solidarity vs. charity...

Hey y'all...

    My heart and head have been grappling with the difference between solidarity and charity as I prepare for LVC and finish up a book called The Power of Serving Others.  The book walks the fine line, and I think at times oversteps that line-it is obviously written from a white male perspective. 

    As I reflect on how the arguments apply to my particular placement I think that it would be easy to think of folks with "disabilities" as less "useful" in our society... but I'm looking at it like this: I will help with the things they struggle with (like walking, moving, etc) and they will help me with things I struggle with (like being present, full of humor, and loving people fully).  I think I'm getting the better deal. 

   As for issues of race, intellectually, I understand racism... but in practice, I'm uncertain.  I'm not sure how to respond to loud people or people who seem to dress to the hilt.  I have prejudices against these things.  Not that I haven't seen a loud and fancy dresses white person, but in Berea my experiences of that nature were primarily with African American women in the Ecovillage.  So, I'm pretty sure I will learn a lot living in Seattle. 

    And oh shucks... I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that recently I've had moments of a serious scaredy-cat nature that I am leavin' my folks and this side of the country for an undisclosed amount of time... but I'm thankful for these times, they remind me to pray for presence, and a sense of adventure, flexibility, and acceptance. 

   And the music... of course the music is going well.  It always is.  After my banjo gig at the library tomorrow I will be dedicating myself to learnin' more tunes on the mandolin, so I can do some rockin' in DC at orientation (and airport busking perhaps?). 

   Oh the babes... Ava and Ricky are so angelic.  As I prepare to leave I miss them already.... because I know I will be missing an exciting year (at least) for both of them.  Ricky might be saying a word or two when I visit here again, and Ava will certainly have changed... maybe even grown?

    and a funny note... Pegasus waxed my legs this weekend... they feel so naked!  It was an amusing drawn out endeavor that yeilded many laughs... and now smooth legs (geeze, that's new).  I did it because I already have the potential to stand out in the LVC crowd as agnostic/animist/pluralist-quasi-"hippie" like chicka... I didn't want to blow my cover quite so quickly.  I didn't want to weird folks out before it even started... I want to know people before they can make those judgements.  I'm also hoping that this is a less judgemental Christian crowd than what I experienced at times in Berea.  Overall, I know that each person is an individual and they will likely span the gamut.... I just hope LVC wasn't kidding when they said they wanted spiritual diversity. 

   

much love!

megy sue...

ps-let me know if you'd be interested in my music... I'm up to 7 songs now, hoorah!

 

thankful list:

-water to drink

-music

-Ava and Ricky dear

-taking care of people

-bugs

-the postal service

-always having a roof over my head (unless I escape to the hammock)

-thoughtful readings

-the reunion of two former loves of mine-writing and singing

-being able to walk

-LVC