Merry Christmas, Mum.

Welcome to New York, Pope Benedict XVI

Quote

"When you look at the future, it changes. Because you looked at it." Next, 2007

Now on the East Coast

I have arrived in Upstate New York to attend the Newhouse PhD program at Syracuse University. Stay tuned for Desert Photo entries from this new frontier...

Bonaventure Cemetery - Savannah, Georgia

Faith Has Obligations

Evidently, we did not learn the most important lesson of the Amish in Nickle Mines, Penn. Theirs was a story of forgiveness, a show of faith that overshadowed the tragedy they suffered. In a rare demonstration of true selflessness, the mothers and fathers of murdered schoolgirls, while in the midst of their darkest sorrow, reached out to the gunman's family and embraced them as fellow victims. It was the greatest story never fully told...



I know the community of Virginia Tech is now facing its most profound sadness. And it's hard to forgive. In the days following the shootings, the gunman's family has received death threats, and is living in hiding. In news accounts, the Chos are reported as saying they feel "hopeless, helpless and lost." Their son was violently killed that day too.



Here's our chance to be the good Christians we always say we are.

Image courtesy of "Nashville Is Talking," WKRN Channel 2

http://www.nashvilleistalking.com/archives/2006/10/look_to_your_left.html

Mary Clare Tomlinson
January 17, 1941-January 16, 2006


Mary Clare Tomlinson-Howell died January 16, 2006, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center after a long illness. Born in Monroe, Michigan in 1941, Clare was an RN for many years, as was her mother, Alice Tomlinson, before her.

Intelligent and kind, Clare was best known for her constant advocacy on her children’s behalf. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy for Girls in Michigan. She was a gifted cook, a voracious reader and an endearing conversationalist. She traveled Europe. Clare was a Democrat, an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and an unwavering opponent of the death penalty.

She dearly loved her Jack Russell Terrier, Daisy Mae, and supported the ASPCA Equine Program.

She is preceded in death by her husband Michael George Howell, her son Christopher Robert, her parents Dr. and Mrs. Ledyard (Alice) Tomlinson, and her brothers Ledyard, Thomas and George Tomlinson.

She is survived by her daughters Marti Cecilia and Priscilla Margaret (Blakiston), her sons Michael Jude and Brendan Patrick, sisters-in-law Joanie and Jackie Tomlinson, her brother Robert “Red” Tomlinson, many cherished nieces and nephews and her best friend Louisa Sucher.

She departs now from her beloved grandchildren, Ashley and Shane Howell of Kansas City and Colin and Michael Howell of Wisconsin.

Clare leaves behind her precious Daisy Mae.

Sacred Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Charles Catholic Church in Newport, Michigan.

Date pending.

Godspeed, Mum.