Grandchildren are Gods compensation for growing older

When one views the first star of the evening through the eyes of a grandchild, nothing can be more joyous. Sunday evening I had the rare opportunity of playing grandma lifeguard, while my grandchildren enjoyed a sunset swim. My youngest granddaughter had become somewhat waterlogged from an afternoon of swimming and wanted out of the pool. She immediately hoped into my lap, as I swaddled her in a warm, over sized beach towel. She snuggled into my lap and I wrapped my arms gently around her shivering frame. Suddenly, her curious little head looked heavenward and she gleefully shouted to her siblings, still swimming in the pool, that she had just seen the first star of the evening and had "dibs" on making the first wish. With a twinkle in my eye, I asked her what she would wish for. Without hesitation she reminded me that if she told her wish, it would not come true. I smiled and told her to make a silent wish. She closed her eyes tightly and wished something very profound, I am sure. Suddenly, the other grandchildren left the pool and sat next to us, wrapped in their towels, seated on cement still warm from the day's sun. For an unmeasurable time, we all sat with our heads heavenward and gazed at the unfolding array of stars appearing in the night sky. We found Saturn, Orion's belt, the big dipper, Betelgeuse and pulsars... and shared an unforgettable moment in time.

Education is power

I find it incredulous that many un-tenured teachers in Los Angeles inner-city schools are in danger of termination, due to budget constraints. The hope for the future of Los Angeles, as well as the whole of America is a well educated youth who are taught skills and knowledge that will prepare them to fill jobs of the future. In order for this to occur, the classroom size must be kept small, and the teachers in blighted or economically disadvantaged areas should receive pay incentives rather than pay cuts. This would insure teachers remain where they are sorely needed. To cut teaching funds, reduce salaries, and increase classroom size would be a travesty; not only to the dedicated teachers, but most especially tragic to our youth.

Cyber interaction offers wonderful socialization for homebound

It has come to my attention, after reading several commentaries on the wonders of the Internet, that one of the greatest advantages and opportunities the Internet offers is socialization and cohesive social networks to the mobility challenged and home bound. It appears that there are endless opportunities for such individuals to have meaningful social lives and freely interact with cyber friends around the globe, as well as those in their national, state and local communities. Indeed, the Internet is the great equalizer. May it ever be so.

Is love in cyberspace real?

Philosophers through all ages have tried to describe love. Now, in the new millennium we have an addition to the plethora of love descriptions. In this splendid new age of cyberspace, we also now have "cyber love". Match.com, e-Harmony, and countless other love connectors are making great profits in a business that perpetuates "cyber love". Web sites make their claim to fame and broadcast their commercials with real couples who have been successfully matched in "loving matrimony". My question is, are these relationships any different than love relationships that are naturally occuring in real life? Comments please.

Is String Theory valid?

String Theory advocates believe that all matter is connected; and, that all matter is constantly in motion,vibrating. Last year I was privileged to hear the nuances of string theory expounded on by the Dean of the Harvard School of Physics. She maintains that there are at least 11 dimensions, probably 24, and quite possibly an infinite number; and, that all multi verses are simply vibrations away from each dimension,and rest on thin membranes that would be analogous in the cosmos of multi verses to dimensional worlds on stacked pieces of paper, connected by thin, invisible threads, "the fibers of the universe".

Also, things that exist in one dimension are unable to perceive things that exist in two dimensions, but the things that exist in two dimensions can see and perceive full well the things that exist in the first dimension; things that live in the third dimensions can see the first two dimensions, but neither the first nor the second can perceive the third, and so on. She feels through the use of certain proton beam techniques, science will soon be able to see "shadows" of the forth dimension and even perform measurements on the "shadows" to confirm details that elude science presently, about dimensional multi verses, and beyond. Wow! What an awesome thought. Einstein said that imagination was more important than knowledge. I agree, for without imagination, we would still be eating raw food in caves. God bless the string theory physicists, they are the poets of science!

Alfred Lloyd Tennyson achieved immortality through poetry

The world was given a balm to help mend grief, in the eighteenth century.In Memoriam, by Alfred Lloyd Tennyson, transcends time. Tennyson freely shared his grief in elaborate poems as he worked through his pain, suffering and sorrow. Through his sharing of heartfelt feelings regarding the loss of his dear friend and future brother-in-law, Halum, the world has been given a guide to morning, prior to the advent of the psychiatrist’s couch and Zoloft. Truly, it is a beautiful poetic rendering of the stages of grief.