Cherish is the Word
Recognizing the precious things we still have...while we still have them
I know “nostalgia” is a yearning for what once was, but what’s the word for holding on to what’s precious before it’s gone? I guess “cherish” does come closest, but that doesn’t seem to meet the urgency of this moment. All around us, we’re watching the foundations of a life we’ve taken for granted—safeguards from disease, freedom of speech and the press, a social framework that protects our most vulnerable from calamity, even breathable air and drinkable water—slip-sliding away.
Journey to American Democracy with Heather Cox Richardson
What’s to be done? Well, for starters, educating ourselves about our true history. Here’s where historian Heather Cox Richardson comes in. In addition to her daily “Letters from an American,” she is producing a series of bite-size videos (each less than two minutes) laying out the American story in a clear, concise and engaging way. The first ten episodes have just been released on YouTube. Check out the link above for the whole playlist; here’s the first episode…
POEM: This Beautiful Planet by Dorothea Lasky
To quote the poet: “I’ve long been obsessed with the idea that our human experience is very unimportant when taken in the context of the endless magnitude of the universe. It’s both a comforting and terrifying reality. In terms of this poem, this reality is manifest in my current fear for our planet. Climate change dominates my thoughts most days. In many ways, this poem is a narration of this particular sort of existential anxiety. It is only through love and care of others that we can still have hope for our beautiful planet. I wish everyone on the planet reading this poem so much love”
Please tell me that I was a good child
And that I did everything right
And that the atmosphere was exactly certain
I want you to love me
In ways that you never have
So that I become a forgotten world
With rainbow sunrises over dark green trees
And the cooling of the day
Becomes normal again
We will sit and watch the body of water
That we once called a sort of death
You know even in my dreams
You say I’ll never get it right
This is not a dream
We are burning here with no escape
But no matter how many times
They talk about the moon
It does not take a poet
To know that the moon
Is still only an illusion
Only an illusion
The moon calls out to all of us
Come back, it says
But we don’t hear it
Already on our way
To somewhere
SHORT OSCAR-WINNING FILM (1952): NEIGHBORS
Wow. This blew me away. In 1952, as we had recently emerged from WWII and were again plunged into conflict in Korea, animation pioneer filmmaker Norman McLaren made this powerful, thought-provoking short. The two neighbors’ escalating battle over a flower in the yard is symbolic of things we humans claim, and claim to love…
COMEDY: GARY GULMAN ON HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE PEOPLE LAZIER
And let’s not forget to “cherish” our technology before it’s jettisoned in favor of “new ‘n improved”! This hilarious Gary Gulman performance was not that long ago, but several things he talks about (DVD players! One kind of orange juice!) are ancient history. Enjoy!!
SONG: STOP THIS TRAIN BY JOHN MAYER
There are as many things to adore, as they are to fear….our Aiden graduated from fifth grade on Friday, June 6th. On to middle school for my first grandson. When we entered, the PA system played this poignant John Mayer song about the lightning speed of life (and, predictably, this Nana cried). But what I saw in that auditorium was pure joy and excitement. These kids don’t want to stop this train; they want to guide it to a much, much better place. Bless them all. Us, too.
BLOG PREVIEW: CORE BELIEFS
Welcome to the wide world of aesthetics—from Barbiecore to Corporate Grunge, it seems everyone has their vibe nowadays. Check out the blog to learn more!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
This is so true. As I (rapidly) approach old age, my happy moments are indeed cushioning the blow! Wishing you a week filled with moments to cherish, my friends!
