Tag: hope

Family prevents suicide with art, walking and love.

The Kennedy family is working hard to prevent suicide and brighten the world.
The Kennedy family is working hard to prevent suicide and brighten the world.

I was deeply moved yesterday. I met a family who is working for suicide prevention with beautiful art, walking and love. Their collective efforts were on display at the House of the Philippines lawn program in Balboa Park. (I posted photos of folk dancing at the event here.)

Elie Kennedy paints smooth rocks that she finds on a beach that her son Anthony loved. She paints those rocks on behalf of her son, who she lost to suicide in 2015. Her healing rocks radiate love. Money that she raises goes to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She sometimes uses the hashtag #healingrocksforanthony.

The Kennedy family also raises funds for the foundation by participating in the San Diego Out of the Darkness Community Walk. You can walk, too. Such walks take place all around the United States. If you’d like, you can learn more or register for a walk here.

Positive energy flows from each member of this family. It all comes from the heart. Sin Kennedy presses leaves and creates a range of colorful artwork. Check out her Instagram page here.

Please learn more by clicking the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. With treatment and knowledge many lives can be saved. The organization also helps those afflicted with a loss, advocates for suicide prevention, and funds scientific research to prevent future suicides.

Every single life is precious.

A story about Elie's son. Painful energy is now used to create something beautiful and positive.
A story about Elie’s son. Painful energy is now used to create something beautiful and positive.
A sample of the beauty that is created.
A sample of the beauty that is created.
Sin Kennedy is also an artist.
Sin Kennedy is also an artist.
Life is precious. Art reminds us of much that is good.
Art reminds us that much in life is good.

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Young champions fight childhood cancer!

A huge crowd of families and young heroes converged on Embarcadero Marina Park North for the 2017 Celebration of Champions!
Families, generous supporters, and many young heroes converged on Embarcadero Marina Park North this morning for the 2017 Celebration of Champions!

During my walk along the Embarcadero this morning, I encountered a legion of amazing young heroes! Courageous children who are fighting cancer–and those who have defeated cancer–were gathering with their families for the 2017 Celebration of Champions!

I learned the emotionally moving event is in its 22nd year.  It features young cancer battlers passing a simulated torch, from one hand to the next, as participants run a very short distance. Money raised supports Rady Children’s Hospital’s social, psychological and emotional support programs.

Parents of brave children who lost their battle with cancer also attend the event, in a tribute to loved ones whose smiles and hopeful hearts were in this world too briefly.

Please visit the Celebration of Champions website to learn more–and perhaps provide helping a hand.

Heading to the annual event, which honors young people who fight and have fought childhood cancer.
Folks head to the annual Celebration of Champions event, which honors young people who are fighting and have fought childhood cancer.
A youthful honor guard arrives before the ceremonies begin.
A youthful honor guard arrives before the ceremonies begin.
Later in the day, many young cancer-fighting champions will carry a simulated torch around the grassy park at the edge of beautiful San Diego Bay.
I learned that later in the day, many young cancer-fighting champions would carry a simulated torch around the grassy park at the edge of beautiful San Diego Bay.
Some very young children were excited to be greeted by princesses!
Some very young children were excited to be greeted by princesses!
Young champions would hand off a torch as they completed running a small length of the park's looping walkway.
Young champions would hand off a simulated torch once they finished running a short length of the park’s looping walkway.
Go Champions!
Go Champions!

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Guide dogs for the blind in San Diego!

Loving, intelligent guide dogs and their trainers attend a special event in San Diego.
Loving, intelligent guide dogs and their trainers attend a special event in San Diego.

During my walk today I came across a special event taking place at Embarcadero Marina Park North. A local group representing Guide Dogs for the Blind was having a gathering by San Diego Bay!

I was impressed at how loving and intelligent the guide dogs all were. I asked where people could go to learn more about possibly raising a guide dog, and was told to check out this website!

