I have been teetering back and forth between two worlds these days: World #1- Focusing on and relishing in the innocence my kids possess on a wide open summer schedule in the era of COVID. World #2 - Studying hard on information I wish I already had multiple PhDs in so not to be a dumb ass waste of space and actually apply my knowledge and skills to maybe even be of help to my larger community.
World #1 is full of silly inside jokes and fun family summer memories like after dinner Zoobombs, Rose Garden tennis, George Washington hair, mountain biking, catching air, Paulina watering hole, rope swing, Harry Potter, hair braiding, kayaking, fort building, and fart fork.
World #2 is full of study topics such as BLM, systemic racism, history, government, COVID side effects both on health and on society, how to build a better school system, police brutality, academic pods, equity, and the blind spots in my white privilege.
I appreciate the rare moments when the teetering stops thanks to perspective reminders. It's the moments when life makes complete sense and no sense at the same time and it's somehow calming nonetheless. Looking up at the night sky can often do that. So can the power of written word. The teetering stopped after recently reading the short story "The Great Silence" in the book "Exhalation." It's one of those stories that invokes feelings at a scale of depth you wish upon all to experience. It's thought provoking and, like looking up at the sky, reminded me of the miracle and fragility of humanity's and really all species' existence. It's a true story besides the fact that it's narrated by an animal. I cannot recommend the short story enough.
Annual trip to the golf range
Plenty of lounging and cuddling at home this summer
