winning

Irish-American Museum: Admittedly, I was the most interested in the lace. Limerick lace is an Irish specialty that I had not gotten to view closely in previous encounters. The most intriguing bit of information related to the social classes and lace. Apparently the girls who made the lace were often quite poor, but also very skilled. However, the intricacy of the lace a woman wore spoke of her affluence, and a girl wearing something too complex for her social standing could be killed over the infraction. Just a bit intense.

Speaking of intricate work, The Ukranian National Museum was filled with beautiful pieces. Pysanka, to write, is the art seen on eggs. However, it is not made for the art, or to beautify life. Rather the eggs are made to remind the Ukranian people of their values. They are completely symbolic. Moving on to their clothing: it was completely handmade. Everything was either woven, sewn, embroidered, or beaded. Thus, even though everything was made to symbolize, it was magnificent fiber art in and of itself.

Tonight was the Guatemalan documentary. I think our entire group burst into laughter when the guitar player started to talk about Woody Guthrie. Who could have guessed?! As the film played, I kept thinking about the ways that history continues to repeat. What keeps us from solving this issues well? War is over, but the issues are not resolved. Genocide happened. And yet, we know about current genocide in to other countries, but we aren't stepping in. Why? Why aren't we helping these people get back on their feet? Are these all lessons that the Guatemalans' must learn on their own?

So I wonder, will we ever learn? Will we ever love? As Mitch Albom says, "Life is a series of pulls back and forth. Which side wins? Love wins. Love always wins."