Are You Where You Are?

In a matter of 30 minutes, I bought a new lawnmower this weekend. Coming to the actual decision to purchase the mower has taken me since the snow melted, months ago.

True, the old mower’s missing pieces were making it a bit dangerous, and it took two people to start it. No hyperbole! But, the actual purchase of a new mower wasn’t really about grass cutting or keeping a tidy yard – though both of those things can be important in being a neighborly neighbor.

No, my conundrum was about making a new commitment when recent life events have clearly demonstrated that commitment means very different things to different people. For me, purchasing a mower with a three-year, “guaranteed to start” warranty meant I was committing to a way of life, a way of living, and I was going to continue showing up in my little community.

My investment, which the mower most certainly was monetarily, was one of saying, "YES" to a sense of place. It was my declaration of inter-dependence. “I’m here to stay!” roared the shiny red, 2-stroke engine as it came to life on the first pull. “I am where I am!”

And this is a good place to be. Neighbors to the west of my home provide wise grand parenting to my 17-year old daughter. For me, they sometimes provide after work, adult conversation and a relaxing glass of wine on their deck.

Those to the east of my yard exude youth, possibilities, and the occasional pit fire at night…a wonderful spot for philosophical and political explorations. A half block away, my precious granddaughter runs down the sidewalk saying, “Go Nana’s house, Nana’s house!"

The temporality of life demonstrates that despite changes, if you can learn to be where you are, it does not matter where you are. You can commit at any time to any place and declare your own inter-dependence. From there, comes joy...and in a world that sorely lacks for joy at times, this is a very good thing. This I know.

So, where are you?

Peacebeinall, Jane

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Credit for this blog's title goes to a gifted local musician, Arlene Anderson. It is from a song on her CD, Point of Departure. The chorus goes like this: