Several weeks ago I learned some disturbing news. Back where
I grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania , the
decision was made to tear down the building which served as the parish church
and parochial school I attended all throughout my early childhood. Hearing
about this and seeing the pictures seemed to suddenly thrust all the precious
memories I have of my grade school experience, the Polish Nuns and serving as
an altar boy into a dark and stomach-wrenching void.
The last time I felt something similar was when I watched
Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia be imploded in
order to accommodate the new baseball field, Citizens’ Bank Park .
All those memories of going to ballgames at “the Vet” as a kid with my Dad and
brother were turned into ashes in a matter of a few seconds. Or were they?
I know I’m not alone in experiencing the kinds of feelings
these situations evoke. Such occurrences are common to all of us. They are part
of the fabric that is time, and as time marches on, change inevitably keeps up
the pace—sometimes in sync; sometimes a whole lot slower. It’s all part of
life’s journey and experienced by all of us everywhere without exception.