Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Notes to Vladimir Putin

Weekly Message


Dear President Putin,

It has been a long time since I have written to you.  I missed your birthday in October.  Happy belated birthday!!!  I have been in the hospital and rehab since late September, but I am at home now and in fine shape.

I have been very dismayed by what is going on in society.  In a way, a towering barrier between neighbors represents a failure.  God gave us a world to share and enjoy.  The Atlantic and Pacific have sometimes protected America from conflict, but I feel we only truly flourish when we extend hands across boarders.  And the biggest barriers can always be found not on land, but in our own hearts and minds when we focus on division rather than simple human respect, integrity, and friendship.

May you have a good and happy 2019, and I hereby extend my hand of friendship to you and the Russian people.

Following is a stanza from a song you can find on my blog video page:

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
Oh, there's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

========

Dear President Putin,

This month our country celebrated Independence Day on July 4th.  In previous years the outside of my house was decorated in red, white, and blue.  To me this meant living as a child in a good family even though my father made a very low income deepite his excellent skills. Our family had stability, love and integrity and I never thought income was a problem.  We had a good neighborhood and schools and I was very happy.  

I am so sad now when I see the immigrants being separated from their children and possibly never seeing them again.  What damage will the children have for the rest of their lives!  Most of us in the United States (other than the American Indians) are descendants of Immigrants.  How can our country treat these incoming families so unjustly?

I am still glad I am an American but my hopes and prayers are that are that we  return to the founding principles that our forefathers wrote in the Constitution.  I will then be decorating the outside of my home for the Fourth of July Celebration. (Please find Simple Gifts on video page) 


Your friend in the United States,
Connie



Dear President Putin,
I am so sorry that Ih ave not posted you a message in two weeks. I have been in the hospital with limited access to a computer.  The whole experience reminds of the challenges we can face and overcome when part of a team strengthened by dogged grit. (Please see video page for One Moment in Time. Your friend in the United States...Connie


Sometimes we find that our closest friends can be less than perfect.  At other times, we see that we would be nowhere without the support of these and many other individuals--some of whom we do not (or will not ever) know.  We simply must conclude that less than perfect humanity allows us to soar as individuals. (Please see video page for Wind Beneath My Wings)


As the tropical storms are affecting us in Florida, it makes me realize our personal lives–within our own skins-- can also be subject to “tropical storms”.  . . As you are the leader in Russia, you can positively effect many of the Russian people by how you handle your  “tropical storm” challenges.  (Please see video page for Bridge Over Troubled Waters)



Thank you for your strength in showing kindness to Russia's native animals.

Look for the good God gives you every day (even on one of your “bad” days).

Make time for those who love you.



You could change the world and make people happy.

You could bring sunshine to many people.

May you love people as much as God loves you.

Some Favorite Music / Videos

Please click here for We Are World music video (song lyrics below)

We Are the World
U.S.A. for Africa
There comes a time
When we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on
Pretending day-by-day
That someone, somewhere soon make a change
We're all a part of God's great big family
And the truth, you know, love is all we need
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
Oh, send them your heart
So they know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
And so we all must lend a helping hand
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
Oh, there's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well let us realize
Oh, that a change can only come
When we stand together as one, yeah, yeah, yeah
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and mee
We are the world (are the world)
We are the children (are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day, so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There is a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
Oh, let me hear you!
We are the world (we are the world)
We are the children (said we are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me, come on now, let me hear you
We are the world (we are the world)
We are the children (we are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me, yeah
We are the world (we are the world)
We are the children (we are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
And we're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
We are the world (are the world)
We are the children (are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
We are the world, we are the world (are the world)
We are the children, yes sir (are the children)
We are the ones that make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me, ooh-hoo!
We are the world (dear God) (are the world)
We are the children (are the children)
We are the ones that make a brighter day so let's start giving (all right, can you hear what I'm saying?)
There's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives

Songwriters: Michael Jackson / Lionel Richie
We Are the World lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc
















Bridge Over Troubled Water


When you’re weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
I’m on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I’ll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

Sail on, silvergirl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

Vocalist: Arthur Ira "Art" Garfunkel
© 1969 Words and Music by Paul Simon