I'm in Arizona (image at right taken out of the front door) supporting the parents as they continue to work on issues of education, substance abuse, and community in an economically depressed region. It's quite sad. I don't know what to say about it - my parents are amazing people and they offer a great deal, but we all worry that we act wilfully. To quote my mother, "If the people weren't dying of liver disease and the children weren't suffering, it would be easy to scold ourselves for pushing ideas on others, but how do we turn our backs on what's happening?" Yes, I come by my social awareness naturally. All week as we've talked about the sadness, depression, substance abuse, and neglect we see - related to economic downturn and a feeling of powerlessness - I've shuddered a bit for things happening beyond this region. I see so much fatherlessness, coldness, callousness and disaffection among people who have "achieved" - our attitudes about our bodies and relationships do not differ much from those leading to societal decay in this microcosm. As I watch the beginning totterings of the American financial system, I worry that we're not far behind the sad state of affairs in rural Arizona - a few more generations, maybe, and we'll have all the same problems but with nicer television sets. And an iPod so we can tune out anyone trying to say we could do better than we've done. I really hope The Disney Channel and Harry Potter save the next generation so that they learn to trust in one another, be honest, commit to families, love fully, practice loyalty and sacrifice private concerns in order to save the world for someone else. I'm just optimistic enough to believe such a thing could be...
On that cheerful thought, I saw Stardust today. I'm sure it's very corny and beneath the more sophisticated of the world. But I loved it. The main character is simple, sweet, loyal, and goodnatured. Completely incapable of violence or cruelty. The woman who plays the main character is smart, saves the day, and loves her man fiercely. They have a family. That's their happily ever after. It's adorable. More than a bit violent on its way to the happy ending - but in the end, a good feel-good where everyone has a talent and that talent saves the world. I'm WAY into that theme if you haven't guessed....
My mom's cat is missing. She thinks he's fine. He's an outdoor mouser. But he looks like my kitten who died so I really looked forward to seeing him. Especially since the new landlord is not likely to permit another cat - so, I'm still a one-cat woman....and supposed to be happy about it, says the peanut gallery. I wish I'd gotten that kitten last spring to satisfy some baby hunger - though it would have made it impossible to find a house this month. The cats we have nearly nixed the deal.
Mom wants her computer back. I've been on it all day between work concerns and enrolling in graduate school - which I hope happens since my deposit will arrive late thanks to the Arizona post office that "doesn't do overnight mail" - hello 10 years ago. Honestly. Good times, good times. It will be what it is, I suppose.
2 comments:
Say hello to the mom & pops for me!
I spent some time visiting my in-laws who were missionaries down in Mexican Hat. One of the most poignant things I saw was how the people there got such a kick out of the miracle garden my FIL grew. It's like 120 degrees and grass won't even grow there but he had tall corn and abundant tomatoes and squash and such in this beautiful patch of green in the middle of nowhere.
I saw it as sort of a metaphor, I guess. As long as there is someone who cares and has both his/her heart and priorities in the right place--someone who will work hard despite the odds--then I still have hope.
Hope you enjoy your time with your folks.
Post a Comment