"Ann Druyan and Me..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Inspiration Wednesday)

Guest-blogger Bettejo Dux is one of Kauai's most colorful people, she has lived on the cosmic island of Kaua'i for over 40 years... She is an animal lover, people lover and enjoys life to the fullest.Today's blog  talks about Carl Sagan's widow, "Ann Druyan."  A real classic I am sure everyone will enjoy!

Ann Druyan and Me

In November, 2003, Ann Druyan, Carl Sagan’s widow, wrote a brilliant piece in the Skeptical Inquirer in which she talked about Science, religion, wonder, awe…and Carl Sagan. This incredible woman with her incredible mind has always been a favorite of mine.

You can still find this wonderful piece in your search engine. On the Ann Druyan page, it’s at the top of the list. I promise you it’s well worth the read. it was written after the death of her beloved husband and so touched my heart I wrote a letter to the magazine dedicated to science and reason.

In the next edition of the magazine Volume 28, No.2. March April/2004, I was astounded to find my letter published in their letters to the Editor section. Two years ago about this time, I sent a copy to The Kaua'i Garden island news and it was published  and that’s when I discovered the infamous discussion line.  I would like, as a celebration of my second  year on this discussion board, to publish it again. It begins…

After reading Ann Druyan’s article (some thoughts):
At a time of terror, turmoil and terminal greed, the thought of a better tomorrow, for most of us, is as fragile as a reed.  Man cannot live without hope and therein, perhaps, lies the key to a brighter future. Not hope in the sense that we need it, but hope in the essence that we have it. It is that which all of us have in common that will, I believe, see us through. It matters not what race we are, what gender, what nationality, what social or economic status, what faith we have or haven’t, but our common sense of humanity that will prevail. Like the reed of hope, we are, on this planet, fragile flowers battered and bruised and tossed about by the wayward wins of fate. None of us know-neither the prince nor pauper, saint or sinner-what the future holds. Illness, accidents, ill-begotten whims of nature or man, beset us all. Our very next breath may be our last and no one knows.

We live with fear. We live with courage. We live with happiness and sorrow, expectation and failure, flaming success and brilliant anonymity. It is the game of life we play, some of us better than others. An infant in a back alley and a prince in a palace have one thing in common, they both took their first breath, and, in the end, it is the same for them, they breathe their last.

I think, from the depths of my human condition, we need love and peace and truth and justice. The winds of war and madness may blow us off course, set us apart and at each other’s throats, but, in the end, the very essence of what we are-goodness and right, decent and caring-will bring us back together. We will be brothers and sisters on this small planet, ready to move on to a better tomorrow.

Humbly, I submit this, once again,  to all the minds I've touched this year. I renew my trust and hope the words of my letter come true.

Hana Hou, (Encore)
Please listen for 2 minutes about the opening of A Starbucks in a Funeral Home! Dis for real!  http://bethadam.org/coffee-to-go/  

 Turn up your volume and listen to this podcast for 2 minutes, it's about the opening of a Starbucks in a funeral home!

Rabbi Barr's latest podcast is on Starbucks opening in a funeral home. What do you think of that? http://bethadam.org/coffee-to-go/

Today's second  Hana Hou is a Facebook share, Mahalo Facebook!



Bettejo  also  publishes her own blog column.
You can check it out at ;  http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com .   Besides her blog she recently published and authored the humorous fiction book, "The Scam," check it out at(www.bettejodux.com) or  on Amazon.

http://www.bettejodux.com/

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.