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A most beautiful story on how not to lose hope at times when hope is so elusive
Something timely and timeless to Read this Sunday: Our Ways of Dealing with Pestilence
This is a time for resilience, solidarity and hope
Photo:quickenme.com
This Sunday in ‘Sermon of Hope’ I am so happy to share a most beautiful, inspiring and rewarding story, so relevant and timely to our today’s Covid-19 induced crisis.
The story is all around a newly published book, Daddy Cool, by Darleen Bungey, recalling her dad’s life and journey during the 1918 flu pandamic and more.
‘This pandemic sends me back in time, and I learn a fine lesson from my father.’
Darleen Bungey’s father was a messenger boy during the 1918 flu. In writing his biography, she found parallels and comfort for the current day
The author of Daddy Cool, Darleen Bungey- Photo: Ming Nomchong Via The Guardian
‘It must have been eerily quiet as my father ran through the small besieged California town carrying news of destruction and death; so quiet he would have heard the stones kicking up on the dusty roads that had been designed for horses’ hooves.
So many people were dying in 1918 that there weren’t enough coffins or gravediggers to go around in his hometown of Santa Maria, a small farming community just over 150km north of Los Angeles. Funerals were limited to 15 minutes. Bodies piled up high inside Dudley-Hoffman mortuary. The white hearse drawn by a pair of horses draped in white crocheted shawls carried children. A black hearse signalled an adult corpse. Perhaps the 11-year-old felt that at his age he didn’t belong to either group and so wondered how might they carry him to the grave? His brother had died. Why shouldn’t he?
The only official instructions to avoid the flu pandemic was to stay away from crowds, to cover your nose and mouth if anyone sneezed, and not to be scared. I imagine, as he ran, those words repeated with the rhythm of his footfall and the blood pounding in his ears: “Don’t be scared … don’t be scared … don’t be scared.”
His grandfather, my great-grandfather John Conkey, was a dedicated Democrat. His fierce support for Woodrow Wilson, his organisational skills and his editorial column in the local newspaper he owned called the Graphic all combined to win him appointment as the postmaster of Santa Maria. When the first world war broke out he arranged for his grandson to be let go from school early to deliver daily telegrams and dispatches from the front.
But by 1918 the town had issued a declaration that all schools be closed due to the epidemic and it became illegal to hold any kind of group meetings. While the majority of people pulled down the shutters on their places of business and headed home, my father continued his job, putting himself in harm’s way of the invisible enemy that had entered Santa Maria. It was a force that would become globally responsible for killing far more than the millions dying in the great war.
The parade-wide crossroads of Broadway and Main were empty and the saloons on “whiskey row” were closed; even those diehards had called it a day. The people still serving in the stores and banks wore white gauze masks, as did most citizens who didn’t want a hundred-dollar fine. The Red Cross had given the masks out to everyone but some kids just used them to carry marbles. There was a rhyme they chanted as they skipped rope:
I had a little bird
Its name was Enza
I opened the window
And in-flu-enza
Digging a trench couldn’t save you. This killer was more invisible than mustard gas and almost as fast as a bullet. You could be fine at dinner and dead by breakfast. Blood frothed out of mouths and noses, or eyes haemorrhaged, or there was internal bleeding, and then death. The only remedies offered were lemon or warm malted milk.
History loops and another devastating virus spreads across the globe. Here I sit in a separation of a sort – friends and family are in constant touch via the computer, and the phone pings with news as it happens. But back in the years of the first world war and the pandemic, communication between the world and Santa Maria was delivered by the sound of dits and dahs, the dots and dashes of Morse code, deciphered and then dispatched – not via satellite, but by a boy.
That boy – my father – had written about this first job of his young life to my half-sister, Miki, the daughter of his first marriage who, having been raised in California without her father, had begun a correspondence in her high school years, hungry to learn more about him, his early life and the family’s history. These letters became a constant throughout their lives. She asked frank questions and received the truth in return. Their correspondence was this biographer’s dream.
