Dick Kazan’s Journal
A Sacred Space Of Introspection. A Diary Of Life Observations.
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Hawaii, July 16 - July 22, 2023 -- A Trip Of A Lifetime
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Today was a very special day! (12/15/23)
It was the day in which we donated a substantial amount of money to uplift lives.
It was the day in which we anonymously shared our good fortune with those in need of a helping hand.
Friday, May 5, 2023
Hernia Surgery, 3/9/23
On Thursday, 3/9 I had hernia surgery that was supposed to be routine. Instead, the anesthesia put my lower organs to sleep and they did not at first awaken. This began an emergency two-day stay at Little Company of Mary, with our son Dr. Clayton very much involved and then a 2nd visit to their emergency room.
Greeting People, An Error In Spanish, 5/5/23
Dear Reader,
This morning while greeting school children and their families, commuters and workers, I struggled with some Spanish, for a Latino man who simply wanted to know my name. I felt terrible, and shared my story with my dear friend Yanin Ontiveros who kindly and humorously shared her similar experiences in English, which made me feel better. Here is what I wrote to her in reply:
Thursday, February 16, 2023
A Special Gift
While greeting people each school day morning from about 7:35 to 8:35, this morning there was a heartwarming, unusual occurrence.
Friday, December 9, 2022
School Day Morning Greetings, 12/9/22
On school day mornings, from about 7:35 am to about 8:35 am I greet children and their families and commuters driving or walking by my home, at a busy intersection, a block from a grade school and near a middle school. I posted this in my Journal on 3/21/22.
Recently, there have been some changes which I discussed yesterday with my dear friend Yanin Ontiveros. This morning I sent her an email summarizing our discussion:
When I greet people each morning, the vast majority smile and wave from their cars, windows up. Many others put a window or two down to talk and be gently fist bumped. In recent times, the “I love you’s” (Te Amo’s) and other endearments have begun, including a few ladies blowing kisses. I greet most people in English, but also many in Spanish.
Where I focus is in my prayer, “Dear God: That I love others is not dependent upon whether they love me for if I am to grow depends upon me opening my heart to all.” And open my heart to all, I do. (Even the grouchy ones.)
Con Carino - Dick
Thursday, March 24, 2022
School Day Morning Greetings, 3/21/22
Each school day morning from about 7:35 am to about 8:35 am I go out to the edge of the street and greet the many people who are taking their children to school, whether to the school a block from here or a nearby middle school or high school. I also greet the commuters, the pedestrians and others.
But this early morning was extraordinary and if I may, would like to share it with you:
I greet people from the north side of the street, westbound traffic is directly in front of me. A gentleman in his car on the south side of the street, eastbound, slowly crossed over to block the traffic to fist bump me! I was startled, and as protective of him as I could be.
A woman in her car gave me a small bouquet of white flowers and thanked me for my love.
A 50 - plus year old man from Mexico City, 25-years in the U.S., three-years in Palos Verdes walked up and said he had never seen anything like this before. We spoke English and Spanish and he spoke of what a wonderful life changing event this is.
This is in addition to all the waves, fist bumps and words of good cheer that are standard practice.
With Love To All - Dick