The True Meaning of
Auld Lang Syne

By Gael Montana
"Tonsorial Artist and Hill Country Contrarian"
Comfort, Texas

In the deepest interest of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ there comes a book into our midst that bears that ‘Required Reading’ stamp for any human being trying to get along with other human beings in this day and age.

This book is a collaboration of three very different women who stepped deeply into turbulent waters to make a connection that could not have been achieved in any other way. If we think we ‘know’ about Christianity, Judaism or Islam, chances are we’ll find that quite the opposite is true. Feelings and misconceptions, long buried, float to the surface in unexpected ways among these three women and become a source of visceral understanding they never expected. A deep and respectful understanding takes hold after the fires of dissent cool. Although we may have our own faith securely in hand and heart, confident in the knowledge that what we know is absolute, undeniably there is always more to learn.

I believe this to be a book we would all do well to read now, when war is on the land and the steel gray skies of winter make our days seem so long when, in fact, they begin to shorten. The joyous spirit of Christmas will leave many of us standing on the edge of an emotional cliff when the busy thrill is over and reflection takes hold. Toys, new and too soon neglected along with the prospect of disassembling those many decorations can be a nagging distraction to the Peace we seek. That dull thud when our heady generosity is rewarded with the inevitable ‘invoice enclosed’ missives, then, to make matters worse, April 15th is right around the corner. It’s enough to ruffle the stateliest feathers.

So my gift to everyone who visits this little page is only this: Engage these women’s efforts. Take a little journey with them into their world and see how it’s done, this forgetting of old acquaintance’s and angst. It’s not easy. We should know by now that nothing worth having is without sacrifice and toil on one level or another. The achievement of this project is worthy on so very many levels and is already fostering exponential growth with each soul that reads, and understands, that our only hope is to get along. Faith Clubs are popping up all over! What a wonderful and inclusive thing it is. It’s hard wired into Mothers in every land and culture that harmony is key to the very existence of the family. It’s written in the Bible, the Torah and the Qur’an…we are taught to be mindful, one of another. To simply be kind; to take care of our own, help our neighbors and take a moment to pay attention where we throw things. How hard can that be? It would seem impossible after listening to the nightly news, but it’s not. We can do it. I see it every day.

Here’s hoping everyone’s’ Christmas was touched by the true Spirit of Kindness and the clear Light of Love.

© Gael Montana
'The View from Under the Bus' June 4 , 2007 Column

The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew-- Three Women Search for Understanding -
by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, Priscilla Warner >

More Books
More Columns