After all these years, the old truck is resting in California.  My Dad lived his stories.  As a metaphor it informed my life.  Now it's my son's turn.  He'll have to tell/live his own stories.  But he'll always have the love of two men to back him up.

Before I passed it on, I drove it to the top of Pikes Peak and I also drove it over to the Garden of the Gods to reflect on all that had gone into the life of the man who gave it to me.

How a truck became a metaphor

 Our parents didn't leave my sister and me much stuff. Just a lot of love and a grounding in values that informs our lives to this day.  But that old truck, that's a different story.  This is the first of two stories inspired by a truck driven first by my Dad, then by me, and finally by my son. As you listen, I hope you will understand what I mean when I say it's not just a truck, it's a metaphor.  The stories are a little long, my memories even longer, but hopefully they will bring you a little enjoyment.

A new lease on life

Miss Bessie, a white woman, operated a small store in Gees Bend, Alabama, a rural area sparsely populated by poor African Americans.  She barely made a living herself, but her gift of new shoes to a twelve year black boy--the first ones he had ever owned, made a difference.  It's where social justice begins--with acts of simple yet profound compassion. 

Five Cuban men began a mission in Miami in 1990 to monitor the actions of Miami-based terrorist groups aimed at attacking Cuba.  They never harmed anyone or ever possessed nor used any weapons on the mission.  They were arrested by the US government, unjustly convicted and imprisoned and remain so today. I encourage you to check http://freethefive.org for the whole story and seriously consider how you can help right this wrong.

Last Sunday I received the Micah 6 award from First Congregational Church in Colorado Springs. The award is given each year to persons in the community for their leadership in social justice issues. Micah 6 is the reference to the prophet's injunction to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with the Lord.” I received the award on behalf of the many folks in the area who, over the past several years, have sent buses of humanitarian aid and caravanistas to Cuba (5 buses to date).

We are raising money to purchase another bus for the Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan this year. As many of you know, the Caravan travels without the required license to protest the unjust economic blockade the US has imposed on Cuba for the past fifty years.

 You are invited to a potluck supper at Vista Grande (5460 North Union Blvd) at 5:30 pm, July 7. We will hear from Pastors for Peace caravanistas and bless this year's bus for it's journey to Cuba. Our last bus is now in use by the Juan Diaz Orthopedic Hospital in Havana.

Email me at fromtheporch@comcast.net for more information and to find out how you can help.