READER'S EDITORIAL: FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

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By Grey Feathers

January 8, 2014 (San Diego's East County) -- Three years ago today, Gabriele Gifford was shot in the head.  She was rushed to the hospital where we thought she would surely die.  The same hospital where I would be treated after my heart attack a few month later in the hot summer of 2011. 

There was a Lunar Eclipse that summer that plunged Tucson into the deepest darkness conceivable and it seemed the chill of the legendary Shadow Wolf of Native American lore had been unleashed upon my world. 

This morning Gabby wrote in the New York Times that for the first time she can will her right arm to move and it obeys.  After years of persistent physical therapy she is making steady progress.  The news brought me to weeping for joy. 

I too have made progress with a rebuilt heart and renewed hopes for a brighter world.

The Dark Wolf has been consigned to the deepest cave in some remote desert in a far away land and Gabby Gifford and her husband are making progress curbing gun violence in America. 

The winds of change seem to be blowing our way.  The dominance of greed and cruelty seems to have had their day.  A new Pope in Rome is speaking out for the poor and infirm just as Jesus did when he walked the earth.  (Imagine that.)  Much has changed.  A black man was elected President - twice.  Most of the big Cities in America have progressive Mayors now including the two largest, Los Angeles and New York.   

Newt Gingrich, a well known disciple of the Shadow Wolf, said it was time for conservatives to ask the Pope inspired question:  Would I want to live in a world where "billionaires and people with no food" live side by side?   

To me a statement from Newt that I actually agreed with is just about as cosmic as that Lunar Eclipse from that long hot summer.  And the prospects of Barack Obama defeating the obstructionists and fulfilling the unspeakably wonderful expectations we have for him - may yet become reality. 

So this morning I'm wiping away the sniffles of happiness for Gabby and feeling my reconditioned heart rev with hope and optimism inside my chest.  Pope Frances intimated that people are either Kind or Cruel - his words casting a light across the world, sending the Dark Wolves scurrying to their deep caves. 

With the wind to our backs 2014 will be the beginning of a new era, one that reflects the promise of a humankind created in the image of a loving God. 

The views in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

 

 

 

 


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