Thanksgiving 2024

It rained last night. A lot. And man, did we need it. It had been a record-setting Autumn; beautiful but painfully dry. In fact, I think describing the season as desiccated would not be hyperbole.

When I saw the weather forecast called for virtually a 100% chance of rain for some time around 2 am that night (morning), I knew that I just had to be awake to witness it. After so long without rain, I wanted to see it, hear it, smell it, and, yes, FEEL it.

So, as a befitting a man of my age and retirement status, I took a nap that evening to prepare myself for the task at hand. The nap was probably unnecessary as my bizarre sleeping habits normally have me up at ungodly hours on a regular basis anyway. Be that as it may, I forged my way through all the late-night talk shows (at least the monologues) and the plethora of exploitive programs that I dis-affectionately refer to as Train Wreck TV.

At approximately 2 a.m. I lowered the TV to see if the forecasters were right for a change and listened closely. And, sure enough, the magic began. I heard it first, on the roof. It was slow and steady but as I continued to listen, now in silence with the TV off, the intensity increased until it became a steady drumbeat, more and more forceful. It was like the increasing intensity of a celestial symphony.

Then, I needed to see the rain. So, I went to the front door and swung it wide open. I was greeted by a blast of WET, cool, fresh air! I could see it now; small rivers running down my street. And I could smell it too, that fresh odor like the rain was washing everything clean again. Then I stepped out of the doorway into the night. I threw my arms wide in the air and let the rain pelt my face. How wonderful! Now I could FEEL it.

After letting the rain wash over me for a few blissful minutes, it was time to step back out of the rain and into the reality that soon I would be in our little home, snuggling in my cushy bed, safe, warm, and secure.

As I sunk deep into the comfort of my bed and pillows, I reflected on how much I must be thankful for. Despite the many trials each of us face (some more so than others) it’s important to take the time to evaluate the good things that are around us, even the smallest things that we often take for granted – like the return of the rain.

As a Sicilian-American, we had huge Thanksgiving feasts combining the best of American and Sicilian culinary traditions at my grandmother’s in Brooklyn. I was surrounded not only by my immediate family but by aunts, uncles, and cousins, too.  And the food! It was magical.

But those days are gone. Long gone. Many at the table have moved on to live only in my memory. But that is beyond my control. What is not is to choose to be thankful for what I DO have. So, we will have a small gathering at our place and feast with my partner Amanda, her sister and her partner, and my sister. I am forever thankful for their love and their presence in my life.

Simple. And simple is good.

My wish is that all of you find the simple things that make your life worth living. It may be in a friend, a kind word given or received, a good meal, the presence of a loved one or their memory. It might be something as simple as listening to the life-giving rain. You will find it if you try.

Modern Day Caesar

 First Published in The Rockland County Business Journal, November 2024

MODERN DAY CEASAR

I am not a historian but have been intensely interested in history, particularly that of ancient Rome, my entire life. I suppose part of that comes from the fact that I’m an Italian American, but it may also be partly due to watching too many bad gladiator movies as a kid on a Saturday afternoon. Be that as it may, it’s a fascination that continues to this day.

In my many years of reading and researching Rome and the Romans, I have always been struck by the similarities between that ancient society and our own. Their organization of government with a ruler, checked by a senate elected by the people, served as a basis of our own. Many of our laws are based on Roman law. The terminology so often applied in legal situations is the language of the ancient Romans: Latin. Even our National Slogan, E Pluribus Unum; from many, one In the Latin tongue, is taken from the Roman concept of a single, national identity.

Of course, I’m speaking of a time in Rome when it WAS truly a republic, i.e. in the time before the reign of Julius Caesar, THE most celebrated of all the Romans. The very name Caesar has been associated with the idea of RULER for over 2000 years.  In fact, there were modern-day derivatives like Kaiser, Czar (Tsar) taken from his name.

But the more you look at the MAN who was Caesar, the more there is to abhor, not idolize.

Caesar, using LOTS of money and skillful political maneuvering, managed to convince the most powerful force in Rome, i.e. The People, that giving him unlimited power would be to THEIR benefit and the everlasting glory of Rome. Instead, they lost their Republic.

And to cement the deal, under the guise of ROME FIRST, he killed MILLIONS both domestically and away from Italy to consolidate his power. If you were on HIS side, you shared in the wealth. If you were not, you were killed or enslaved. And that included individuals and entire societies. Either way, resistance was crushed and Ceasar got his everlasting “fame”.

All in the name of The Glory of Rome.

And she was glorious for a time until corruption, greed and graft, fueled by a relentless lust for power, brought her crashing down.

As there has been from the beginning, the parallels between the Roman Empire and the United States of America are once again in sharp focus.

We just had an election where a man who clearly sees himself as modern day Ceasar (I’m sure that he would LOVE the comparison), has managed to convince most Americans that if they follow him he will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

Donald J. Trump, echoing the mantra of Caesars past, has promised to close and secure our borders stopping the inflex of those who may be “poisoning our blood”,  a return to isolationism, and a new prosperity. In addition to winning a mandate from the public, he is assembling a Cabinet and group of advisers who will do nothing more than bend to his will to achieve this goals. Of course, it’s all being done, according to Mr. Trump and his sycophants, under the mantra of “America First”.

As Ceasar had done over 2000 years ago to the Romans, Mr. Trump has managed to convince millions of Americans that only through his elevation as supreme leader can we achieve lasting greatness. In other words, the two things are inseparable.

But, even if those promises were true, what price would you be willing to pay to achieve them? As with Caesar, Mr. Trump has promised retribution for those who may offer resistance. And it worked for Caesar. Will we suffer the same fate? Are we willing to relinquish our personal freedoms that we have so ardently fought for since the beginning of our very existence and as Country? All in the name of ONE man’s glory?

I cannot, will not, speak for others. But, as for me, I intend to do everything within my power to see that the loss of my freedoms, and that of others, will not be so easily given – or taken. All is not lost, unless WE allow it. And, that my friends, IS the American way.

We shall serve no Caesar.