<major offtopic, sorry> G'day all - for those of you who are oversea Americans, by now you may have heard the news of John John and his wife and sister-in-law have been lost at sea. While they are merely individuals of no extra ordinary accomplishments, they are the reflection of our hope and losses. Indeed, irrespective of the media saturation, I can say definitely I remember where exactly I was when I heard the late JFK was shot more than 1/4 of a century ago, even though I was 1/2 a world away then and I hardly knew JFK and the fabled Camelot. Then, fate or not, I have since settled in this country and have shared the national psyche, her exuberance as well as her disappointments. So, the possible loss of John John is much more inflective... and in a way, it is a sobering moment to realize how petty sometimes one can be by being rigid with intransigence - and in truth a mere armchair philosopher without the benefits of experiencing genuine joy and woe - when the nation as a whole is full of compassion and longings.
So, hope for the best and prepare for the worst, and here's to the lives who might have been forever lost, whether they are ordinary joes and janes, or whether they are the celebrated Kennedys
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
John Newton 1725-1807 |
