Sunday Musings – February 3, 2019
This week, in parts of the United States, the extreme weather forced the attention of many to basic survival issues. Despite the generous actions of many individuals and communities a number of people died as a direct or indirect result of the bitter artic cold. Just as quickly as the artic blast arrived, the warmer temperatures swooped in resulting in burst pipes and a lot of water with no place to go.
First responders, road crew members and all those who keep medical facilities running, electricity, gas and water flowing to our homes and businesses and those saints responsible for feeding and housing the homeless and what are now euphuistically called the food and housing challenged, continued to show up and take care of many. Locally, in addition to some house fires, a business suffered acute damage from a fire indirectly related to the cold temperatures. This is a business which is not only nationally known for its products but is locally known for the commitment of its owners to offer second and sometimes third chances to many attempting to reclaim their lives. After courageous and committed fire fighters did their job, individuals and businesses in the community quickly offered help. Once again, many of us were reminded that we are a community.
We live in a time when it often seems as if we are determined to label each other as “the undeserving other” and, yet, if we pay close attention it is obvious that we have not forgotten how to be neighbors. In many places in the United States neighbors forgot about often separating differences and rallied to rescue, feed, house, and clothe neighbors.
There was little evidence that this neighborly dance infected political leaders here and other countries, but these leaders are the very same humans who are neighbors. Sometimes, they too may forget to wear their protective shields and emerge as the neighbors which is the essence of all of us.
Last evening, I was again reminded of how we redeem ourselves and each other as I watched a new production of The Tempest at the Public Theater in Pittsburgh. Redemption is indeed at the heart of what will heal us.
Written February 3, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.or
This week, in parts of the United States, the extreme weather forced the attention of many to basic survival issues. Despite the generous actions of many individuals and communities a number of people died as a direct or indirect result of the bitter artic cold. Just as quickly as the artic blast arrived, the warmer temperatures swooped in resulting in burst pipes and a lot of water with no place to go.
First responders, road crew members and all those who keep medical facilities running, electricity, gas and water flowing to our homes and businesses and those saints responsible for feeding and housing the homeless and what are now euphuistically called the food and housing challenged, continued to show up and take care of many. Locally, in addition to some house fires, a business suffered acute damage from a fire indirectly related to the cold temperatures. This is a business which is not only nationally known for its products but is locally known for the commitment of its owners to offer second and sometimes third chances to many attempting to reclaim their lives. After courageous and committed fire fighters did their job, individuals and businesses in the community quickly offered help. Once again, many of us were reminded that we are a community.
We live in a time when it often seems as if we are determined to label each other as “the undeserving other” and, yet, if we pay close attention it is obvious that we have not forgotten how to be neighbors. In many places in the United States neighbors forgot about often separating differences and rallied to rescue, feed, house, and clothe neighbors.
There was little evidence that this neighborly dance infected political leaders here and other countries, but these leaders are the very same humans who are neighbors. Sometimes, they too may forget to wear their protective shields and emerge as the neighbors which is the essence of all of us.
Last evening, I was again reminded of how we redeem ourselves and each other as I watched a new production of The Tempest at the Public Theater in Pittsburgh. Redemption is indeed at the heart of what will heal us.
Written February 3, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.or
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