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DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
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REFUGE
Why was I surprised when my attempt to address an envelope on the computer failed? Nothing else had gone right this week. A single legal document had to be filed three times with three sets of filing fees due to a series of miscommunications. A helpful friend put the electric tea kettle with a plastic bottom on a hot stove burner causing it to melt and give off fumes. Even dinner out had been a disaster after an overzealous waitress spilled a glass of water on the table cloth. So why was I bewildered when my envelope came out of the printer covered with a column-and-a-half of address labels printed sideways? Maybe it had something to do with the blue moon this week. Perhaps my universe was being influenced by the fact that a seriously ill friend had been flown to the mainland. Maybe it was cosmic payback for all the past pranks I've played on others. Whatever the reason, I needed to take time out and cool down. Unfortunately, everywhere I went throngs of people were asking questions. Do you live here? Where is the bus for the art studio tour? Is the golf course far from here? Where is the pasta feed for the marathon? If there's a garden tour this weekend, where are the secret maps? Who has the best burger on the island? Will the farmer's market be open on Sunday as well as Saturday? Where can we see the whales? Finally I found refuge in the small park near the port. It was quiet there. A nice breeze came off the water, and several friendly dogs came up to be petted. I was soon totally relaxed -- right there in the middle of town with all its hubbub. It gave me hope that one day I will learn to find that same kind of quiet refuge inside myself, wherever I am.
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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