reminiscing

my father said something to me today that i wanted to repeat.

i encourage you to explore and try new things. the danger we all
face in life is failure to change appropriately because our
'religious' mind set refuses to waver. fundamentalism of any type
turns deadly and consumes it's adherents. it's like a living ogre,
offering the path to truth, or a plate of fudge brownies, but upon
entering its house, we become the food.


i do so appreciate his analogies. i see where i get it for sure.
this is a very weird thing to be in another "place".
seeing different people and going to different places.

last night the discussions went from dirty jokes to political ideals.
it is sooooooooo refreshing to sit with people that have thoughts and are wanting to talk about these thoughts. to be able to comment on what we are doing as well as what is happening around the world.
there were no fingers being pointed last night. instead there was a conversation of questioning. what do we do about it?
where is the problem and where is the answer?
do we know what the problem really is?
if we don't, how can we find a solution?
where do we stand in all of this?
what does it mean to be a white american in all of this??

this was not a reiteration of the news or pulpit to show off knowledge of present day/ past events.
this was a picnic table with people thinking outloud and listening.
questioning.
that's the key.

asking questions of ourselves and each other.
constantly re-evalutating the scene because it is constantly changing.

how can we make things ok and maybe even better for ourselves as well as others.

good times.

i do miss my memphis friends deeply.
i miss the porch swing with bet for sure.
the crazy "convos" with candace.
the hugs from maggie.
the advice from beka (and her fat cats).
the help with my wardrobe from dale and kristin.
the smart ass comments that are right on from brian.
the smile from sarah canale.
the free spirit from morgan.
the beers from boscoes!
the sweetness and best hugs from ryan.
the love i felt from the real people i know.

i am glad to have had the opportunity to be where i am from.