Sometimes I forget where I came from and any new ahha.. is really just the next chapter of awareness in the world….so it was last night… I actually thought I came to a new discovery and really it’s just the logic of my life of good luck.
I was born in 1949. In the early years when I was younger than most of the people around me I thought it was cool to have a birthday in the 40’s, at the end of a decade. but more than that I grew up in upside down times… from the conformity of the 50’s, and the political terror of the McCarthy era hunting for Communists, to the revolution of the 60’s and the power of music- the Beatles, the Stones, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell… JFK, assassinations of heroes, Woodstock…political activism on our college campuses…
I remember Stan, a smart kid in my first English class. He stayed behind to talk one one day, figuring out that I was in the 9th grade when the Beatles arrived in the USA and I watched him put together my musical/political life history… “Wow, Ms. K. I am so jealous! You were right in the thick of it- the Beatles…Woodstock, the Doors. Life is so boring for me now.”
“Don’t worry Stan. There’s so much more ahead for both of us.” In the next year Stan was even willing to dive off a stage with me when I started directing high school theater.
And just in the last decade there was.. Obama… and now :Trump…. Mueller report… new dems to get to know… always music…
It really never stops, right?
Yes, I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my life… 1949 was just the perfect place to begin… and trying hard to make the best of year 70, when I returned home from Cambodia last July and started dreaming of work in Thailand I didn’t want the excitement to stop.
I made a pledge of gratitude…what can I do to make the world a better place?
Maybe the roots were here:.
And How cool is this? A poem gift from my buddy, Kevin Hodgson
Even if
I am only
a flat rock
on the surface
of water
Even if
I am only
a single voice
in the world
of distrust
Even if
you are only
the single person
whose voice
I hear
It may be yet
enough
to change
the world
to alter
the trajectory
to dance
on the ripples
for we follow
footsteps
of others
as others
follow us
— Kevin
Even if
I am only
a flat rock
on the surface
of water
Even if
I am only
a single voice
in the world
of distrust
Even if
you are only
the single person
whose voice
I hear
It may be yet
enough
to change
the world
to alter
the trajectory
to dance
on the ripples
for we follow
footsteps
of others
as others
follow us
— Kevin
Please tell me you didn’t just whip that great poem up for me slice… It’s perfect… just what I was trying to say 🙂 Still collaborating after all these years, friend.
Whipped it. Diced it. Tossed it. Gifted it. For you.
🙂
Kevin
🙂
Ah Kevin! I haven’t seen you around this year, taking our slices and making beautiful music. This is such a serendipity stop for me this morning. Thanks for being here!
I love the snapshot of your life. You are still making a difference.
Thanks MaryHelen… I’m trying… Still makes me feel good to try…
I love the way you’ve wandered around and come to this beautiful conclusion. Here’s to year 70! You will make it great!
Thanks Margaret and to sharing a love of Kevin’s gifts.
Born in ’51 I am not far behind you, Bonnie. We have seen many things come and go in our lives. I am reminded of Billy Joel’s “We didn’t start the fire…”
I was thinking about that tune as I was writing my slice, Bob…
A fave…
Making this world a better place! Indeed you are!
I hope so… it feels like it’s my turn to show up! Pulling out my credit card is just not enough.
Every little gesture matters! Thanks for the inspiration.
You bet… I agree.. especially when the Trump cloud continues to hang over our heads of humanity… and he lives without heart.
I’m 48 this year and have a crushing feeling in my chest when I think of it! Thanks for reminding me 50 is nothing but a number.
Yesterday, as I was out shopping for furniture two salesmen drove me crazy, freaked out that I was going to be 70 and they didn’t see it. After a while I just told them to let it go… I was cool with it… 🙂
The continuing sweep(s) of history, some being ripples caused by your skipping along… I feel fortunate to be connected to your writing circles as a tangential slicer.
Me too Brian 🙂