PAGES Spring 2005
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MARP PAGES Spring 2005 |
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Editorial, Spring 2005 issue of PAGES:
"Looking Around Me"
"Katie Funk Wiebe is correct. We do not want to be 'underutilized,'"
commented Donald Kauffman of Kansas, adding, "We need to move beyond comfort."
Of the 325-plus answers to the MARP survey — arriving from 27
different states — I can report, first of all, that you surprised me!
We sent the "winter" PAGES off with that "MARP Survey"
inserted with a return envelope — and hoped! Would 25 or at
least 50, maybe even 100 reply at all? Do the readers care
enough to "give voice"?
One surprise was your strong affirmation of the ten statements.
Only #5 and #9 brought more than 32 non-signatees. Of course,
I know more of you who read these statements simply did not
want to sift through and agree or disagree! But a lot of you took
the time to "say" some significant things — and you can read in
this issue a sampling of the thoughtful comments sent along with
checkmarks added to the ten statements. [Visit the MARP Web
site to read the survey and more of your responses.]
And yes, it is simply not simple to define the simple life! A good
many of you pointed this out with qualifying comments, i.e. "I
try" or "I don't do as well as I should." Virginia Ryan, of
Michigan, said: "I do not want to accumulate — consumerism is
out of hand!"
And oh, #9 — I see it now as too-quickly drawn from my own "new
grandma" mind! One of you kindly reminded: "Please remember
aunts and uncles too." Another simply changed "children and
grandchildren" to "nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand
nephews, great great nieces, great great nephews." Excellent edit!
Several voiced concerns not included, i.e. "care for earth's
resources." One archly questioned all ten — even challenging the
statement about "extending life for years with costly artificial
supports" by inserting, "Specify glasses/hearing aids/pacemakers!"
(I do personally consider these blessings as life enhancing.)
One 80-year-old primary caregiver of a spouse looked back on
the satisfaction of their 11 years of volunteer work and confessed
reluctance to ask now for personal help, wondering, "Is it pride?"
Several worthy additions or rebuttals came without a name
attached, so I cannot quote them. I hope you will continue to
"speak up" and to "speak with" others about these concerns.
Your life and faith add strength to these "voices."
Get the whole issue! (You'll need the FREE Adobe Reader software to open it.)
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