On the Continuum

Flat cropland

The beginning of April was filled with color, family, good food, and friends. Seeing the tabletop terrain of the Red River Valley of the North in the rear view mirror expanded my forward perspective. Shrinking from four lanes into two lanes provided a renewed appreciation for rolling cropland, livestock, and small towns. The encompassing daily thoughts and routines were laid behind with a relaxed enthusiasm for what was to come. The late night conversation with hospitable, childhood friends not only broke up the miles, but rekindled our connections on another level. Traveling with a sense of tiredness was a welcomed diversion to the ingrained routines of most days. 

While in Chicago, I accompanied my daughter during her volunteer work with Nourishing Hope. Delivering boxes of food, along with special bags for those marking birthdays provided a dope slap to my cloistered existence. I did not sense "good fortune" or "superiority" for my place on the 

Sleep anywhere

continuum of humanity. What I realized was the resilience of community in the vast and varied settings of daily existence. The connection between giver and recipient was not a one directional flow. The assistance provided to make the deliveries easier; especially the kindness and sensitivity of building security, care providers, and maintenance personnel illustrated our shared humanity. 

Time spent in the Lincoln Park Conservatory enjoying the colors, fragrances, and environments of their, "Spectrum of Spring" exhibit transported me to a recently uncovered aspect of life. While I am not enamored with gardening, I deeply appreciate the structural intricacies of blossoming plants. I did not "smell the roses," but I dawdled

Beauty in diversity

through the labyrinth of pathways admiring the growth which impregnates the space displaying uniqueness without hesitation. 

With bags barely unpacked and clothing laundered, I lifted off the runway in a southerly direction. Before settling into the home routine, I responded to my sister's text that my ninety-nine year old father was in the care of Hospice. The pace and sequence of changing gates at the Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport was on the other side of the continuum compared to the unhurried saunter of the El Paso, Texas airport. While culture, landscape, and purpose were significantly different from my prior exodus off the northern plains, I realized this too was on the 

Desert drive

continuum of life. I attempted to lay aside prior experiences and interactions in order to cultivate an appreciation for the journey. The time devoted to my father, sister, and nephew were insightful and meaningful. Echoing what I previously perceived, connections between people are not a unidirectional
movement. Being a recipient and a giver are simultaneous encounters. I am accepting of the mysteries of life remaining a mystery.

Blossoms to admire

According to Oxford Languages, a continuum is defined: "a continuous sequence in which adjacent elements are not perceptibly different from each other although the extremes are quite distinct."  

I am grateful to participate in the sequence of life!   

Thank you for reading. 

Spice for life