People who look and speak differently than me have had a profound influence on my life. As an 18-year-old, I was a VISTA volunteer in Nebraska for one year. I worked closely with Latino migrant workers who picked the crops and struggled to make a living. I learned a good deal of Spanish and managed … Continue reading
Category Archives: Kindness & Compassion
Cancer survivors: I will lend a hand
By Ron Cooper Cancer remission brings newfound freedom to explore, discover, express. But it also entails responsibility to help others who are in active treatment or are struggling to cope with the remission/recurrence cycle. Five years after my diagnosis, I am still on guard that cancer will return. It has once and aggressive treatment fended … Continue reading
Easter egg baskets: It’s never too late!
By Ron Cooper Easter Day. A middle-aged man carries an armful of wrapped sweets to the checkout counter at a drugstore. Two of them slip from his grasp and tumble to the floor. I stop to retrieve them and casually remark: “Wow, I guess your kids are going to be happy receiving these today!” … Continue reading
Mail drop
That’s odd, I thought, as I watched a man trying to retrieve his mail. He stood there motionless for 30 seconds, staring at the mailbox, his right hand shaking. Then, one by one, the trembling hand dropped the letters onto the ground. At the end, he held only one. Amazingly, he didn’t even look down, … Continue reading
Welcome to America: Signs say it all
by Ron Cooper Refugees and immigrants moving to our communities may often feel like a duck out of water. They may be greeted, not with warm embraces and welcome, but instead with glares and ill-chosen words of intolerance and bigotry. Compassion demands that we respond to these newcomers with open arms. A simple way to … Continue reading
Now
Now, the fragrance of life so sweet Now, the exuberance of the moment Now, the beauty of things at hand Now, the loveliness of what simply is Click here for Ron’s book on his mother’s Alzheimer’s journey Continue reading
Nina’s roommate
After I visited my mom in the Alzheimer’s unit, I would often spot my friend Nina, sitting as always in her wheelchair near the nursing home’s ice cream parlor. Nina was outgoing and always greeted me by bellowing “Hello, Babe!” She was so sweet. “What’s you been doing today, Nina,” I asked her one day. … Continue reading
