Parents (Part 2 of 4)

When the little one is upset, Daddy comes running to the rescue. Most of the time the comfort of my hand will soothe his anxiety, but only one person can quell his hunger: his mother. This is dedicated to mine.

While I'm tempted to write on the life giving prowess of my mother, this is something Sunshine (and females generally I imagine) can appreciate more. For me, it's all about life lessons and in this area she was not poor. One attribute that I value in myself over any other is one I inherited from my mom. As I've written before, prejudice is long from gone and to enter into an interracial marriage just 12 years after it was nationally legalized is the truest testament to my mother's wisdom with regards to appraising people.

Growing up I had friends that were white, black, mexican, chinese, japanese, indian, etc... Never once did I hear a sly comment made with reference to their ethnic background or cultural practices. In fact, even with regards to her acquaintances the same was true. Even with the horrible drivers in the bay area, only once in my lifetime did she get visibly upset, but again, her comments were only directed towards their actions, nothing else. And so, from the source of my sustenance, I learned that people are to be judged by their actions and not their cultural differences. This has proved invaluable.

You see, that books are to be judged by more than the art on the cover spans more than just its analogy to people. To critically assess information generally is a talent that takes practice to perfect. My mother was essential in this area. While most of my generation are completely and irrevocably committed to science as if it were a religion, my mother taught me that science too is not without emotion. It is not perfect, it makes mistakes. It's comforting coat of verifiability was not to mask the fact that public opinion - the greatest and most fickle variant in the universe - had a hand in what was to be considered truth. Newton was right: an object in motion tends to stay in motion until acted upon an outside source. However, nineteenth century scientist were wrong: Morphine is likely not a good way to kick an alcohol habit! (And later they would prescribe herion to help people kick their morphine habits) At the same time, she never once restricted me from loving and learning all I could about science. To quite the opposite, she aided in and encouraged my venture to the fullest extant of her abilities; devoting time, money and sleep towards my journey to a truthful and flourishing life.

For some time now I've been exceptionally happy with everything and I have someone that deserves thanks. And while we may continue to disagree on the letter of the law, we see the same spirit. It is on this branch where we nest and where we return to after flying through the world, my mother and I.

Thank You

~ Namaste ~