A New Beginning - By Edil Rentas Sr ‘23

 A New Beginning

Today we went to the hospital to see our son, just as we have been doing for the last three weeks.  We arrived mid afternoon,  left the car with the valet parking attendant, said our usual hellos, and proceeded to the reception desk where we checked in. 

We continue on to the elevator. When the door opened a hospital volunteer pushed a wheelchair with a lady holding a little tiny newborn close to her chest. Congratulations!  I said.  Thank you! It was heard multiple times like an echo as the various family members followed with armfulls of flowers, gifts, and bags replied.  The smiles in everyone’s faces spoke of the happiness that filled their hearts. A new beginning! I said in my mind. The beginning of a new season in those people’s lives. I commented to my wife Lucy.

A new beginning.  When one thinks about it, about a new beginning, yes, something  is beginning at the moment this newborn heads out of the hospital, but is it really the beginning?

Thinking a bit about it,  there have been many beginnings leading to this moment. Where exactly can one say that this moment began?  For those believers, they may say that it was the moment God wrote this new life’s existence in the book of life. This however is a complex and compounding answer. This would mean that every soul, and every life, connected to every single ancestor, on both sides of the family, had to be established, one by one, until the day this baby was conceived. That’s a long, long chain of events, occurring in perfect synchronization, maybe beginning in the Byzantine Empire, or who knows if even in times before the birth of Jesus.

But wait. Was the beginning of this life as we know it, the moment the egg was fertilized? Or was it the moment the heart was formed and started beating?  Even if we accept either one of these as the beginning, let’s not forget that this life follows dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of preceding newborns that have followed a similar path.  The reality of it is that life’s beginning is a complex series of events, in a game of probabilities that’s just mind boggling.  If you were to change just one event, out of the likely thousands that lead to this moment, this moment wouldn’t be happening. 

Yet, even if one event was changed, it is very likely that we would still have landed in this very moment, if as some people say, everything in life is predetermined.  As I write this however, which I started writing with one subject in mind but then headed in another direction, the more I think about it the more convoluted it gets.  

After the idea came to my mind and thoughts started flowing, I just can’t stop thinking about where exactly it began. Well,  a simpler answer may be the moment the baby came out of the womb. Right?  Well,  that’s too simplistic since we already know that there were many beginnings before this one.  We also know that this is just one of the many new beginnings this new life will go through his or her existence. 

It’s beginning in life: the instance in which a moment of love resulted in a race of millions of sperms, against all odds, for a lucky swimmer to break through a wall, which instantly  closed the gates for all the others.  But what when two, or three, or four, or eight broke through at the same time?  Was that exactly the way it was supposed to happen?  The answer is yes, because it obviously happened, right?

Then,  all this is followed by birth, new beginnings at home, at the pre-kinder, kindergarten, elementary school, teenager, junior high, high school, college,  adult life, courtships, marriage, and so on.  

But who’s to say if, at what moment any one event, or beginning, gets changed or even interrupted, because of what we consider a premature passing to its next destination, whatever that would be.  Would it be heaven? Maybe hell. Or the purgatory for those who believe in that.  Or will it be the beginning of another life as someone else, in another dimension, as others believe.

The mind bending part of this bunch of thoughts I’m laying down for you to ponder on, is that the line of events that represent “life”, is different for every single person on this planet, past, present, and future, for hundreds, thousands, or maybe even millions of years.  After all, we cannot put a finger at which moment the very first life emerged that started the whole cycle of civilization, which eventually led to this newborn’s beginning.

If we are believers of the scriptures, that moment began with God's creation Earth.  Or maybe it was when God had the idea to create Earth, or Adam, or Eve? And if so,  how did we end up with millions of habitants, beginning with just two people?  I’d rather not think about it, as this would imply that some not so acceptable events (according to  today’s standards) had to take place.  What was God thinking?

If you have read this far, please forgive me. It’s not my intention to question God, the scriptures, nor to be disrespectful to anyone.  It’s just that the idea of the beginning of life it’s a complicated subject, to the point that it gives validity to the question of what came first, the chicken or the egg. In any case, in the end, it is not just another beginning. It is a new beginning of a new life, which begins wherever you want the beginning to be. 

Edil Rentas Sr. ‘23

Sunday Morning Love Sickness

Sunday Morning Love Sickness

It’s Sunday morning on a cool, bright, Florida fall day. We drove to the hospital to visit our inpatient son. As we approach the hospital I debate about parking at the main parking lot

using the valet parking, which is only available at the emergency room entrance during weekends.

We opt for the emergency room entrance valet parking, due to my painful knee,  to avoid any unnecessary walking.  We pass the mostly empty ER waiting room and begin the walk down the many long hallways adorned by multiple large colorful Florida Nature themed pictures. Some of depict simple oak filled pastures, others flower filled ponds, fenced horses, as well as well known blue green rivers and swimming holes of the state,  tempting you to jump in right through them.

After several hospitalization visits, we are pretty familiar with the hospital, yet we still get lost from time to time. We walk to the elevators on the 1R level, which coincidentally is under the Ground level, and the second floor is directly above the Ground floor which leads to confusion for many visitors, and leads me to the rest of the story.

