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A Note from the Garden Journal  Volume I.I

August 24, 2003

Лоздний Август детсять минут 22.00, Мы понимаем зто поздний. And already people are wondering where the summer has gone. In Tennessee we had one of our first days over 90°F (32°c) and most likely it will be one of our last for the season.

It is hard to imagine daily temperatures of 140°F (60°c) or braving them with a hundred pounds of air-tight clothing and gear. As I drive through the scenic mountains of Brentwood it is hard to see children in far away Ethiopia who are fighting to survive an outbreak of malaria.

Sitting with my friends at the coffee shop relaxing, watching Hummers and Range Rovers cruising the lot, it’s hard to imagine there could be any need anywhere, really.

Yet, one need not even board an airplane for the lengthy flight to discover that it indeed exists. Some of us know. We are by far the most generous nation on earth. The most charitable people. That perhaps is why we also happen also to be one of the most wealthy. Yet, we still have to fight that part in us that wants to bury the head in our own matters. Perhaps we feel smothered by all of the pleas we hear for our money. None of us can save the world, but everyone can do some little thing, a kindness to another.

Consider if you will, 250 million people doing just such a kindness. Be that buying a stranger lunch, sending air conditioners to our soldiers, medical supplies to Africa, teachers to the Dominican Republic or counselors to a women’s shelter 4 miles from where you live.

Yet, it also strikes me the effect on a single soul I have for a few lousy worthless Dollars. Many who have seen Schindler’s list may remember the end of the film when Oscar Schindler after having saved so many realizes how many more he could have helped had he sold an unnecessary ring or his car. We don’t even have to do that, but will we really treasure every single CD we buy? What if we gave one new CD up and did something else with the money. What would you do if someone came running up to you 25 years from now and told you they were on the edge when you brought them back? Instead of the CD. Any buyer’s remorse?

I know so many of us are indeed quite giving. This is part of our culture, a part of which I am deeply proud as an American. This is more of just a note to stay aware of your surroundings and the people in the world around you, if you have both arms and both legs, a car, food, a roof and tend to go out for coffee with your friends...or not.

It may be late in August, 10 past 22:00, but it need not be getting late in the more meaningful sense. For those of you who are not letting your neighbor’s foot slip, a Swahili word or two: Asante askari. Good work, soldier.

--Blogbat

-Blogbat a.k.a. Martin

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