied forces. Although booed by some, she persisted, and personally led an effort to restore a church.
Fall some say she presided over a falling British monarchy, she persisted in building the Commonwealth of nations, not to rule over, but to reconcile. She was against apartheid in South Africa and Namibia. More nations a part of the Commonwealth now than ever before. The picture of her and Angela Merkel is priceless. Queen Elizabeth II was no a conquering monarch but a servant, a faithful minister of reconciliation.
Granddaughter Jennaya Everist, left this morning for Wartburg College. She has struggled for most of her lifetime with a very serious form of Crohn's disease, being in the hospital too many time to count. She had another surgery just last week at Mayo. Wartburg College is only a couple of hours from Mayo. Wartburg is very supportive of people with disabilities. She plans to major in music therapy, hoping to help children in hospitals.
We appreciate your prayers for people across the country, and even the world. We give thanks for her gifts and for her courage. We gave her our blessing yesterday. Here are pictures of her with Burton and me. Also pictured is Jennaya standing in front of her house by the tree which was planted shortly after her birth 18 years ago.
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