Memories and The Future

Over the past week or so I've been lucky to have had some wonderful correspondence with and from old friends. We've shared thoughts and memories about times we spent together working for peace and social justice through the 60's and beyond. The memories are like those you may have - some good, some bad, some painful. They are also an important piece of our personal history.

Sometimes, many of us, can dwell too much on the past. It can become burdensome and frankly unhealthy. But the past is certainly important. It helps us understand who we are, where we came from and can help lead us in where we're going and how we get there.

One of my dear old friends is currently in Vietnam building homes with Habitat for Humanity. He's working with other volunteers and local Vietnamese helping to make current life better as well as impacting people's future. He recently told a brief story about his conversation and bonding with another volunteer, an ex-marine who fought and watched many die in that land so far away. Two men with different histories, different memories of that war and that time, working together today to make a difference in people's lives.

I've also had recent discussions with some folks about the evolution of supports and services for people with developmental disabilities. Past battles broke down walls and helped people move from institutions to communities where people are living independent lives. The battles today are for dollars to protect those supports and make sure the quality of life for those people continues today and into the future.

The memories and the past battles are so very important. They let us tell the story that helps the next generation continue to move forward. Some of the history prevents people from stumbling in the same pot holes that line the paths along the way. Sometimes falling or tripping is important to the new traveler.

Then I contemplate the future. Many people are involved in issues around the environment and climate change. What an important place to meld the past the present and the future. Our earth, our air, our water and all the elements around us are crying out for protection and stewardship. Young and old are becoming activists together as they see what's happening around them and as they understand the consequences of past and present practices.

The friend I spoke of earlier is also a musician and like all good musicians, he understands the importance of words and music in story telling and messaging. One of his recent posts from Vietnam consisted of a few powerful pictures and these words from Joni Mitchell's The Circle Game - "And the seasons they go round and round. And the painted ponies go up and down....." Here is the complete chorus, hopefully helping us to understand the relationship between past, present and future.

And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted horses go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

It is a great big circle my friends so join in as we all go round and round.