Some things I believe in

It has been some time since I have written anything here so I suppose that does not make me a very good "blogger", but it is my blog and so I can write when I feel like it. My daughter Kate who lives in Austin, Texas with her great husband Alvin Youngblood and their two super kids, Winona and James sent me a piece that the late John Updike wrote for National Public Radio on things he believed. The webiste for this piece is here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4600600

I wrote back to Kate and here is what I said:


Dear Katie--

Although I will never be a John Updike, I think I believe in some of the same things he believed in.

I believe in my children--they are a part of me and all those who have gone before me. They are my connection to the future.

I believe in love and the need to be loved.

I believe in miracles because I have seen them.

I believe science and God can co-exist but that one does not explain the other

I believe that this country offers every person the opportunity to succeed--but it takes the will to do so.

I believe people are basically good, but circumstances can make them do terrible things.

I believe that a government of the people has a duty to do for the people what they cannot do for themselves.

I believe that we have a duty to serve others in some way--to share our talents to the betterment of those who do not have those same talents.

I believe that laughter is tonic for the soul.

I believe in planting a tree in whose shade you will never sit.

I believe there is no such place as Hell--but without a belief, your life may end and that is all there will be--that alone would be Hell.

I believe I have rambled far too long.

Much love,

Dad

And so for today, that is what I am thinking about.