May I proffer that we each exist in our own, very individual, reality based upon needs, wants and expectations; and regretfully to a major extent our influential 'life mistakes'. Don't mean to get metaphysical or religious here; that's also a very personal place. BUT, the only reason to fear/question our current/future reality is our ability, or lack thereof, to control where we really want to be!
IMHO, life is not meant to be spent alone, even within a 'crowd' . It's just not in our DNA. <BTW, I'm not a fan of crowds> Regardless, everyone has a life story that can assist, comfort or reinforce others!
OK, after rereading this prior to posting, I really didn't mean to get so serious. Yes, I've been lonely, scared, doubtful and at various times insecure. Gotta say that for me, lonely is the worst. But, I always knew that I've been 'loved'! For me, THAT is the essence of life!!
So when I'm a lil' down, I'm drawn to our porchers. Just wish the love and concern shared here could be a universal given!
I'm gonna riff off this for a minute or two .. and BTW, Johnny, when you drop the cartoon voice and get down to it, you're pretty good ...
The, let's call them Elders, for lack of a better term .. IOW, those that have stayed with us from Day One, thread One .. since I suggested we are our own Tribe a while back, I don't think Elders is too out of line ..
Anyway .. in bits and pieces, or bits and bytes, over these years, we've come to know each other pretty well .. in fact, speaking for myself, and myself only, there have been times I've poured my soul out on the table (others have done the same) .. I don't know how much History each of us retains as it relates to each other .. I remember a lot .. others may choose to forget .. or have skipped parts of the narrative ..
My way has always been to just let go and speak from my heart .. others hold back .. why, I think because it can be tough to delve deep .. I obviously don't worry about it .. because, if we are truly friends, then I won't be judged ..
Yet, here's the rub .. I believe many just want to keep things light and funny .. and when I go dark and brooding, it upsets the equilibrium .. even though, if the Elders remember, I have told my story in bits and pieces over the years .. and, as you put so well .. "we each exist in our own, very individual, reality based upon needs, wants and expectations; and regretfully to a major extent our influential 'life mistakes'." ..
My point is simply this .. those that have stayed on the Journey here, know .. those that join us later do not necessarily have the benefit of that History .. unless they go through tens of thousands of past posts anyway .. and to those I say "I am not the Loon I appear to be at first glance" ..
My old friend John Prine said it best ..
