Love Me Like A Rock?

In the wake of the horrible devastation in Japan, it’s not surprising to see people showing more compassion for each other...spending more time and effort focusing on the things that really matter. And isn’t that always the case? Doesn’t it always seem to take a global catastrophe to kick us in our collective butts and make us realize that the only reason we’re here is to love each other, to help each other along? At this moment in time, it doesn’t seem so important that the people of Japan don’t look like us or talk like us, or may not hold the same tenets and beliefs as ourselves. What matters is that their suffering has become our suffering; their loss has become our loss. Such horrific tragedies always make the world seem smaller by leveling the playing field of humanity in the name of compassion.

Once again, we find ourselves shocked at the reminder of how out of control we truly are. That even with the most brilliant minds utilizing the finest materials to create the most scientific structural designs - all it takes is one big shake of planet Earth to send our best laid plans splintering to and fro like so many tinker toys. God must surely laugh at our feeble attempts to ‘Save the Planet’. It is laughable, when much of the time we’re only making a half-assed effort to save ourselves. The truth of the matter is that this Big Blue Ball is gonna keep right on spinning long after we’re gone. This planet is in much better shape than its people. Like the irreverent comedian George Carlin said…we are but a “surface nuisance” and one day “the planet'll shake us off like a bad case of fleas”. Seriously, can you blame her?

Yesterday, my G-Boy Matthew excitedly introduced me to his new pet rock, Nick (not a bad looking feller, as pet rocks go). It was clear to see that my Mattman and his pet rock had forged a strong bond in their short time together. Nick was obviously being well taken care of in his little butter bowl of a home that was beautifully decorated with pink and red hearts (courtesy of big sister Mandie). Nick even had a leash so he wouldn’t wander off, or go sailing across the room as Mattman spun him round and round on the table. I watched as he spent well over an hour in total absorption with his pet rock. He would let Nick out of his little house to tinkle…put him down for a nap…and spent long moments intently teaching him all the important things that a pet rock would need to know. When I reached over to give Nick a friendly pat, Mattman pushed my hand away while patiently explaining to me that his rock didn’t want to be patted, he wanted to be left alone.

It warmed my heart to see my 3 year old grandson demonstrate such loving care to an ordinary chunk of rock with a silly drawn-on face. Even so, it didn’t surprise me when I asked about Nick today and Matthew nonchalantly shrugged his little shoulders. He told me that he had no idea where Nick was, then ran off to play with his rubber snake. Not that I was worried about Nick. I’m pretty certain he can take care of himself and reintegrate into the 4.5 billion year old planet from whence he came.

We are the ones that need taken care of. We are the ones that need to love each other enough, to value each other, to carry one another’s burdens. Because even if this world keeps on spinning and the sun keeps shining and the wind keeps on blowing...does it really matter if we don't have love?