…It was the pure Language of the World. It required no explanation, just as the universe needs none as it travels through endless time. What the boy felt at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his life, and that, with no need for words, she recognized the same thing. He was more certain of it than of anything in the world. He had been told by his parents and grandparents that he must fall in love and really know a person before becoming committed. But maybe people who felt that way had never learned the universal language. Because, when you know that language, it’s easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you, whether it’s in the middle of the desert or in some great city. And when two such people encounter each other, and their eyes meet, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, one’s dream would have no meaning.

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Excerpt from Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

You can get so confused
that you’ll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…

…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That’s not for you!

Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

Sweetheart it’s time
to fly now
Soar through the
unknown
to the other side,
Where only Fate
knows what lies ahead
and You
only if
You
Free Yourself
and Fly
So let go now
We’re all waiting for you
on the other side
The side where
Dreams Come True

Rendition by: Frank J Renda

I landed on Okinawa as a corporal with the USMC invasion force on April 1, 1945. I armed the Grumman Avengers of VTMB-232 for the entire Okinawa campaign. After the war, I returned to civilian life and became a barber and self-taught artist. One of my goals was to paint a true color rendition of the Flag Raising on Iwo Jima, to honor all Marine veterans. I especially wanted to honor the artistry, sacrifice, and memory of Sgt. William Genaust, the Marine combat photographer who took the color motion pictures of the second flag raising.
I recently had a professional photographer take an 8×10 inch digital color photo of my oil painting. The high-quality digital color print presents a very clear rendering. One can see the true colors of the Marine uniforms that we wore in the Pacific Theatre.

Frank J. Renda
WW2 USMC Veteran, Pacific Theatre
VMTB-232, The Red Devil Squadron

This is my grandfather’s voice. He always inspires me. He is a barber. He is also an artist, an inventor, a poet, a veteran, a father, a grandfather, and a super duper great-grandfather. ALL children and animals love him. He’s a magnet when it comes to these innocent beings. You know people like this, right? They are amazing. He likes to do things himself, especially when you tell him you are on your way over to his house to mow the lawn and help out. I imagine in that instant he stops everything he is doing and rushes to the shed to get out the riding mower. Then he speeds around the lawn like a drag racer and looks like a mad scientist. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone mow a lawn like my grandpa. He tries to get it done before you get there to help him, then you arrive and bust him whipping around trees like a weather vane in a storm. Except its sunny and he is smiling like a mischievous six year old. Grandpa Frank likes to draw flies and bunny rabbits. He pretends his hand is a spider out to get you which can make any child howl with excitement. He has a theme song that he sings to kids when he holds them. I’d sing it to you if this weren’t a blog. He remembers EVERYTHING and loves to share war stories. I cherish listening to every word with great pride and joy. He’s a wonderful storyteller. Which is why I wanted to post this painting on my blog.

My Grandpa Frank is a spectacular artist! This particular painting is such a treasure. It evokes so many emotions and tells the same fervent story we all know and have seen so often. The difference here is the vibrant colors that are so true to life. It was important for my grandfather to paint. I am so proud of him. I am happy to share his painting with you. If you would like a copy, write to me. He has many, many prints available for a very modest price.

Isabella overwhelmed at the dessert table. Note: Not all dessert is out yet.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY VIDEO OF “My Nanna”