Spectacular work, Steve. I was the guy who enjoyed geometry and math, but I lived my educational experience of American History in a similar way as you've described here. I enjoyed the stories I was told, and only well into adulthood discovered / uncovered many of the truths under the mythology .. a feeling of loss, like having walked obliviously right past someone needing help. Your ending here is an inspiration.
I bet you had a good teacher or two! I swear if I’d had someone who could have explained it, I might have stood a chance. “…like having walked obliviously right past someone needing help”—boy, does that ever resonate. That’s just it!
I grew up under that sky, still a child when Sputnik launched. Also interested in sci-fi, I was intellectually excited about the scientific leap. I was also scared. A child of the cold war, I’d been taught that the best way to survive a Russian bomb attack was to crouch under my school desk and cover my eyes. But beneath it all, though I didn’t know the word yet, I was appalled at the hubris of the event.
And here we are.
But the stars are still here, too. Like the sun when it’s raining. May you find a place to travel with your son to show him a sky close to what his great grandparents knew. I suggest the mountains around Durango CO.
This made me tear up. I've had those times of back and forth and intensity and the frustration and the helplessness -- with the love of caregiving -- all mixed together. Thank you, as always, for putting a voice to the heart.
Spectacular work, Steve. I was the guy who enjoyed geometry and math, but I lived my educational experience of American History in a similar way as you've described here. I enjoyed the stories I was told, and only well into adulthood discovered / uncovered many of the truths under the mythology .. a feeling of loss, like having walked obliviously right past someone needing help. Your ending here is an inspiration.
I bet you had a good teacher or two! I swear if I’d had someone who could have explained it, I might have stood a chance. “…like having walked obliviously right past someone needing help”—boy, does that ever resonate. That’s just it!
I grew up under that sky, still a child when Sputnik launched. Also interested in sci-fi, I was intellectually excited about the scientific leap. I was also scared. A child of the cold war, I’d been taught that the best way to survive a Russian bomb attack was to crouch under my school desk and cover my eyes. But beneath it all, though I didn’t know the word yet, I was appalled at the hubris of the event.
And here we are.
But the stars are still here, too. Like the sun when it’s raining. May you find a place to travel with your son to show him a sky close to what his great grandparents knew. I suggest the mountains around Durango CO.
Oh I love that corner of the world! Durango, I mean. I’ve seen good stars outside Santa Fe too. 😊
You’re in Massachusetts, right? No need to hop a plane. Coastal down-east Maine in summer, too.
A fishing village called Corea. Amazing sunrises to cap those nights and lobster rolls for lunch. What’s not to love?
It’s money well-spent at least! 🙏🙌 You too!!
The price? 😂😂 but other than that! Yes!
Well, there’s that… e joy the weekend anyway 🐳♥️
You are helping, and bringing inspiration …that is its own gift, its own bringing the truth to others. Thank you, Steve.
🙏🙏 thank you!
Great piece of writing Steve.
Thank you!
That kicker!
This made me tear up. I've had those times of back and forth and intensity and the frustration and the helplessness -- with the love of caregiving -- all mixed together. Thank you, as always, for putting a voice to the heart.
With the love of the caregiving all mixed together! I forget that part sometimes--that love drives the bus.
You make connections and speak truths so eloquently. 🙏🏻💕
🙏🙏
Powerful witness to what's happening, Steve. Change is afoot. Fingers crossed that some of it will help the conditions you write about here.
Thank you, Jed! Here's hoping!
Thank you again.