There's nothing like a crisp bill, sitting innocently on your desk, looking at you, tempting you, to spend, to save, to splurge. I hate breaking those bills, dislike spending that newly-minted freshness, the latest flavor of unchewable gum. But still, it's nice to have, to look at, to ponder, to wonder how, why, when, where, and possibly what. Even if that bill will never see the light of your day dreams, it is still a vision of hope, a promise of what is possible.
Now that's money! :) Creative nonfiction can be inspired by anything, but most of all--YOU.
Good night, you Kings and Queens of New England, you Princesses and Princes of Pop Culture...until next we meet (be sure to sneak in The Last Mimzy in between!).
...and I still feel fine! Good news, young people! No worries about future this or that--even when your world seemingly "ends", you'll still survive, and more than that, thrive! It's true...I'm proof.
No matter what happens, if you live a good life--with integrity, compassion, and a deliberate mindfulness--you'll always be able to bounce back. You don't need much but the community of good people you meet and greet along the way. That's life's reward.
I was feeling a bit down with recent events, but it didn't last. You know why? Because of the people in my life. My husband, my son, my dog (yes, little Bell is a huge stress reliever, and very cute, too!), my Boston-family (at least, everyone but one), my friends, and of course, last, but certainly not least, my students.
You see, as a teacher, I give...a lot. And it's not dissimilar from a parent-child relationship in that, I don't, and can't, expect anything in return. However, MY students, the people I work hard to teach as fairly, honestly, and with as much respect as any other human being on the planet deserves, are some of the BEST people I have ever known.
My job is one that has ups and downs, like any other. Same thing with personal experience, with health. But the one aspect that is ALWAYS an "up" are my dealings with the people I come to care about as much as any part of my family. I adopt them in many ways, and they, though it's not required, or even necessary, do the same for me.
Sitting at the edge of forty, I see the world through sometimes shadowed eyes, weary, tired, but when I wonder what fate has in store for our decentralized, globalized world, I do not feel disheartened, or sad, or worried. Why? I need only look to those wonderful people, my student-family, an ever-growing population of beloved individuals who make me smile, make me proud, and generally, give as much as they get--if not more.
Now, tell me again how my world is going to end? Tell me again your discouragement of my goals, your doubts about my person, your suspicions about the nature of my soul, tell me anything your fear wills you to, anything at all--and it will not matter.
"There is no "bad" news, only "difficult" news," a rabbi once said in his Saturday sermon. "Bad" according to the rabbi, could only mean one thing: Death. And, he was right. There's not much to do about death. But difficulties, difficulties can be dealt with--especially with the rich treasure of a caring community of people around you, family, friends, and others not expected. That's the miracle.
And, I'm grateful.
Until next time, pop culture-sci-fi-Star Trek fans, green vegetarians, and unexpected others....
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