It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Last Sunday evening Daveen and I cuddled together as we watched the Tom Hanks movie (title above) about Mr. Rogers.  The movie tells the story of a cynical, angry journalist who is healed through the process of interviewing and writing an article about Mr. Rogers, the man who cast a long and uplifting shadow over millions of our most precious gifts, our children.

This story is a clarion call to love yourself and everyone you meet.  The message, “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable.  When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”

We can be open with each other.

Yesterday as we enjoyed a long walk around the neighborhood Daveen and I noticed that, indeed, it was a beautiful day.  The Los Angeles air is clearer than it has been for more than seventy years.  Flowers were springing up, and various hues of green delighted our eyes.  The leaves and branches of trees fluttered gently in a freshening breeze.

The Iris, Poppies, and Azaleas don’t know there is a plague throughout the land.  Ivy, grass, and trees are not privy to human concerns.  Clouds float above us, oblivious, just as they have for longer than we humans have been around to appreciate their beauty.

Perspective.  From a million light years away our planet is smaller than a speck, our continents and seas anonymous, and our very beings of little consequence.  I find that idea to be redeeming.

Do we face a human crisis?  Of course.

Are we properly concerned about food, jobs, and family?  Yes.

Do we need to take care of ourselves and others as best we can?  Absolutely.

As we move forward, let’s not only carry within us the love that we both contain and crave, but let’s also share it with one another. Let’s reveal how we feel without reservation or fear.  Isn’t it beautiful to be connected and know we aren’t alone?

The best part of our neighborhood is that everyone we passed, at a respectful distance, waved and greeted us.  While we might be confined to separate bodies, we all share the very same, beautiful, journey.

Indeed, it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Love,

Alan