Community

Someone made a lot of money out of the phrase "Think globally, act locally". I sure learned the truth of acting as locally as possible, my Number One. In effect, she's one through ten, but that's off track. So i take my first considerations with her since the gratification is most immediate and tangible, or tangleable. What better consciousness raising to community needs exists? We can conveniently throw itemized deductions at the cause that has the best website or appeals to our sense of affluence, but the money's generally lost in administrative and materials costs. We are proud when we find the spotless charity but there's still the disconnect of the face to face and the assurance it's focused to whom you want to bring joy and comfort. Then there's the whole motivation factor which when uncovered, can be as depressing as the insanity of convincing local adolescents to kill overseas adolescents for a board of directors' decision.

So, we begin with one, at least i do, since i found someone who can see over the fence, over the past rationalizations and recoveries that delivered us to each other, recognizing the unique now and forever of our togetherness. Her brother tries not to roll his eyes at our sugared-up looks and excessive endearments, but i know he gets this connection's depth and wants it too, even though he'll carry it off in far smarter style.

Back to the egg, the farm prospers with full attention to detail, and the needs are obvious to the alert. Many relationships begin with where we've been, what didn't work, and the hopeful chance of what we've needed all along. We reconsider honesty to oneself before settling for a partial list checked off, before surrender and attempting to miss potholes in the road. I'm the luckiest person to have walked this earth long enough to be found in the human mirror of what i know is true. All truth of her is held up for me to see and hear, what show-and-tell should have meant in elementary school. We took eggshell steps of uncertainty and risk, both cautious of overstaying our welcome of timeshare and breathing space. Like the truck farmer, one's eyes and ears must be open to more than the bees in the bonnet. All the local traffic in our heads, the swirling mass of helplessness and injustice and disappointment are the decoys and distractions to helping in compassionate ways. At the top of the toolbox is understanding, listening to the needs of where you wish to begin to help. She and i waited an overdue amount of time, sorting through the forensics of our own battle wounds of previous wars. It wasn't until a day ago that i finally wore out my headspace gremlins of insecurity, the little bastards that make sense of nothing and sell fear of loss. I truly feel relieved of those unfounded stressors and can finally relax and enjoy this deep-fried cosmic communion. So, from now on she gets all the breathing room she wishes as well as her own relaxed and happy confidence in me and mine in her. My mantra now is "she needs this" and as she becomes more and more comfortable in letting me know, i most willingly follow that true path. Anytime and anything she wishes, upward and outward, so long as it doesn't hurt, anything i can offer that attracts her smile. Believe me, that's heaven on earth.

So take the few steps further to family, to friends, to the streets. All will connect like Ice-nine. Patience, care and understanding are necessary ingredients. Love and peace follow like the puppy's tail. The little bit i learned sure makes me feel better than i've ever imagined. Don't wait for the gremlins to sleep and try not to forget the way here. Get on with living it up.