The thump and clunk, and ding of the elevator bell announce its arrival. The double stainless steel doors open and out comes a tall, slim gentleman, with white hair, wrinkled freckled skin, that speak of his late eighties age.  The old man walks out of the elevator with accidental pace, warbling a bit from side to side.  I asked him, can I help you?  I’m looking for room 110, but I don’t know where it is,. He says. I then stated,  “I’m not sure that there are rooms on the first floor, maybe in the emergency room. As the man starts to walk away on his short difficult steps my wife insists that I walk with him  in case he needs more help, to which I agreed.

As we slowly walk down a hallway we call the Hall of Fame, which is a long hallway that passes a wall filled with pictures and names of the hospital’s top administrative staff, the man tells me that he forgot his cane in his car.  I offered to lend him my cane, offer which he declined. We continue walking and find another long hallway to the right, labeled as the Emergency Observation rooms, so we enter. 

Just before we enter I asked the old man, who are you visiting? Your wife? A friend?My fiancé, he replied, as we enter the hallway and start looking at the room numbers. Without much though I said “just as important”, as count down the room numbers and we near the Room 110.

The room door is open and the curtain is drawn closed, and  the light was off. I could hear some voices, as the old man went passed me and neared the curtains. He slowly pushed the curtain to the left, as he quietly sneaked his face into the room. What are you doing here?  A lady’s voice exclames with emotion and joy  I’m here because of you! He said.  

At the same time an adorable short stature, bright eyed, pink skin, white haired lady, likely in her mid to late eighties, walks to the old man with happiness.  They were so caught up in their moment that  I quietly walked away in the midst of their encounter. I looked back once,  then continued on.  I felt like it was the end of “Touched by an Angel” episode, happy and satisfied with having completed a mission. The good Boys Scout deed of the day, having learned that love is ageless.  That love can help heal a Sunday morning love sickness. 

Ed Rentas Sr ‘23

The Rise of Vacant Mega Warehouses

 Title: Unveiling the Impact of Mega Warehouses on Developed and Undeveloped Land

By Edil Rentas, 

The exponential growth of e-commerce has given rise to the proliferation of mega warehouses, vast fulfillment centers that facilitate the storage and distribution of goods. While these facilities have revolutionized the logistics industry, their establishment has profound implications for both developed and undeveloped land. In this article, we will explore the impact of mega warehouses on both types of land, examining the challenges they present and the potential consequences for our environments and communities.

1. Impact on Developed Land

a. Conversion of Land Use: Mega warehouses require vast amounts of land, often in close proximity to transportation infrastructure and urban centers. As a result, previously developed land, such as industrial areas, brownfields, or even agricultural land, is repurposed to accommodate these massive structures. This conversion can disrupt existing land use patterns, potentially displacing businesses, and impacting local economies and communities.

b. Strain on Infrastructure: Mega warehouses place substantial pressure on existing infrastructure. Their operation necessitates efficient transportation networks, including roadways, highways, and rail systems, to facilitate the movement of goods. Increased truck traffic to and from these warehouses can lead to congestion and accelerated wear and tear on roadways. Moreover, the demand for utilities, such as water, electricity, and waste management services, escalates, requiring upgrades and expansions to support the needs of these facilities.

c. Economic Impact: The establishment of mega warehouses often brings employment opportunities to local communities. The construction phase alone generates jobs, and once operational, these facilities require a significant workforce for various roles. Additionally, ancillary businesses may emerge to cater to the needs of the warehouses and their workforce, contributing to economic activity. However, it is important to consider the quality of these jobs, as they may involve low wages and limited job security, leading to potential socioeconomic challenges.

2. Impact on Undeveloped Land

a. Encroachment on Natural Habitats: Mega warehouses can contribute to the encroachment on undeveloped or greenfield areas. As existing land is converted for warehouse use, the demand for land resources increases, putting pressure on nearby undeveloped land. This expansion can lead to the loss of natural habitats, farmland, and green spaces, potentially impacting biodiversity and ecosystem health.

b. Land Conservation and Preservation Challenges: The establishment of mega warehouses poses challenges to land conservation and preservation efforts. As undeveloped land is utilized for warehouse construction, the conservation of natural areas becomes more complex. Balancing the need for economic development with environmental stewardship becomes crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability of our natural resources.

c. Implications for Urban Planning: The growth of mega warehouses influences urban planning strategies. The concentration of these facilities can contribute to urban sprawl and impact land-use patterns. Strategic planning is essential to mitigate negative consequences, such as increased traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and the loss of green spaces. Adopting smart growth principles that prioritize sustainable land use and the preservation of undeveloped areas is crucial for long-term urban development.

Conclusion

Mega warehouses have a significant impact on both developed and undeveloped land. While they offer economic benefits, including job creation and enhanced logistical capabilities, they also present challenges in terms of land conversion, infrastructure strain, and environmental consequences. Striking a balance between economic growth and sustainable land use is key to mitigating these impacts. By implementing responsible land-use practices, considering alternative locations, and fostering collaboration between stakeholders, we can ensure that the establishment of mega warehouses aligns with environmental stewardship and supports the well-being of local communities.