Musing

15C/52F, sunny & calm; weary Gusta leads weary owner around familiar route, my left foot tight & heel hurting from yesterday’s climb; she slept while I cooked breakfast, while I read the paper – she sleeps while I write stirring slightly each time I venture to the kitchen to fill my coffee cup

laughing with my daughters & dog, the drive to Banff, lunch @ Melisssa’s - we hiked to upper falls at Johnsons Canyon & down again; then drove back dinner with them & my dad

in my small family, a small family gathering is a table for four

in my small family, a large family gathering is a table for four

Q. how to define - in a sentence or single word - what matters most, works best & ensures success in relationships?

A. reciprocity

in families the occurrence of reciprocal unconditional love is easy to see, with a dog even easier because the love that flows is balanced; it has no issue with age, capabilities, differences, intellect, history or skills

it is reciprocal you know

the best of the best of the best of relationships hinge on it

all the best families have some, the better ones have lots

not a dull ache in my belly, or lingering day-dream; not an urge to merge or to share a laugh

connections, however beautiful to look at never work, always fail, have no hope – not a prayer, no chance without it

reciprocal balance, quid pro quo, giving & getting – easy to say, hard to find, easy to do when you find it - whether predicting synergy of business deals, acceptance of ideas or ideals, volunteering or pioneering, working or playing – all relationships we foster need reciprocity, thrive on it & cannot succeed without it

ocean & shore have a constant unceasing symbiotic reciprocal relationship, metaphor for how people can relate to one another in a reciprocal relationship

Hafiz, Sufi master poet of 14th century Persia, wrote: ‘I think of no greater devotion, than to be shore to your ocean’.

while love & caring are grease for the wheels of life, we cannot have anyone be the sundae on our Sunday without reciprocity

love & loving - whenever with whoever, does not matter ever without reciprocity

reciprocal love brings the right to call, say, do, be, want, need anything anytime; the whole while knowing the one you love who loves you too wants & needs you to make that call, write that note, be one of the ones you turn to

cream of the crop, top of the heap, someone to share everything with when we colour over the lines; someone to laugh & cry with in sorrow; someone to challenge us to balance competing values, someone to cook turkeys with; somewhere out there a sundae for my Sunday awaits

waking up without you

waking up . .

table for five please

somewhere, on an ocean would be good

Mark

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