He is young
and a formidable global thinker.
and a formidable global thinker.
He is a world traveler.
His best friends are not Americans.
Naturally I find him interesting.
We speak of community and he speaks of a world I do not know.
"Community?" he says. He poses it with the lilt of a question but we both know it's not a question since he has the answer.
"Community is scattered to the 4 winds by the internet. People group by interest on the internet and then connect in person once a year or so." He downs half his bottle of Pure Water in one deep and long swig.
I take a sip from my diet coke."Well, I do understand it is a new world, but don't you need an anchor in the wind?"
"Oh hell no! An anchor is for the olden days when people sailed the oceans.
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We are now sailing the wind and the last thing I need flapping in the wind is an anchor. Even a tether is dangerous. We are learning to sail the wind."
pinterest.comWe are now sailing the wind and the last thing I need flapping in the wind is an anchor. Even a tether is dangerous. We are learning to sail the wind."
"So how do you all deal with tragedies and disasters?"
"Ah, good question. We deal with them by accessing the communities we carry in our pockets. There are so many disasters in the world and I of course want saved from the chaos.
Geography no longer is the defining characteristic of community. Community travels with us. Many communities travel with us. Actually with me. There is no traveling companion. Don't need one.
But wind-sailing lessons would be good. Even lessons on how to be ok without floundering while afloat, drifting, or tossed about. We are actually learning how to do that. It begins with communities, the communities in our pocket."
Geography no longer is the defining characteristic of community. Community travels with us. Many communities travel with us. Actually with me. There is no traveling companion. Don't need one.
But wind-sailing lessons would be good. Even lessons on how to be ok without floundering while afloat, drifting, or tossed about. We are actually learning how to do that. It begins with communities, the communities in our pocket."
Scrambling for relevance in my old age, I say with a smile, "I'll pray for you."
"Thanks", he says in a dismissive tone. "Past generations wanted answers. We want questions."
He has drained his bottle of Pure Water.
My diet coke has lost its fizz.
Both of us stare into oblivion, our stares blank.
I start designing dresses and ensembles in my mind, a mental exercise I taught myself years ago just in case I was ever imprisoned and needed a coping skill.
He has drained his bottle of Pure Water.
My diet coke has lost its fizz.
Both of us stare into oblivion, our stares blank.
I start designing dresses and ensembles in my mind, a mental exercise I taught myself years ago just in case I was ever imprisoned and needed a coping skill.
Ahh.
Got to think about this one.
Ahh.
Your visit is an anchor.
Actually, you sailed the wind to get here, didn't you?
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Actually, you sailed the wind to get here, didn't you?
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Riverwatch
