This quote came from Inward/Outward today:
I feel the vacuum, the loneliness, the silence, the dehydration of the soul as people who want desperately to save our constitution, country and planet still wander the streets without knowing how to say hi to one another.
I feel the vacuum, the loneliness, the silence, the dehydration of the soul as people who want desperately to save our constitution, country and planet still wander the streets without knowing how to say hi to one another.
Source: Writing to Change the World by Mary Pipher
I spent the morning in wonderful conversation with two ladies, one of whom is 102, the other 98. Separate visits but they both recalled clearly times of community, times when neighbours trusted each other and went the extra mile for one another. Times when folk didn't rush past, heads down, listening to ipods or talking on the phone. Two ladies, enriched and not embittered by such memories and who are amazingly grateful when today's busy people simply take time to be with them.
I love facebook - but, today, I got to experience the real thing!
I love facebook - but, today, I got to experience the real thing!
Yep... you can't beat the real thing!
ReplyDeleteThat said, just before Christmas I went to visit a lady on her 100th birthday. I think I went with high expectations of the kind of interaction you so meaningfully describe.
Instead I went in a said 'Happy Birthday, Dina!' and was greeted with 'Huh! I don't want to be alive! Why am I still here?'
I was tempted to respond..'Good question...!' But instead I opened her cards for her (including her card from the Queen) but none of it made her more positive... I prayed and left! So can I come and visit YOUR old ladies??
David, it must be the air down here! I was lucky today but I have encountered folk at that age- and younger - asking why they're still here. Not so easy to be with.
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