Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes

Happy Birthday, Dad!

“I think the tragedy is that we have a Congress with a Senate that has a minority of misguided senators who will use the filibuster to keep the majority of people from even voting.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1963

Had a short night of sleep so I’m feeling tired and down. Not much ambition or drive. Decided to go out to the Arapaho Bend Natural Area. Found a bit of blue sky and clouds to lift me up. Glad I went when I did because it is now cloudy and overcast.

It is Martin Luther King, Jr Day and many people are posting his quotes. I’m one of them. But, fifty years ago he was not all that popular a man and even labeled a communist, a radical and even dangerous. Prophets who stand up to injustice are treated as such. Some pay with their lives. May we have more prophets like him. I’m not capable of expressing my feelings about the brokenness of this country, because sixty years after he made this statement we still have a Senate that does not represent the people. Sigh!

On a positive note, today is my dads 93rd birthday. You can look at that as 93 years or 33,945 days or… I am grateful he’s as healthy as he is. I’m not able to be with him but sent him a text message with a virtual cake. My sister and brother-in-law are taking him a real cake so all is good! Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you! ❤

Retired. Having fun shooting Fujifilm cameras. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku. Have a love for fountain pens.

6 Comments

  • Faye

    Gorgeous blue sky! 93! That’s a fantastic accomplishment. Good health and happiness to your dad.

    This country is in dire straits for sure. I can’t help but think if Dr. King could see where we are, he would be disheartened.

    • Monte Stevens

      I wonder if he would be disheartened or not. He was optimistic and trusted that dream he had would be fulfilled. At this place in my life I also want to have faith in the changes that must come about within people.

    • Monte Stevens

      Thanks, Earl. She used the phrase “dire straights” and it seems to define it well. I want to believe that all prophets who have died in what they believe did not die in vain.

  • Mark

    Happy Birthday to your Dad Monte!! May he continue to enjoy good health and happiness. There was a really good piece in the Guardian on MLK yesterday – I shared it on Twitter. It really makes you think about how his memory is twisted and used for selfish purposes – and those that regularly treat others just like him in the day with disdain.

    • Monte Stevens

      I read some of those, yesterday and maybe the one you shared. Those readings are what inspired this post. When people live their lives from a selfish and self-centered place their view of of themselves and the world are distorted. And when they view themselves as separate from others and all of creation we also have a distorted view of life. Unfortunately the disdain is with many more than just him.