HELLO!

Yesterday, yet another long-time friend reached out to me to inquire if we might share a coffee, to catch up. I responded, as I always do, letting him know that my schedule is focused on Woodlawn, being a pt-time navigator, funeral families I have never met, and Lucian/Kim. That does not leave a lot of time for others. My friends Hugh, Phil and Jim are also high on my priority list, even if I don’t see them often, their emails and texts mean a lot to me. Their feedback, stimulating conversations and calm, considered and truth-telling are treasured gifts in my life. There are other friends, who live far-far away, who bless my life as well.

At the funeral homes the staff regularly shake their heads, “is there anyone you don’t know?” I quickly respond, “yes, people under 60”. At this time of year, when I was in my late teens, right up till I turned 40, I would be making lists, Christmas cards (100+), dinner party invitations (40+), calls to people I had not seen for some time (50-100, depending on the year). That huge social space did not leave much room for academic work, skill development, even work-related ambitions. I was involved in causes and movements; divestment from oppressive regimes, gender equality, anti-racism, anti-poverty, and gay rights (what we called it then). My old friend Layton once described me as “the least activist looking person he had ever met.” He said I looked more like a tour guide.

At 62 I have never experienced so many varied daily conversations as I do now. I am choosing to invest my time, energy and skills, as an animated facilitator, less with a wide circle of friends. It works for me. Old friends worry I have become a loner, though I often sound happier than them.

What makes you happy? The most popular answers are, family and friends, paid work, and volunteer work. For my father it was family and his garden, for my mother it was family, friends, faith, & volunteer work, for my teacher & IT guru brothers, family and friends and hobbies (one as an actor, the other as a carpenter). I love making my life a channel of dynamic connections, reminding people how their gifts fit together with others’ gifts, like a jigsaw puzzle. I spend most of my day, in prayer, in discernment, with analysis, pondering how each person I meet (stranger or familiar face) connects with others, how I can assist in that connection, with stories, with referrals, with introductions.

Nothing makes me feel better than being part of a new connection for someone I meet. Anything that assists that goal, that mission, my passion, is part of my plan for the day, every day. And you are part of that.

Peace, Kevin

PS This photo was sent to me by my friend Brian. He sends me nine photos every Monday, taken during the previous week. This one reminded me of an email I received yesterday, referenced earlier in this blog.