During the COVID-19 pandemic, I hear more, “Enjoy life.” I repeat this to others without thinking what we mean by “life”. Is it living or being alive? Is one lesser than the other, or, more? To whom so? After the fifth death of friends and family over the past two years, the nuances are hard to ignore. In their 50+, 60+, 80+, and 90+ years of navigating the streams, each a unique person, each shared the life’s longing to which all of us hang on, and each the dearest to someone. Through their passing, I see that the most ordinary is the most precious.
What for, all this rush?
Where to?
Thank you, R, for the gift of the haiku and the strength that comes with it.
[Re-read Slow Down to remind myself the gift of living.]
Tag: Americans
Trump and My Classmate
Girls in years above and below us liked him. He is the definition of gentleness. Classmates were all curious about the election, simple things like how one casts a vote, where, and what it is like. All of these questions can be answered by a click on the cell phone. Then came questions about what now. The “now” on that day was a demonstration on campus. I sent a photo. He ranted. The fact he could rant shocked me to begin with. Thank you, Na, you, more than anyone else, made me reflect on where I am, what I have, and what I do.
like coffee, like tea 