According to a handout I received, Guide Dogs for the Blind was created in 1942 to aid servicemen blinded in World War II. I also learned their services are offered free to people throughout the United States and Canada.

If you know someone who is blind or visually impaired, tell them about Guide Dogs for the Blind! Or check out their puppy raising program!

Guide Dogs for the Blind had a special gathering today at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Guide Dogs for the Blind had a special gathering today at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
You see a puppy, a person who is blind sees the world.
You see a puppy, a person who is blind sees the world.
This best friend can make a difficult life much better.
This best friend can make a difficult life much better.
Guide Dogs for the Blind. Raise a puppy. Change a life.
Guide Dogs for the Blind. Raise a puppy. Change a life.

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Are you a blogger? Do you want to help make the world a better place? You might want to join Bloggers Lifting Others Generously.

Angel hovers above homeless person.

An angel hovers above a homeless person.
An angel hovers above a homeless person.

I usually don’t post only one photograph, but I captured a remarkable image this morning, and thought some of you might like to see it. I was walking into the Panama-California Sculpture Court at the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park when I observed the standing figure titled “Religion” hovering like a heavenly angel above a homeless person sitting alone on a bench.

A short story about painting angels.

Here we go again! I wrote another short story! What does it have to do with Cool San Diego Sights? Nothing. Silly me!

This very short work of fiction is about life. And painting angels. It has a happy ending! Click this link to read it on my writing blog Short Stories by Richard!

Thank you! I promise my next blog post will actually be about San Diego!

And by the way–I just posted four beautiful photos of barren trees in a heavenly sky on my other blog, A Small World Full of Beauty.  In case you’re curious, I took those photos this morning in Mission Valley.

Enough blogging for today!

Richard

A waterfall inspires a story about grieving.

One of several small waterfalls at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.
One of several small waterfalls at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.

Today I went to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. I’m a new member.

After walking along the beautiful stream in the garden’s canyon, and crossing a few bridges, I sat down at a table overlooking the moat and magnificent waterfall near the Inamori Pavilion. And I pulled out my notebook.

A story came to me at once. From where, I don’t know. Perhaps from the falling water. Perhaps from the water’s voice. I really don’t know.

The story is about grieving, the passage of time and release. It’s just a tiny, tiny little story, but I think it might strike deeply. You can read it very quickly on one of my other blogs, Short Stories by Richard, by simply clicking here. If you like it, there are ten other very short stories that you might also enjoy. Just click around.

I’ll be sitting at that table often this year. So I’m positive coming stories will also be filled with beauty, hope and joy. The garden inspires those things, most of all.

Oh–I recently provided a quick photo tour of the Japanese Friendship Garden on my blog Beautiful Balboa Park. You can check out those posts here and here.

A heartwarming Christmas tradition in San Diego.

A very special Sunday organ concert in Balboa Park. Today ordinary residents of San Diego and random visitors from around the world joined together to sing Christmas carols!
A very special Sunday organ concert in Balboa Park. Today ordinary residents of San Diego and random visitors from around the world joined together to sing Christmas carols!

I wish you could have been there. At the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, this afternoon at 2:00. Your heart would’ve been warmed by the most amazing spectacle.

Young and old, residents of San Diego and random tourists visiting Balboa Park from around the world–all came together spontaneously to sing beloved Christmas carols. Right up on the stage, all together, as one.

What a sight. What a wonderful yearly tradition.

There is hope for this old world.

