During the 1960s, long before the advent of the World Wide Web, and social media, my parents involved our family in a foreign exchange program of social workers--the Twin Cities International Program--TCIP. Mom and Dad served as a host family to Knut from Denmark, Ilsa from Austria, Jun Bok from South Korea, and a man, whose name I believe was Daniel. These three men and one woman stayed with us during four years before I was ten. Knut seemed old to me, although he was probably 50:) Mature may be a more apt description than old. He was tall with balding light brown hair. I remember he gave me a book of Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tales. I think Mom and Dad still have the book. It has been many years since I have read the book. It is fairly small book with an ivory cover, and a picture on the front cover. Then there was Ilsa. Her father carved wood. Mom and Dad still have a shallow wooden plate with the names of my parents, my brother, sister, and me, carved around the edge. My parents have it mounted on the wall at the top of the bookshelves in their library. I can think of no more treasured symbol of our family. I do not remember much about Daniel, other than that he was from Italy. Jun Bok. Ah yes, Jun Bok. He was a borderline operator--definitely a character. He gave my parents at least one bottle of tabasco sauce. More memorable was his observation of my dad trying to assemble a new Weber grill. Dad was having the difficulty inherent to any item with the instructions, "Some assembly required." After watching Dad struggle for quite some time, Jun Bok said, "American technology. Nothing works." Jun Bok returned to South Korea many years ago. I do not know what has happened to him. Yet his words live on in my memory.
Each of the individuals we hosted, in addition to individuals from all around the world--not just Europe and Asia--who visited our home and attended a number of pool parties my parents hosted broadened my childhood horizons. Although I have not kept up with any of the individuals--a sad reality of life--I do bring from that experience openness to, and individuals from other countries.
I treasure the perspectives I have been given when I have spent time with individuals from other countries while at home, or when I have visited other countries. I will always remember with great fondness the conversations I had with a number of individuals from Norway while I spent nine days as a graduate school course. The Norwegians I met apologized to me for their poor English speaking skills. Such was not the case. My understanding of Norwegian was rudimentary at best. Yet, my love of the country--the fjords, the brisk air--is difficult to describe.
Now I find my connections to individuals in other countries through the World Wide Web--through e-mail, and social media. A skeptical eye is given to social media. I would warn against brandishing all social media outlets on the basis of how some individuals on some sites choose to use the sites.
PeaceNext. I am an incorrigible pacifist. Some say pacifist is synonymous with weakness, in a pejorative sense. I beg to differ. My interest in ecumenism led me to the PeaceNext website. The subtitle following the "PeaceNext" website title says, "Council for a Parliament of World Religions."
How, as someone raised to believe that there is good to be found in all world religions, could I pass up the opportunity to explore a network committed to integrity in nurturing constructive dialogue. Slowly I find myself open to friendship from around the world.
Some hesitate to engage in online networks of any form due to concerns for security, or personal disclosure. Others hesitate to engage in discussions of religion--it is too personal. Well....On one level--on an intellectual level--I understand. I respect the right of other individuals to not so engage.
Yet....yet....I cannot follow suit. It was not until this moment that I understood why. I am not a Bible-thumping woman on the street corner trying to force beliefs down people's throats. I try to be more subtle than that.
Long before I understood the intellectual nuances--the spiritual dimension--of engaging in social communities rooted in integrity, such as PeaceNext, I was confronted with the reality of bodily engagement. Not physical combat. No. Misunderstanding of my bent right arm, and my limping right leg led my peers to tease me. Kids mimicking my bent right wrist of my face was, "Palsy Patty." I was called to make myself understood--to make myself palatable in the eyes of people who met me.
No one may endanger me. My exterior is deceiving. As my sister says of me, "I don't worry about Patty out on the streets, I worry about the people who encounter her."
My life calls me to unequivocal self-disclosure. If I do not share of myself--if I do not reach out to other people-what am I living to do? I am called to find opportunities, such as PeaceNext, and other in-person, and online forums for the sharing of diverse perspectives dedicated to deeper understanding, and transformation.
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