Life as a Collage
The day began early because of the time of departure. Sun was coming through and the temperature again, in the upper 50's fahrenheit. There was no rain last night, and the cooling last night was a perfect way to end a day of walking along a beach strewn with driftwood. Today is Saturday.
The passage of time is the thing that allows for the pieces of life's collage to come into existence. The years bring transformation of the body, the mind, the spirit. And at every life's end, there is a chance to reflect on the journey, whether long or short, smooth or choppy, entirely predictable or full of surprises. Most seem to have their share of surprises come along, adding the element of opportunities to grow or at least come to better know oneself. It's the unexpected that allows one to see the extent of one's skill at balancing, pivoting, being resilient in the face of the disastrous.
Today's news is all about the tragic loss of life and property on the island of Maui. The extent of the devastation can be seen in the photographs and film that captures the aftermath of firest that ran wild across the island, taking (as of this day) more than 80 lives. This is the largest loss of life since the Camp fire in California. Wildfires aren't supposed to happen in the tropics. And here, the conditions and infrastructure were so vulnerable that families were rushing into the sea with children holding on to their parents a pieces of wood, for dear life. The body count is still ongoing.
The people who count in the thousands, planning to go to Maui have realized that now is not the time to make a visit. The local residents are going to be focusing on recovery and rebuilding for a long time to come. The government's efforts will include local, state, and federal resources – and it will take years for the scars of the tragedy to stabilize. Trauma, healing, resilience - all are on the horizon.
This is part of life's collage that will make for stories of miracles as well as deep reflection on the choices one has to make throughout a lifetime. There are no plans that can be relied upon in this day and age. Our collective existence is so intertwined and deep, that even from thousands of miles and oceans away, one can feel the need to help - whether it is financial, political, spiritual - prayers and blessings are being bestowed.
And the elders who lived through the times of displacement as indigenous people who understood what the aina tried to communicate, and lost the fight to keep the native crops and practices intact, must feel a bit of extra sadness in knowing that the disaster that hit this week, was inevitable.
What life experiences can teach humility and reverence for nature as powerfully as nature itself? Certainly teachings of human beings have fallen short.