What More in the Name of Love?

This is part of a long weekend for a lot of people, and that may be how most of us see this. Today is a federal holiday (I almost typed legal as if we had illegal holidays, which only applies to smiles, the last time I checked) in observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

I'm not sure many of us don't sometimes get caught up in the 'three dayness' of these weekends while the reason for them gets lost somewhere.

A lot of municipalities across the nation will join hands if only for the day, to honor the life (and death) of a human being remembered for his humanity at a time in our country's history of chaos and uncertainty. By espousing and embodying charity and kindness in a cruel world, he not only helped make a difference but, himself, became the difference. 

We are not the just and fair society we aspire to be, as he (with so many others throughout the history of our republic) hoped we would be, but we are getting there, even if the progress is slow and the journey is long. Next year, Jerusalem. 

Here in Norwich, we'll have another installment of our annual remembrance at City Hall at half past two this afternoon in the David Ruggles Freedom Courtyard. 

I always attend and march to the church (I never go in; I'm sure God has long since forgiven me, but I'm not sure I can say the same) with many of the same faces I see in the grocery store during the rest of the year. But we're always joined by one or two new people and that's a warming thought on what some years has been a cold day. If you can't join us here in the Rose of New England, I hope you can celebrate where you are.

After the speeches, the newspaper editorials, and all the gestures, sincere as they will be, instead of going home or to the mall, why not make the day count for people who are affected by the continuing tragedy that is the wildfires ravaging California. 

I know I cannot even imagine what such a calamity creates in terms of loss, but now is not the time to wring our hands in sorrow or clench our fists in anger that so much sadness can befall fellow Americans. 

Do not hesitate, because there is too much to do--act so that each one can reach one and help those in need of help, because by doing so we help ourselves.

This is the time and we are the people who can help, and what better time to do it than on this day when we honor the life and work of Dr. King?

-bill kenny