Ram Dass often said, “We’re all just walking each other home.” At the heart of his teachings is the reminder that connection – with another soul, with your own heart, with presence – is what dissolves fear, loneliness, and the illusion of separateness. We are all on a shared journey through life, supporting and helping one another along the way.”
This beautiful quote was brought to my attention this morning by a fellow writer in my writing community.
I believe we are all here to help each other.
Yesterday all of us board members, to a volunteer organization of which I belong, received an urgent email / a text to check our email. Someone in our little community, with minor children, has been abandoned by the soul breadwinner. Rent was due. The heating bill had been due last month. Of course we voted to pay these bills. Grocery and gas cards were also given to help relieve the immediate burden – for a few weeks. Our group is designed for such emergencies but not for any ongoing expenses.
It’s a mixed feeling to be able to help – so temporarily.
I can see some young couples falling in love with this tiny, postcard pretty mountain village as hikes lead them to waterfalls and picnics beside the lake – seeing their children-to-be running wild and free in fields of wildflowers, among the golden aspen, building snowmen and deciding to raise a family here without much thought to the practicalities. Often, they decide that the woman will stay at home and the man expects to support his family with working construction. Construction work is seasonal. Most often, the only people who can afford to live here basically on one pay check are some retirees and people who can work remotely on-line. The college educated teachers don’t get paid enough to live on without assistance. The postal workers have someone in their lives who also has a paycheck. There’s not enough affordable housing or good paying, full-time work for most folks.
To me, the biggest thing money can do is give us choices.
While it may sound harsh, the truth is as one of the pastors on our board says, “if people can’t afford to live here, they can’t afford to live here.”
Tuesday, February 17th was Mardi Gras in New Orleans – my home town.
This is me in 1971. My aunt made these packages of cigarettes
for she and her boyfriend to wear. Dressing up in costumes
was part of the fun of Mardi Gras. I don’t remember if I had
a costume that year. When my brother and I were living at home,
mother decided what we would wear period and of course that included
Mardi Gras. One year it was popular for girls to be angels and the
boys to be devils. Mother had my brother and I dressed like that.
Wish I had a picture of us then.
Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, referring to it being the
last day of consuming rich, fatty foods, most notably red meat,
in preparation for the Christian fasting season of Lent, during
which such foods are avoided.
I never liked meat and much preferred the seafood we often had instead.
The day after Mardi Gras Day is Ash Wednesday which marks the first day of Lent, the
40 days of fasting and penance that culminate in Easter Sunday.
On Ash Wednesday the people acknowledge that all have sinned and fallen short
of the glory of God. We stand in solidary as fellow creatures before our Creator,
acutely aware of our mortality, as the priest marks our foreheads with a cross of ashes.
To me, it is the little joys in life that give the most pleasure.
We have had several days of some much-needed snow! I very much enjoy the
bird feeder my husband hung for me by the window where I write.
This woodpecker was a fun surprise!
Bliss, “look at my new toy!”
Faith, “please paly with me.”
Beautiful, much needed, fresh snow.
I am so thankful. Humbled by my blessings.
What I know for sure: gratitude is vital
What do you know for sure?
“Walks in nature are hugs for my soul.” Julie A R Stephens
julie@handsbestrong.com
Julie you have such an awesome ability to put into words what we are thinking but are unable to express. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, experience and wisdom.
Bob you are so kind – thank you for reading and posting. I hope the New Year is being kind to you and Mark and your sweet canine companion(s) – hugs