Riding around searching for a connection. Nope. Not of the “let’s hook up” variety, thanks very much. Of the Internet variety. But no. You’ve never done that before, right? Driven or strolled slowly down your street, hoping to hop on someone’s working line – if there is one?
Big storms mean big interruptions. And after the events in Japan, I wouldn’t dream of using the term “big storm” for what has brought my connectivity – temporarily – to a halt. A little inconvenience, a lot of perspective, and knowing my day will be somewhat scrambled as a result.
No limbs on the roof? I’m delighted. No trees through the roof during the night? Thrilled. No computers or toasters, printers or any other appliances fried, and requiring expensive replacement? Ecstatic.
Who doesn’t thank their lucky stars for their good fortune?
Things have been a real roller coaster around here of late. Plenty of lows, then one or two tremendous highs. That’s real life, isn’t it?
And with good things there are often complications we don’t anticipate, but that doesn’t mean we don’t fully appreciate the nature of those good things. Sometimes they are hard-earned. Other times, they are the result of serendipity. Who can control whether or not the tree limb falls into their front room or the neighbor’s?
Those elements of life that are utterly beyond our control – natural disasters or even a nasty electrical storm – are frightening to most of us, exactly because we have no control. Yet I find the “disasters” that occur which are avoidable to be more frightening. When one individual acts out of malice against another, or when someone stands by and allows abuse or neglect to take place. Acts of omission, as well as commission.
But for this morning, though I know my day will be longer and a little logistically challenging, I’m thanking my lucky stars for what I have. Good people in my world, relative health, no fried computers, and just a little wandering for the elusive connection.
- What are you thankful for?
- How do you feel about those who intentionally cause pain to others?
- What about those who are indifferent, and stand by, letting it happen?
- Where does personal responsibility come into play?
- And why is it so much easier for us to write a check for a charitable organization, rather than extend a hand to a friend or neighbor?
I’m thankful for you! And this post! A little perspective is exactly what I needed today. Thank you!
The neighborliness thing — I’ve been pondering it. We just don’t run into our neighbors coming and going, so we’ve made an effort to knock on doors, introduce ourselves, give out contact information in case of emergencies (theirs and our own).
I need to keep up the connection somehow. Coffee or tea at my kitchen table? Neighborliness isn’t what it was when I was growing up — the impulse to cultivate it doesn’t seem (from what I’ve seen) to be there. I can only keep trying.
Great reminder BLW. Hope you get your internet connection soon.
It came back late afternoon! Hooray! (Really – it’s a small thing. My part of the country got hit badly last night. My heart goes out to the families whose lives are irrevocably changed from a night of storms.)