I have spent the last three years poring over these letters and family papers – among them my father’s early published stories and poems, lyrics to songs he composed, missives to government ministers and leaders of the free world, and his regular letters to the editors of most Australian newspapers. I’ve searched through war records and made pilgrimages to his old homes, retracing his steps through California and Honolulu, haunting libraries and digging deep into my memory bank, trying to unravel my father’s complicated life.
His only sibling, a beautiful golden-haired brother, was bouncingly healthy until a sudden unexplained illness resulted in death just after his second birthday. My father, on the other hand, was sickly from day one and not expected to live. At preschool age he lost both his parents: the judge presiding over their divorce declared his mother and father guilty of “moral turpitude” (a phrase that the five-year-old never forgot) and he was put in the care of his grandparents.
Through the years of the Great Depression he struggled to become a journalist, but without money for college, that quest ended. His fine singing voice saved him and after years of tuition and juggling jobs he got his first break in Honolulu. He became the lead singer with the big bands and in a short time was cutting records, outselling Bing Crosby and Guy Lombardo, and performing at the Academy Awards. As his fame grew so did the hazards of being adored – particularly by women. A scandalous divorce to a Hollywood femme fatale made front pages across the US, forcing a change of name – from Cutter to Brooks (inspired by the haberdasher Brooks Brothers) and escape via a world tour, beginning in Australia.
When the manager absconded to the UK with the band’s money, it resulted in a longer unplanned stint in Australia. Then came another marriage, the second world war and, disappointed with America’s reluctance to fight Hitler and telling a white lie by claiming his father’s Canadian citizenship, Corporal Laurie Brooks joined the 2nd AIF and performed for the next four years in the entertainment unit for troops in the Middle East and New Guinea. During this time, wife No 3 grew fidgety, and another divorce ensued. Then, fourth time lucky, at war’s end he met the woman who would rescue him, my mother Gloria van Boss. In love with her and in love with Australia, in the second half of his life – despite being arguably the most popular postwar singer in Australia – he chose to bow off stage in favour of a secure and loving family and a quiet life in suburban Sydney. Seemingly, he had no regrets. In later life he wrote to my sister, Geraldine:
You and Darleen, result of that gut-feeling marriage, constitute the height of success in my life. The fact, and fact it is, that I might have challenged Sinatra had I returned to the USA pales beside the joy you two have brought to Glor and me.
Now, despite my book being finished, this pandemic sends me back in time once again. Again I try to imagine the fear of that young boy on his daily Paul Revere run. And thinking on it I am left in awe at the stoicism of a man who, having lived through the loss of his only sibling, the abandonment by his parents, the 1918 flu, two world wars, the Great Depression, and many a personal defeat, never complained, but instead moved through life with decency, compassion and hope. It is a fine lesson. In these isolating days I hug it to me.’
The article above, by Darleen Bungey, was first published in The Guardian on Friday 22 May 2020.
Darleen Bungey is the author of Daddy Cool, published by Allen & Unwin
Watch this inspiring audio about Daddy Cool: Chasing Robert Cutter, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Friday 22 May 2020
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What a beautiful gift I received early this morning!
Photo: facebook.com
Today, like any other day, I came down to my study at about 4.30am for my usual Dawn Moment, to do a bit of meditation, enjoying the morning chorus, watching the sun rising, butterflies dancing and the sky colours changing. Reading a poem or two, trying to find the right balance, in my heart and in my mind, to begin my day, hopefully for the common good.
Then, I turned to my Iphone and low and behold there was a WhatsApp message from my wife! I opened it. It was a video with a very beautiful and inspiring title: ‘If This Time’.
Annie had received the video from a WhatsApp group- a few close friends from their high school times at Cardinal Wiseman in Coventry all those years ago.
I turned the video on. Wow! It was so beautiful, inspiring, full of wonderfully relevant and timeless words, guiding the listener to the path of light, beauty, nature, wisdom, gratitude, hope and more. This is why I am excited to share it with you.
