Those of you who regularly follow this website know that one of my favorite expressions is “Mitakuye Oyasin.” I learned it many years ago. As a Buddhist or Hindu might greet you with “Namaste,” “I salute the God within you,” the Sioux Indian would say, “Mitakuye Oyasin,” which means “We are all family.” As I walk …
Author Archives: tVM
Day Five in Haiti: Nicole’s Place
Late in 2003, Gail Rongen’s daughter Nicole Megaloudis’s name appeared on the list of potential women who would represent Greece in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. Her dreams went unrealized when she died in a car accident as she returned to the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) campus late one night for an early …
Grandfather
A tree is the perfect presence. The tree teaches us how to journey.” John O’Donohue, Eternal Echoes “Make me wise so that I may know the things you have taught your children in every leaf and every stone.” Chief Yellow Lark
Around the World in Seven Years
Goals have been important to me since I was a young boy. When I set a goal, I work hard to achieve it and I remain focused upon it. In May 2009, I began riding a bicycle for the first time since I was a young teenager. When Mrs. tVM and I returned to the …
Our Greatest Blunder
Redemptorist priest Pat Hawk spent his last day on earth three years ago in 2012. He was a quiet, contemplative man. Although I did not know him well, I did attend several of his open ‘pathless path’ sessions at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Picture Rocks. Father Hawk was a Roshi, a highly venerated senior …
The Final Flight
As we buried my father’s ashes next to my mother yesterday, this will be my final post regarding his passing. While there is much I could write, I will limit it to this. My mother and father are at peace …. Together. I am at peace. My spiritual traveler Mary Ann requested the audio of …
God’s Hall of Fame
My mother passed away in August 2010; she died in the middle of the night in an assisted living facility not far from our home. My father passed away 24 hours ago; he died peacefully in his own bed in this house just like he wanted to. He was two months shy of his 93rd …
For my father …
The Town by the Bend in the River
Several years ago, my friend Gerry told me the story of the star thrower, which I often refer to in posts and general conversation. It is a terrific story with an important message: you can choose to make a difference regardless of the circumstances stacked against you. I have come across another story that I …
The Greatness of a Nation
A few weeks ago as my friend Ch**k was driving down the road chatting with me on his cell phone (VERY safely I must emphasize [and I have disguised his name so he will not get in trouble for driving and talking at the same time]), he was unable to avoid a small Arizona ground …