"Life in community is no less than a necessity for us, an inescapable 'must'... all life created by God exists in communal order and works toward community."

This quote is from a fellow named Eberhard Arnold. Fairly radical stuff if taken literally. I've been thinking lately about this idea: I am my brothers keeper. I am my sisters keeper...

What might that look like in my life...

I was talking with a friend recently and reading her blog where she has made a list of "things I want to be involved in". I am now pondering and thinking about what would be on my list. What would I include? What would I chuck out? It's a good exercise. Like making positive affirmations. I will post my list when I come up with it.

The photo is a picture of the view we enjoyed just before dinner at an eco lodge called "Hacienda San Lucas" in Honduras. A breathtaking appetizer.

I answered a question in the comments part of a previous post. The question is really, can I be pro-life and pro-Obama. For some the answer would be no. And I certainly understand that. I just don't happen to be one of those. For the record, I am most certainly pro-life. And I support Mr. Obama for President of the U.S. Life for me is in the womb and outside as well. I'm not going to re-state what I posted. You can read it in the comments.

This article arrived in my inbox this morning. A little lengthy but worth the read.

Can you be pro-life and support Senator Obama? The answer - upon even a moment's reflection - is unequivocally yes.

Welcome to Pro-Life, Pro-Obama, an online resource, created by Pro-life supporters of Senator Barack Obama.

Barack Obama's life has been one dedicated in service to the needs of others.

We are all called to build a culture of life - but there's more to it than just hoping that the next Supreme Court justice somehow deals with Roe v. Wade. A bad economy is threatening to human life. Women facing the moral tragedy of abortion - are facing it, now, today - and they need a supportive community and tangible help, not condemnation.

As Ronald Reagan's legal counsel and as a dean and professor at Catholic University and Notre Dame, I have worked to put the law on the side of life where it belongs.

But after 35 years, a new approach is needed. Too many unborn lives are being lost as we wait for judges to get it right. Barack Obama's strengthening of support for prenatal care, health care, maternity leave, and adoption will make the difference. Studies confirm it.

We are but a few weeks away from a new beginning in America.

I am inspired by what Senator Obama calls "the promise of America -- the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation in the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper. That's the promise we need to keep."

It is because of the hope of this promise, that I have written Can a Catholic Support Him? Asking the Big Question About Barack Obama. While especially aimed at Catholic citizens, the book and the material here are devoted to opening every heart and mind to the prospect of transcending the partisanship on these difficult issues.

That is the change we need right now. And it is within our grasp.

Thank you for visiting this site and we look forward to being in touch,

Douglas W. Kmiec

Douglas W. Kmiec holds the endowed chair in Constitutional Law at Pepperdine University. Prior to that, he was dean and St. Thomas More Professor of Law at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He also served as Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

I am thinking that this is a day for musings... I have been painting the interior of my house and as it is mindless work - for the most part - it gives lots of time for the mind to wander. And my mind wanders.

I've been circling around this idea of thinking critically and how this skill seems to be one that is rare. People just don't seem to want to think through things, they don't want to wrestle with the preconceived notions that we all frankly, have and possibly have to change their minds.

Just to explain my thoughts on this - I have been reading what some conservatives (ie: Republicans) have been saying about Mr. Obama. It seems it isn't enough just to say that politically they disagree. I have been reading blurbs from ladies (who seem pretty normal lovely mom type people!) who are comparing Obama with Hitler, who are entertaining the idea that he may be the antichrist, who honestly believe misquotes and half-quotes taken out of context that say he has connections with terrorists. Now I have no issues with aligning yourself politically with Obama or McCain or Steven Harper or Jack Layton. We all hold fast to different things. For this I am thankful.

I suppose I'm just wondering when so many of us stopped really truly thinking about the information offered to us and asking ourselves those critical questions.

Just thinking out loud....

So. Same old, same old. Conservative Minority. I would be surprised if anything other than this result happened. and I think the same of most people. This was an election that was completely, from beginning to end, uninspired.

Steven Harper gave a great speech last night. Really good speech. In it he was gracious and positive toward both Stephan Dion and Jack Layton. He recognized that there must be a stronger commitment to work together. They need to play nice. Every party must recognize that the majority of Canadians don't want to hear them constantly fight and squabble and accomplish nothing. There are things, important things, that must get done in Ottawa. And each party has some good things to put in the offering. A good plan is a good plan regardless of which party puts it forward. I have hope (not much but a little) that Mr. Harper meant what he said. That maybe he will try to work with the Liberals and NDP in creating a strong Canada.

