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Feb. 1st, 2003 08:17 pmIt's weird; I've been in crazed-overdrive mode for the past day or two, getting ready to fly out west, being wholly self-absorbed with My Incredibly Fascinating and So-Stressful Life Situation. Then today there was the irruption of the shuttle disaster, and I was listening to the TV news off and on all day, while I did laundry and cleaned house and packed/unpacked/repacked my suitcase.
So I've been thinking about this today; I'm grieved, of course, as we all are, at the deaths, these seven lives cut short so early. But then I think that there are worse fates than to die while pursuing one's dream. I'm sure each of those people would have wanted to come home safe, hug their families, take a breath of fresh air, eat real food, climb into bed tonight with whomever they loved. But given that we all have to die someday ... well, I keep thinking that if you choose to chase a dream, one that involves risk and danger, you accept that safety and comfort and The Sure Thing are not at the top of your priority list. I honor those who make such choices, and who accept the price of the ticket on that ride.
Any time I travel, I tend to anticipate disaster -- the airplane going down in a ball of fire, the skid and crash on a rain-wet unfamiliar highway. The night before I leave, I tend to do a quick check-over of my life--am I OK? Have I left loose ends? There are *always* loose ends, of course, god knows, a whole tangle of them. But I've found myself tonight e-mailing to a few people I care about, just letting them know how much they mean to me. Not enough, of course, never enough. But it's good to be reminded that disaster could come for any of us, any time, and to make some attempt to conduct one's life accordingly. I've been very deeply moved this past week by people who rallied around when I was feeling psycho, and who've let me know they're thinking of me and wishing me well. I don't give enough back; I could never give enough back for all that people give me. Life is fragile, and it never hurts to let someone know I love you; you make me laugh; you make my world a better and cooler place. Thanks.
So, even if I haven't reached you personally, consider that this message is for you <g>. Going dark now, back on Tuesday or Wednesday.
So I've been thinking about this today; I'm grieved, of course, as we all are, at the deaths, these seven lives cut short so early. But then I think that there are worse fates than to die while pursuing one's dream. I'm sure each of those people would have wanted to come home safe, hug their families, take a breath of fresh air, eat real food, climb into bed tonight with whomever they loved. But given that we all have to die someday ... well, I keep thinking that if you choose to chase a dream, one that involves risk and danger, you accept that safety and comfort and The Sure Thing are not at the top of your priority list. I honor those who make such choices, and who accept the price of the ticket on that ride.
Any time I travel, I tend to anticipate disaster -- the airplane going down in a ball of fire, the skid and crash on a rain-wet unfamiliar highway. The night before I leave, I tend to do a quick check-over of my life--am I OK? Have I left loose ends? There are *always* loose ends, of course, god knows, a whole tangle of them. But I've found myself tonight e-mailing to a few people I care about, just letting them know how much they mean to me. Not enough, of course, never enough. But it's good to be reminded that disaster could come for any of us, any time, and to make some attempt to conduct one's life accordingly. I've been very deeply moved this past week by people who rallied around when I was feeling psycho, and who've let me know they're thinking of me and wishing me well. I don't give enough back; I could never give enough back for all that people give me. Life is fragile, and it never hurts to let someone know I love you; you make me laugh; you make my world a better and cooler place. Thanks.
So, even if I haven't reached you personally, consider that this message is for you <g>. Going dark now, back on Tuesday or Wednesday.