A Day Like Today
Days like today make me realize how spoiled I am and how much I take for granted, how narrow and protected my life has been.
I'm reading a book by Mark Slouka called The Visible World, which is about a man whose parents escaped from Czechoslovakia during World War II. It's a beautifully written book, almost poetic in the way he describes the world around him, the characters' feelings, even the savagery that takes place. The contrast between the beauty of the language and the fear and horror that people lived with is chilling.
And that's what makes a day like today seem wrong somehow. Well, maybe not wrong, but it makes it into a reminder of how easy I have it, how little is at stake in my everyday life. Here I sit under this gorgeous blue sky and warm golden sunlight, wanting for nothing and feeling as safe as I possibly could, and yet I have the nerve to feel dissatisfied.
So yeah, I know I've known personal pain, I've known sorrow and loss, but I've never been in real danger. I've never had to risk my life for what I believe in. I've never had to choose between saving myself or serving the greater good, knowing that if I choose the greater good my family could die because of it. It's a lot to think about.
I don't know what music to put with this, but I've been wanting to play this song for you for a long time, so it'll do.
Jody Wildgoose--"Misty Morning Sunrise" mp3 off Afterlife (buy)
Well said, well said. I share your sentiments to a tee.
thank you so much. i just popped over to your blog and i immediately added
it to my blogroll. you are a terrific writer!
Hey, mjrc. I have had some of the exact same thoughts/realizations during
and after my recent travels abroad. You and I are just lucky in many
regards, to have been born here, in this time and place. There are many
challenges, but our challenges are not fundamental, just as you said.
Makes you appreciate a sunny day like today in a wholly different light.
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