Communication

"I understand. Do you understand?" I ran across the graphic today looking for Kanji characters- I have always loved the indecipherable shape of the symbols.

Maybe it should read, "I understand what I mean. Do you understand what I mean?"

If you don't understand, or if I didn't explain it well enough- that can be used as an excuse to insult, sue, fight beat, or even kill another person. Doesnt seem fair does it?

The cause of the world's problems in a single exchange. Wars are fought because we don't try hard enough to understand the other person.

"I understand. Do you understand?"

PS- I am reading James Thurber to my 10 year old. I am not sure he gets it- but it's fun trying.

Home again

Threading the needle
through the icy winds
No delays, everything is on time
Hotels range from good to
Junkie status-
Bottomless cups of coffee
and late night dinners-too much white flour and sandwiches
Too many gas stations- and other peoples cars
Riding trains and buses
Taxi's and credit cards-
ID's and E-tickets
Endless phone calls- and little
sleep

Home.
Hugs from children as I walk through the door-
getting the news from the home front while laying on the couch from the Mrs.
Treats; like hummus and triscuts for dinner
and little chocolate easter eggs-

Home again

Re-entry

Home again from a trade show that started Sunday- Took a xanax before bed- Slept for a few hours. Up now. Trying to see where I belong.

Everyone was home from holiday which I didn't go on because I was working- its always nice to be welcomed home with hugs. The boys are wonderful-

Rentry is always difficult- Adjusting to different rythyms- schedules and emotions of other people can be difficult. I always feel a bit wobbly when I come home. Cranky is another word for wobbily, isn't it?

When you travel, you really don't have to think much about other people. I suppose it's selfish. If you do it too much you become very selfish...

Taking next week off- mostly because my body is telling me so. Not going anywhere, although I don't want to housebound- the temptation to work would be too great.

Thinking art museum, garden and a trip to Grailville- Maybe taking an afternoon and walking their labrynth. The tea room in Obrienville next to the Bon Bonarie is also a thought. I have a couple of art projects lurking in the basement that might creep up. We'll see where that goes.

It is nice to be here-

A Story I Heard Today

A man I know has diabetes. His kidneys are finally failing. He went in for a kidney transplant, but the doaner program was six years out. This left him almost no options.

One of his three sons offered one of his kidneys to him. He told him that there was no way that he was going to take the kidneys of one of his children.

The man's wife and the three sons got together and told the man that he was being selfish- that he was depriving them of a father, a husband, a grandfather- The son went in for testing, proving that he almost a perfect match to the man's blood type.

The father was worried that since he suffered from diabetes, he would pass it onto his son. If he took a kidney now, he would rob his son of a chance for a long life if the son developed diabetes.

Tomorrow they are going in for the operation. The father finally agreed to the operation.

For a time as two lives overlap, two generations are giving life to each other. The father gives life to the son, the son gives life to the father. Together they complete each other and make each other whole.

There is an beautiful elegance to this- May the operation be a success and may they live long lives together.

Godspeed Dan and his son!

Sunday Blues

Long week past, long week ahead- Daily chores needed to be done on the Lord's day- No getting around it.

The sky is gray- rainy. Laundry is running in background with the zippers creating a clanging sound in an uneven tempo. Three cups of white peony tea- a light lunch of sun dried tomato hummus and bruchetta on toast- then back to folding and cleaning (with a couple of glimpses at a book inbetween)-

Sore from the contra dance last night and ther personal trainer the day before- muscles that have been sleeping too long are letting me know they are still there. Loudly.

Lists in my head- Packing for next week. Shedules and weather reports- Aiplanes and rental cars.

Sunday.

Coming Home

Last night I was conflicted. After being on the road for four days- I was driving home. There was a meeting scheduled in Milwaukee today, a very difficult meeting that I am letting my support personnel take over. I was worried about it because, quite honestly I felt this would be over their heads.

I find this constant balancing act between work and business exhausting- Normally- I can tell when I am in the "zone", you know the feeling when you know where you are supposed to be, is the right place at the right time.

I felt out of synch last night.

On the long drive home, it was in the back of my mind- nagging me. I stopped, less than 20 miles from home at a gas station outside of Lawrenceburg, IN.

The cell phone rang.

Minor panic about the meeting today. Then a series of phone calls. I sat at a gas station parking lot trying to manage the problem for about an hour. More and more my anxiety grew- I should have been there for that meeting. What am I doing going home? Should I fly up there tonight? Kick, kick, kick~!

I was in a miserable mood- Colette called and we decided to meet at a restaurant for dinner with her and the boys. When I got there- the 325 miles of driving , the long sleepless nights of strange hotels, all day meetings and late night dinners kicked in-

I got out my car feeling heavy and tired.

Then I saw my youngest boy- He came running to the door of the restaurant to meet me. His eyes full of love and excitement- He ran and leaped into my arms and hugged me.

The world suddenly seemed much brighter- much more alive. I sat next to him during dinner, his hand snuck into my hand several times during the meal. It came to me that this is where I was supposed to be. I felt in synch again.

I came to a small realization, commonplace maybe, but true all the same.

There would always be another business meeting, but only one moment like this with my son.