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“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

Month: May 2011

Happy Birthday

George 1 Comment

Yesterday was my 69th birthday. As I type 69th, it seems almost surreal. It is not that there aren’t glimpses, even startling realizations, which occur daily to bring me back to reality. These occurrences are varied… pain, fatigue, a look in the mirror. More often the reminders are more oblique.

I read an article in the paper about one of my childhood baseball heroes, hall of fame member Harmon Killebrew. He is dying and is receiving hospice care. It was sad, but he is an old-timer, and I was not surprised to hear such. Then I saw his age … 74. WHOA!

There are occasions with younger friends when I realize they were not even born when subject of our conversation happened.

I often aware of a presumption of obsolescence that seems to underlie personal encounters. A presumption that prevails for many whether young or old. I sometimes feel like a woodworker’s hand plane, set aside not because it cannot accomplish its intended purpose but because it requires too much time and effort. Or perhaps, there is no understanding of  just what a hand plane can do. I suspect that the woodworker that has the greatest appreciation and skill with his state-of-the-art planer is one who has the experience and appreciation of using a hand plane.

There are other reminders and perhaps I will write about them in the future. The truth is I had a happy birthday not so much because of 69 years but because it was a celebration of life. Thanks to everyone who made the day special.

So Much to Think About

George 0 Comments

Recent global and national events have been pretty much mind-boggling. The middle east is experiencing a major upheaval. Gas prices have risen to very uncomfortable highs. Inflation is raising its ugly head as the US dollar continues to weaken. Japan suffered unimaginable damage and loss of life in a major earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. The US is increasingly embroiled in the Libyan conflict, increasing the possibility of engagement in a third war. Politics in the US are … well, they are politics. The US economy continues to stagger through a tepid recovery. In an almost dream-like diversion Prince William and Kate get married. US weather has been record breaking with rain, floods, tornadoes, drought and wildfires. Death dealing destruction has affected many. Then we receive news that Usama Bin Laden has been killed. Of course, there are probably many other circumstances that are significant but have been muted by these events.

It is understandable that these events influence and shape our attitudes and actions on a daily basis. For some, they can  become all consuming. As I was thinking about them and feeling some of the anxiety of their reality, it occurred to me that there are a lot of people for whom those events are of lesser or no consequence. I think of Patty and Sharon who are desperately fighting cancer…  two young boys whose father has abandoned them and their mother … a friend who just had an unanticipated  heart procedure… a neighbor who is debilitated by a stroke and separated from his wife and children … and many more. It brings to mind an old adage. “When you’re up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember that the original aim was to drain the swamp.”

What I realized is that my life circumstances are such that I have the luxury of thinking about and wrestling with these global impacting events. I am thankful for that but maybe I should be killing some alligators.