Finding Balance

One of the best things about summer vacation is getting off the couch and going exploring with cousins and collecting rocks. Trevor in one of his last few days of freedom before Basic Training at the Air Force Academy, hopped into the driver's seat of our rental car with Dallas, Sidney and Sebastian in tow and headed to the coolest collection of rocks  -- A public park in Colorado called Garden of the Gods.  There are these natural formations that they call praying hands and kissing camels.  It is so gorgeous there with the striking red rocks, blue sky and green trees.  (In fact the name Colorado is supposed to have been named after the red sandstone.)

The land was donated by Charles Perkins in 1909

There was warning signs to look out for rattlesnakes.  Thankfully we didn't see any.

  these "hogback" spines or cathedral spires rise up 320 ft.  They used to lay horizontal but were pushed vertical over time by faults and natural mountain building forces of Pikes Peak nearby.  We climbed in one of these called the Three Graces.  In Greek Mythology the Graces were Zeus's daughters charm, beauty and creativity/joy.  I saw a sculpture of the Graces by Canova in Rome and in Florence Botticelli's painting Primavera of the 3 Graces and LOVE them.  While I miss the museum's of Italy with all the talent and creativity, there is something to be said for walking around nature's museum and feeling the joy.

This last part of the park called Balancing Rock was my absolute favorite.

We thought at first the rock was deposited by a glacier millennium ago.

But we discovered, this balanced rock is an erosional remnant.  It is a persistent rock formation that remains after extensive wind, water and/or chemical erosion, carved from the local bedrock.  Mothers of all ages eventually become this balanced rock.  Elements, time and hardship eventually shape us so we learn to balance and find equilibrium in an unbalanced life. That is the true work of art.

Not letting the past FLOAT away

The theme for this year's Parade was Occupation to Liberation. 70 years ago, Dec 11, 1941 the Japanese invaded Guam and beheaded all but 1 US soldier (George Tweed) and threw many Chamorro's into work camps and concentration camps were many were murdered

 

The yearly Parade is a joyous remembrance of July 21, 1944, when the US 1st Provisional Marine Brigade and 3rd Marine Division made it ashore despite heavy casualties.

It is also a call to remember the 77th Infantry who lacked amphibious vehicles and who were just dropped off on the  edge of the reef with 50 lb packs.  The surf was high and dangerous. Many were gunned down, some drowned. The  local people wondered how these young men, barely 18 years, could possibly save them.  But the 77th pressed forward and continued up the steep cliffs of Guam to the stop the enemy and rescue those who could not defend themselves .

I love the parade floats that help everyone remember the best of the past, present and future.  The Liberation Parades always make me think of the times in our lives we are all "occupied" by forces that want to destroy us... and how we need help and someone to rescue us.

We all need a 'Captain America' type hero to save the day.  I have realized that when God sends help, many times it comes in a form that is less than desirable, not what we had visioned and maybe unrecognizable .... it's our choice to take the hand offered and swim in gratitude.

There is always a need to remember the past because if the memory dims and we forget it, we run the risk of losing  forthcoming battles.

Women and children continue to be casualties of evil men and goodness flickers out and dies.

  
Is a parade with kids on bikes, Marines bearing the flag, and submarine floats the best way to remember and honor immeasurable sacrifices?  You bet your Stars and Stripes it is! And when you thank a Vet or ask a local what they remember of the occupation days and how they forgave the atrocities, or shake the hand of a US serviceman, that gratitude FLOATS to the heavens and echos for eternity.