Last weekend my Gonzaga Law School class reunion took place in Spokane on Friday and Saturday. I was there on Friday and pleased to see class mates Gene Annis, Joe Gagliardi, Phil Raekes and Pat Sullivan there. Fred Frohmader, Dennis smith, Bob Kovacevich and Richard Guy, the other surviving members of the class were not there on Friday when I attended. Lita and I had to return on Saturday so I missed seeing anyone else that weekend. What's significant is…
I've been thinking about Robin Williams and the demons he had to have to drive him to end his life as he did. I suspect we all have some thoughts that wake us up in the middle of the night. The worries about what might be or the regrets of the past, but depression so grave as to result in a tragedy like this is beyond sad. Robin Williams talked about worry In the movie Jack where his character said: "“Please, don’t…
The other morning I went to Mass at St Nicholas Catholic Church here in Gig Harbor. I was impressed with finding over fifty people in attendance. That’s unusual given the fact it wasn’t Sunday and there was no real obligation to be there. They must believe in a higher power we call God,but why do they believe there is a God? Maybe it’s because they see our world tottering on the brink of the apocalypse. But, it’s not fear or…
My maternal grandmother Marija Babarovich died on August 5th, 1953. She died the year I graduated from high school in Anacortes, Washington.Her life story is one of great courage and sacrifice involving immigration to America while not being able to speak English. I've previously talked about that in writing about my mother.https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2010/07/mary-thelma-luvera-.html.html I remember her vividly. A tall erect woman with hair piled high on her head, she looked regal and carried herself in a way that projected dignity and…
I've been spending time sorting through an accumulation of materials collected over fifty five years of law practice on all kinds of subjects. Many end up in the recycle, but some still make me smile or make me think. This is an unorganized group for your review. Maybe there is something here for you. The popular radio program of its day, Amos and Andy, had a character: "lawyer Calhoon" who was always giving advice. His client, about to be led…
The conventional wisdom is to never discuss politics or religion with others in order to avoid controversy and argument. However, I’ve recently read views on religion that bear reflection and examination. I’d like to start with William Barclay who, before his death, was a professor of Divinity at Glasgow University and a very prolific writer of religious books and Biblical commentaries. He published a Spiritual Autobiography in which he said “I am a convinced universalist.” He quoted Origon who believed…
There was a recent opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal entitled "the Pope's case for virtuous capitalism." In it Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York was critical of the media for what he said was giving the wrong impression of the Popes position on capitalism. He claimed that the principal focus of Pope France's economic teaching was that social activity must be based on the virtues of compassion and generosity. The cardinal claimed that: "all people, including the poor,…
There has been so much media reporting about immigrants recently it has reminded me of how blessed and privileged I am to have been the child of immigrants. Mother's family immigrated from what was Hungry-Austria, now Croatia, and the tiny island of Brac all the way to Anacortes, Washington. Dad, his parents and his siblings all immigrated from the poor area of Calabria- down in the toe of the boot of Italy ending up in Anacortes where they eventually met…
On an early Friday morning, July 7th2000, my mother Mary Thelma Babarovich, died in her sleep at the San Juan Care Center. Her death was not unexpected. After all, she was born on December 28, 1905 and was ninety four years old when she died. She had been in failing health for some time. Her passing was, in fact, a personal blessing to her as she had been ready to meet her maker for some time. I've published an account…
My grandfather, Nicola Luvera died in Anacortes on Independence Day, July 4, 1956 after living more then ninety years. My chief regret is that he spoke no English and I spoke no Italian so we never had a real conversation – only through my father's interpretation. Dad believed his children should learn and speak English because we were Americans. In addition, mother's families native language was Croatian since they had immigrated from the Island of Brac in Croatia. My grandfather's…
