I came across a beautiful story on guilt and forgiveness that features this man, Jerry Stadtmiller.
"Jerry is a lifelong dweller of San Diego. He went to Cathedral Catholic High School in Del Mar and graduated from SDSU earning his Masters in Social Work. War, however, took him into the true realm of spirituality and existential questioning – the land of the Mystics.
He taught us the difference between the outside and the inside. Losing his sight allowed him to dive deeply into the inner world--he is a most sensitive being. The true Samurai knows that the real struggle lies not with the enemy we fight on the battlefield but with the darkness within. That, my friends, is the path upon which Jerry leads us. Jerry has learned to allow existence, to allow life. An example of the synchronicity – this allowing – was when Jerry went to the dedication of the Vietnam Women's Memorial in 1993. In 1990, Helen Roth wrote a poem entitled "Eyes" telling how she had been a surgical nurse as they fought for this horribly maimed Marine's life. Their eyes, their souls met and they each realized their oneness. Yet the Marine soon left and she continued her blessed mission of nursing- not knowing how he fared. This haunted her for years. In 1993, Helen chose to come to that same dedication and unexpectedly she met her wounded Marine-our pal Jerry--again. God, grace, existence- whatever word you choose- that was a blessing for them and for every one there at the dedication. I urge you to read her poem. Your heart will open."
(according to the Guilt and Forgiveness website, this was written by Jerry's pal, Jack Lyon. The poem in question is EYES by Helen DeCrane Roth
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