On occasion I receive emails that are so special in content and thought, that they must be shared with the entire community of St. Nicholas Church.  The following is one such email that our Bob DeHaven sent me a couple weeks past.  I do so hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  And remember, all are invited to share their reflections with me, anytime.  I'm more than happy to post them right here in News From Nick, assuming that is, you provide me your permission.    

I'd like to thank Bob for sharing his reflection and allowing me to print it here for all to enjoy.  Perhaps Bob's words and thoughts will further engage us in the fond recollections of times past that have brought us to where we are today. 

So, without any further ado, I share with you the written reflections of Bob DeHaven: 

"Reflections On This Week's Vicar's Corner

Dear Manny,

I read your reflection at the Vicar's Corner in this week's News From Nick with interest and enjoyment. To answer the question you posed, your reflection immediately resurrected memories of my own youth, growing up in this very town of Elk Grove Village. So, similarly transporting myself to that time, I recalled... Riding my Schwinn 3-speed bike throughout the entire Village; playing baseball with friends and going to Little League practice in the park across the street from Clearmont School; proudly serving as a crossing guard at the corner of Ridge and Spruce, across the street from our own St. Nicholas Church; and a few years later, mowing the "lawn" around the church with its John Deere riding mower, including the fields that were part of the church property, extending to Brookhaven Drive to the North and Westview Drive to the West.

These fond recollections were momentary however, as they were overtaken by an awareness of how times seem to have changed. I wondered if we have come to a time of lost innocence. Is that true?

It seems to me that our world (or at least, the world I knew then) was forever changed, as early as 1979 when Etan Patz, a six year old boy from SoHo was abducted and became the first missing child to appear on a milk carton. Seventeen years later, Amber Hagerman was abducted and murdered in Arlington, Texas prompting the establishment of the Child Abduction Emergency System we have come to know as Amber Alerts.

What happened? Admitting it's a complicated issue, I wonder if even once safe communities are being overtaken by the evil intentions of some or are we merely more aware of a problem that has always existed?  Is it possible to recapture those seemingly more innocent times?  Is there any way we can resist, or even reverse these trends?

There are some who try, but not without meeting other forms of resistance.  For example, earlier this year, a Maryland couple, Danielle and Alexander Meitiv of Silver Springs, who allowed their two children to walk home alone from a neighborhood park were "found responsible for unsubstantiated child neglect" by the state's Child Protective Services.  Apparently, in Silver Springs, leaving anyone under the age of 18 unsupervised constitutes neglect.

At a time when a majority of people are now listing their religious affiliation as "none" I was reminded of John's Gospel and your Homily last Sunday - that as Jesus has chose us as his friends, we are called upon to love one another and as you eloquently said, this is a foundation for building our community.  There is clearly much work done, but it would indeed be wonderful if we could embrace our common desire to build our own community of faith and by example, to begin to reverse this trend.

A few days ago, I heard that Saturday was the third annual "International Take Our Children to the Park...and Leave Them There Day."  It was described as a "Free-Range" holiday that is celebrated just the way it sounds:  Parents are supposed to take their kids to the local park and, if they're 7 or 8 or older, leave them there for a bit, starting at 10am, encouraging them to meet up with other kids from the neighborhood - even some who attend different schools.  While I'm sure that many view this as too dangerous a practice in this day and age (I have a few reservations of my own), proponents argue that encouraging our children to group up the way we did, the idea of children playing together in the park builds community (what a concept!), while outdoor play encourages brain growth and develops independence in positive ways, not to mention the fringe benefits of physical activity and its beneficial effect on the growing and chronic problems of diabetes and childhood obesity.  I don't know if this is possible, but what a nice thought."

For Karen who is undergoing emotional upheaval: pray for her well being and a return to stability, peace and contentment in mind, body and spirit.

For Sharon, an aunt of our Colleen Davy who is in the hospital:  pray for Sharon's full recovery and a return to a healthy and active life. 

For Holly, a friend of Penny and Hank who was injured in a fall: pray she recover fully and quickly and is able to return to an active life. 

For the repose of the soul of Bill Lorch a friend of Pat and Bob Kalicki:  Pray for those who mourn Bill's passing as we pray for light perpetual to shine upon Bill's soul.

For all our St. Nicholas community members who are under the weather and in need of healing and prayers:  may they find peace and be blessed with sound and better health:  Vivian, Jill, Vernon, Connie Nicholson, Marica Kizior, Joanne Mangiaracina, Fran Baylor, Kesha, Mary Gans, Eunice Dohra, K.C., Emily & Dick Day, Dale Rickey, Paula O'Conner,  Stanko Begonja, Phil Cooper, Tim Laughlin, Jackie, Chris, Cathy Walters, Carrie, Tim, Pat and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.