You and I are not escaping back to homey garden reveries that easily! The election gave us a shot of hope and a shot at restoring some justice and rule of law, and that energy is not going away soon. I’m staying alive for this shift of power from trump to the people, and even if my only contribution is writing about it and being part of a community that fights injustice, I’ll start with that.
Behind the scenes, I continue to do my tiny part to restore our small island of rental property to eco-balance and health, not to mention aesthetic tranquillity for the mind. I hope the therapy of it ripples out to others to enjoy and escape to. It’s an inexact science, because nature always takes the lead when you allow it to. That’s the beauty and mystery of it all. So I’m also staying alive to see the garden’s latest incarnation in spring. A lot has gone into it.
When you’re younger, you get caught up in the art of survival, especially in these latter days. Sometimes the turmoil doesn’t allow you to sit back and dream of better days, let alone breathe. Time gets swallowed up in hustling to work, pay bills, feed mouths, and occasionally grasping a few moments of release. Before you know it, you’re me!
Looking back, and speaking for myself, I see a long series of foolish, purposeless choices and chaos, amounting to not much accomplishment, with some bright exceptions. It can take a lifetime to recognize your misguided priorities, and correct them. I’m very belatedly in that process now!
It can also take a community to guide you back to right values and behavior. Most of the credit goes to my son, extended family, and friends. They helped me get back on track. Now I have things to live for, and much to be thankful for. Every minute I stay alive is a bonus. I’m living for the day when all of us have a shot at life beyond just surviving, because our leaders lead by service and example.
So don’t look back, except to learn from our mistakes. Don’t stop looking forward to hope of living in a more balanced, interdependent world, not just barely existing under fascist racist warlords. And grab ahold of your life now and make it count, whatever that means for you.
Even if it’s just gardening for the future, serving in ordinary ways, and rambling on about power to the people! (Because I’m basically a nervous coward about expanding out of my comfort zone! This too shall pass.)