I guess we'll see.

Two things. Wait...no, Three things.

First, my prerogative to change my mind. I have decided to cast my vote strategically. In my riding,Chuck Strahl of the Conservatives is the candidate. and although I am not Conservative - I like him. I always have. If I thought he needed my vote to win - I'd give it to him. But he will win - probably with a landslide, as usual. So I will end up casting my ballot Liberal - even though I don't know the candidate. But really, I want the liberals in opposition and the conservatives in a minority. At least until we are through this economic crisis. This voting thing is tiring. *sigh*

Second, wow - heckuvawindstorm last night!! Everyone was in our bed by about 4:30 a.m. and by 5 a.m. we dragged in a mattress for the floor so we could at least sleep slightly comfortably. The kids anyway. Me? Wide awake. Praying my heart would settle down and the sweats would stop. It ticks me off that my body still responds so acutely. We lost a beautiful apple tree in this storm.

And finally...and perhaps most important. My baby turned 12. She's been a gift to this family right from her first breath.

A few more photos of our trip. The one of Reid, Jeff and Dad (& also our driver Ronaldo) is of them just before they set off on "Cables Extremos" in a National Park just out of Panajachel. Six zip lines, that cover over 350 meter at heights of 175 meters. Really fast, really high. I can't believe my dad did it. But he did and they all loved the experience. The rest of us enjoyed that antics of the wild monkeys.
The Lake is Lago Atitlan - a lake surrounded by three live volcanos - it was recently voted on the new seven wonders of the world.
The kids are from one of the schools - the boys in the cool outfits are dressed for National Independence Day.

Watch a debate last night? From what I'm reading most people flipped between our own Federal Debate and the Vice Presidential Debate in the United States. I must confess I would have been one of those people - except we don't have cable and my only choice is the good old CBC, which of course, runs only our Canadian Debate.

I watched with Caris. Who was very interested. She was hoping for a clear laying out of what each party stands for. She was fascinated in how it unfolded. I enjoyed the debate for the most part. I was beyond impressed with Elizabeth May from the Green Party. She's feisty and intelligent and well spoken. Jack Layton from the NDP did what he always does which is talk loudly and grandly and with great confidence. And as much as I lean NDP (okay, REALLY lean) on a Provincial level - it's just not clicking for me on a National level. I went into this debate really hoping that Stephan Dion would pull out something that resonated in me. Some personality perhaps. Alas, I just cannot see him leading. He is earnest and sincere and I'm not sure - lacking maybe? some inner leadership quality that rallies and inspires people. I just wanted a glimmer - it's not like I was looking for a Barack Obama - but I caught sight of nothing in him. I watched Steven Harper - He was totally and wholly unappealing. It certainly looks like he will be the next Prime Minister - which I suppose is fine because the reality is - little changes regardless of who is in power. I was telling Caris that I will cast my vote for Opposition and with my conscience.

Which looks like I'll be heading Green this year.

It wasn't supposed to be this way.

I thought I'd return from our trip to Guatemala refreshed, renewed, rejuvenated. and I suppose I was for the first week. I mean hey, I'm starting this brand new chapter in my life...both kids in school full time, which translates to days to fill with, with, well - now you see my problem. Fill with what? I want to fill my days with things that are of value to me. Things that need doing - yes, but also those things that will satisfy me on a deeper, more spiritual level. While I ponder those slightly huge questions I'm going to begin by painting the inside of my house. Mindless work that I actually do enjoy. Lots of time to listen to CBC radio and plan my next step.

Of course I never counted on the unexpected. Like this most wicked cold I've been saddled with. It began yesterday and today has grown to most mammoth proportions. I feel cranky. I feel whiny.

But all of this pales. Totally pales when I think of my dear sweet friends Terry & Juanita. And I do think of them constantly through the day. The Stauffers are mourning their 14 yr old daughter Emily who was murdered on Sat. night. I'm still broken for them. Broken for them - and so grateful as I look in my kitchen at lunch time and watch a pile of 14 yr olds as they chat, laugh and generally be loud.

I'm reminded acutely now, in that perspective that only tragedy brings, that I am beyond blessed to have Caris, and her dearest friends Becca, Rachel and Frankie. All 14 and very much alive.

And blessing lives all around them.