Neil Diamond - Check One Off the Bucket List!

Last night I checked one off my bucket list when we went to a Neil Diamond concert! 

True he doesn't look or walk like he did in 1966 but then who does?  I was 13 years old!  But he can still sing! 

From the concert review:

A mostly over-50 crowd packed the house as Diamond enthralled digging way deep in his catalog of songs which stretch back to the 1960s, before man even stepped on the moon. The show opened with still photos and videos rotating across a diamond shaped projector screen before the real Diamond took the stage in front of his 12 member band.

Diamond is 76 years old, or perhaps that’s young, because he hardly looked, acted and most importantly sang like what the rest of us mere mortals expect from somebody closer to 100 than 50. Sure, he doesn’t move like a 30-something rocker, walks a bit gingerly at times, nor does he look like the guy gracing the cover of his hit live album Hot August Night,  instead looking gentlemanly and rather dapper wearing a black shirt blazoned with rhinestones, sporting a goatee, and more salt than pepper hair. Diamond always resonated like an old soul anyway but his vocals sounded just as fresh and polished off any album from 40 years ago.

'Song Sung Blue' to 'Solitary Man' to 'I Am I Said' to 'Crunchy Granola Suite'.  It was a musical stroll down memory lane. The songs you learn as a teenager leave lasting impressions.  That is probably because of the hours teens spend in their rooms listening to  favorites play over and over and over on a record player.  I know I drove my mother crazy listening to the same songs so many times!  Served me well last night as I knew every word of every one of the old songs.

He ended without singing 'Sweet Caroline' or 'Cracklin Rosie' and I felt disappointed but I shouldn't have as he came back out and sang both of those favorites.  I think all 19,000 people were on their feet reliving their teenage years as we danced with Neil through an extended singalong! He ended with a heart felt rendition of a patriotic favorite "America".

The review in our paper ended with this sentence.  

I can’t really put it any better than the beaming, grandmother-aged woman I overheard joyfully telling her concert companions as the crowd exited the Moda Center: “Well, that was wonderful.”

He could have been talking about me!

Masks and Religion

Muslims!  Islam!  These words conjure up images to many Americans of ISIS, chants of “Death to America” or of planes flying into buildings.   I had several experiences in Kenya recently that made me evaluate my preconceived ideas about Islam.  I’ve never been one who feared all Muslims because I have had other positive experiences with those who live and love this religion.  
My recent Kenyan experiences were a reminder to think of the individual and not make broad generalizations of an entire religion. 

Estimates are that there are 1.57 billion Muslims in the world today And yes, some of them are terrorists but most are not.

My friend Halima is the pretty young woman on the end wearing a black and gray scarf. Halima was a Kenya Keys sponsored student who recently graduated from the university, much to the joy of her family. I am sure they give thanks for her education and pray for a peaceful world and a rewarding life for each of their children, just as I do. 

Little Mwaka also comes to mind.  I first met her in 2011 when she was an adorable little 4-year-old, one of the pack of neighborhood children who loved being around the mzungu (white people). She is the little sweetheart in my lap wearing a pink shirt. 

Here is Mwaka in 2014,  a feisty 7-year-old who danced when the cameras were pointed at her  

This last trip I met a confident 11-year-old who came to visit us early one evening, although she no longer lives in the neighborhood.  Little Mwaka was walking home after worshipping at the mosque.  Because it was Ramadan she had been fasting since dawn and was on her way home to break her fast.   Remember that it is hot in Kenya and because of the recent famine, bellies have not often been full.   This little girl was not eating or drinking today, not because of a lack of food, but as a token of her devotion to her faith.  I recently read this explanation of fasting during Ramadan “The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate. Muslims often donate to charities during the month and feed the hungry. Fasting is an exercise in self-restraint. Ramadan is a time to detach from worldly pleasures and focus on one’s prayers” Sounds much like the reasons members of my faith fast each month. 

On Sunday afternoon Farhiya Omar came to visit.  She was sponsored for her college education by Kenya Keys, graduating 3 years ago. Today she wanted to share some delicious food that she had spent the morning preparing as well as two books that explained her religion.  Farhiya asked that we learn about her religion from a source other than the news media. A  very wise friend once said that one should always learn about another religion from those who ‘know it, live it and love it’.  Farhiya loves, lives and knows about her religion.I would certainly appreciate that level of respect if someone wanted to know more about my faith and my church. 

Another friend is Abdallah, a teacher at Egu Primary school who is responsible for their library program.  That is him wearing the red shirt. 

In this photo Abdallah is standing by me in the print shirt. 

Abdallah was first to arrive at our meeting for primary school librarians. I offered some refreshments to which he politely declined telling me that he was fasting.  I apologized and said that I didn’t mean to offend him.  I was assured that I had not given offense and that he was happy to talk to me about his religion.  We only talked for a couple of minutes before others arrived but his words have stayed with me. “Islam is a religion of compassion, not violence.  Many of the quotes you hear from the Koran that seem to promote violence are taken totally out of context. The terrorists have no religious reason to do what they do.”  Then the phrase that I love

“The terrorists have put a mask on the face of Islam”

Meeting these Muslims in Taru, Kenya has helped remind me to look beyond the terrorist mask of Islam and see the faces of the many good, kind Muslims like Mwaka, Halima, Farhiya, and Abdallah.  As a Christian, I don’t want others to lump me in the same category as the members of the Westside Baptist Church or the Ku Klux Klan who also claim the title of Christian. Groups like these have effectively put a ‘mask on the face of my religion’ as well.

 

I remember the words of one of our church leaders who when speaking of refugees said, “What if their story were my story?”.  Interacting with these good people who practice Islam I can’t help but think that in many ways ‘their story is my story’.  Our similarities seem greater than our differences.

Perhaps this is a perfect opportunity for us to practice the ‘Golden Rule’ in relation to religion.  We should treat others as we would like to be treated. Learn about Islam from its adherents, admire their heartfelt devotion, notice the many things we share, take the mask of terrorism off and try to see the individual faces and enjoy the beauty you will find.

Falling for #33 and Meeting #34

Foster Guide Dog #33 was recovering from some health concerns at our home, just waiting to go back into training.  Unfortunately for me, his interest in other dogs was a bit obsessive.  A quick, strong lunge to make friends with a passing dog resulted in my ever so dramatic flight through the air and a not particularly graceful landing on my nose and knee. My walking companions were horrified at all the blood.  I was just thankful that I didn't break my wrist or nose or land totally on my head.  My neighbor had a similar experience with her dog that resulted in what they call a FOOA break - falling on outstretched arm.  She had to have surgery.  I decided to not complain too much about my swollen nose and wounded pride! 

I left #33 at Guide Dogs on Wednesday so he can continue his training but I picked up #34.  This handsome fellow (the one on the ground, not the one in the blue shirt!!!!)  is a working guide dog who is being boarded at the campus but wasn't enjoying life in the kennel.  While excellent care is taken of these dogs, there is no place like a home!  Even a foster home!!!  We'll have him for a couple of weeks.  George and I feel so lucky to have so many furry friends in our lives.