Friends,
On Sunday afternoon I drove to Mendocino. Ordinarily, on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, we have a big family gathering that involves lots of food, usually cooked over an open fire. This year was a bit different: my eldest brother and my youngest sister had a gig that night, singing duets down at the Mendocino Odd Fellows Hall. My siblings shared the stage with another singer/songwriter duo, each pair alternating songs, with plenty of friendly banter in between. It was a lovely concert, and a lovely experience of small-town life.
Before the show, I had a nice talk with the new pastor of my childhood church. He’s a good guy. He’s a progressive-leaning Presbyterian, learning to lead a theologically mixed church–and doing a great job according to all reports.
During intermission, I ran into my oldest friend — someone I’ve known since we were in preschool together. She was up from Santa Cruz to celebrate her father’s 75th birthday. After catching up and hearing news of each other’s kids, we walked through the crowd to have our picture taken with our kindergarten teacher who was out enjoying the music. Our former teacher is now retired and spends her days playing fiddle and learning aerial silks at a local circus school.
When the concert came to an end, most of the hundred or so folks who came to hear music stayed to help clean up. Before going home we took loads of folding chairs to the Presbyterian Church and to the home of one of the concert organizers.
It strikes me that this is why I got rid of my iPhone. Whenever possible, I want to live a life that isn’t mediated by a screen. As much as I enjoy social media and email, I also acknowledge there is no substitute for real human interaction, especially when that human interaction happens in the place where music and old friends meet.
Here’s to Life!
Ben
P.S. If you would like to experience some of what I got to hear last week, be sure not to miss my sister’s concert at MPC this Friday evening at 7:30. My brother will be there too, so you’ll hear a few duets.
P.P.S. Here is a photo of me, my old friend, Lisa, and our kindergarten teacher.