'If This Time' By Kevin McCormack- - Now & Zen Mindfulness
Prose written and voiced by Kevin McCormack, Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher, Writer and Actor.
'If This Time' carries a message of Gratitude and Hope, and was composed in May of 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Learn more about Kevin McCormack and Now & Zen Mindfulness
Kevin McCormack-Photo:Now & Zen
Related reading:
Kevin McCormack in his video amongst other things, speaks about love, nature, success, gratitude, kindness, hope, living a worthwhile life.
So I thought it a good idea if I share a few postings on these topics from the GCGI Archives for your interest:
Photo:EOCA's Spring 2020 Newsletter
Kindness to Heal the World- Kindness to Make the World Great Again
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
How to defeat hatred and fear: Don't Despair Walk On
On the 250th Birthday of William Wordsworth Let Nature be our Wisest Teacher
Why should we all become mother nature and sacred earth guardians
In Praise of Frugality: Materialism is a Killer
There is more in less: The Evolution of Simplicity
Simplicity: it’s our true guide to a better life
The beauty of living simply: the forgotten wisdom of William Morris
Thanksgiving vs. Black Friday: Where is the Gratitude?
Life after Coronavirus: We Must Not Be Cheated and Exploited Again
The Sweetness of Being Human: ‘We have all of us one human heart.’
Crisis after Crisis: Ten Steps to Save the World
“A sermon of hope”, this Sunday
On the 250th Birthday of William Wordsworth Let Nature be our Wisest Teacher
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What a pleasant surprise I had today!
Photo:facebook.com
Today, as any other day, I came down to my study at about 4.30am for my usual Dawn Moment, to do a bit of meditation, enjoying the morning chorus, watching the sun rising, butterflies dancing and the sky colours changing. Reading a poem or two, trying to find the right balance, in my heart and in my mind, to begin my day, hopefully for the common good.
Then, I turned to my next action of the day, reading the Guardian to discover what had been going on when I was sleeping.
I began to read the headlines first and this is where the big shock came in. I could not believe my eyes:
Covid-19 a 'wake-up call' to build fairer society, says billionaire JP Morgan boss
JPMorgan Chase boss says business and government must act and invest for common good.
Friends, this is a very significant statement, from a big and powerful chief, who is the boss of an equally big and powerful organisation, in charge of very bad things happening in our world. Put it simply, the antithesis par excellence to what the common good is all about.
Given the above, nonetheless, let me share the gist of what the ‘Boss’ has said:
Jamie Dimon says this crisis must be used to ‘rebuild an economy that creates and sustains opportunity for dramatically more people’
Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase’s chief executive, says the coronavirus outbreak is a ‘wake-up call’ for the government and business to build a fairer economy for millions of people ‘who have been left behind for too long’. America’s best-known banker made the plea in a memo to staff ahead of JPMorgan’s annual shareholders’ meeting, where he spoke of his ‘fervent hope’ that the coronavirus pandemic would lead to sweeping societal changes by ‘reminding us that we live on one planet’...
…’The last few months have laid bare the reality that, even before the pandemic hit, far too many people were living on the edge,’ Mr Dimon wrote in his memo, days after figures showed that 36.6m people had applied for jobless benefits in the US since the pandemic hit. ‘This crisis must serve as a wake-up call and a call to action for business and government to think, act and invest for the common good and confront the structural obstacles that have inhibited inclusive economic growth for years,’ wrote Mr Dimon. (extracts from the CEO’s Memo to the shareholders)
Wow! Such beautiful words, music to my ears. I am happy that a miracle has happened, and one of the main architects of the 2008 financial crisis and other calamities, has come out, changed his spots, and now is talking about the common good. But, I am disappointed that he has not gone a step further, telling us how this change may come about, what is the path to, what are the steps to climb to get to the promised land of the common good.
Given this big omission and shortsightedness, as the founder of the Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative, I am humbled and delighted to step in and show a possible direction and sources of inspiration to Mr. Dimon.
