Marvel at man’s generosity, kindness
I have been a resident of Schenectady/Niskayuna for all of my 80 years.
Recently, I had something happen for the first time in my life and felt I would be remiss if I did not tell you about it.
I was at a local sandwich shop and ordered two sandwiches with a bag of potato chips. Only one other customer was in the shop, a nice young man who was directly in front of me.
As he moved along the line, I could not help but notice how polite and respectful he was to the sandwich preparers and shop cashier. Very refreshing particularly in today’s world with so much division and badmouthing of others.
When I attempted to pay the cashier for my order (which I estimate was approximately $25), she told me I owed nothing. I looked at her in disbelief and she told me the young man in front of me paid my bill.
I did not know the person in front of me, had never met him. He, too, did not know who I was and had never seen me before.
I caught him just before he exited the sandwich shop and blurted out, “What is happening? Why are you doing this?”
He simply stated, “I’m just paying it forward.”
I found out his name is Clyde Tatum. I am still marveling at his kindness and generosity. If you happen to know Clyde, please let him know how special he is.
Don Blaha
Niskayuna
Ukrainians should heed calls for peace
“I need ammunition.” “We will fight in the forests. We will fight in the streets.”
We’re told those are the words Ukraine’s president used in March when exhorting Ukrainian citizens to meet violence with more violence, in essence, a call to kill their Russian enemies.
His words have, since then, grown more strident and demanding.
In response, many nations – including the United States – have heeded his words and added fuel to the destructive fire of war by sending not only ammunition but also artillery, missiles, armed drones and tanks.
I wonder what Ukrainians have been hearing from their religious leaders.
Did their priests echo the politician’s call to violence or did they remind their congregations of the words Christ Jesus spoke in his sermon on the mount: “Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you. Pray for those who persecute you.”
Had those words echoed from church pulpits and found a home in the hearts of the approximately 26 million Orthodox and Catholic Ukrainians, perhaps we wouldn’t be seeing horrific images of killed and wounded men, women and children, destroyed homes and parents weeping over children sacrificed on the altar of violence. Would there still be weeping? Quite likely; but the tears shed then would be in the board rooms and executive offices of those companies producing and selling the weapons of war we use to kill one another.
Paul Rehm
South Westerlo
Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
