Friday, November 21, 2008

Dropping By My Life


A young friend of mine and I were kicking around the Valley this afternoon. We visited what I consider my private sanctuary (The Gardens at El Paseo). Few shoppers….nearby coffee…lots of benches …dog friendly. We sat beneath the trees with Daisy the Wonder Dog and let the week pass fall off of us; breathing deeply for perhaps the first time in days.

My friend is younger than I am- by many decades. But she has what the sages would call an old soul. I knew I was there to ask her a question. To get her blessing. To just see what she had to say.


Me: There is an awful lot to be done in the world and a lot of people doing important work.


Wise Young Friend: And? (I was waiting for her to add "Grasshopper", but that didn't happen....)


M: and ….I am here.


WYF.The Valley is a small place, that’s true.


M: Shouldn’t I be out “there” doing something?


WYF: A drop in the bucket.


M: Excuse me?


WYF: It is all a drop in the bucket. It doesn’t matter where you put it. This is your bucket. Take care of the people around you.


I wonder if she ever gets tired of being so young and so wise.