To the Editor:
It is Christmas Day as I write this letter. My family is scattered far and wide and I live alone (by choice) in Jefferson. Last night, by the light of the near full moon and the fresh white snow on the field behind my house, I swear I could see Santa’s sleigh zoom across the sky headed South with a tremendous load of gifts.
My hope that all mankind could live in peace at least one day was tempered with the knowledge that there are hundreds of thousands in the US and millions of people worldwide who have nothing: no home, no food, no heat, no shelter, and worst of all, no hope that their lives will get better.
My faith in mankind is shaky at best and sometimes non-existent. Of course there are bright spots here and there and we humans are the only species on Earth that can make a conscious decision about our attitude of mind. Unless we are physically injured, or have suffered a traumatic event, we can decide to be positive or negative about events happening around us.
Many American Soldiers are returning from battle overseas. Many are not. I think those killed in battle are probably the lucky ones. Of course it is a devastating loss to their families but they will grieve and heal, while never forgetting their loss. The injured will bear the brunt of these tragic times when killing seems the best way to handle our conflicts.
I have survived tremendous challenges in my life: the death of my closest sibling over 40 years ago; the loss of friends and family as time marches on and the most recent, being told that I have lung cancer and should seriously consider my options and make certain preparations.
Now it has been six years since that day and I thank my God every day for giving me the gift of Faith, which saved my life. Faith in the Doctors who treated me, faith in my family for literally supporting me, and faith in God who let me live again here in Maine where I have always found peace.
I started this letter, as in the past, to comment on events that are so absurd and trivial, to me, that I can hardly believe they are happening, yet they are vitally important to someone either in favor or opposed to the results. For many years I thought public service on some board or committee was a way to do my part in society. It seems my opinion on many things is out of step with the “greater good” and I was either ignored, asked to resign, or gave up the thought of reasoning with the unreasonable.
The letter from Denis Friel of Whitefield mentions the Constitution of the United States which begins with “We the people…” and has the phrases “to establish Justice… and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity,” among many other great and noble words and thoughts.
The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence begins with, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit or happiness.”
The great and courageous men who created these documents put their lives and fortunes at stake for the right to live free. I believe our own leaders are slowly taking away these rights and even worse, we are letting them. Again my thoughts seem to be out of step with reality. Some day we will all wake up and find our freedoms gone.
When I was told that I was “cancer free” in 2005 I thanked God for the gift of life. I pray every day that I may be able to give some hope to the hopeless and faith to those who may have lost it.
Christmas is a hard time of year for many people yet we are celebrating faith and hope that we may love each other and treat each other as the Children of God. Somehow we have managed to make everything about money.
“The love of money is the root of all evil” and fear and greed will take us all down unless we have the Faith and Courage to stand up for what right. Believe it or not I am the happiest man I know and wish everyone a Glorious New Year.
John Stevens, Jefferson
