Keep Going

I imagine I’ve had 16 or so “perfect” days in my life. Gonna be honest – the last ten days didn’t feature one of them. I can only imagine the same for you.

We lost the path of Empathy in our Republic, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, my dearest Grandma Dot (96) forgot who I was for the first time – and clouds occluded the Starlight I’d just rediscovered in such a long time living inside the walls of the city.

All said, Mom’s doing pretty good and is in great care, Grandma still takes my calls even though she’s suspicious, and I know, somehow, the stars are still there, behind the clouds.

The Irish in me bears down on the sadness, heartbreak and ultimately however, the incredible potential for what can be as a human being and grits his teeth, knowing the work ahead. Yet I’ve seen what happens when love is at the center of things – of walking hand-in-hand in a forest at night with the Spirit from the Other Side. Of watching a Wild Salmon expire at my feet after a 10,000 mile journey to bring life back again to a tiny stream – of the fierce need to survive as a Family and a Species. This knowledge far exceeds any fear or anxiety – despite the chaos in this moment.

I have turned off the TV and most other sources of noise – re-listened to music long cherished and found new inspiration as well – and want to share some of the wisdom I’ve gleaned from that sometime. I’ve also re-read all the kind notes from the last while – and all the messages have been received. It’s inspired me to write something of value – not just a passing thought or giddy feeling in the moment.

The Universe is bigger than Us – but is still Us – and this moment will pass and eternity will carry on. We will shine again. It’s time to heal and (re)connect – stop the bleeding, hold on to whom we love, continue to lift each other up and find the way forward. We are built this way. The Salmon are built this way and if they can find their way home over millennia – despite earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and ice ages – so will we.

In this digital age, I feel the need to write a letter – scratched out on paper and send it to the Starlight. I don’t know the right address – but I’m going to keep writing anyway.