Hidden Power

We returned to Florida recently to the glories of a newly renovated kitchen and laundry room (completed within hours of our arrival). Now, of course, we can’t locate the light switches, the colander, or the iron!

And we had other distractions, too. Chris is frenetically arranging music for a new men’s ensemble he’s directing.  And me?  Well, as you know, I have the little matter of a debut novel to launch! So, we barely noticed as Hurricane Milton grazed our town.  After it had spent its fury elsewhere, we had time to reflect. We blithely continue our domestic pursuits while atrocious things are happening to other people: wars, “natural” disasters, famine, poverty, senseless violence, and disease.

While there are a few individuals who have agency in these catastrophes, most of us may be moved to make a donation in the feeble hope of relieving suffering but otherwise feel powerless to intervene.  A couple of tiny incidents over the last few weeks made me understand that we may not always be as powerless as we think.

No-one needs reminding about the divisiveness of the US election. It seems that, in politics, the concept of “middle ground” has taken a leave of absence. Our neighbors’ yard blares with messages in support of a political candidate.  Recently, the owner staggered across the street to berate Chris for parking on the public road outside his home and, apparently, deliberately blocking his signs. Chris was taken aback – he had parked there, with no malicious intent,  to allow the builders access to our driveway. With great restraint and understanding that the onset of dementia is stealing away our neighbor’s kinder nature, Chris gently helped him down our porch steps and guided him safely back to his home. Chris had the presence of mind and the power to offer kindness in the face of anger.

Last week, I attended the low vision support group that meets locally.  They were kind enough to listen with rapt attention as I described A Glass Darkly and its evolution. This is a book that, in the paperback version, several members, like me, are unable to read!  (In light of this, we are exploring a large print version and, perhaps, an audiobook.)  Once they had indulged me and lent encouragement and support, we talked more generally about coping with low vision.

It’s not as simple as handing out magnifiers and flashlights.  We have different conditions and are at varying stages in our lives.  I shared with them that my needs are very different now in retirement than when I was in my thirties raising young children.  As we talked, it was striking how often people mentioned Paula. She is currently our only totally blind member, living alone, though a short distance from her daughter.  Sometimes, sighted people consider those with sight loss to be either “tragic” or “triumphant,” to be pitied or raised on a pedestal. Well, Paula is neither; she freely admits she allows herself the occasional “pity party” but then gets on with the business of living. While recognizing that Paula has her moments, many people shared that she is their inspiration.  Her quiet determination to live her best life takes away the fear group members have that their sight will deteriorate to the point that many of life’s pleasures are lost. 

You should have seen the smile on Paula’s face as she made her way to the transport she had arranged to bring her to the support group. She hadn’t realized until then that she has “hidden” power to help others.

I like to think we all do.

End Notes

Reading

Listening

One O’Clock Jump
Count Basie and His Orchestra

Viewing

The Corridors of Power

Poetry

Megan Married Herself
Caroline Bird