July: On Family

July 2

I don’t know if it will ever happen. And whatever—I don’t care if it’s idealistic to hope for it. I’m a writer. Part of my job is to literally dream up better worlds (after putting my characters through hell, so it goes). But if we can begin to see ourselves as a family—doesn’t have to be a perfect one either, all families have their issues, but one bound together by something greater—then maybe the distance between us won’t seem so far and things will change for the better. And not in some heaven-like utopian way, but in the small, everyday moments where empathy replaces fear, and kindness and understanding replace anger and ignorance. 

Families offer hope . . . and since we’re all one big human family, well, here’s to hoping.

• Reflection title: Go Ahead, Get Idealistic
• Creative inspiration: Mary Oliver, "At the River Clarion"
• Reflection Question: How do I treat my extended human family? Do I see them as others? Or as brothers and sisters?