I have a great dislike of lunch counters. Not because I fear rejection or arrest. No one will beat me for sitting down and expecting to be served. But I grew-up at a time when this was true and deep down I tell myself I just prefer sitting at table. I never fail to appreciate that in 2020 without thinking or batting an eye I have freedom of choice. Some say there is no such thing as a free lunch… sometimes lunch has been bought for us and I am grateful for it.
For three decades I have ridden my bicycle across the state of Iowa. If the ride was a “go for 2020” I could say four decades. I miss that I will not be able to say this until 2021. I think of the world today and the world only one year ago. So much taken for granted, the ease of being together and able to visit; travel, shop without thought or mask. I also felt that the divisions would fade; and ways to goodwill would rise like a morning sunrise with ease… all would simply have a new beginning.
No Iowa ride this year… but in my thoughts and mind I see and reflex on all the kindness and fun I found in Iowa each year. Each year people from all over the United States and the world would ride bikes. It seemed to me this was “America at its Greatest”. The rider’s from the Air Force would be offering a helping hand. Bike repair workers, police, fire department, health care workers, people ready at all times; to support all. As sure as the sun comes up in the morning a good time could be found on the ride. Regardless of what is happening today I know that the best of America is in people’s goodwill and kindness to others. Just thinking about it makes my day hopeful.
I typed this twice, then noticed I missed typed Falcon as Dalcon and rhey for they. In life you can miss speak and you learn to live with it. I decided to let these words show typing in real time… has the same issue.
There are things you just know… does not matter if you if you lack any actual knowledge; you just know! A person is “bad” just because. It’s going to be a good trip (my gut tells me) and why bother checking things out (since it will only confirm what you already believe.) Some times what you thought would be “trash” is. Other time you got it wrong… and sometimes it is just not worth the effort to see. But if you never challenge your assumptions how do you know how close or how far you are from what is true. How can conversations take place if you know the other person has a closed mind? Who wants to see how closed one own mind is? Sometimes you just tip your toe into the unknown….
