So my last blog was in 2024. I haven't posted since then because, I guess, I've put most of my thoughts into Facebook.
But today I heard something on NPR's The Moth that got me thinking. Too much thinking for a FB entry.
I heard the last 2 minutes of a man talking about being left out as a kid. The story must have been pretty gut wrenching because I had tears in my eyes and I hadn't even heard the whole thing.
What got me thinking/reflecting was that I could not relate. I simply couldn't bring up one memory in my young or old life of being left out.
I felt full of gratitude while listening with a side of guilt.
When I was a kid I was never aware of what the other kids had and what they didn't have. Does that make me entitled?
I had 2 parents. We had 2 cars and a cleaning lady. We went on vacations (nothing fancy but vacations) together.
I got a new winter coat every other year. That's how I remembered it, anyway.
We had dinner together every night. We had plenty o'food in the house. Didn't everyone?
I never heard my parents fight. They probably did but I didn't hear it.
No one took a belt to my backside. I honestly don't remember ever being punished for anything. I sure wasn't an angle either.
I know, I know. It was a different time back in the 50s and 60s. But, was it?
I didn't know to reach out. I didn't know about the whole compassion/generosity thing. I just skipped through life enjoying the hell out of every day.
Even today as an almost 77 year old thinking back on my life I feel sad that I was so unaware.
Today at temple I talked about being on the "polar opposite roller coaster" this week. One minute I felt joy and love as I watched the Buddhist Monks walk for peace. I felt hopeful when I saw all the people lining the streets.
And then . . . Minneapolis happened. I felt outrage and dark despair.
Was I better off as a innocent unaware kid back in the day?
