Having just spent a weekend with my cousin, Anita, I am freshly aware of our humanity, the ways we differ and the ways we are all the same.
'Nita was born oxygen-deprived, so has lived with labels all of her 67 years. First she was "retarded," now "developmentally disabled." And in between she has seen a variety of institutions and homes, depending on where the state considered she belonged. Some of her history is painful, some of it she reflects on with nostalgia, and always she is accepting. At this time she lives with her mother in a suburb just north of Minneapolis.
She teaches me so much. And this weekend we learned even more about one another. A publicly-funded program provides for two weekends of respite care with 'Nita in our homes to give my aunt some change of pace; one weekend with me and one with her brother. I spent quite a bit of time with 'Nita when we were kids, and we always got along.
She needs meals prepared and her bed arranged. She helps with simple kitchen chores and needs some direction when out and about. She keeps herself groomed and loves people. She works in a part-time job with others like herself, earns a little money is very proud of this independence. She talks to herself quite a bit, and so do I.
And she is so psychic at times that she knocks my socks off! She knows what will happen next in a TV show, and she bounces off thoughts in my head and fills in the blanks. And, as natural as the Earth, she is always accepting.
What do we show the world and how are we labeled? Would we know ourselves through the eyes of others? Are we obvious and natural or are we pretenders? What kind of person is easier to know? And with what kind of person are we most at ease?
The complexities of this Earth are of no concern to Anita. She feels the pain of those in crisis around the planet, but a Polar Shift does not come into her purview. The question of service does not enter her thoughts, but faith in God is unquestioned.
Who we are the world is not as important as that we are. We might agree that the more aware we are, the more responsibility we have to shape our thoughts intentionally and to do service as we are equipped. And I celebrate that having no awareness is simply the assignment we have accepted. And we are created in that Plan that serves us best.
Comparing oneself with any other is an exercise in exhaustion. Honoring each other as perfect, on a path as flawless as our own, we can remain focused on our personal assignment. Promoting ourselves requires that we remain focused. And that we are is all that counts. More about this another time. Big subject, affecting every relationship and situation in our lives.
Until next time,
Phyllis
1 comment:
As always, your words are wise and pertinent...hope you are well Phyllis; my cha-lle-nges are going well.
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