The holiday season at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion includes candy canes, Christmas cookies and gingerbread men.
The holiday season at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion includes candy canes, Christmas cookies and gingerbread men.
The free organ concert the Sunday before Christmas began with classical and unique organ music composed for Christmas.
The free organ concert in Balboa Park this afternoon began with classical and unique organ music composed over the years for Christmas.
Spreckels Organ Curator Dale Sorenson smiles as he turns pages for San Diego Civic Organist Emeritus Robert Plimpton.
Spreckels Organ Curator Dale Sorenson smiles as he turns pages for San Diego Civic Organist Emeritus Robert Plimpton.
The fancy organ music is over. Time for the public to come up on stage to sing familiar Christmas carols!
The more fancy organ playing is over. Time for the public to come up on stage to sing familiar Christmas carols!
A crowd heads up onto the Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage. Anybody could join in the happy singing.
A crowd heads up onto the Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage. Anybody could join in the happy singing.
A heartwarming San Diego tradition in Balboa Park. Young and old, everyone and anyone--together people sing many beloved Christmas songs.
A heartwarming San Diego tradition in Balboa Park. Young and old, everyone and anyone–together people sing many beloved Christmas songs.
Ross Porter, Executive Director of the Spreckels Organ Society, leads the proceedings with unabashed zest.
Ross Porter, Executive Director of the Spreckels Organ Society, leads the proceedings with unabashed zest.
A small sample of humanity singing Christmas carols with joy.
A small random sample of humanity singing Christmas carols with joy.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

I wish you all Happy Holidays and best wishes in this coming New Year!

Images of joy and sadness as Christmas nears.

Tourist on a Segway passes a disabled Santa in a wheelchair.
Tourist on a Segway passes a disabled Santa in a wheelchair.

Life contains mingled joy and sadness. These feeling intensify as Christmas nears.

Christmas is a season brimming with generosity and hope. But the difficulties we all face persist. And for some, those difficulties are extreme.

During my walk this afternoon beneath dark, dramatic storm clouds, I captured a few images of human sadness, joy . . . and hope.

Storm clouds above downtown San Diego. Christmas is coming, but so is winter.
Storm clouds above downtown San Diego. Christmas is coming, but so is winter.
Palm trees in a row buffeted by a strong chilly wind on a late November day.
Palm trees in a row buffeted by a strong chilly wind on a late November day.
Someone camped against the San Diego County Courthouse. The number of homeless people downtown continues to grow.
Someone camped against the San Diego County Courthouse. The number of homeless people downtown continues to grow.
Using spice as a drug is a recipe for disaster. Drug use downtown has become alarming. Lives are being destroyed. Some residents no longer feel safe.
Using spice as a drug is a recipe for disaster. Drug use by the many homeless in downtown has become alarming. Lives are being visibly destroyed.
The relatively new Horton Plaza Park now attracts many homeless. A sad situation with no easy solution.
The relatively new Horton Plaza Park now attracts homeless people seeking a comfortable place. A deeply sad situation with no easy solution.
But there is also hope, and the potential for joy. A child is shown the dancing fountain at the center of Horton Plaza Park.
But there is also hope, and the potential for joy. A child is shown the dancing fountain at the center of Horton Plaza Park.
Youth peers into a fountain hopefully. What can one see? Dreams filled with light?
Youthful eyes peer into a fountain hopefully. What is it they possibly see? Dreams filled with light?
There is much one can do to brighten the world. Be the voice of a foster child. Provide hope, and a smile.
There is much one can do to brighten this world. I saw this example as I walked.  Be the voice of a foster child. Provide hope, and a smile.
Will it be a white Christmas in San Diego? Probably not. But perhaps Christmas is something more than mere dreams.
Will it be a white Christmas in San Diego? Probably not. But perhaps Christmas is something more than mere dreams.
A Christmas tree in a shopping center. It is a giving tree.
I spotted a typical Christmas tree in a shopping center. But this one is special.  It’s a giving tree.
USO San Diego needs your help to bring holiday cheer to active military families. (Please click the image to read more.)
USO San Diego needs your help to bring holiday cheer to active military families. (Please click the image to read details.)
The sun breaks through storm clouds and shines upon downtown San Diego. A faint rainbow appears above.
The sun breaks through storm clouds and shines upon downtown San Diego. There is much we can do.  A faint rainbow appears like magic above.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk. You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

If you’d like to read an inspiring tale about human generosity, you might enjoy a favorite short story that I’ve written, An Unexpected Sunflower.

Are you a blogger? Do you want to make the world a better place? You might want to join Bloggers Lifting Others Generously.

Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K helps homeless.

Turkey hats on runners preparing for the Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K, an annual event to help San Diego's homeless.
Turkey hats on runners preparing for the Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K, an annual event to help San Diego’s homeless.

This morning thousands gathered in Balboa Park to participate in the Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K run and walk. Money raised during the annual event helps Father Joe’s Villages provide food, shelter, medical care, employment training and hope for many of San Diego’s homeless.

If you’d like to donate to Father Joe’s, or learn more about what they do, here’s their website.

Homeless man on Sixth Avenue, across the street from the west edge of Balboa Park.
Homeless man on Sixth Avenue, across the street from Balboa Park.
Thousands gather in Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama before the start of Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K run and walk.
Thousands gather in Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama before the start of Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K run and walk.
Many Thanksgiving-themed costumes and hats could be spotted among the participants. These dogs are already in the Christmas spirit!
Many Thanksgiving-themed costumes and hats could be spotted among the participants. These dogs are already in the Christmas spirit!
Energy-providing fruit slices are prepared for 5K participants before the beginning of the race.
Energy-providing fruit slices are prepared for the 5K participants before the beginning of the race.
The Knights of Columbus had a pancake breakfast in Balboa Park during the Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K.
The Knights of Columbus had a pancake breakfast in Balboa Park during the Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K.
Catholic priests perform a religious service in the Plaza de Panama for the faithful before the Thanksgiving race to help the homeless.
Catholic priests perform a religious service in the Plaza de Panama for the faithful before the Thanksgiving race to help the homeless.
Runners and walkers head toward the start line in Balboa Park.
Runners and walkers head toward the start line in Balboa Park. Morning sun shines on the iconic California Tower.
Thousands of participants pass over the Cabrillo Bridge, just prior to beginning the Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K.
Thousands of participants pass over the Cabrillo Bridge, just prior to beginning the Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K.
This family is dressed like a Pilgrim and a turkey dinner.
This family is dressed like a Pilgrim and a turkey dinner!
People get enthused a few minutes before the fun run begins.
People get enthused a few minutes before the fun run begins.
Homeless person alone on the sunlit grass in the far corner of Balboa Park.
Homeless person alone on the sunlit grass in a corner of Balboa Park.
Getting ready to start a competitive 5K on Thanksgiving morning. Money raised helps provide food and shelter for the homeless in San Diego.
Getting ready to start a competitive 5K run on Thanksgiving morning. Money raised helps provide food and shelter for the homeless in San Diego.

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Are you a blogger? Do you want to make the world a better place? You might want to join Bloggers Lifting Others Generously.

Powerful symbols of love for bridge crash victims.

A large memorial remains in Chicano Park, almost four weeks after a tragic accident here took the lives of four people.
A large memorial remains in Chicano Park, almost four weeks after a tragic accident here took the lives of four people.

Almost a month after a tragic accident in Chicano Park, a large, spontaneously created memorial remains. It was created by many hands and hearts in the Barrio Logan community.

The memorial contains flowers, candles and other tokens of love, along with photographs of the deceased. Four were killed on October 14 when an automobile driven by a drunk driver plummeted from the Coronado Bay Bridge.  Remembered are Annamarie Contreras, Cruz Elias Contreras, Andre Christopher Banks and Francine Denise Jimenez. Also remembered is Ramon “Chunky” Sanchez, who recently passed away. He was a beloved musician and inspiring leader in the local Chicano community.

Many candles are kept lit.

Candles, flowers and other expressions of love stand beside a Chicano Park mural. They memorialize Cruz Elias Contreras, Andre Christopher Banks and Francine Denise Jimenez.
Candles, flowers and other powerful expressions of love stand beside a Chicano Park mural. They memorialize Annamarie Contreras, Cruz Elias Contreras, Andre Christopher Banks, Francine Denise Jimenez and Ramon “Chunky” Sanchez.
Potent symbols of love, grief and memory.
Traditional symbols of love, grief and memory.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!