Dear Mr. Dimon, to change the world for the better, and to build it in the interest of the common good, obliges us to imagine a different world first. I invite you to join me in this act of re-imagination:
Imagine a political system that puts the public first. Imagine the economy and markets serving people rather than the other way round. Imagine us placing values of kindness, respect, fairness, interdependence, and mutuality at the heart of our economy. Imagine an economy that gives everyone their fair share, at least an appropriate living wage, and no zero-hour contracts. Imagine where jobs are accessible and fulfilling, producing useful things rather than games of speculation and casino capitalism. Imagine where wages support lives rather than an ever expanding chasm between the top 1% and the rest. Imagine a society capable of supporting everyone’s needs, and which says no to greed. Imagine unrestricted access to an excellent education, healthcare, housing and social services. Imagine hunger being eliminated, no more food banks and soup kitchens. Imagine each person having a place he/she can call home. Imagine all senior citizens living a dignified and secure life. Imagine all the youth leading their lives with ever-present hope for a better world. Imagine a planet protected from the threat of climate change now and for the generations to come. Imagine no more wars, but dialogue, conversation and non-violent resolution of conflicts. Imagine a world free of corruption!
This is the country and the world I wish to see and I believe we have the means to build it, if we take action in the interest of the common good.- Kamran Mofid, What might an Economy for the Common Good look like?
Dear Mr. Dimon, way before it became fashionable for bankers, such as your good self, talking about the common good, I, a ’Recovered’ academic economists, spoke about the common good, its relevance to business, economics, globalisation, education, management, fairness and justice, at a major conference in Dubai in 2004.
Given your newly discovered interest in the common good, I believe it is very important for us to revisit that inspiring evening in Dubai.
‘It was a very memorable occasion: Around 500 invited guests, amongst them, senior politicians, diplomats, business, cultural and military attaches, captains of industry, bankers and financial leaders, the leaders of the civil societies, NGOs and the media, senior religious and spiritual representative, scholars, researchers, students, youth and many more.
Given the current state of the world economy, the crises and challenges of capitalism, and more, I think recalling and remembering this speech- delivered over 16 years ago, at the height of the hyper boom and the seemingly unstoppable march of neo-liberalism and economic-globalisation, may prove to be very telling.’
A Businessman and an Economist in Dialogue for the Common Good: Dubai 2004
Finally, Mr. Dimon, to prove to the world that indeed you are serious about your call to action for the common good, I invite you to join us at the GCGI in our Call to Action:
GCGI Call to Action
We believe in the power of service, volunteerism, empathy and actions in the interest of the common good to improve lives, to build a better world. I also believe that economic prosperity, ecological harmony, better lives and a kinder world are all possible, if we all acknowledge one thing: We are not only accountable to our shareholders, but and more importantly, we must be answerable to all the stakeholders and the entire web of life.
After all is said and done, it is not enough to simply talk about beliefs and principles; we must live up to them, be transparent and accountable, and continually find ways of improving.
At the GCGI, we want to continue and play our part in building a better world for everyone. I do know that I do not have all of the answers, and it is only by working with others and being open to new ideas and different perspectives that I can come up with possible solutions that global challenges require.
Below you can see my suggested Ten Steps to build a better world. Please share your thoughts, ideas, and insights with me. We can only build the better world we are seeking if we come together, work together, build together.
It’s time to deliver on the goals we’ve set for a more peaceful, resilient planet and a better life
Ten Steps to Build a Better World
Co-creating “The Future We Want” in the Interest of the Common Good
I yearn to see that one day in the not too distant future JP Morgan can be believed and trusted by all stakeholders around the world as the Bank For The Common Good.
Related reading:
Dear Mr. Johnson, your Covid-19 survival must become a force for good
- The Youth of Wales Message of Hope to the World at the Time of the Coronavirus Crisis
- The Number One Message of Lockdown
- Our Rotten and Corrupted World: Murdoch’s Carnage and His Evil Empire
- Our postcard from the future: We long for Algarve’s warm sunshine, blue skies and our Hapimag Resort
- World in Chaos and Despair: The Healing Power of Poetry