Tag Archives: happiness

Sitting With Otis

22 Jul

I am sitting here in the Oakland (California) airport awaiting my flight to board.  The song that keeps running through my head is Otis Redding’s, “Dock of the Bay”.  I came to northern California this time for a joyous occasion.  My god-sister had her second son and my stay this past week involved taking on “baby holding shifts” to help her either get some much needed shut-eye and rest, or give her extra time with her toddler to help him with the adjustment of having to share his mommy.  I confess, I am good and tired!  I can honestly say, “good and tired” because this kind of sleep deprived state comes from the elation of holding my nephew into the wee hours of the morning.  Yep, my shift was the 11:00p.m. to 3:00a.m. window.  It was my pleasure to shimmy, shake, rock, bounce, walk, and sing my little 10 day old nephew to sleep and hold him until his stomach announced the change of the guard.  So while I am showcasing some serious bags under my eyes, I assure you they represent a contented joy within me for I was here to experience the, all too fleeting, stage of the precious new born.

Before dropping me off at the concrete curb of the airport, my little sis wanted to capitalize on my presence for one last errand.  She needed to hit the Gymboree Outlet Store.  And with a few moments to spare, we were able to stop at Starbucks for our final departing shot of espresso (only today I required 3 shots!).  Now I don’t know if it is because I am lacking sleep or if it is genuine emotion which comes from a profound realization of how quickly time flies by, but I shed quite a few tears while sipping my java.  My nephew on my shoulder and a Starbucks napkin doubling as kleenex, the thought of leaving my little baby kept the water works flowing freely. A pain, I assure you…especially for a girl (me) who is not fond of crying.  But crying I did and I said my goodbyes while in the coffee shop so that I could dash away emotionally guarded and ready to step into the security mess of the airport standards.  By the way, since when are pilots allowed to show tattoos?  …just asking as one with some serious ink walks by.

My plane boards in 5 minutes…time to seal this memory and get in line.  Nope, it actually boards now…just heard my name called over the loud speaker!

Tootaloo…

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As It Should Be

16 Jul

I have several favorite movies; some of which are:  Guys and Dolls, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Singing in the Rain, Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Melody Time, Roman Holiday, Mao’s Last Dancer, and most recently, Made in Dagenham.  It is the last of my favorites that I will relate to here.

The focal point of the movie is to showcase the change of infrastructure in England for the Ford Motors factory women in the early 1970’s.  Besides the “eye candy” of the period piece, the bright color hues, and the intriguing storyline filled with multilayered characters, the movie sends forth the underlying message of basic human rights.  In fact, in all of the movie, there is one scene between wife and husband that stood out to me in particular.  It is an exchange where the husband is pleading with his wife for a little “understanding”.  However, the basis of his argument is rooted in character traits such as, being a good provider for she and the children, not being a drunkard, and being nice to his wife, etc.  All of which, while in a heat-filled and tense conversation, can emulate a firm foundation for a case in point, but are ripped of their pseudo stability when the wife points out that the character traits he mentioned are simply, “as it should be”.  Nothing more.  And she goes on to explain to him that basic rights are not a privilege…

I’ve actually found the clip of the movie and included it in this post.  A feat I am quite proud of because I am a bit of a novice when it comes to navigating my way through “Youtube”.

At any rate, the theme of “As It Should Be” runs through my mind frequently.  Of course, in light of a domestic violent situation, it is difficult to Not consider how the absence of the basic rights of a woman and child affect the infrastructure of the family.  It is obvious.  However, my focus here is really to stay in the realm of the healthy family and how we interact with one another, as showcased in the scene from the movie Made in Dagenham.

For example, would it be right of me to consider that I deserve a special reward because I have cleaned the kitchen after preparing and cooking a meal?  Is it right of my husband to think he is an extraordinary human being because he provides a means for his family?  Am I exceptional because I take the time to nurture my children and teach them to be good citizens?  Do my children deserve extra (note the word “extra” here…the word implies above the usual…I am not suggesting it wrong to acknowledge good behavior) pats to their self esteem because they have enacted polite manners within interactions?  Do I deserve an award for taking care of my family, does my husband, do you?  Of course you can guess my answer to these questions is, “no”.  Special recognition for doling out the basic does not make sense.  Not to say that having a sense of appreciation for the basic is bad.  Not at all.  Actually, appreciation in and of itself, for the basic, is “As It Should Be.”

It feels abrupt for me to stop the conversation here, for I know I could continue on.  And I just might in another post.  However, it is time for me to get to the kitchen and begin clanging some dishes together which sends out the signal, to my family, that breakfast is in the making.  So let us just consider this conversation opener as a teaser, a little “food for thought” to kick start a new week.  And if nothing more, an introduction to one of my favorite movies.  May peace be with you, as it should be.  🙂

 

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Loving the Good

10 Jul

I would make a good vigilante.  Well that is not completely true…a partially good vigilante.  A possibly good vigilante?  Ok, okay; vigilantes and good cannot coexist–at least they would not coexist within my person.  But I can attest to the fact that I do love it when good prevails and within my fantastical perspective, which I am indulging within this writing, the vigilance committee makes no mistakes while righting the wrong of another.  Thus, it is always good (do I really need to remind that this is fantasy, not reality?  Well there it is, the reminder, just in case one of you reading wanted to jump on that last statement as if it were rooted in truth.).  And with a deep sigh of relief…sigh, sigh, sigh…I can tell you that today I was privileged to experience the good; no vigilanteism required.

As written in my previous post titled, “Choosing My Stride”, my friend and her children were in peril as a result of violence within their home.  I am happy to say that she and the wee ones are in the loving, and extremely adept, care of Human Options (humanoptions.org).  Their safety is secured and the process of healing has begun.  Within the chaos of the last several days, there was one aspect of calm that came alongside us and whose presence brought forth such good that I am still blown away by it at this moment.

The calm force, ironically, was the high profile criminal attorney (also mentioned in the last post).  Without so much as a dime in his pocket, he invested time, energy, expertise, and his connections toward assisting my friend and thereby her children.  The result?  Today we received word that the district attorney rejected the case against her due to the complexity of the domestic violence circumstance.  This victory came without a signed contract, without a verbal agreement for payment, and in full knowledge that funds were not on hand.  And with today’s news, no funds are needed.  Case closed.  Again, as mentioned above, my loved ones are now fully able to focus on healing.

When goodness crosses my path, I feel as if I am bubbling over inside myself with joy.  I honestly feel giddy, as if I have been granted access to something extremely special.  As a result I want to express my elation from the roof tops (or tree tops, or any tops for that matter), “I have met a person of quality; a person with integrity; a person who exhibits generosity; a person who cares!”  It is not that I do not know and dwell in the company of such people, I assure you I am blessed to say I do.  And to them I give the same accolades, and for them I thank G-d daily.  But in the last several days, and most specifically today, I was privy to be witness to the good in action–the selfless, generous gift from a stranger.  A stranger only because the introductions are fresh.  Though with the bond of fighting the good fight between us, a new alliance is formed.  And indeed I am proud to say I know this person.  He is a good man!

For the first time in six months, in regard to the circumstance of my friend and her family, I can truly breathe.  The vigilant Rivka is not needed, of course it never is.  Gratitude abounds and joy leads to a peaceful slumber.  Hallelujah and an Amen.

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